Folk music capital for a week
GEELONG will become the world’s epicentre of folk music next year, as it hosts an international conference in the lead-up to the Port Fairy Folk Festival.
The festival announced it had partnered with USA-based Folk Alliance International (FAI) to hold the three-day FAI ExChange Conference in Geelong from March 2 next year.
The conference will include folk artists, industry personnel and presenters from across the globe hosting speaking events and forums at the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre during the day, with a series of showcase concerts held at night.
City of Greater Geelong Mayor Bruce Harwood said attracting the conference was a huge coup for the city.
“This event will bring around 100 delegates to Geelong from Australia and across the world, along with more than 35 top-quality national and international folk acts,” Cr Harwood said.
“It should also attract a large number of music lovers, who’ll have the chance to enjoy some time in our city before moving on to Port Fairy for its famous festival later that same week. It’s sure to generate valuable extra business for our local restaurants, bars, hotels and shops.”
Port Fairy Folk Festival founder Jamie McKew said the conference timing was perfect.
“Geelong is booming with a dazzling renaissance of new young energy, culture and ideas,” McKew said.
“Having just attended the Folk Alliance International conference in Montreal, I can only marvel at the musical force for true humanity that this largest folk music organisation so beautifully creates. Just jump on board.”