In a coup for the Port Fairy Folk Festival and in partnership with the US-based Folk Alliance International (FAI), the renowned Folk Festival will present the FAI ExChange Conference in Geelong in early March next year.
A precursor to the 44th Port Fairy Folk Festival (which goes down on March 6 – 9), the FAI ExChange is the world’s largest gathering of the folk music industry and community, designed to strengthen and preserve global folk music. It will bring a number of industry personnel, presenters, and more than 35 top quality national and international folk acts from all over the world to Geelong, as well as attracting the music lovers who’ll have the chance to enjoy time in Geelong prior to the festival later in the week.
The Conference features keynote speakers and forums to be held at the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre during the day, and at night, a series of showcase concerts will be held throughout the arts and culture precinct of Geelong. Showcase artists will be selected via the FAI and PFFF application processes, and there will be a spotlight on regional Victorian artists.
With the Port Fairy Folk Festival actually established by the Geelong Folk Club in 1977, it’s quite a fitting location for the exciting FAI ExChange.
The City of Greater Geelong is delighted to support the FAI ExChange, underpinning Council’s commitment to a Clever and Creative future.