Port Fairy Folk Festival (PFFF), in
partnership with the US-based Folk Alliance International (FAI), will present
the FAI ExChange Conference in Geelong between Monday 2 and Wednesday 4 March
2020.
A precursor to the 44th Port Fairy Folk Festival (Friday 6 to Sunday
9 March 2020), 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 artists, industry personnel and presenters from all over
the world to Geelong.
Geelong is a fitting location for the FAI ExChange, as Port Fairy Folk Festival
was established by the Geelong Folk Club in 1977.
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.
The City of Greater Geelong is delighted
to support the FAI ExChange, underpinning council’s commitment to a clever and
creative future.
Mayor Bruce Harwood:
It’s a huge coup for Geelong to secure such a large and important
international music conference, and we look forward to welcoming the world’s
folk community in March.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.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.
Councillor Jim Mason, Chair – Arts, Culture and
Heritage portfolio:
The ExChange will bring our
Little Malop arts and laneways precincts alive for two days with the best in
folk music. It’s an exciting addition to our arts and culture calendar for
2020.We have a strong live music culture here in Geelong and having so many top acts
performing at our local venues will be incredible. I’m sure the city will be
buzzing.
Jamie McKew, Founder, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Geelong Folk Club
Alumni:
The timing is perfect! Geelong is booming with a dazzling
renaissance of new young energy, culture and ideas.We are truly excited and
honoured to be chosen for the next featured international FAI ExChange right
here in a bunch of our favourite venues.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 and be a part of
this brilliant project!
