Conferences / Annual Conference

Contra: Dance & Conflict

July 5 – July 8, 2018

University of Malta

Valetta, Malta

The Dance Studies Association is hosting its first international conference in Valletta, Malta 5-8 July 2018. We invite you to join us for papers, panels, roundtable discussions, lecture-demonstrations, movement workshops, dance works, and screendances that address the conference theme, “Contra: Dance & Conflict.”

Submission Guidelines

While often used as a metaphor for peace, the reality of dancing, dance-making, and scholarship surrounding dance is often one of conflict. Yet, as a venue for interaction, friction, and potential energy, conflict can be as creative as it is destructive. Calling out to delegates across the globe, we are convening to discuss the ubiquity and necessity of conflict within and around dance. We ask: How has dance served as a vehicle for reconciliation? What are the conflicts within dance studies? How has choreography represented, exposed, or challenged practices of violence and war? Are there means of reconciling or using these conflicts productively that are informed by dance practice?

Please note that in addition to the conference registration fee, an EVENTBRITE service fee will be added to each transaction.

Conference details

registration

Early Registration

Before May 11, 2018

Regular Registration

Before Jun 26, 2018

On-Site Registration

Until Jul 8, 2018

Single Day Registration

Until Jul 8, 2018

DSA Member: Full-Time Faculty

Early Registration

Before May 11, 2018

$215

Regular Registration

Before Jun 26, 2018

$240

On-Site Registration

Until Jul 8, 2018

$265

Single Day Registration

Until Jul 8, 2018

$110*

DSA Member: Student / Retired

Early Registration

Before May 11, 2018

$115

Regular Registration

Before Jun 26, 2018

$125

On-Site Registration

Until Jul 8, 2018

$165

Single Day Registration

Until Jul 8, 2018

$60*

DSA Member: Contingent Faculty, Independent Artist / Scholar

Early Registration

Before May 11, 2018

$165

Regular Registration

Before Jun 26, 2018

$180

On-Site Registration

Until Jul 8, 2018

$200

Single Day Registration

Until Jul 8, 2018

$85*

Non-member: Full-Time Faculty

Early Registration

Before May 11, 2018

$310

Regular Registration

Before Jun 26, 2018

$335

On-Site Registration

Until Jul 8, 2018

$360

Single Day Registration

Until Jul 8, 2018

$175*

Non-member: Student / Retired

Early Registration

Before May 11, 2018

$160

Regular Registration

Before Jun 26, 2018

$185

On-Site Registration

Until Jul 8, 2018

$215

Single Day Registration

Until Jul 8, 2018

$115*

Non-Member: Contingent Faculty / Independent Artist / Scholar

Early Registration

Before May 11, 2018

$235

Regular Registration

Before Jun 26, 2018

$255

On-Site Registration

Until Jul 8, 2018

$270

Single Day Registration

Until Jul 8, 2018

$130*

* Single-day registration does not include July 5 Opening Reception or July 7 Awards Dinner

* Single-day members may purchase a ticket to the Opening Reception for $40.

* All multi-day registrations include July 5 opening reception and July 7 Awards Dinner.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Because catering must be confirmed in advance, the Awards Dinner cannot be offered/available to on-site registrants.

EVENTBRITE: Please note that in addition to the conference registration fee, an Eventbrite service fee will be added to each transaction.

REFUND POLICY: Registration fees for registrations cancelled by Tuesday, 5 June will receive a full refund minus a $30 administrative cancellation fee. Registration fees for registrations cancelled after Thursday, 28 June will not be refunded.

schedule

July 5

9:00-3:00pm

DSA Board of Directors and Editorial Meetings

4:00-8:00pm

Registration: Excelsior Hotel

4:00-5:30pm

Concurrent Working Group sessions

6:15-7:30pm

Opening Reception and Provocation/Plenary

7:30-11pm

Welcome Party on the terrace of the Excelsior Hotel

8:30pm

Optional Performance. UM Dance Studies and Guests.

July 6

8:30-6:00pm

Concurrent Sessions

12:15-1:45pm

Lunch

8:30pm

Optional Performance. UM Dance Studies and Guests.

