The Southeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference is a gathering of folk music makers, industry and community from the southeastern United States and beyond. We celebrate and recognize the roots and new growth of the wide, inclusive genre of folk music.
This year our annual conference will take place May 28-31, 2026 in Owensboro, Kentucky.
We will share music, build community, help each other to grow and succeed in music, and spread the music we all love. Musicians from the Appalachian, Americana, blues, bluegrass, celtic, cajun, roots, old-time, singer-songwriter genres and more; venues, festivals, house concert hosts and presenters of all types; DJs, writers, and podcasters; managers, publicists, agents: music lovers; and hopefully you.
Conference activities will be held in three locations, all right next door to each other in downtown Owensboro:
Panels, workshops, lunches, and dinners take place at the Owensboro Convention Center
Official showcases take place in the beautiful Woodward Theatre at The Bluegrass Hall of Fame & Museum
Private showcases take place in the conference hotel, Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront
Run of Show
The SERFA conference unfolds over four days designed to balance arrival, learning, connection, and live music.
Thursday — Arrival & Opening Gathering
Thursday is dedicated to arriving, settling in, and connecting. Registration, orientation, and informal meet-ups help you get your bearings, followed by dinner (included in conference meal plan) and a welcome gathering at the Bluegrass Hall of Fame & Museum with opening remarks and community performances. Late-night private showcases begin at the hotel.
Friday & Saturday — Learning by Day, Music by Night
These are full conference days with a mix of:
Workshops and sessions on craft, career, and the industry
Mentoring, affinity gatherings, and song circles
Daytime performance opportunities
Evenings feature Official Showcases at the Hall of Fame, followed by late-night private showcases and informal jams at the conference hotel.
Key Moments Throughout the Weekend
Keynote Address
SERFA Awards
Wisdom of the Elders
Exhibit Hall and networking time
Shared meals and informal connection
Sunday — Closing
We come back together Sunday morning for a closing ceremony before heading home inspired and connected.
A detailed session schedule will be shared in the conference program closer to the event.
Talk to Us
SERFA is committed to creating a welcoming, community-driven conference. We want to hear from you before, during, and after the event — your ideas help shape what we build together.
Because SERFA is volunteer-run, your participation matters. If you’d like to get involved, reach out and let us know how you’d like to help.
Community & Participation
We encourage musicians to listen and support one another. To make space for everyone:
The number of showcases per artist is limited
Open mic and song circles offer additional ways to participate
We’ve also built free time into the schedule so you can connect more deeply with peers.
Need a Hand?
We know attending a conference is an investment, and cost can be a barrier. A limited number of scholarships are available.
📧 Email conference@serfa.org to inquire about financial assistance.
Sustainability & Venue Care
To respect our venue and reduce waste, please do not hang posters or distribute leaflets.
Ways to share your information:
Performance schedules in the program book
Exhibit hall information tables
Line-ups posted in private showcase rooms
Most importantly, we encourage personal connection — share a conversation, a card, or your music directly.
