In This Newsletter, We Have:
- Late registration ends 10/1
- Hotel and Travel Information
- Conference Events and Information
- Add sessions to personal schedules for quick and easy access to their most current schedule information.
- McFarland Books
- Our COVID-19 statement for the 2023 conference
- Important Dates
Late Registration ends 10/1
Late registration for this year’s conference is open until October 1 at mapaca.net! Late Registration is your last chance to register so make sure you register as soon as you can. We want to see you at this year’s conference!
Hotel and Travel Information
Reserve your room for MAPACA23 at the Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square! Use this link to book today! The Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square is located at 1800 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
If you are traveling to the conference by airplane, you can use the SEPTA Regional Rail Airport Line to travel to and from Center City Philadelphia. Historic Gray 30th Street Station is a short walk to and from the hotel (as are other Center City Philadelphia stations).
Rideshare and taxi options are also available to travel from PHL to the Sonesta Rittenhouse Square and Center City.
2023 Divine Impact Award Recipient - Angelo Cataldi
Join us Thursday, November 9, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in the Wyeth Ballroom, 2nd floor, as we present the Divine Impact Award (DIA) to legendary Philadelphia sports broadcaster Angelo Cataldi! The DIA recognizes outstanding creative or scholarly achievement in the production, performance, or scholarly consideration of popular and/or American culture that exhibits exceptional contribution, longevity, originality, and impact.
Born on March 13, 1951, in Providence, Rhode Island, Angelo was destined to dive headfirst into the world of journalism. Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Rhode Island, he honed his craft and enhanced his skills at the prestigious Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, where Cataldi delved even deeper into the art of storytelling.
His journey to the microphone began in 1977 with a pen as a writer for the Providence Journal and later for the Philadelphia Inquirer throughout the 1980s. Here, he had the privilege of crafting narratives that captured the essence of the games we all love. Fast forward to 1990, when a new chapter unfolded as Angelo took the reins as a talk show host on the iconic 94 WIP Sportsradio, a platform that would become his stage for the foreseeable future.
For over thirty years, Cataldi proudly occupied the airwaves as the unmistakable voice of 94 WIP Sportsradio, which ultimately shaped his identity as “Mr. Philadelphia’s Sports Talk Radio.” With a voice that could rattle the very foundations of Veterans Stadium and Lincoln Financial Field, he brought passionate discussions, expert analysis, and unfiltered opinions to the ears of countless listeners. It was during these broadcasts Angelo became a voice not just in the city but in the hearts of sports enthusiasts far and wide.
Cataldi is a true Philadelphia loyalist, passionately supporting all four of the city’s beloved sports teams. Although he could commandeer any press box, he often chose the comfort of his home, where Angelo watched more sports on TV than he attended in person. With a keen eye for the game and an insatiable appetite for the latest scores and strategies, Cataldi reveled in the thrill of competition from the comfort of his living room.
Angelo waited until he was 72 to write his first book, LOUD. It is the story of his hilarious, controversial 33 years as the maestro of the mania in Philadelphia sports.
You can submit questions for Angelo ahead of time by emailing awards@mapaca.net. In addition, the audience will have a chance to ask questions at the Q&A portion of the DIA event.
Conference events and Information
Join us as we present the Lorance Award, Donald Award, and Walden Prize at the Reception and Annual meeting on Friday, November 10, from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm in the Wyeth Ballroom, 2nd floor. This year’s recipients are:
Lorance Award: Mary Beth Ray, Associate Professor and Chair of Communication & Media Studies, and Co-Chair of Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies at Plymouth State University.
Donald Award: Brittany Tomin for her presentation “Destructive Imaginaries: Catalyzing Critical Hope in Youth.”
Walden Prize: Allyson Wierenga for her presentation ““How Were You Cured If None of the Others Were?”: Transcending Bodies in The Two Princesses of Bamarre and the COVID-19 Pandemic.”
Also:
- Stay tuned for other exciting events and announcements throughout the month!
Add Sessions to your Personal Schedule
Keep track of your busy MAPACA Conference schedule by following these steps to add sessions to your Personal Schedule:
If you click on a session title from the conference’s general schedule or the schedule by area, you’ll find an “Add to personal schedule” button, which will add the session to the “Personal Schedule” section of the website. This allows you to keep track of the conference sessions you’re interested in.
Once clicked, that button will read “In personal schedule,” and, if clicked again, it will remove the session from your calendar. Simple as that.
McFarland Books
This is the main page for our POP CULTURE category and its subcategories. Categories of related interest include GENRE (e.g., science fiction studies), NOTABLE FIGURES (e.g., Alfred Hitchcock), and INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES (e.g. women’s studies).
Prospective authors interested in writing for a SERIES can consult the series page for more information: Contributions to Zombie Studies | Critical Explorations in Science Fiction and Fantasy | Companions to Mystery Fiction | Companions to Young Adult Literature | Dogs in Our World | Ethics and Culture | McFarland Literary Companions | Studies in Gaming | Studies in Heavy Metal Music & Culture | Worlds of Whedon
COVID Statement
We look forward to welcoming you to our 2023 conference this November. At this time, our conference will be mask-encouraged to support our immunocompromised community members. Remember, the proper wearing of a mask that covers your nose and mouth helps prevent community spread and protect everyone, especially immunocompromised colleagues.
Before the conference, please check to see if you are eligible for a vaccine or booster for COVID-19 or other seasonal diseases, such as the flu. Visit vaccines.gov to find vaccination locations near you. Keeping up to date with vaccines, in line with public health and your doctor’s guidance, further supports our community.
Finally, we are asking you to do your part in contributing to the health and well-being of your fellow MAPACA attendees by staying home if you feel sick and/or are symptomatic. The Mid-Atlantic Popular and American Culture Association (MAPACA) is monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely. These guidelines may change based on infection rates in the country and Philadelphia as the conference approaches.
Important Dates
- Now-October 1: Late registration
- November 9-11: 2023 Conference in Philadelphia
Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association (MAPACA)
P.O. Box 1358
Lansdowne, PA 19050
To donate, please visit https://mapaca.net/donation