Maria the Mexican just finished a 5 day weekend of showcases and camaraderie and this year’s Folk Alliance International Conference in KC. All I can say is “Gosh!, Wow! and What a deal!”. Ok… I’ve got lots more to say than that about this amazing conference in our own back yard.
Over 200 acts from around the world came to the deep-wintertime, “Paris of the Plains” to participate in the week long showcase and conference and/or the music fair and camp at the Westin Crown Center and Sheraton Hotels.
The camp and conference offered a plethora or options for clinics, seminars, master-classes, concerts, special presentations, awards ceremonies, jam sessions and meet-ups.
Bela Fleck was a big name that I missed! Boo.
The term “Folk” is pretty inclusive here with artists in almost every subgenre from ethnic music, old-time, bluegrass, acoustic, electric freakouts, singer-songwriter, spoken-word, jazz, jam and beyond.
My week with MtM included 5 performances, seeing old friends, meeting new ones, hanging out, going to as much as possible and pulling some all-nighters in the private room showcases (fueled responsibly by KC’s own J. Reiger’s Whiskey and Boulevard beer). Plainly said… this was great!!!
Here’s some of the highlights..
Big thanks to MtM, the bands, our friends, volunteers and conference folks that made this a truly memorable experience. We’re lucky to have this in KC.
Looking forward to next year!!!
