Association of Folk Festival Organisers (UK)

Subject: Association of Folk Festival Organisers
From: GUEST,Joe G
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 04:53 PM

I'm involved in setting up a new music festival which includes a 'folk day'.(More news on that here soon!). When I was first looking at this idea I remember being advised that we should join the AFO. Can any members out there describe the benefits as I need to persuade my colleagues that it is a good idea! I assume there is access to model contracts and other useful documents and advice?

Thanks

Subject: RE: Association of Folk Festival Organisers
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 05:54 PM

Yes, it's VERY worthwhile Joe. Go to the focus day on the Friday too - loads of good advice about marketing etc, and really useful networking. The AFO is probably one of the main reasons so many festivals are blooming at the moment. I'll bet you that pint I owe you that it'll be the making of Queensbury (though you've booked some superb acts, so you're half way there!)

YOu get advice on everything from ticket policy, stewarding, road closures, bottled water supplies, tents, contracts, PA,s printing, MCs, morris sides and promotion, to where to find those essential guys who sell dragons eggs and mushrooms made out of old tree trunks.

I'll be there, wearing my folkWISE hat (new website coming soon, and those are not the current directors btw).

Tom

Subject: RE: Association of Folk Festival Organizer
From: Beer
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 08:18 PM

I am a Folk Festival organizer and I very much appreciate the link to folkWISE. I have been reading a bit and will book mark the site for future ideas and references. Thanks Tom.
I don't think we will ever work out all the bugs but the more ideas one gets and implements, the better the festival. Have a look at what we did this past July.
Beer (adrien)


http://www.applehollowmusicfest.org/

Subject: RE: Association of Folk Festival Organisers
From: s&r
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 08:20 PM

Networking is invaluable

Stu

Subject: RE: Association of Folk Festival Organisers
From: Beer
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 08:27 PM

And thank you Joe G. for starting the thread.
Adrien

Subject: RE: Association of Folk Festival Organisers
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 08:34 PM

See  http://www.folkarts-england.org/ for full details.

Subject: RE: Association of Folk Festival Organisers
From: GUEST,Joe G
Date: 27 Sep 08 - 09:31 AM

Thanks Tom & everyone else - looks like it is an essential then! And thanks for the endorsement of the line up, Tom - I am pretty excited as we have most people committed now after some frantic email activity. Just a few to pin down then I can go on holiday!

Subject: RE: Association of Folk Festival Organisers (UK)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 Sep 08 - 11:30 PM

I received an inquiry about this. Somebody thought the first message was an indication I was organizing a festival in California. Nope, sorry, I don't like folk festivals. Too audience-oriented, and not enough opportunity to sing.

Anyhow, I added (UK) to the thread title for clarification - the Association IS a UK organisation, isn't it?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Association of Folk Festival Organisers (UK)
From: GUEST,Joe G
Date: 28 Sep 08 - 04:38 AM

Sorry for the confusion caused Joe!

Unfortunately my venue is unlikely to be as warm as California! But the music will be excellent - and there will still be some opportunities to sing and play so all bases covered I hope.