The Phish Studies community is at it again, and this time they’re bringing the academic focus of the popular rock band to New York City.
Announced last week, “The Resounding Echoes Grow: A Phish Studies Symposium” will take place at the Jerry H. Labowitz Theatre For The Performing Arts at New York University next month on March 11th. The all-day academic-meets-music event will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and will include a welcome reception and live performance from local bassist and bandleader Karina Rykman.
Related: Phish Announces 2020 Summer Tour
Last May, Oregon State University held a three-day Phish Studies conference, which focused on the interdisciplinary academic exchange of ideas centered around the music and vibrant community surrounding Phish. With results that energized participants–as well as future aca-fans–to continue looking into the various ways Phish can be theorized, another gathering was inevitable. This year, the event hosted by Isaac Slone will be free and open to the public. This will allow casual, aca-curious fans the opportunity to learn the value academics find in using Phish as a source of their ongoing research.
This event keynote will be delivered by Elizabeth A. Yeager, titled, “What’s In The Name?: Phish Studies.” “Send In The Clones: A Guided Viewing Of Phish’s 2019 NYE Stunt” will walk the audience through a performative analysis of the band’s New Year’s Eve “gag” at Madison Square Garden back in December. In addition, panels presented as part of the all-day event will include, “I Must Inquire: Research Methods Across Phish Studies” and “How Many People are We?: Diversity and Identity within the Phish Community”. Two roundtable discussions scheduled as “Textures of the Town” and “Thoughts out on The Page” will feature commentary from music journalists will also be included in the day of learning.
Related: The Case For An Academic Examination Of Phish Fandom
New York City has traditionally been a mecca for Phish fans who descend upon Madison Square Garden for its annual YEMSG tour. In 2017, fans took over midtown Manhattan for the band’s 13-night Baker’s Dozen midsummer residency.
Head to the event page on the NYU website for general info and RSVP requirements for next month’s event.
The Karina Rykman Trio featuring guitarist Adam November and drummer Chris Corsico will also perform at Brooklyn Comes Alive at Avant Gardner on Saturday, March 21, 2020. Additionally, Rykman will spin DJ sets between sets in Avant Gardner’s Great Hall at the all-day music event.
Rykman joins a loaded lineup for this year’s Brooklyn Comes Alive that also includes Oteil & Friends, Turkuaz, Birds of a Feather feat. Members of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong & Goose, The Motet, Dr. Klaw, Robert Randolph & Friends, Anomalie / Deitch / MonoNeon, Here Come The Mummies, SPAGA Plays The Dead, and more.
Tickets to Brooklyn Comes Alive 2020 are on sale now. A festival pass to Brooklyn Comes Alive grants attendees access to the full schedule of programming across both stages, including the late-night sets. Fans can also purchase late-night-only passes, which grant attendees access to The Great Hall only from 12:00 a.m.–4:00 a.m. Brooklyn Comes Alive late-night passes can be purchased here.
Stay tuned to the official Brooklyn Comes Alive website and follow the Facebook event page for more information.