July 7

8:30-5:30pm

Concurrent Sessions

12:15-1:15pm

Lunch

6:15pm

Take shuttle from Valletta to Le Meridien hotel: Awards Dinner, Keynotes, and Party

8:30pm

First shuttles return to Valletta

11:00pm

Second shuttles return to Valletta

July 8

8:30-12:15pm

Concurrent Sessions

12:15-1:15pm

Lunch

1:15-3pm

Convocation: Concluding panel and discussion

7:30pm

Optional Performance. UM Dance Studies and Guests.

Commitee

Conference Chair

Brandon Shaw, University of Malta

Program Committeee

Brandon Shaw, University of Malta
Takiyah Nur Amin, Davidson College
Sarah Whatley, Coventry University
Karima W. Borni, Middlebury College
Ramsay Burt, De Montfort University Leicester
Jo Butterworth, University of Malta
Yaping Chen, Taipei National University of the Arts
Meiver De la Cruz, Oberlin College
Thomas F. DeFrantz, Duke University
Jens Richard Giersdorf, Marymount Manhattan College
Nicole Haitzinger, University Salzburg
Jasmine Johnson, Brown University
Janet O'Shea, UCLA
Stacey Prickett, University of Roehampton
Danielle Robinson, York University
Malaika Sarco-Thomas, University of Malta
Kin-Yan Szeto, Appalachian State University

Local Arrangements Committee

Sara Accetura
Lucia Piquero Alvarez
Jo Butterworth
Kathrina Farrugia-Kriel
Malaika Sarco-Thomas
Brandon Shaw
Francesca Abela Tranter

Conference Contacts

Brandon Shaw, Conference Chair brandon.shaw@um.edu.mt
Janet Wilhelms, Association Manager j.wilhelms@cordance.org

Exhibit/Advertise

Publishers' Exhibits

With over 250 dance scholars and educators in attendance, the 2018 DSA Conference offers publishers an excellent venue to promote dance and performance titles.

Display by Table

Make an impact as an exhibitor. This opportunity gives you the ability to network, advertise and promote and sell your books, products and services to a captive audience which is highly vested in the study of dance.

Each six-foot display table includes two chairs, wastebasket, and name badges for booth attendants. Display tables must be attended for the duration of the Exhibit.

First table: $250.00
Additional tables: $125.00 each

Display by Publication

This is the perfect opportunity to promote one of your books to dance scholars and educators from around the world!

Display books or materials on the DSA Scholars Table. Each display item is $30.00. (You may display a book and an order form for the $30 price; additional display items subject to the $30 fee.)

Program Advertising

Market and endorse your books, products, events, and services by placing an ad in the program guide. This program guide is distributed and used by each attendee.

Specifications

Program Book Trim Size: 8.5" x 11"
Advertisements with bleed: 8.75" x 11.25"
Advertisements without bleed: 8.25" x 10.75"
Live Area: 8" x 10.5"

Prices

Back Cover: $1,000
Inside Front Cover: $800
Inside Back Cover: $800
Full Page: $600
Half Page: $300
Quarter Page: $150
Eighth Page: $75

For more information on exhibiting or advertising, view the 2018 Exhibitor and Sponsor Prospectus or contact us.

Travel

Visa information

Citizens of EU countries, North America, and Australia do not need visas for the period of the conference, but may need to provide evidence of a return ticket. For unofficial information, see here.

To see official documents relating to visas, consult the following site: https://identitymalta.com/who-requires-a-visa/

Financial transactions

You may withdraw Euros from a BOV (Bank of Valletta) or HSBC ATM at the airport. This is recommended over the poor exchange rates you’ll be offered from the currency exchange stations within the airport. There are exchange houses in Valletta for converting currencies to Euros. It is difficult to exchange travelers’ checks in Malta, so you are discouraged from relying on that as a currency.

Most restaurants and stores accept Visa and Mastercard, though many do not take other cards (such as Discover and American Express). Minimum purchase with a card is often €10 as companies are charged for purchases by credit/debit.

Value-Added Tax (VAT) in Malta is 18%. It is always included in purchases.

Currency

The unit of currency in Malta is the Euro.

Banks

There are banks in all the towns and villages with additional "Bureaux de Change" in Sliema, St Julians and Valletta.

