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The Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) is thrilled to unveil this year’s impressive array of private showcase rooms, offering an incredible platform for artists and attendees alike. These carefully curated showcases, hosted by talented musicians and music enthusiasts, provide over 500 performance opportunities, enriching the experience for all participants at the NERFA conference. Folk Music Notebook (Room 218) : Please Join us at Folk Music Notebook’s private showcase at NERFA, where we weave a musical tapestry blending cherished classics with the vibrant energy of fresh talents. This showcase will be both in-person and streamed to the virtual community watching from afar! Folk Music Notebook pays homage to timeless folk traditions through familiar melodies and heartfelt lyrics, while also introducing you to the next generation of folk artists. On Deck Sound Studio (Room 219): We are showcasing artists that have recorded at On Deck Sound Studio and friends of the studio. We are open to hosting new friends and artists soon to be friends as well, so please join us. One Broadway Collaborative Showcase (Room 220): Featuring numerous performers from the One Broadway Collaboration, this showcase brings together diverse talents for captivating performances. Covering Your Friends (Room 228): An interactive showcase where artists cover songs by their close songwriter friends, sharing not only music but also personal stories, creating a unique and intimate atmosphere. Philly Philly (Room 228): Showcasing the vibrant singer-songwriter scene from the City of Brotherly Love. Folk Vibes (Room 229): An enchanting showcase featuring artists who create immersive musical experiences, connecting with the audience through their unique sound and perspective. ALL MUSIC STARTS LOCAL (Room 231): In-the-round sets presenting artists committed to building artist communities locally and beyond, fostering connections and support. The Folk Project Showcase (Room 232): A showcase offering artists opportunities to connect and perform. Featuring 3 artists per half-hour in a round format on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, this showcase provides a platform for musicians to be heard and appreciated. RISA Rhode Trip (Room 423): Members of the Rhode Island Songwriters Association showcasing their talents, proving that exceptional music knows no borders. Skylands Songwriters Guild “Flamingo Room” (Room 424): An exclusive showcase for SSG members, focusing on original music and fostering creativity within the guild. Pat and Brenda’s Marvelous Showcase (Room425): Singer-songwriters from the Garden State take the stage in this delightful showcase. Crossroads of Tradition (Room 426): Presenting artists who blend old folk music traditions with fresh, innovative ideas, making folk music relevant and exciting for modern audiences. Live at the Hen House (Room 427): Highlighting talented women singer-songwriters, this showcase promises soul-stirring performances. Folk ‘N Great Music (Room 427): Featuring national singer-songwriters who have graced the stage of the Folk ‘N Great Music house concert series since 2003, this showcase celebrates musical excellence. Femmepire Records (Room 427): Gender Justice Showcase for Ladies and Theydies Canadiana Content (Room 428): Showcasing Canadian artists and their original music, this room brings together diverse talents from Montreal and Toronto, offering a taste of Canada’s rich folk music heritage. Anything But Guitars (Room 430): A celebration of musical variety, this showcase invites artists to showcase their talents on a wide range of instruments, excluding guitars, in 30-minute slots. Songs At The Heart Of Our Times (Room 430): A showcase dedicated to songs that address the challenges and hopes of our contemporary world, inviting artists to share their perspectives on the issues that matter most. NERFA Room (Bang Bang 1): A space dedicated to showcasing the outstanding talent within the NERFA community, highlighting the conference’s diverse musical offerings. Musical Chairs (Bang Bang 2): Hosted by Brad Yoder, this showcase invites solo and duo songwriters to participate in spontaneous collaborations in-the-round, creating a dynamic and engaging atmosphere. Healing the Climate (The Bridal Suite 216-217): A showcase welcoming songs on climate change and social change, encouraging artists to use their music as a powerful tool for raising awareness and inspiring positive change. NERFA extends heartfelt thanks to all the hosts, who, through their dedication and passion, have crafted an exceptional lineup of private showcases. These showcases promise to elevate the NERFA conference experience, fostering creativity, collaboration, and a sense of community among attendees. For more information about NERFA and the upcoming conference, please visit https://nerfaconference.org.R 424

