Folk Alliance International (FAI), the premier global nonprofit dedicated to folk music, is thrilled to announce GRAMMY Award-winner and eight-time nominee Allison Russell as the Keynote Speaker for its 37th annual conference. Russell, who recently made her Broadway debut as Persephone in Hadestown, will be interviewed by acclaimed author and NPR Music journalist Ann Powers.
The conference, set to take place February 19-23, 2025, at the Sheraton Hotel in Montréal, QC, will feature a dynamic lineup of over 300 panels, roundtables, discussions, film screenings, Official Showcase performances, meet-ups, and more. With over 175 Official Showcases and 125 additional events, the 2025 conference promises to be one of the most robust and diverse gatherings in FAI’s history.
Programming Highlights
Key events and sessions include:
- International Folk Music Awards
- Black American Music Summit, featuring panelists like Lady A, Kaïa Kater, and Shakura S’Aida, with a welcome message from Dom Flemons
- Special programming with the International Indigenous Music Summit
- Featured interview with Michelle Chawla, Director and CEO of the Canada Council for the Arts
- Panels on pivotal topics such as Music in Times of War, Caretaking in the Music Industry, WILD FOLK: Nature, Folk Arts, and Climate Chaos, and Building Your Dream Team
- A Legal Summit in partnership with the American Bar Association
- Film screenings, including Walking Through the Fire, The 9 Lives of Barbara Dane, and the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame Inaugural Induction Ceremony
- A Country Focus: Portugal, showcasing Portuguese artists and culture
- A tribute to traditional French Canadian fiddler Gilles Losier, recipient of the Mike Seeger Traditional Fellowship
Official Showcase Artists
The conference will highlight over 175 artists from 38 countries, representing diverse voices and traditions. Among the performers:
- Ron Sexsmith, JUNO Award-winning singer-songwriter celebrated by The New York Times for his soulful melodies
- Kaïa Kater, a Canadian-Grenadian artist recognized by Folk Alley as a "star in the making"
- Steve Poltz, the platinum-selling songwriter praised by NPR as "quite possibly the most talented solo performer on this planet"
- Mimi O’Bonsawin, an Indigenous music award-winning artist from the Odanak First Nation
- Vienna Teng, a Chinese-American pianist/vocalist featured on NPR’s All Songs Considered
- Bella’s Bartok, a passionate fusion of Americana and folk music
For a complete list of artists, visit folk.org.
Allison Russell: A Transformative Voice in Folk Music
Allison Russell’s artistry transcends music, blending poetry, activism, and multi-instrumental virtuosity. From her groundbreaking debut Outside Child to her GRAMMY-winning The Returner, Russell’s work celebrates Black liberation, resilience, and community. With accolades including the Juno Award, Americana Music Awards, and International Folk Music Awards, Russell continues to use her platform to inspire and uplift through music.
