The seventh annual EMP Pop Conference is taking place this entire weekend in Seattle. Last evening’s keynote panel, Ritmo and Blues: Hidden Histories Shaking Up “American” Pop (which kinda sorta sounds like one of the breakfast specials at the nearby 5 Spot) offered a diverse set of musings on the featured exhibition at the museum, American Sabor: Latinos in U. S. Popular Music.

You can read an overview of the conference offerings and atmosphere here. Doubtless there will be many attendees live blogging it, but, sadly, we don’t have the time to join them.

Not to be outdone, the University of Washington’s School of Music is presenting a Music Theater symposium today and tomorrow. Topics to be discussed include William Finn, Flower Drum Song, Porgy and Bess and Cabaret.