December 12, 2006

Posted December 12, 2006

The 19th annual international convention of the North American Folk Music and Dance Alliance (Folk Alliance) will present US Congressman-elect John Hall and Native American songwriter Buffy Saint-Marie as keynote speakers. With more than 2,000 attendees, the conference offers a complete view of the world of traditional and contemporary folk music and dance through showcases, films, workshops, and a networking-rich tradeshow. The business conference will be held at the Memphis Convention Center and Memphis Marriott Downtown February 21 - 25, 2007.

Buffy Sainte-Marie has enjoyed a long career in music and activism. In addition to her keynote address, the Folk Alliance will screen her documentary film Buffy Sainte-Marie: A Multimedia Life. The documentary chronicles the achievements of Sainte-Marie and her personal journey as a singer, songwriter, artist, teacher and activist. It features interviews with Joni Mitchell, Randy Bachman, Stepppenwolf's John Kay, Robbie Robertson, Bill Cosby and folk legend Eric Anderson. Sainte-Marie has remained one of the most influential artists in any genre through the past five decades.

The last discounted registration will be offered until January 5, 2007. Go online to Folk.org or call (901)522-1170 to register.

Also, a heads up to Joni fans in the Syracuse NY area - Syracuse jazz singer and songwriter Maria De Angelis will perform an evening of songs by Joni. One night only, Saturday, January 13, 2007, De Angelis will sing and play guitar for two different sets of Joni's songs, at 7:00 and 9:00 p.m., at Jazz Central in downtown Syracuse.

Advance sale tickets may be purchased directly from Maria at 446-3918. Admission will be $10 at the door, $8 in advance. Jazz Central, the cozy, 70-seat home of the Central New York Jazz Arts Foundation, is located at 441 East Washington Street in Syracuse, near the corner of Townsend Street.