This is the early November MAPACA Newsletter. The next conference is November 7-9, 2019 (Pittsburgh, PA).
We can’t wait to see you this week at #mapaca19! We’re so excited about all the wonderful things you’re going to bring to the conference.
In this newsletter, we have
Announcement of the 2019 DIA Recipient
Information about #mapaca19
Getting around in Pittsburgh
Tag Us on Social Media!
Information about #mapaca19 special events
Nationality Room Tour — sign ups end Wednesday!
Food and Culture Tour of Primanti Bros
Play Studies’ Parlor Games
Graduate Student Social
Crash Course 2019!
Get 50% off from Intellect in our Book Room
Recycle your badge holders! Win prizes!
2019 DIA Recipient: Matthew Buchholz
We are pleased to announce that the 2019 recipient of the Divine Impact Award is Matthew Buchholz. A native of Tucson, Arizona, Matthew Buchholz graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in 1998. From 2001-2008 he managed the Cinématek program at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM).
In 2008 he moved to Pittsburgh and in 2011 started Alternate Histories. Since starting the business, his work has been featured in Huffington Post, Tucson Weekly, NPR, io9, Boing Boing, Apartment Therapy, and Fab, among others. His work has shown in New York, Chicago, Paris, and Hong Kong and he has exhibited at craft fairs across the country.
His book, Alternate Histories of the World, was released in 2013 by Perigee and was called “blazingly creative” by Entertainment Weekly. His most recent book, Pittsburgh in Olden Times, was released in 2018. In 2016 he was selected, along with Allison Glancey from strawberryluna, to represent Pittsburgh at the Etsy Makers summit conference in Brooklyn, NY. Buchholz currently lives in the Greenfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh. See more at the Alternate Histories website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. He also runs the In Bed by Ten Dance Party in Pittsburgh, PA.
Please join us Thursday night at 6:30 for the award ceremony, a Q&A session, and reception with Mr. Buchholz.
Information about #mapaca19
Need Help with Registration?
Can’t remember what you ordered or if you are registered? Your 2019 registration status is indicated in your profile. If you purchased your own registration, program, tour, etc. you can also log in and look at your orders in your profile. You can also print invoices from your profile. If someone else purchased your registration or if you need to purchase a printed program or change your dinner plans please contact ED@mapaca.net.
Technology Information
MAPACA will provide projectors for your presentation that will either have VGA or HDMI cables. Please make sure that you bring an adaptor (if you need one) to connect your laptop to the projector. If you have any questions, please contact your Area Chair and/or your panel moderator.
Getting Around in Pittsburgh
Public Transportation:
To get from the airport to our hotel, the 28X Airport Flyer bus costs $2.75 if you’re paying by cash, and $2.50 with a Connect Card. You can purchase a Connect Card at Baggage Claim near Door 6. The bus leaves about every 30 minutes just outside Door 6. You can take the bus from the airport to the stop at Seventh Avenue at William Penn Pl, then walk to the hotel at 112 Washington Place, a walk of about 0.3 mile.
Pittsburgh’s light rail system has a “free fare zone” between Downtown and the North Shore, where you can find many sports stadiums and other attractions. For more information, please see: https://www.portauthority.org/services/free-fare-zone/
You can take a bus trip in town for about $2.50 with a Connect Card or $2.75 with cash. To find out the best way to get from Point A to Point B on public transportation, please see the Trip Planner at https://www.portauthority.org/trip-planner/
Ride Share:
Pittsburgh is served by many ride share companies, including Uber, Lyft, and zTrip.
From the airport to our hotel, All of these companies can get you from the airport to our hotel, and will pick you up outside of Baggage Claim Door 4.
Limousines, Taxis, and Shuttle Busses:
A variety of companies serve the Pittsburgh airport. You can find their contact information here: https://www.flypittsburgh.com/parking-transport/limousines,-taxis,-shuttles,-charter-buses
Tag Us on Social Media!
During the conference, make sure you tag us in social media! Talk about all the cool things you’re doing at the conference using #mapaca19. (And feel free to ask questions if you need help — we’ll be monitoring Facebook and Twitter. Our DMs are open on both!) We are @mapacanet on Twitter and mapacanet on Facebook.
Special Events at #mapaca19
University of Pittsburgh Nationality Room Tour:
On the campus of the University of Pittsburgh, the Cathedral of Learning (the second tallest educational building in the hemisphere) hosts 31 “Nationality Rooms” that reflect the diverse ethnic and racial background of the city of Pittsburgh. Although these beautifully designed rooms are museum caliber, most of the Nationality Rooms are also functional classrooms. All of the Nationality Rooms are on the 1st and 3rd floor of the Cathedral of Learning and accessible by elevator. Please join us on Saturday, November 9 at 7:30 am for a guided tour of these gorgeous classrooms. Advance purchase tickets are $15 and required. The last day to purchase tickets is Wednesday, 11/6. For more information, please see https://mapaca.net/conference/2019/cathedral-learning-nationality-rooms-tour
Food & Culture Event: Lunch at Primanti Bros:
Join the Food & Culture Area for lunch at the Primanti Bros! This local, family-owned business began as a food cart, delivering sandwiches to workers in the Strip District. Founded in 1933, the Primanti family started selling “Pittsburgh-style” sandwiches that included an entire meal within one sandwich. Over the years, Primanti Bros has become a staple sandwich stop for locals and visitors alike. Come try an “almost famous” creation at the first location the Primanti Bros ever opened: 46 18th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 on Friday, November 8 at 12:25. This location is within 2 miles of the conference hotel. Seating is limited to 20 people. You must sign up in advance so we can ensure enough room for everyone at the restaurant. Lunch is purchased on your own, however, sandwiches range between $8 and $10. For more information, please see: https://mapaca.net/conference/2019/almost-famous-lunch-meet
Play Studies Parlor Games:
Join Play Studies for its annual irreverent Parlor Games session! Take a break from the normal panel format and enjoy connecting with other presenters in a fun exploration of the active side of Play Studies—the part where we play! All are welcome. Friday, November 8, 4:45 pm to 6:00 pm (Pittsburgh Room)
Graduate Student Social:
Join your fellow graduate students at #mapaca19! On Thursday, November 7, from 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm we will gather in the hotel lounge to meet other graduate students attending the conference for an evening of conversation, networking, and activities.
Crash Course 2019!
On Saturday, November 9 at 11:45 in Salon 5 of the Grand Ballroom, please join us for this year’s Crash Course! These quick, 5-minute presentations are always a ton of fun, and you’ll learn a lot.
50% Off from Intellect in the Book Room
Throughout #mapaca19, please visit our book room for 50% all books, complements of Intellect Books.
Badge Holder Recycling
As part of our ongoing efforts at environmental (and fiscal) responsibility we ask that you bring your gently used, clear plastic, 3x4” name badge holders to the registration desk during the conference. We’re offering a prize for the person who brings us the most (usable) badge holders and another prize in a random drawing from everyone who has contributed.
Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association (MAPACA)
P.O. Box 25033 Philadelphia, PA 19147-0033