The Western States Folklore Society invites you to explore the theme of “The Magic of the Everyday,” and to exchange ideas on other topics within the field.

The 80th annual Western States Folklore Society’s Annual Meeting theme is The Magic of The Everyday, which is meant to encourage presentations illuminating the importance of everyday cultural activities, the ways that people give meaning to their everyday lives through performances of traditional culture, however big or small. If the everyday is often overlooked in favor of spectacles, festivals, and special performances, this conference attempts to draw our gaze back to the myriad ways in which we perform culture as ubiquitous and essential parts of our lives. As always, while presentations on this theme are encouraged, they are not required: we welcome all presentations on folklore-related topics for this conference.

Please note that this year’s Archer Taylor Lecturer will be Tok Thompson, Professor of Anthropology and Communication at the University of Southern California. Prof. Thompson describes his working title as something on the order of “Have a Nice Day…Really!”: Affectual Leakages of Late Capitalism.

Registration: Online conference registration will begin January 1, 2022. In person registration will begin Thursday, April 7, 2022 and continue throughout the conference, as will online registration. Papers will be presented live and online via Zoom on Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9. All those who have registered (including paying the registration fee) by the time the sessions begin will be sent invitations with links. Only those who have registered will be admitted to sessions.

Nonmembers who join the Society at the time of registration are eligible for membership benefits, including reduced registration fees and a subscription to Western Folklore. The registration fee for regular members is $20; for non-members $35. The registration fees for student/retired members is $10; for non-members $20. If registering by mail, please make checks out to the Western States Folklore Society and address them to:

Western States Folklore Society
17591 River Ranch Rd
Grass Valley, CA 95949