Private Showcases!
See list at the bottom of the page to apply to play
Things to know about playing in Private Showcases
The Private Showcase floor is always buzzing with music and activity. Private Showcase rooms are privately run and funded showcases held on one floor of the conference hotel. These showcases are held late night after the main stage concerts. The selection of artists presented in each room is at the sole discretion of the room’s host. Hosts can choose to accept applications to perform in their room. See the information below.
- All showcase participants must be registered for the full conference. This is not a drop in-drop out performance opportunity
- The Host for each showcase curates the performers for their showcase. Be sure to read the description for each showcase before contacting the host to make sure you are a good fit.
- While you may not be selected to perform in your first choice showcase, we have endeavored to provide a wide range of formats. We expect everyone will have at least one opportunity to perform. Feel free to reach out to James Combs (laurelcanonla@gmail.com) if you need assistance.
- We ask that performers limit themselves to at most 3 showcases, to give as many people as possible a chance to perform. Once we see how things are going, we may open more.
- Showcases run from 10:00 pm to 2am, Thursday through Saturday. Some may finish sooner, but be ready for a late night!
- The showcases will operate in hotel rooms on a floor dedicated to the showcases.
- The performances are acoustic, no amplification is allowed.
List of Private Showcases, FAR-West 2026 Conference More may be added
THE LAST BEST ROOM
HOST: Submission contact: Annie Lee (email: info@annieleemusic.com)
NIGHTS: Friday, Saturday
The Last Best Room brings Montana hospitality to FAR-West with great songs, good stories, and a welcoming place to gather. Well feature original folk, Americana, and roots music from a mix of artists throughout the evening, with a focus on songwriting, connection, and community.
CHASE RAINBOWS NOT DUST BUNNIES
HOST: Susan Wageman rainbows.dustbunnies@gmail.com
NIGHT: Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Intended to provide opportunities to showcase a variety of music, songs, stories, etc. Opportunities are available for individual performers, groups, story tellers, or other relevant entertainments. Basic slots are 25 minutes. Larger groups may be allotted a longer time slot.
FAR-WEST CAMPFIRE
HOST: Karen Sullivan campfire@far-west.org
NIGHTS: Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Come sit by the Campfire and howl at the moon. FAR-West has hosted over 100 virtual song circles since 2000, and has a family and community all its own. We will have 1 hour long "in the round" song circles with 3 artists per round.
FIRST-TIMERS SHOWCASE
HOST: Sara Furrer, and other board members. conference@far-west.org
NIGHTS: Thursday, Saturday
First time attending the FAR-West Conference? This showcase is for you.
HOOLAHAN'S HOUSE OF HOOTENANNY
HOST: Submissions contact: James Houlahan, (email: jahoulah@gmail.com)
NIGHT: Thursday, Friday
A showcase featuring singer-songwriters with one foot in the present, one foot in the past. In other words, I hope to highlight artists who play both new/old songs of their own and older folk songs from our shared folk music heritage. Open to singer-songwriters of any level with a preference for those who incorporate older and/or traditional song forms or themes/ideas into their own songs. Looking for artists who appreciate the "old, weird America" and bring that same kind of energy into their own work. Let's make the old weird new!
WESTERN MIGRATION
HOST: Submissions contact: Alan Chamberlain (email: axon@axonometrix.com )
NIGHTS: Friday, Saturday
The music that most moves my heart is a reflection of the restless questing spirit of the American West. The history of the American West is the story of working people striving for a better life, hoping to leave the world a better place for their children. And it was built by working people seeking opportunity. A lot of the songs I sing are about them. If you sing about them, too, come share at my showcase room! rative, humorous, and political songs that matter. Folkageddon! has proven to be a transformative healing power - we welcome all!
KRISTEN FORD PRESENTS: Obermann Amplified showcase
HOST; Kristen Ford (email: kristenfordmusic@gmail.com)
NIGHT: Friday, Saturday
"I would like to focus on presenting original music, but also speaking about music business, the theme of my podcast/youtube series Obermann Amplified. The artists could perform an original song but also share a takeaway of making money and doing music business in 2026 which has been a win for them. Smashing gatekeepers! I'd love to showcase LGBTQ artists and women in music but open to all. Community it is!"