Dear NERFA Community, Excitement fills the air as we proudly announce the official Formal Showcase order for this year’s NERFA conference! Get ready for two evenings brimming with musical brilliance, heartfelt performances, and unforgettable moments. The stage is set, and the talent is nothing short of extraordinary. Here’s a glimpse into the musical journey awaiting you on Friday & Saturday nights: Friday Night: 6:00-6:10 Welcome and Award Presentation 6:15-6:30 Acoustic Nomads 6:35-6:50 Rebecca Loebe 6:55-7:10 Youth in a Roman Field 7:15-7:30 Shauit 7:35-7:50 The Pairs 7:55-8:10 Intermission 8:15-8:30 Keynote Address by Livingston Taylor 8:35-8:50 Ellis Paul with Radoslav Lorkovic 8:55-9:10 Geneviève Racette 9:15-9:30 Jillian Matundan 9:35-9:50 Flamy Grant 9:55-10:10 Scott Wolfson and Other Heroes Saturday Night: 6:00-6:10 Welcome   6:15-6:30 Tim Ball & Upstate Crossroads 6:35-6:50 Sam Robbins 6:55-7:10 Suzie Vinnick 7:15-7:30 Katie Martucci 7:35-7:50 Introduction of the Board 7:55-8:10 Intermission 8:15-8:30 Keynote Address by Crys Matthews 8:35-8:50 Big Sky Quartet 8:55-9:10 Madeleine Roger 9:15-9:30 Cricket Blue 9:35-9:50 Sarah Peacock 9:55-10:10 Alice Howe & Freebo Prepare to be enthralled by exceptional music and to experience the spirit of camaraderie that defines the NERFA community. These two evenings are destined to be etched in our memories as we come together to celebrate the power of folk music and the artists who bring it to life. We eagerly await your presence at the conference, where passion, talent, and the love for music will converge to create an atmosphere of pure magic. See you there!

The Folk Music Ontario Conference 2023 is just around the corner, taking place from October 12th to October 15th in the beautiful city of London, Ontario. In the past two years, NERFA has strengthened its collaboration with this fantastic event. Both organizations have shared important resources and worked together to facilitate cross-border connections, enabling NERFA to extend its reach into Canada and providing valuable opportunities for American artists to showcase their talent in Canadian settings. NERFA Member Exclusive Offer: We understand the importance of community and collaboration in the world of folk music.  NERFA members are entitled to a $100 discount off the Regular Registration Rate of $539.30 (CAD) for the Folk Music Ontario Conference 2023. Yes, you read that right – $100 in incredible member benefits! How to Claim Your Discount: To seize this opportunity and secure your spot at the conference, follow these simple steps: Visit the official registration page by clicking on the link below: Folk Music Ontario Conference Registration During the registration process, enter the following promo code: 30nerfa2023 With this exclusive code, you’ll instantly enjoy $100 off the Regular Registration Rate, making this event even more accessible and rewarding for our NERFA members! NERFA’s FMO Showcase We are also elated to share that NERFA will be hosting a showcase at this year’s FMO Conference showcasing some of the best artists to have participated in NERFA. Congratulations to our showcasing artists: Shanna in a Dress The Bombadills ILYAIMY Rachael Kilgour Quote the Raven  Les Royal Pickles

Apply to be a Volunteer! What do they do? Volunteering at NERFA works the same as going to NERFA. Volunteers, or Routers, are given a free registration to the event in exchange for being part of our team. We call our volunteers Routers because, simply speaking, their job is to get folks where they need to go. The routers help make NERFA a great experience for attendees. Routing is work. You’re still working, so you have to be on time and work well with others. Also, you will be working with attendees, so being service oriented, or having customer service experience will be helpful. NERFA Routers are primarily responsible for making the event awesome and ensuring the attendees have a good time. Some of them do this from a ‘customer service’ standpoint — interacting directly with Attendees — while others work behind the scenes, doing the 1001 unseen jobs required to make an event like NERFA function. To clear up misconceptions sometimes held by new Attendees: Routers do not generally act as security guards or bouncers. Very rarely, if there’s a critical failure, some Routers do have to put a ‘security’ hat on, and there are a few Router managers whose role is purely security-related. In general, though, the team’ role is to manage details, answer questions, and run all the behind the curtain knobs and switches that make the NERFA machine tick over so nicely. If you are excited to meet and work with the NERFA team, and nearly every attendee we would love for you to join the team! Organization Volunteers are typically assigned to a department, and generally also to a morning, afternoon or evening shift. (They do get to voice their preferences but are not guaranteed to be assigned their choice of work area). Each department is overseen by a manager and one or more Deputies, who are generally on-shift for most or all of NERFA. Some departments operate the physical locations that Attendees can visit, such as Exhibit Hall and Showcase floors. Other departments, such as Entertainment and Logistics, are responsible for various other tasks required to make NERFA run smoothly. If you ever have comments, good or bad, about a Router, the first step is to let their area Manager or Deputy know. If you can’t find them, or if it concerns a manager or Deputy in the first place, you can come to the Registration Desk and ask to speak to the Info Desk Manager or Director, who will pass on your comments to the appropriate parties. Visibility All volunteers will receive brightly colored shirts to aid visibility at the event. And so, NERFA Routers wear red shirts. Where do they come from? Can I be a Volunteer? NERFA makes recruitment calls to the community as needed. The aspiring Router fills out a form or questionnaire and sends it to the NERFA staff member responsible for onboarding the Router. Applicants are reviewed and those who best meet the established standards are asked to join the team. Apply to be a Volunteer!

