Tucson Folk Festival

The Annual Tucson Folk Festival ... Free to the Public Since 1986

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FESTIVAL APPLICATIONS

  • Performer Applications (Open October 1 – November 15)
  • Songwriting Applications (Open October 1 – December 1)
  • Young Artist Showcase Applications (Open October 1 – January 15)
  • Vendor Applications (Open September 1 – March 1)

PERFORMER APPLICATIONS

The Tucson Folk Festival is a free-to-the-public music festival that annually features over 150 performances and 450 musicians, including volunteer performances and paid featured acts and headliners. Performers include local, regional, and national acts featuring a range of styles. Performer selection is a blind juried process that relies primarily on recorded submissions. The selection committee makeup is 5 to 10 TKMA members, past festival performers, musicians, longtime music lovers, sponsors, and TKMA Board Members. Over 300 performers apply yearly for a coveted stage spot at the Festival. About 60% of our performers are from Greater Tucson, 20% are from Arizona (outside of Tucson), and 20% are from out-of-state.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jerry Martin, Festival Performer Coordinator, jerrymmartin@mail.com

October 1Application period opens.
$10 Application Fee through October 31 (refunded for TKMA Members).
November 1Late application period opens.
$30 Application Fee through November 15 (refunded for TKMA Members).
November 15Performer application period closes at 11:59 PM.
No applications will be considered after this date.
December 15Application Fees refunded to TKMA Members on Paypal.
TKMA Membership of primary applicant must current as of November 15.
January 1Performer selections and schedule announced.
January 15Performer deadline for confirmation back to TKMA.
Performer Application Start Here

SONGWRITING COMPETITION

The Stefan George Memorial Songwriting Competition is a beloved part of the Festival each year – a chance for established and emerging songwriters to share new insights and fresh songs inspired by the times and play for an audience hanging on every lyric. Each year, dozens of entrants compete for a spot in the finalist showcase at the Tucson Folk Festival. The winner and runner-up of this showcase receive a coveted evening slot at the Saturday night festival.

To read about the competition history, watch videos from past winners, and see awards for this year, please visit this page.

October 1Application period opens. Includes a $30 Application Fee (Non-refundable)
December 1Songwriter application period closes at 11:59 PM. No applications will be considered after this date.
February 5Songwriting Finalist selections announced
Friday April 4Songwriting Finals Concert on Plaza Stage
Saturday
April 5
Songwriting Winner and Runner-Up Perform on the Plaza Stage at the Festival
Songwriting Application Start Here

YOUNG ARTIST APPLICATIONS

The Roger Mikulas Young Artist Showcase is an annual performance opportunity at the Tucson Folk Festival open to anyone 18 years or younger. An opportunity for young, up-and-coming musicians, the showcase is a fun and welcoming environment that offers a chance to perform on a professional stage at a popular community event! Roger Mikulas was a strong supporter and one of the founders of the Young Artist Stage in 2006. Organized today by Board Member Ron Pandy, the showcase continues to showcase some of Tucson’s youngest and most promising musicians.

Questions? Please contact our Young Artist Showcase Coordinator Ron Pandy at RonPandy@gmail.com.

October 1Application period opens
January 15Young Artist application period closes at 11:59 PM. Applications will be considered after this date for any slots not filled on a first come basis.
February 15Young Artist Showcase Artists Announced
April 5-6Young Artist Showcase on the Wildflower Stage during the Festival Weekend
Young Artist Application Start Here

VENDOR APPLICATIONS

VENDOR-EXHIBITOR APPLICATIONS OPEN: August 1
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: March 1

View Vendor Applications
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Thank You

… for enjoying the Tucson Folk Festival and supporting TKMA to help keep the music playing for 40 years in Tucson.

Our main event, the annual Tucson Folk Festival, is an all-volunteer-operated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The funds raised during the festival assist us in meeting key expenses to bring about this meaningful showcase of local and national Musicians.

From our generous sponsors and community partners who assist us each season to our members and donors, we thank you for helping us meet our budget.  Please consider becoming a TKMA Member and donating when you can. Help support live, local music at the Tucson Folk Festival.

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