Anyone up for pop culture?

I got a paper notice in campus mail today from Felicia Campbell:

Far West Popular Culture Association
Far West American Culture Association
Call for Papers

Eighteenth Annual Meeting

January 27 – 29, 2006

Las Vegas, Nevada

Sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts
University of Nevada, Las Vegas

We cordially invite you to our Eighteenth Annual Meeting. Papers on all aspects of Popular and American Culture as well as readings by creative writers are welcome. Those interested in submitting proposals for either papers or readings or creating either conference sessions or Sunday round table discussions for either FWPCA OR FWACA should send abstracts of less than 100 words and titles by November 26 2005 to:
Felicia Florine Campbell
Department of English
University of Nevada, Las Vegas 89154-5011
702-895-3457 e-mail fcampbell@ccmail.nevada.edu
FAX 702-895-4801

The registration fee of $130.00 includes a light buffet at the opening reception, morning coffee and rolls, lunch on Saturday, a subscription to Popular Culture Review our refereed journal, plus additional conference events to be announced. Student registration of $45.00 includes all events scheduled on the program and 1 issue of PCR.

I’d really like to get a panel or roundtable together…maybe something on blogging Las Vegas, or some other aspect of Vegas/poker/gambling culture? The great thing about this conference is that you don’t have to show up armed with reams of academic research–it’s a lot more easy-going. Last year I presented on casino carpet, and I don’t think I was the weirdest one by a long shot (although the jury is probably still out).

If I can get two other bloggers interested in presenting, we have a panel. Three is even better, of course.

The positives:
1. It might be your last chance to stay at the Imperial Palace, whose days are numbered as surely as the Death Star.
2. You get to talk about Vegas culture
3. You can add an academic presentation to your CV
4. I may lead a post-session party at the Carousel Bar at Circus Circus.

I don’t think there are any negatives involved here. So email me, and let’s talk about getting a panel together. I’m going to be out the latter part of next week (at a conference in Portland), so now’s the time.

You can also download the registration form and learn more at: Far West Popular Culture Association