Are you ready to shine the spotlight on your favorite musicians at the NERFA Conference? Private Showcases are your chance to do just that! These showcases happen in individual hotel rooms, which can either be your own room or a separate one that you book exclusively for this purpose. The shows run on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, starting at 10:30 pm and continuing as late as you’d like. The only requirement? You must be a registered conference attendee to host a Private Showcase. What’s New this Year This year, we’re thrilled to announce our revised pricing structure. For just $100 per night or $200 for all three nights, you can secure your spot as a Private Showcase host. Many presenters choose the three-night option and share a room with fellow presenters to make it even more cost-effective. To sweeten the deal, given the increased hotel room costs this year, we have a special offer for those who book all three nights: following the conference’s conclusion, we’ll issue you a $75 refund! How to Become a Private Showcase Host Register for the conference today: Register Now Fill out the Private Showcase form: Submit Here Make your hotel reservation: Book Now Remember, you can use your own sleeping room for a Private Showcase, but it does mean you’ll be sleeping in the same space where the showcases happen. While you can’t reserve a specific room for your showcase, you can specify the room size you prefer, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your request. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to share your musical passion and be part of NERFA 2023’s vibrant community. We can’t wait to see you there!

It’s with great excitement and enthusiasm that we introduce you to this year’s Formal Showcase Artists at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance’s (NERFA) conference in Asbury Park, NJ. Selected from an impressive pool of over 150 applicants, these artists stood out and captured the hearts of our esteemed judging panel comprised of Fosalyn Dennett from Folk Music Ontario, Beth & Perry Stein of the Ethical Brew, Lisa Schwartz booking manager of the Cambridge Folk Festival, and Ron Olesko of Folk Music Notebook. Their performances moved and inspired us, and we are thrilled to showcase their incredible talent and passion for folk music in November! Meet this year’s Artists: Acoustic Nomads Alice Howe & Freebo Big Sky Quartet Cricket Blue Ellis Paul with Radoslav Lorkovic  Flamy Grant Geneviève Racette Jillian Matundan Katie Martucci Madeleine Roger Rebecca Loebe Ryanhood Sam Robbins Sarah Peacock Scott Wolfson and Other Heroes Shauit Suzie Vinnick The Pairs Tim Ball & Upstate Crossroads Youth in a Roman Field These remarkable artists represent the heart and soul of folk music, offering a diverse range of styles and voices that promise to captivate your senses and leave a lasting impression. From soul-stirring ballads to foot-stomping anthems, you can expect a musical journey like no other at NERFA’s 2023 conference. Join us in celebrating the spirit of folk music and the incredible talent of these artists. Get ready to be moved, inspired, and thoroughly entertained as they take the stage at the conference in Asbury Park. Stay tuned for more updates and information about the conference, including performance schedules and special events. We can’t wait to share this unforgettable experience with you.

We are always seeking ways to empower and inspire our vibrant community of artists and enthusiasts. That’s why at this year’s conference we are thrilled to introduce a brand-new series of workshops that promise to take your skills and passion to the next level: “Master Classes.” We are very proud of the content offered at the conference, but we have long been asked about opportunities for more in depth hands on courses. The “Master Classes” evolved from that request and this year we are opening the conference a day early for those who sign up for these courses. Are you looking to hone your craft, connect with fellow musicians, and elevate your presence in the folk music scene? Look no further – NERFA’s “Master Classes” have got you covered. These immersive four-hour workshops offered Wednesday afternoon are designed to provide you with in-depth knowledge, invaluable insights, and practical tools that can transform your artistry. What to Expect: Expert Instructors: Our Master Classes are led by industry professionals who are masters in their respective fields. You’ll have the opportunity to learn from the best. Interactive Learning: These workshops are hands-on and interactive, ensuring that you not only gain knowledge but also apply it to your own work. Networking: Connect with fellow artists in a small group, build meaningful relationships, and expand your network within the folk music community. Here’s a Sneak Peek of Upcoming Master Classes: Songwriting Secrets – with Ellis Paul Elevating Your Musical Career with Patreon with Rebecca Loebe Ready to take your folk music journey to the next level? Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out! To reserve your spot and explore the full schedule, visit our conference registration page. Elevate your craft, connect with fellow folk enthusiasts, and make your mark in the vibrant world of folk music with NERFA’s “Master Classes.” We can’t wait to embark on this educational journey with you. Stay tuned for more exciting updates and announcements from NERFA. Together, let’s celebrate the richness of folk music and take it to new heights.

