Anyone else attending the Medieval Congress in Kalamazoo in May 2013?

[Bradamante]

Greetings dear sirs,
I was wondering if anyone else was planning on attending the 48th Annual Congress on Medieval Studies May 9-12th in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

http://www.wmich.edu/medieval/congress/ 

It is an annual gathering of over three thousand Medievalists, (mostly academics), and there will be over five hundred sessions. The full program can downloaded here:  http://www.wmich.edu/medieval/congress/sessions.html

I will be participating in a round table discussion held on Saturday morning. Here is the description:

Carolingian Legends: Adapting Medieval and Renaissance Literature for Twenty-
First-Century Audiences (A Panel Discussion)
Organizer: Richard Scott Nokes, Troy Univ./Witan Publishing
Presider: Richard Scott Nokes
A panel discussion with Brandon B. Spars, Sonoma Academy; W. Douglas
Gallagher, Sonoma Academy; Alexis E. Fajardo, Independent Scholar; and Linda C.
McCabe, Independent Scholar.

Registration for attendance has begun, so for those who may not have known about this huge event - you still have time to go.

http://www.wmich.edu/medieval/congress/registration.html

If anyone here is planning on attending, please let me know. Perhaps we could meet up and share a glass of wine or ale.

I have heard that the nightlife at these Congresses is lively.

[Sir James A]

Greetings! It's a solid 10 hour hike for me, and comes right in the midst of a prior out of state trip and two weekends of performances for a renn fest. Unfortunately too much for me to do; but sounds like a great time! Please let us know how it goes and some highlights after you go.

[Bradamante]

Sir James,

I shall do so. I have read about the Medieval Congresses for several years now on various medievalist blogs, but this will be the first year I will be attending.

I am looking forward to it. Professor Nokes who will be the moderator for my session describes it as primarily filled with tweed wearing academics. Hopefully I shall learn a tremendous amount by attending various sessions and networking with people between sessions. That is a different style of research from reading books and visiting historical sites.

Have a grand time in your other activities this spring.

[Bradamante]

I apologize dear sirs for the tardiness, but here is a link to my blog where I gave a report on my first ever Medieval Congress held annually in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

http://lcmccabe.blogspot.com/2013/05/2013-medieval-congress-in-kalamazoo.html

There are many pictures in the post and it is better that I not try to use too much bandwidth on this bulletin board by reproducing it here.

I had a grand time and hope to return there again.

[Ian]

I'm very envious that you were able to attend!  I've seen some great videos trickle out from attendees like the La Belle Compagnie arming demonstration and the Judicial Duel demonstration.  Great stuff!!  It must have been very exciting!

[Hrolfr]

Hope to get to the 2014, as it is just a couple hours from me.

[Bradamante]

Sir Ian, Sir Hrolfr, and other dear sirs:

There was also an iron smelting demonstration. I was unable to attend that, but one of my friends thought it was fantastic.

For anyone considering presenting an academic paper at the next Congress in May 2014, they have put forth their Call for Papers (CFP). You can read through the listings and see if there is any sessions you would like to participate in and contact the organizer.

The deadline for the organizers to submit a list of all participants is September 15th, but many sessions fill up far sooner than that date.

Here is the link where you can download the CFP:  http://www.wmich.edu/medieval/congress/index.html

Good day,

[Sir James A]

I second Sir Ian's envy, having seen that same arming demonstration. Looks like you had a great time!