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The SERFA Conference Registration form is now available, just click on the link to your left.

Do it NOW!!  Discounted registration rates through September 1

Don’t forget to make a hotel reservation at the Doubletree Hotel (615) 895-555 or (800) 222-tree.  Remember to ask for the SERFA rate of $89.00 per room night guaranteed through September 1 and let them know if you want a music room or a quiet room.

Registration Questions?? Send them to Betty at bfriedrichsen2650@charter.net

Info on applying for a showcase is also available, click on the showcase link to your left.  There is no actual “form” just send the requested items by mail or email.

We’ve got a lot planned for our innaugural conference…check back often for updates on panelists, specific workshop topics and a complete schedule.

Professional Development – Workshops, panel discussions, and mentor sessions aimed at helping musicians continue to grow and develop their craft and their careers; recording at home/studio, songwriting critique/analysis and much more

Venue and House Concerts – We will host a series of workshops specifically for venues/house concerts. Let’s get the Southeast organized for stronger touring options while building bigger audiences!

Southeast Culture – Explore the rich cultures of the Southeast; old-time/trad, Appalachian, Celtic, Cajun….

Music - of course, lots and lots of music

 WHEN

• Friday, October 17 through Sunday, October 19
• Plan to arrive on Thursday night for a pre-conference reception and stay until Sunday at 2pm – there will be a general meeting in the morning, followed by showcasing and a lunch wrap-up meeting

WHERE

• Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN
  MTSU is located roughly 45 minutes from the Nashville airport
• Our conference hotel is the Doubletree Mufreesboro

HOW

• Register SOON! Early bird discount end September 1…visit our registration page (it will be up in a couple days (we promise!)
• Make your hotel reservations!
  Conference rate of $89.00 guaranteed through SEPTEMBER 1
  Please call the hotel at (615) 895-5555 or the general reservations number (800) 222 8733.  Be sure to let them know a part of the SERFA Conference and specify a music room or quiet room (they will be in different wings of the hotel)
• Apply for a showcase – official showcase deadline is AUGUST 30…visit our showcase page
  There will be showcase opportunities Friday and Saturday night, as well as Sunday morning

HELP

• We need volunteers and sponsors… please visit our sponsor page

October 17-19 SERFA - Southeast Regional Folk Alliance
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), Murfreesboro, TN

Showcase deadline: August 30, 2008 (Selected artists will be notified by mid-September)

The 1st Annual SERFA Conference will be Friday, October 17th through Sunday, October 19th at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN.  There will be showcases, workshops, exhibit space, and a great opportunity to learn, share, and network with folks from all over the Southeastern Region.

Plan to arrive on Thursday night for a pre-conference reception and stay until Sunday at 2pm – showcasing will be scheduled that morning, with closing lunch afterward.

MTSU is located roughly 45 minutes from Nashville airport.

Here are a few of the great workshops we have planned:

Pro-Development - (recording at home/studio, songwriting critique/analysis) and much more

Venue and House Concerts - SERFA, Fran Snyder of concertsinyourhome.com and others to host a series of workshops for venues/house concerts. Let’s get the Southeast organized for stronger touring options while building bigger audiences!

Southeast Culture – Explore the rich cultures of the Southeast old-time/trad, Appalachian, Celtic, Cajun….

Please feel free to email comments and suggestions on our listserv.  If you’re not subscribed to the SERFA listserv yet, Subscribe Now!

Registration, showcase, and exhibitor information will be available mid-July!

SERFA General Meeting: 2008 Folk Alliance Conference
Friday Feb. 22nd - 2nd of 2 meetings
Notes taken by Anna Wolfe

Kari Estrin- SERFA Founding President facilitated meeting

In attendance at the meeting there were about 1/2 artists and 1/2 a mix of others such as presenters, etc.

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Kari Estrin, founding President of SERFA, called the meeting to order at 1:07pm

Kari made introductory remarks:

· SERFA Showcase tonight 9:00-10:30pm

· Regional meeting Friday at 9:30am – breakfast served

· Info sheets passed out to gather info on who’s in our region and what resources they can bring to the table.

Kari called out the states that make up the SERFA region, and asked who is from each state.

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Hi all – thanks to those of you who have rsvp’d about coming to the SERFA meeting (Southeast Regional Folk Alliance) on Wednesday from 1 – 5 pm. The meeting will be held in Heritage 3 and if you just want to come to Folk Alliance for the day, if you attend the SERFA meeting, all the regular activities of Folk Alliance will be free on Wednesday, including receptions and showcases that night. Just look for the registration table on the second floor mezzanine outside of the Heritage ballrooms to get your free one day badge.

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The North American Folk Music and Dance Alliance is pleased to announce that we will be hosting a special Southeast Region (SERFA) launch workshop on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 as part of the first day of the 20^th International Folk Alliance Conference.

This is an opportunity for everyone from the Southeast US Region to gather to discuss the direction of the SERFA region. In order for this region to have the chance to enhance the Folk community, we need your help.

We are requesting that all artists, presenters, agents, managers, record companies, website developers, educators, media, and anyone else that works with traditional music and dance attend this important meeting.

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