Folk Music Takes Center Stage: NERFA Returns to Albany!
The folk and roots music community is coming together in Albany! The Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) holds its 2026 annual conference November 12–15 at The Desmond Hotel Crowne Plaza. Four days of live music, showcases, workshops, networking, and collaboration bring together performing artists, presenters, agents, managers, and music industry professionals from across the Northeast and beyond. It's an opportunity to discover new artists, build connections, and celebrate the vibrant folk music community.
Leading the organization is Cheryl Prashker, NERFA's 2026 president, a longtime musician, Celtic Roots band RUNA founding member, and Artistic Director of the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival in Ontario. I caught up with Cheryl at the 2025 conference to talk about NERFA, its mission, and what makes this annual gathering so important to artists and the people who support live music.
Find out more at NERFA.org!
