This week’s column takes us, in the throes of winter, up north, where two roots music events occurred on the same overlapping weekend: Folk Alliance International in Montreal, Canada (February 19-23, 2025); and Wintergrass in Bellevue, Wash. (20-23, 2025).
In addition to presenting full schedules of live music, the mission of both of the sponsoring organizations is to keep the traditions alive and expand roots music to a wider audience. What sets them slightly apart is Wintergrass places an emphasis on permitting the audience to become part of that tradition through workshops and educational programs. Whereas, Folk Alliance concentrates on networking and development, providing a space for those within the folk community, new and old, to hone their skills in order to take their messages to a wider audience.
