Spring 2000 p. 6

Celebrating Difference:
The Performing Voice from Around the World
VASTA Conference 2000 Update
Compiled by Eric Armstrong, Roosevelt University

I am pleased to announce that the registration form and details about this year’s exciting conference is now on vasta.org—just go to the home page and follow the link to:
http://www.vasta.org/conf2000flyer.html

There is a registration form there you can print out and snail mail in to Barbara Acker with your check for the registration free (and member renewal, if you need to do that). That is located at: http://www.vasta.org/conf2000reg.html

Dates and Times

Conference dates are August 6 - 8, 2000. Saturday, August 5 we have scheduled a reception at 5:00 - 7:00 PM and a session from 7:00 - 9:30 PM. We finish our last session at 4:30 PM Tuesday, August 8. We must be out of the dorms by 5:30 PM August 8.

Registration Fees
The basic registration fees for the three day conference:
VASTA member and affiliate $135
VASTA member student rate $75
Non-member $270

Accommodations
Housing is available at George Mason University, and all rooms have linen. The dorm is close to the Johnson Center where the workshops will be held. A single room will cost $31 per person, per night, and a double will cost $27 per person, per night. Please note all people staying in the dorms will pay a $25 processing fee. Meals in the cafeteria run about $20 a day. Parking permit fees are $4 per day for the general parking and $6 per day for the deck parking near the Johnson Center. A recreation center pass for one day will be about $5. You may elect to pay $15 for the awards banquet August 6 from 7:00 - 10:00 PM. We have opening warm ups from 8:00 - 8:45 AM and evening Bistro with open mikes from 9:00 or 9:30 AM until 10:00 or 10:30 PM.

Format
We are dividing folks into three groups for morning and afternoon workshops. To study with all 6 workshop leaders you would need to stay the entire conference. If you stay one day, you study with 2 artists, and so on.

Transportation
[See the article by Naomi Frenkel following this for information concerning this area.]

More Information
http://www.vasta.org/conf2000update.html

Conference 2001 and 2002
As conference planner for 2001 and 2002, I will be gathering ideas for the 2001 (Chicago) conference over the summer, including at this summer’s conference. I realize that many won’t be able to attend the VASTA conference in D.C. (we will miss you!) but I would like to invite you to share with us your ideas for 2001. You may send your conference likes/dislikes directly to me at erarmstrong@earthlink.net We’re looking for presenters, themes, and ideas for activities. We may even include some performing opportunities! I look forward to your contributions.

Getting to the George Mason University Campus
submitted by Naomi Frenkel

The closest airport to the conference site is Dulles Int’l airport (IAD). The official name for the other airport is Reagan National Airport (DCA) which is a little further away from GMU. Both airports are actually in Virginia, but can be accessed by giving Washignton DC as the destination. There is public transportaion via Metro and bus from Reagan National, but only taxi, car or shuttle service from Dulles Int’l, the closest airport to the conference site. However, the Washington Flyer Co. which has serviced Dulles with taxis and shuttles has just lost their contract and a new company composed of several cab services is taking over.

From Reagan National Airport (DCA) you can get a taxi to GMU for $32 (info: 703-578-1111); or you can take the Metro to the last stop (Vienna); take a taxi from there for about $18; or take the CUE bus for $.50. The bus runs about once an hour on Sat and the trip takes about twenty minutes. For more information call 703-385-7859 or go to ww.ci.fairfax.va.us; Washington Metrorail and Metrobus info ; 202-637-7000 or www.wmata.com.

You can actually, therefore, get to the campus from either airport, choose the best flight for you.

[For more information contact Naomi at <frenkel@erols.co.]

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