The Presenter’s Peer Group meets every second Tuesday of the month at 8:00PM.  Register Here! Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85711035108?pwd=V2VDd20ranZOWisyVDB4aWtNbFZGQT09 Dan Gottfried Barbara Shiller During the unprecedented halt of the live music industry caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a dedicated and resourceful community refused to allow the silence to persist. This community, united under the banner of the Presenters Peer Group, is an initiative by NERFA designed to support small venue presenters and house concert hosts through monthly Zoom meetings. These meetings are thoughtfully moderated by Board Members Dan Gottfried and Barbara Shiller, who bring their expertise and leadership to guide the conversations. The initiative rapidly gained momentum, with members joining from across and beyond the NERFA region, including as far afield as Texas. Participation wasn’t restricted to smaller venues; the group also welcomed musicians and representatives of larger festivals, such as the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival and the Woodstock Folk Festival of Woodstock, IL. In the early days of the lockdown, the group acted as a forum for expressing shared challenges and frustrations induced by the pandemic. Members introduced themselves and their unique venues, and they candidly discussed their struggles. As the world adapted to the crisis, the group’s dialogues mirrored this shift, moving from shared concerns to actionable solutions. As the prospect of live music’s return became tangible, safety measures took precedence in discussions. These included mandating vaccination proof, enforcing mask requirements, and redesigning seating arrangements to maintain social distancing. The pandemic, while demanding adaptation, also necessitated sacrifices. Cherished traditions like house concert potluck dinners were paused, and due to reduced audience capacity caused by social distancing, attendees were asked for higher contributions to support the artists. Undeterred by these setbacks, the group was keen to explore digital avenues for performances. As restrictions eased, the group’s narrative transformed from one of survival to one of revival, with members now sharing success stories. Today, the Presenters Peer Group continues its monthly meetings, with conversations now revolving around experiences and insights from hosted concerts and attended festivals. The discussions have evolved into a resourceful platform, leading to new artist bookings. The story of the Presenters Peer Group, deftly moderated by Dan Gottfried and Barbara Shiller, serves as a testament to the resilience of community and adaptability. It’s a heartening reminder that in the face of adversity, the music need not stop; we can adapt, survive, and ultimately thrive – together. RESOURCES: Example House show artist agreement: LINK

Livingston Taylor to Grace NERFA 2023 as Second Keynote Speaker We are beyond excited to announce that the legendary Livingston Taylor will be joining us as the second keynote speaker at the NERFA conference this November! Livingston’s career as a professional musician has spanned over five decades, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down. Known for his storytelling that’s as captivating as Mark Twain and his musical talent that’s seen him write top-40 hits for his brother James Taylor, Livingston is a true icon in the music world. On Friday, November 10, Livingston will take to the stage to address our attendees. We can’t wait to hear the insights and stories he has to share from his illustrious career. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJW8DT-bBrI But that’s not all! Livingston will also be running one of his famous performance workshops. This is a rare opportunity to learn from a musician who’s shared the stage with the likes of Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, Fleetwood Mac, and Jimmy Buffet. Livingston’s music spans a range of genres – folk, pop, gospel, jazz – and his performances are always a delight, whether he’s sharing upbeat storytelling, touching ballads, or full orchestra performances. Livingston has been teaching stage performance for over 30 years, beginning at Berklee College of Music in Boston in 1989. He’s passionate about passing on the extensive knowledge he’s gained from his long career on the road to the next generation of musicians. Livingston Taylor is not just a musician; he’s an airplane-flying, motorcycle-riding, singing storyteller who’s been delighting audiences with his charm for over 50 years. We can’t wait to welcome him to NERFA 2023! Stay tuned for more updates about the conference, and in the meantime, check out some of Livingston’s music to get you in the mood for what’s sure to be an unforgettable event! Register Now