MANITOBA ACTS HEAD TO KANSAS CITY FOR INTERNATIONAL FOLK ALLIANCE
WINNIPEG, MB – Manitoba is bringing a little prairie weather to the "Show-Me-State" next week. Four local acts are gearing up to showcase at the Folk Alliance International Conference (FAI), the premier professional development conference focused on folk, roots, multicultural, and world music in North America. The 27th annual event runs February 19-22 in Kansas City, Missouri.
The showcase is the latest in a series of partnered events with SaskMusic, Alberta Music, and MusicBC under the BreakOut West banner. The lineup boasts over 30 acts in total, including Manitoba performers Leaf Rapids, Red Moon Road (featuring former Ste. Rose area's Daniel Peloquin-Hopfner), Sweet Alibi, and The Small Glories (aka FAI vets Cara Luft and JD Edwards). Other Western Canadian artists include Saskatchewan's Keiffer McLean, Alberta's Doll Sisters, BC's Joel Fafard, and many more. See the complete schedule
Manitoba's reputation for its strong roots scene is well known. Homegrown talent -- including many acts who've graced the FAI showcase rooms -- have built solid careers, garnering attention from major media outlets, and touring to sold-out halls throughout North American, Europe, Australia, and beyond. In the last decade alone, Manitoba artists have landed five JUNO Awards and 19 nominations in the roots and traditional categories, including nods this year for The Bros. Landreth (who are showcasing at SXSW this year and will play the Watson Art Centre on March 5th) and one of last year's showcasers, Del Barber who has recently moved near Lake of the Prairies.