Bank of Valletta and HSBC banking hours are as follows:

Bank of Valletta
Monday - Thursday 0830hrs - 1400hrs
Friday 0830hrs - 1530hrs
Saturday 0830hrs - 1230hrs

HSBC
Monday - Thursday 0830hrs - 1330hrs
Friday 0830hrs - 1630hrs
Saturday 0830hrs - 1230hrs

Electricity

Electricity supply is 220/240 volts, single phase, 50 cycle. The square fitting standard three-pin plugs and sockets are used (identical to the UK).

Lodging

Accommodations

Delegates are encouraged to reserve at the recommended accommodations due to traffic and parking in Malta. If you would like to find your own accommodations, you are recommended to 1) find accommodations in Valletta, 2) in an area accessible by a ferry to Valletta (close to Sliema Ferry or Birgu Ferry) or 3) in Floriana, a nearby area within walking distance. Please be aware that even a short distance can be a long trip in traffic at rush hour.

In Valletta (all within walking distance to conference activities)

DSA has a block booking for conference delegates at the Grand Hotel Excelsior where the opening reception will be held. The Grand Hotel Excelsior offers beautiful views of the bay and is a 15-minute walk to the Valletta campus. (A smaller shuttle is also available, with priority given to those with considerations for mobility.) The Excelsior’s facilities include a full restaurant and bar, large outdoor and indoor swimming pools, and a health and beauty center.

Hurry, limited rooms are available at €165 per night inclusive of breakfast and tax (single occupancy). Reserve by April 18, 2018 to guarantee your reservation. On April 19, 2018, a majority of our room block will be released and rooms will be based on availability.

Please note that our inland view room block consists of rooms that may have up to three occupants (the majority of the rooms have a double bed and thus, in the case of triple occupancy, the room will consist of one double bed and an extra bed. Please discuss additional requests directly with the hotel.

The second person supplement is €20 per night on top of the single rate, and the third person supplement is €35 per night on top of the double rate (that is, add €55 per night for triple occupancy of a room). Supplement covers breakfast, linens, and cleaning for the additional people.

The Excelsior can provide a shuttle to the conference for anyone with difficulties walking from the hotel to the Valletta campus. Please indicate your need for a shuttle upon check-in.

Hurry, cutoff date is April 18, 2018. After this date, the room block may be released to the public, so we recommend booking your hotel as soon as possible.

Webpage: www.excelsior.com.mt

On the Excelsior website, scroll down to or click “Book Now” to enter your dates. Under “Promo Code,” enter “DSA2018” (without quotation marks) to receive special block booking rate.

Other Hotel Options

DSA has negotiated rates with the following hotels located in Valletta.

The Osborne Hotel: osbornehotel.com

Double for sole use - €145.00 per room per night with breakfast included
Double / Twin - €155.00 per room per night with breakfast included
Half Board Supplement - €10.00 per person per day

Availability is on first come first served and any enquires shall be done on reservations@osbornehotel.com and code use should be DSA Conference

The Grand Harbour Hotel: grandharbourhotel.com

5% Discount can be offered on any published room rates. Discount is valid only when reservations are made through our website. A special promotional code was created for the delegates. DSA Conference must be used in the promo code section.

British Hotel: britishhotel.com

Budget small single internal rooms (no TV , AC or safe deposit €75)

Single room (with TV, AC, Safe deposit) €115
Seaview room for single Occupancy    €125
Twin Inland room    €135
Twin Seaview room    €145
Superior Twin Seaview room €155

All rates are per room per night including hot/cold buffet breakfast. Additional person in a twin pays an extra €30.00 per person per night, includes breakfast.

39 Main Street, Balluta Bay, St. Julian’s, STJ1017

Additional Hotels in Valetta

Castille Hotel
Castille St, Valletta

SU29(Boutique Hotel)
29, St. Ursula Steps, Valletta

Hotels in Sliema near the Ferry

Sliema Marina Hotel
163 Tigne Sea Front, Sliema SLM 15

Sliema Hotel
59 The Strand Sliema, Sliema SLM07

Additional Recommended Hotels

Le Meridien (location of Awards Dinner and after-party)

Things To Do In Malta

Key website for visitors: http://www.visitmalta.com/en/h...

