Julian Schaap and Pauwke Berkers of the department of Arts and Culture Studies received a "performing arts grant" (Podiumkunsten SUB.14.09.00115) this month from the City of Rotterdam for their public symposium "Elvis has finally left the building? Bridging ethno-racial boundaries in popular music in Rotterdam and beyond". The event took place on November 5th in Worm Rotterdam and attracted over 150 visitors.
During the symposium, (international) academics, professionals from the field of popular music and Dutch musicians discussed with the audience whether ethno-racial difference matters in the production and reception of music. The discussion panel consisted of Jo Haynes (University of Bristol, UK), Karl Spracklen (Leeds Beckett University, UK), Linde Murugan (Northwestern University, USA), Conchitta Bottse (Rotterdam Beats), Miriam Leah Brenner (Kokako Music), Ilias Boudellah (vocalist of rock band Marock & Roll) and Patrick "Rudeboy" Tilon (ex-Urban Dance Squad, Junkie-XL, Battles of 1977). The evening ended in a dance-extravaganza due to the music provided by the Rotterdam funana band Tabanka.
The symposium was organized by Julian Schaap and Pauwke Berkers - who also moderated the debate and gave an educational introduction on race, ethnicity and popular music - together with Erasmus Studium Generale, Worm Rotterdam and Pantropical.The event is strongly tied to the five-year research project "Elvis has finally left the building? Boundary work, whiteness and the reception of rock music in comparative perspective".
You can follow the findings of this research on the relationship of race, ethnicity and music on Facebook, Twitter and their website.