Deadline: Thursday, July 1, 2021
Conference date: October 1, 2021
Delta State University, Cleveland, Mississippi
www.deltastate.edu/bluesDelta State University is now accepting proposals for papers and lecture-performances for the 8th annual International Conference on the Blues. Suggested topics of interest include but are not limited to:
● Music of the African diaspora
● Black musical traditions and influences on American music and culture
● The influence of blues, gospel, spirituals, and soul music
● Black music as protest and social commentary
● Black artists and the music industry
Papers are invited from scholars, including authors, performers, African American music enthusiasts, and independent researchers. We also welcome young and emerging scholars (graduate students, recent masters and doctoral graduates, and junior faculty).
Due to Covid-19, the conference format will be a hybrid of live performances; live streamed presentations; and presentations recorded in advance. To allow for flexibility due to travel-related uncertainty, especially for international guests, presenters should indicate their preferences for place-based or virtual presentations.
The conference begins Friday morning and continues until the early evening. The morning features performances connecting the Black gospel tradition to the blues, including Grammy nominee Jontavious Willis, and the afternoon features academic presentations, all of which will be streamed and recorded for wide distribution.
Prior to the conference, "Shake and Holla," featuring Grammy-nominated artist Cedric Burnside and The Rebirth Brass Band and the North Mississippi Allstars will be performing a separately-ticketed event on Thursday, September 30 on the Delta State Campus.
IMPORTANT:
Proposals must be submitted online via
https://tinyurl.com/Blues2021. Please include a description of the presentation, audio/visual equipment needs, and biographical information for all presenters. Please note that not all A/V requests may be granted. Presenters agree to appear at the conference at their own expense, which will include a registration fee of $100, and to have their presentations recorded. All presentations will be a maximum of 20 minutes in length, followed by additional time for discussion, and should address a general audience of scholars, students, and blues fans.
For more information, please contact co-chairs Shelley Collins and Don Allan Mitchell at
blues@deltastate.edu or visit
www.deltastate.edu/blues.