FAR-WEST ANNUAL CONFERENCE
2008 SHOWCASE INFORMATION

This year's FAR-West Annual Conference will be held October 24-26, 2008 at the Phoenix Marriott Mesa Hotel & Convention Center in Phoenix, AZ.

There are three (3) types of showcases at this year's conference:

1. MAIN SHOWCASES

Applications for this year's Main Showcase are now being accepted through Sonicbids. The deadline for submissions is July 31, 2008. To submit through Sonicbids, go to: www.sonicbids.com/farwest2008.

Hard copy submissions will be accepted. Although we recommend submitting entries through Sonicbids, FAR-West will accept hard copy submissions by mail. To submit a "hard copy" submission for the Main Showcase, please download the Main Showcase Hard Copy Submission Form and follow the instructions on the form. Click here to downlaod form.

Please Note: Artists chosen as Main Showcase performers must be members of Folk Alliance at the time of the conference, be registered for the conference, and will be assessed a $50 production fee. Selected artists are expected to defray their own travel and lodging expenses. A discounted band rate is available for registration as well as an early bird discount.

2. The Susanne Millsaps Memorial COFFEE HOUSE ROOM

Returning for its third year! This is basically a room where each artist can perform a song. It's somewhat in an "in-the-round" setting as performers are called up in groups of three.

If you want to play at The Susanne Millsaps Memorial Coffee House during the 2008 FAR-West conference, please contact Garret Swayne as he's the one who is booking the slots this year. (Thanks for volunteering, Garret.)

Performance slots are on Friday and Saturday nights beginning at 10:30pm and will be scheduled 20 minutes apart. Each slot will have three participants in an "in-the-round" format, each getting to do one song. The last slot scheduled each night will be 1:40am.

To book a slot, please email Garret at garret@garretswayne.com with the words "Coffee House" in the subject line of your email and include your top three choices in terms of when you wish to perform. He will try to accommodate as best he can.

3. PRIVATE "GUERRILLA" SHOWCASES

Private "Guerrilla" Showcases are the best opportunities for most musicians to perform and be seen at the conference. FAR-West does sanction Private "Guerrilla" Showcases, which have been an integral part of the Folk Alliance conference experience for so long.

These "privately" run showcases take place in the hotel rooms of people attending the conference! You can host your own Private "Guerrilla" Showcase (PGS) by registering for a "Music Room" at the conference. FAR-West has reserved a floor of the hotel for such rooms. If you are interested in hosting a Private "Guerrilla" Showcase, you must book your room through FAR-West (not through the hotel) and register it with us.

For Music Rooms, you MUST sign up and pay for your PGS room through the online registration process. Then, download the "Private Guerrilla Showcase Contract" available at www.far-west.org/pgs2008.html. To host a Private "Guerrilla" Showcase room, you must be a member of Folk Alliance and are expected to register for the full FAR-West conference. Everyone showcasing in your room must also be registered for the conference. DEADLINE: The deadline to register a Private "Guerrilla" Showcase room is Saturday, September 20, 2008 OR UNTIL THEY RUN OUT, whichever comes first.

Please Note: Private "Guerrilla" Showcase Hosts must be members of Folk Alliance at the time of the conference and must be registered for the conference. All artists showcase at Private "Guerrilla" Showcases must be registered for the conference.

DOWNLOAD PRIVATE "GUERRILLA" SHOWCASE CONTRACT HERE To download the PGS Contract (in ".PDF" format) click on the link above. (PC users right click on link and select "Save Link As"; Mac users click and hold.)

Showcases are only one way to publicize your music at the FAR-West Conference. Here are several more ways to publicize your music and showcases. For best results, try a multi-pronged approach...

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