Stan Kleppinger (University of Nebraska-Lincoln,skleppinger2(at)unl.edu), our chair of local arrangements for this conference, is delighted to welcome everyone to Lincoln. Our sessions will be held in Westbrook Music Building, conveniently located on the southwest corner of campus adjoining downtown Lincoln.
This year's keynote address, "Music, Gesture, and Musical Grammar," will be delivered by Lawrence Zbikowski (University of Chicago).
Lincoln's airport (LNK) is served by Delta and United airlines with arrivals from Minneapolis, Chicago, and Denver. Lincoln is a one-hour drive from Omaha (OMALiNK can provide ground transportation from the Omaha airport-visit omalink.com) and about three hours from Kansas City.
Music Theory Midwest has contracted with Embassy Suites in Lincoln to provide reduced rates to our members. Rates are $114/night for single or double occupancy and $124/night for triple or quadruple occupancy, plus 16.48% in total taxes. (Each "room" is a two-room suite that includes a microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, desk, and pull-out sofa.) These rates include complimentary cooked-to-order breakfasts and complimentary cocktails each evening between 5:30-7:30. To make your reservation, please call 402.474.1111 and identify yourself as a member of Music Theory Midwest, or visit www.lincolnembassysuites.com, using the code THE for the group/convention code. Reservations should be made on or before April 21 to guarantee room and rate availability.
The Embassy is across the street from Westbrook Music Building and in the heart of historic downtown Lincoln. Restaurants, local bookstores and galleries, and other attractions are within easy walking distance. The hotel provides free shuttle transportation to and from the Lincoln airport (call the Embassy at 402.474.1111 to schedule pick-up, or use the courtesy phone near baggage claim at the airport), so those traveling by air and staying at the Embassy should have no need to rent a car.
Downtown Lincoln features a variety of locally owned restaurants. Local favorites include the Blue Orchid (Thai), Misty's Steakhouse (what else in Nebraska?), The Oven (Indian), Vincenzo's (Italian), Lazlo's Brewery and Grill, and Dish (finer dining with "classic favorites"). Dozens of other eating options and coffeehouses can be found within walking distance of the conference site. On Saturday, the conference will conclude with our traditional banquet at the Green Gateau, home to Lincoln's finest in casual dining. The Green Gateau is about four blocks from the Embassy; courtesy transportation will be arranged for those who may need it. Cost for the banquet is $25 (discounted to $20 for our student members). Participants may choose among three entrees (all of which Stan can vouch for!): beer-braised pot roast, chicken caprese, and manicotti rosa (vegetarian).
For interested participants, a tour of UNL's Sheldon Museum of Art will be arranged. The Sheldon's collection of American art includes prominent holdings of nineteenth-century landscape and still life, American Impressionism, early Modernism, geometric abstraction, Abstract Expressionism, pop, minimalism, and contemporary art. The fine arts quadrangle hosts a 30-piece sculpture garden, and the entire UNL campus is a beautiful place to walk in May.
Much more information about the conference will be available at this MTMW web site in the weeks to come, including interactive maps, instructions for guest access to UNL's wireless network, and links of interest.