The South East Regional Folk Alliance (SERFA) holds its 9th annual conference in Montreat, May 18-22. The event, geared toward music professionals in the singer-songwriter and acoustic communities, offers “showcasing opportunities for future gigs, group mentorships, instrumental clinics and workshops on a variety of topics ranging from songwriting to the business of music,” according to a press release. The deadline to apply for the official showcase is Friday, Feb. 26.
PRESS RELEASE:
SERFA
May 18-22, 2016
Montreat Conference Center
Black Mountain, NCOfficial Showcase Registration Now Open
Deadline: February 26, 2016
www.serfa.orgWHAT IS SERFA?
The South East Regional Folk Alliance (SERFA) presents its 9th Annual Conference May 18-22, 2016 at The Montreat Conference Center, outside of Black Mountain, NC in a retreat atmosphere. SERFA, a region of Folk Alliance International, is attended by musicians, venues, radio personnel and other music professionals in the singer/songwriter – acoustic community worlds. The conference is full of showcasing opportunities for future gigs, group mentorships, instrumental clinics and workshops on a variety of topics ranging from songwriting to the business of music.OFFICIAL SHOWCASE APPLICATION ~ DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 26th
The deadline is fast approaching! Register today for the conference or showcase opportunity. Apply with your workshop idea or to volunteer at the conference. There are many ways to get involved and become a part of the SERFA community. You can do it all at www.serfa.org.FOLK LEGEND PEGGY SEEGER TO KEYNOTE & RECEIVE AWARD
This year SERFA is proud to announce folk legend and activist Peggy Seeger as key note speaker and recipient of the 3rd annual Kari Estrin Founding President’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to South East Music and Culture.Although Peggy was born into the prestigious first family of folk in 1935, it was her work overseas in Great Britain with Ewan MacColl where Peggy carved out a new musical life, leaving a lasting impact. Ewan and Peggy blazed a trail for others to join with the UK folk revival, aligning with the one happening in the U.S. With her own 22 recordings, Peggy has earned the accolade of “one of the finest interpreters of Anglo-American folksongs.” Coupled with her reputation as an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, including banjo and concertina, as a songwriter and interpreter of traditional song, Seeger’s music found its place on the airwaves, in television and film. www.peggyseeger.com
RECIPIENTS OF THE PRESIDENTS AWARD ANNOUNCED
Phil Jamison
Jamison has been performing, teaching and calling dances across the US and abroad for over four decades. Last year Jamison released his book Hoedowns, Reels, and Frolics via the University of Illinois Press. The book explores the origins behind square dances, step dances, reels, and other forms of dance practiced in southern Appalachia. Additionally, as an educator at Asheville’s Warren Willson College, he teaches mathematics and Appalachian Music. www.philjamison.comJim Magill
Under the leadership of Director Jim Magill, The Swannanoa Gathering, in its 25th year, remains an educational program of Warren Wilson college, just east of Asheville, NC, consisting of a series of week-long workshops in various folk arts held in July and August. Among the many other accolades received, the Coordinator of Celtic Week is an award-winning songwriter and instrumentalist and a three-time finalist for College Entertainer of the Year. www.swangathering.comJennifer Pickering
Jennifer Pickering is the Founding and Current Executive Director for LEAF Community Arts, producing two LEAF Festivals a year along with the new event LEAF Downtown AVL, which all include teaching international and cultural arts education for local and global youth . She has spent 21 years serving the community through LEAF programs in Black Mountain- Asheville, NC as well as 10 countries. ……… www.theLEAF.org
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