The North American British Music Studies Association
2016 Biennial Conference Local Arrangements
Overview
We look forward to welcoming you to the campus of Syracuse University in August 2016. The weather is usually spectacular in Syracuse at that time of year and, as you will see, our location in the Finger Lakes is ideal if you decide to extend your visit and have a proper holiday. We’re in the middle of wine country and the scenery is spectacular!
Concerts
We have procured funding from the College of Arts and Sciences and the Newhouse School of Public Communications to support performances at the conference. On Thursday, we will have an opening reception that will include a performance by NYS Baroque, a professional early music group that plays a regular season in Rochester, Ithaca, and Syracuse. They have also performed at the Boston Early Music Festival. They are planning a brief (half hour) recital of 17th- century English repertory. Another concert will be given by the Society for New Music, a local group, on Friday evening, which will include music by contemporary British composers.
Accommodations
We have two hotels: the University Sheraton within walking distance of campus and a slightly cheaper option, The Parkview, which is a slightly longer walk or a complimentary shuttle ride away. Rates at the University Sheraton are as follows: Single: $145.00 / Double: $155.00 / Triple: $165.00 / Quad: $175.00. You may book the Sheraton online through their website.
The Parkview is less: $115/night. To book the Parkview, please call the hotel directly at 315-476-4212 and ask for the “NABMSA Room Block at the Parkview Hotel” in order to receive the discounted rate.
Banquet
The conference banquet will be held at the Aster Pantry and Parlor, an upscale restaurant in the Armory Square district of Syracuse.
Food and Entertainment Options
The food scene in Armory Square, the rehabilitated downtown area, is quite lively. In fact, you might consider renting a car so you can avail yourself of Syracuse’s surprisingly large array of entertainment options. The Everson Museum designed by IM Pei has an excellent collection of ceramics. We also have one of the biggest malls in the United States, Destiny USA. It has every store under the sun from high-end designer outlets to the dollar store as well as entertainment options, including indoor go-carts, interactive games, an amusement park, indoor ropes course, a comedy club, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, IMAX theater, etc. Or you could hang out on Marshall Street, which is very near the hotel. It should be relatively quiet in the summertime and there are a range of restaurants offering typical college student fare, ethnic cuisine (Thai, Chinese, Middle-Eastern, Indian, Japanese), and two excellent coffee shops–Funk ‘n’ Waffles (hard to find but worth it) and Café Kubal. View this handy dining guide for restaurants within walking distance of campus.