Malta Tourism Authority: http://www.mta.com.mt

Articles on Malta

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/30/t-magazine/malta-cultural-crossroads.html

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/10/21/travel/what-to-do-36-hours-in-malta.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/malta/articles/36-hours-in-malta/

Dance Workshops

Dancers may like to stay for the week following the conference, when the Dance Hybrid is hosting a week-long intensive workshop with Kerry Nicholls and Chris Benstead! 9-14 July 2018.

Watch here for updates and registration:http://dancehybridmalta.com/dancehybridmalta/

Performances and Cultural Events

Malta International Arts Festival. Watch here for details: http://maltaartsfestival.org

Malta Jazz Festival. Watch here for details:http://www.maltajazzfestival.org/programme/

Valletta 2018 European City of Culture Events surrounding the conference

~~Exiled Homes~~ 01 JUN 18 - 30 JUN 18 http://valletta2018.org/events/exiled-homes/

~~Cendrillon~~ 28 JUN 18 - 30 JUN 18 http://valletta2018.org/events/cendrillon/

~~Code Red~~ 29 JUN 19 -30 JUN 18 http://valletta2018.org/cultural-programme/code-red/

~~La Lupa~~ 30 JUN 18 - 01 JUL 18 http://valletta2018.org/events/la-lupa-theatre/

~~Burhan Öçal’s Bosphorus Quartet~~ 13 JUL 18 - 13 JUL 18 http://valletta2018.org/events/burhan-ocals-bosphorus-quartet/

~~Pope Joan~~ 13 JUL 18 - 22 JUL 18 http://valletta2018.org/events/pope-joan/

Major Cultural Sites and Tours

~~Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum~~

The Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum is a complex made up of interconnecting rock-cut chambers set on three distinct levels. Earliest remains at the site date back to about 4000BC, and the complex was used over a span of many centuries, up to c. 2500 BC.

Book your tour of the hypogeum at least 3 months early: https://booking.heritagemalta.org

~~St John’s Co-Cathedral~~

St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta, which houses Caravaggio’s Beheading of John the Baptist and St. Jerome Writing: https://www.stjohnscocathedral...

Recommended Tours

All-day cruise to the Blue Lagoon with optional tour of Gozo: https://hornblowercruisesticketstore.com

Mention ‘DSA 2018 Conference’ for a 20% discount on your cruise

About the University of Malta Department of Dance Studies

Founded in 2010, the Department of Dance Studies provides institutional support and theoretical undergirding for Malta’s long-standing passion for dance. With a harmonized engagement with practice and theory, the program prepares students for careers in dance, choreography, dance education, cultural management, and university positions. The 3-year Bachelor’s degree (Honours) hosts students from Malta, the EU, and around the world, and provides training in modern and contemporary dance and choreographic techniques, dance and technology, dance science, dance education, and an international third-year tour. Master’s degrees offer further opportunities in Practice as Research and deeper engagement with critical theory. The Department has ongoing exchange with leading researchers, choreographers, dancers, and partner-universities across the world.

The Department of Dance Studies is housed within the School of Performing Arts, which also has departments of Theatre and Music.

About Malta

University Nestled between southern Italy and northern Africa, Malta’s beautiful shores, baroque heritage, ancient monuments, and mouth-watering cuisine make it a destination highly sought after by tourists, historians, deep-sea divers, and food connoisseurs. With constructions dating as early as 4000BCE, Malta’s strategic position at the heart of the Mediterranean made it a highly-valued territory for centuries. Artifacts and other historical testimonies bear witness to the presence of the Phoenicians, Romans, Sicilians, northern Africans, Turks, and French. Gaining independence from Great Britain in 1964, Malta recognizes English as an official language alongside Maltese, which has roots in old Arabic and old Sicilian with elements of French and English.

Malta became a Republic in 1974 and joined the EU in 2004. Today, Malta has a population of nearly 450,000 and is visited annually by some one and a half million tourists. In early July you can expect afternoon heat but cooler mornings and evenings.

Valletta, the capital city where the conference will be held, is a baroque city with fortifications and palaces still standing from their construction by the Knights of Malta. In its streets you’ll find scores of restaurants, museums, shops, and beautiful facades. The Valletta campus is housed in the Old University Building that dates back to the founding of the Collegium Melitense 1592. Valletta is the 2018 European Capital of Culture.