Folk Alliance Cancels Feb. 2021 Conference, Announces Layoffs

Folk Alliance has canceled its February 2021 annual conference.

“FAI must be decisive, nimble, and innovative, and make responsible and proactive decisions. Consequently, in addition to suspending events for the remainder of the calendar year, we have determined that the best course of action at this time is to suspend our in-person conference next February 2021,” FAI executive director Aengus Finnan said in a statement.

“In place of producing the conference this coming fiscal year, FAI staff will immediately pivot to developing meaningful online tools and resources, mounting a world-class online showcase conference, securing financial support, and advocating for the folk community and industry,” he added.

The conference was top be held February 17-21 in at the Westin Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri. Refunds will be processed for anyone registered for the event.

While Folk Alliance says it can weather the storm, there have been layoffs.

“It’s our hope that by letting you know these things now, it will bring some clarity and relief, and that it might perhaps support others struggling to decide how to proceed,” said Finnan. “We all look forward to a future time when we can gather again and simply sit in a room with a group of people and hear live music. Until then we invite you to reach out to us, stay engaged at folk.org and on social media, and look for detailed updates in our monthly e-news.”