FAI 2026: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
January 21-25, 2026
- FAI 2026
- Artists
- Attending
- partners
What is a Private Showcase?
Private Showcases are what makes Folk Alliance International Conferences unique. Wednesday through Saturday, floors of hotel rooms transform into unique, intimate stages where acts from around the world share incredible music.
Anyone registered for an FAI Conference can perform a Private Showcase or host a Private Showcase Room. All Private Showcases are exclusive to conference registrants. Connect with the global folk music industry one room at time, as you visit hundreds of incredible concerts, jam sessions, and dances every night.
Every moment of FAI is memorable, but Private Showcases unforgettable.
When and where?
Private Showcases take place at the host hotel Wednesday through Saturday nights from 10:30 pm ET to 3 am ET primarily in guest rooms and suites.
Conference attendees can find all Private Showcases listed in the Conference App or Pocket Guide booklet.
Performing a Private Showcase
- Acts are limited to performing a maximum of six (6) Private Showcases over the four nights of the conference.
- Private Showcases are acoustic (no amplification or sound systems in standard rooms, with limited sound reinforcement in the suites and premium rooms)
- Drum kits and bass drums are not permitted in Private Showcase rooms or suites. Percussion may be used judiciously and must not disturb any adjacent rooms
- Private Showcase durations and formats vary widely based on the host. Some rooms are in the round – some are even jam sessions.
- Keep in mind that Private Showcase Rooms will vary in size, from a typical 2-bed hotel room to the larger suites.
Please contact our office at fai@folk.org if you have any questions about the process.
Getting booked for a Private Showcase
In order to play a Private Showcase, you must be registered for the conference. Then a Private Showcase Host must book your act for their room. Check the list at the bottom of this page (updated weekly starting mid-September) to see all confirmed hosts. If contact information is provided for a Host, they are accepting submissions from artists.
- Research the Private Showcase Host list and send a direct, personalized email. Do not bulk email Hosts.
- Your personal email should be concise and include contact info, # people in your band, geographic location, a short bio, and link to a performance video.
- Some hosts charge a nominal fee to help underwrite the costs of the room and hospitality. Average fees run between $20-$30 per slot. Many do not charge, and some trade slots for performance slots in other rooms.
- Start early! Available space is filled quickly.
- Artists are limited to six (6) Private Showcases over the four nights of the conference. It’s the artist’s responsibility to manage this number.
How do I market my Showcases?
Sharing your showcase times with other attendees is encouraged! There are thousands of Private Showcases every year, so artists get creative to promote their Official and Private Showcases. Here are some do's and don'ts:
Don't...
- ... Don't send mass emails to attendees – we can all tell when we're receiving an email en masse. These impersonal bulk emails are against our Terms and Conditions (and are annoying and more likely to be ignored).
- ... Don't hang posters or leave postcards around the hotel – only Private Showcase Hosts are allowed to poster (and only on the Private Showcase floors). Others will be removed. Don't waste paper! Please respect the space.
Do...
- ... Create postcards or business cards with your showcase times – a well-made card with a nice photo, clearly readable times, and links, helps people remember your face and showcase. Make sure that your times are correct (i.e. "2 am Friday Night" is easier to understand than "2 am Friday" or "2 am Saturday").
- ... Tag @folk_alliance (Instagram) or @folkalliance (everywhere else)! We want to help you promote your showcase, and we'll try to share your post with our audience!
- ... Purchase digital advertising or an artist table at the Exhibit Hall. Before the conference we send many emails to our audience. Buying email ad space is a great way to reach our audience – even those who aren't attending! During the conference, each room with daytime programming (panels, workshops, etc.) features a giant screen displaying the schedule. Purchase a digital screen ad to get displayed on all of these screens next to the schedule.
Book a Private Showcase
Hosted by FAI
Folk Alliance International will host a few private showcase rooms: First-Timers Room, Traditional Music Room, and other partner rooms. These rooms are on the Private Showcase floors and are available to any conference registrant Placement is first-come, first-serve.
Hosted by Conference Attendees
How to Book a Private Showcase Hosted by Conference Attendees
Use the host’s contact below to send a direct, personal email (refrain from sending bulk!). Your personal email should be concise and include a link to a performance video, short bio, and contact info.
Start early! Rooms fill up extremely fast. Additional rooms will be added. The host list will be updated every week or two, so check back often.
Room Name
Host
Room #
Contact
Private Showcase Hosts will be added in mid-August before the next FAI Conference. Sign up for updates to be the first in the know!
