The Port Fairy Folk Festival is proudly working with Folk Alliance International to present
The ExChange, which will feature outstanding showcase events and sessions and celebrate our industry on a regional, statewide, national and international level.
Guest speakers and panellists include leaders from our own region including
Andrew Orvis, Queenscliff Music Festival,
Teresa O’Brien, Goanna Arts,
Jamie McKew, Founding Director, Port Fairy Folk Festival,
Una McAlinden, Director, National Celtic Festival, with further special announcements next week. Plus international and national industry leaders
Aengus Finnan, FAI,
Alan Holt, NZ Music,
Bonnie Dalton, Victorian Music Development Office,
Chloe Goodyear, Woodford Folk Festival,
Finn McLennan-Elliott, Auckland Music Festival,
Glenn Dickie, Sounds Australia,
Kerry Clarke, Calgary Folk Festival,
Laura Thomas, Comboplate Booking Agency (USA),
Lisa Schwartz, Philadelphia Folk Festival, and many more.
The ExChange is taking place in the Arts Precinct of Geelong, 2 - 4 March. The magnificent
Geelong Library & Heritage Centre (GL&HC) is the core conference venue, with special showcase and conference events taking place at
Beav’s Bar, Geelong Arts Centre, Pistol Pete’s, Platform (formerly
Courthouse Arts) and
The Workers Club.
The Ground Floor of the GL&HC will feature lunchtime performances by
The Jellyman’s Daughter (SCO) on Tuesday and
Ian Sherwood (CAN) on Wednesday.
Platform Gallery is hosting
The Force Of Folk, an exhibition by young arts practitioners in Geelong, exploring the significance of Folk Culture focussing on our own wonderful festival for inspiration. This exhibition features, images, interviews and new works.
We are also delighted to announce some special boutique fringe events are a feature of
The ExChange. Analogue Academy, 23 Cuzens Place is presenting a Folk inspired exhibition throughout the conference period, with monies raised going to First Nations Arts Programs in the Port Fairy region. Another feature of their program is a wonderful concert where Canada’s
The Burning Hell join forces with Geelong’s
Wardlaw Brown.
The Boutique events don’t stop there, the magnificent
The Door Gallery Cafe, Fyansford is presenting three very special evenings as a part of the program. Tuesday 3 March will see Canada’s
Ian Sherwood join forces with Geelong’s
Hassall, Wednesday 4 March
Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse and Ireland's
Eleanor McEvoy on Thursday 5 March.
Booking Links:
Click here for Analogue Academy
Click here for The Door Gallery Cafe
For full details on FAI and The ExChange visit
https://folkexchange.org/
The ExChange is a boutique industry micro-conference produced annually by Folk Alliance International, a non-profit based in Kansas City, USA. Past editions have included events in Ireland and Sweden.
The Australian edition, presented in partnership with Port Fairy Folk Festival is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria and the City of Greater Geelong,
Geelong Regional Library Corporation,
Music Victoria,
Victorian Music Development Office,
Sounds Australia, Folk Alliance Australia and
Woodfordia.