We are happy to announce an exciting collaboration between The Ohio State University Folklore Student Association and the Indiana University Folklore & Ethnomusicology Student Associations. The conference aims to create a space for graduate and undergraduate students to share their research within their respective fields as it relates to the study of academic and vernacular interpretation of everyday life.

When?: Friday, May 16 - Saturday, May 17, 2008, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Where?: On the Ohio State University campus in Columbus. Specific rooms are still being scheduled, but more information about location and directions will be posted on both the OSU and IU Web sites listed below.

What?: Well, we've been wanting to put together a joint conference for some time now-always talking about it, but never quite making it happen-but because of some remarkable students at both institutions, we're hosting a first-in-a-long-time OSU-IU folklore student conference. Come get to know your colleagues and prepare to be part of an exciting endeavor by folklore students at two of the best folklore programs in the country. Participants will offer paper presentations, poster sessions, and a discussion forum for all attendees. The discussion forum will allow all to engage in discussions of enduring issues in our fields and to consider how those issues have emerged in their own research. This conference will be of interest to students of: folklore, ethnomusicology, cultural studies, material culture, storytelling, performance studies, and other related disciplines.

Who?: This conference creates a space for graduate and undergraduate students to share their research within their respective fields as it relates to the study of academic and vernacular interpretation of everyday life. If you are interested in participating in this conference, please submit a paper proposal by March 1, 2008, to either osu.fsa@gmail.com or to folksa@indiana.edu for consideration. If you are interested in attending this conference, please contact smbock99@yahoo.com to reserve a space before April 30, 2008.

In addition, the conference will include faculty discussants, a workshop, and a specially invited plenary speaker: Dr. Alan Govenar, a scholar, filmmaker, and playwright whose work particularly focuses on African-American music.

How Much?: There is no charge for attending or participating in this conference, although attendees/participants will be responsible for their own transportation, lodging, and meals. Information regarding lodging and meals is given below.

Meals: The host institution will be providing bagels and coffee each morning and will be providing a light lunch on both days of the conference. You're on your own for supper.

Lodging: It is recommended that you making reservations at either the University Plaza Hotel, 3110 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio 43202, (614) 267-7461, 1-877-677-5292, (which has shuttle service to OSU) or at the Holiday Inn on the Lane, 328 West Lane Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201, (614) 294-4848, (800) 465-4329 (which is within walking distance). If you are interested in connecting with other students for a place to spread out a sleeping bag or perhaps snag a couch, contact Cassie Patterson at patterson.493@osu.edu.

Parking on Campus: The most central place to park is at the Tuttle Park Place Garage, $7.00/day.

This conference currently is sponsored by SOURCE, Center for Folklore Studies and the Indiana University department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology.

Register for the conference here!