Entertainer Application

The Tucson Festival of Books welcomes entertainers to apply to become part of the 2025 Festival, which will take place Saturday, March 15 and Sunday, March 16, on the University of Arizona campus.  We are accepting applications from acts of all types.  All performances must be suitable for audiences of all ages.

For 2025, the Festival will feature five entertainment venues --

1.  The Main Entertainment Stage (16' x 20' x 2'), located in front of the University Administration Building.

2.  The Food Court Stage (20' x 16' x 1'), located on the UA Mall adjacent to the Festival Food Court.

3.  The Canyon, a 10' x 10' performance area located in the breezeway between the Student Union Building and the UA Main BookStore.

4.  The Children's Stage (16' x 20' x 2'), located by the College of Education Building.

5.  The Tucson Folk Festival Songwriter Stage, a 10' x 10' performance area located in front of Bear Down Gym.

The Main Entertainment Stage and the Food Court Stage will accommodate music, dance, and other acts.  Amplification is permitted, but the Festival reserves the right to reduce volume if an act is interfering with author appearances or other Festival activities.  The Canyon and the Tucson Folk Festival Songwriter Stage are available for acoustic or minimally amplified vocal and instrumental performances. The Songwriter Stage is intended for acts performing original work. Acts on the Children's Stage must be suitable for children under 6.

The University of Arizona provides sound systems and operators for each venue including wired mics on stands, mixing board and speakers.

In addition, to enhance the festive atmosphere of the event a limited number of Strolling Entertainers or Buskers may be invited to mingle with the public and perform at the Friends and Volunteers Dining Plaza and elsewhere on the Festival grounds over the course of the weekend.  All types of family-friendly performers will be considered.  Examples could include singer/songwriters/instrumentalists (original or public domain material), jugglers, clowns, close-up magicians, etc.

Entertainment applications will be accepted through 5 pm on Thursday, October 31, 2024, after which the Entertainment Committee will review all applications and select performers to be invited to the Festival.

The decision of the committee is final.  Each applicant will be notified of their status by November 29, 2024 (later for the Children's Stage).  If you are invited to perform at the 2025 Festival, you will receive an Entertainment Agreement, which you must complete and return by the deadline in order to confirm your participation.  The Entertainment Committee will maintain a waiting list in the event of cancellations or other unavailability of invited performers.

Like the 300+ authors who attend each year, entertainers are not compensated by the Festival; however, we will publish a schedule of entertainment on our website, in the Festival Guide published by The Arizona Daily Star, in the TFOB apps (apple and android), and via mobile and social media applications related to the event.  Performers are encouraged to promote their appearances through their own PR and social media sites.

During your scheduled performance, you may place a tip jar and distribute promotional material.  Sales of CDs and other merchandise are subject to Arizona business licensing and sales tax/remittance regulations, which are the sole responsibility of the seller.

To apply for consideration as a performer, please complete this electronic form.  As asterisk (*) indicates a required field.  Please fill in as much information as possible to expedite the application process.  Use the additional comments block if you have any special needs or requests regarding your performance.

Difficulty submitting your application?  Contact us at [email protected]