A people’s guide to the Folk Alliance International Conference and Music Fair

Last year’s Folk Alliance International Conference and Music Camp, the 26th such event, was the first to be held here in Kansas City. For the conference about to get under way, the folks at FAI have expanded the public offerings. The conference itself is open only to delegates, but a series of public concerts will be held downtown at the Sheraton, as well as a Wednesday-night local showcase at the Westin.

This 2015 Music Fair adds up to a slew of massively talented acts converging over a few days. Even for a seasoned concertgoer, the FAI schedule looks overwhelming. So here’s The Pitch‘s list of the standout acts that we think are most worth your time. (Of course, if you have a lot of time, go to more.)

Wednesday, February 18

Westin Crown Center

(1 East Pershing Road)

Doors at 7 p.m., music starts at 8.

Lawrence’s the Phantastics kicks things off with funk-heavy soul infused with hip-hop; the group’s music is completely infectious. Plus, there’s no better way to get pumped up for the great big folkathon than by getting down.

But there are nine other rooms this night, each boasting a dreamy local lineup. Money Wolf Music is bringing in two groups of four bands — including Schwervon, Folkicide and the Billy Bats — to trade songs back and forth for an hour in an old-fashioned hootenanny. Lawrence’s own Internet sensation and one-woman-live-looping-band Kawehi plays before country darlings the Grisly Hand. And, in yet another room, The Pitch presents Howard Iceberg and, later, the new group Ay Musik.

Thursday, February 19

Sheraton Kansas City at Crown Center

(2345 McGee)

Music starts at 7 p.m.

Thursday night marks the opening of the Music Fair, and features a set from banjo master Béla Fleck, with Abigail Washburn. This pairing is likely to be one of the highlights of the festival.

Denver husband-and-wife duo Mollie O’Brien and Rich Moore are also performing this evening, with a set that’s equal parts gospel, folk and gut-bucket blues. Get ready to have your heart torn out.

Additionally, if you can find your way to make time, Folk Alliance is introducing film into the schedule this year. Among the documentaries being showcased is 1979’s The Last of the Blue Devils. This Kansas City jazz documentary features such greats as Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie, and getting to see it in public is a rare treat.

Friday, February 20

Sheraton Crown Center

Music starts at 6 p.m.

As part of Friday night’s festivities, Mass Street Music’s Battle of the Bearded Buskers brings three of Lawrence’s most talented street performers indoors. Brody Buster, Nicholas St. James and Tyler Gregory trade songs and demonstrate that one talented person with a guitar can easily part you from your change.

Country-music legend Hal Ketchum is also on deck. Getting to hear this man do “Small Town Saturday Night” live is worth the whole ticket price, even if the song does come a day early for attendees. Similarly, Ray Wylie Hubbard is up from Texas with plenty of attitude. And if the songs of Austin’s Sam Baker don’t make you weep, you might not have a soul.

Saturday, February 21

Sheraton Crown Center

Music starts at 6 p.m.

Saturday’s lineup might be the most diverse of all nights. Topeka’s Andy McKee is a virtuoso guitarist whose finger style has made him YouTube-famous. See him live, and you’ll leave awed and humbled.

David Amram is best-known, perhaps, as the composer for the classic films Splendor in the Grass and 1962’s The Manchurian Candidate, but those memorable contributions barely scratch the surface of the man’s genius. Amram’s jazz encompasses Native American folkloric music, world sounds and more. Saturday, he plays a tribute to Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and Charlie Parker.