Complete program available in Word and Acrobat PDF.
29th Steinbeck Festival
Legends, Myth and Magic
August 6–9, 2009
A 4-Day Festival of Film, Tours, Talks, and Visual and Performing Art
The 29th Steinbeck Festival will focus on the Arthurian Legend with which John Steinbeck had a life-long fascination. Malory’s Morte d’Arthur was the first book that John Steinbeck truly enjoyed reading as a child. Fascinated by the Arthurian tales of adventure, knighthood, honor, and friendship, in addition to the challenging nuances of the original Anglo-Saxon language, Steinbeck set out to render these stories faithfully and with keen animation for a modern audience in his book The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights.
Festival Highlights
• Talk and Book Signing by #1 New York Times bestselling author and award winner,
Christopher Paolini.
• A Film Festival of classic, cult and contemporary films related to the Festival theme.
• Storyboarding workshop with Disney animator and storyboard artist.
• Talk by veteran filmmaker and producer Ken Wales, most notable for his award-winning television
mini-series based on Steinbeck’s East of Eden and several Pink Panther films starring Peter Sellers.
• A music performance of Renaissance music presented by the Carmel Bach Festival.
• Theatrical stage fight demonstrations.
• Storytelling workshop with Jim Weiss, host and storyteller in an Emmy-winning PBS pilot,
has 42 recordings and over 80 national awards.
Meet the Speakers
“The Magical Relevancy of Steinbeck in the Classroom”
Pete Barraza is a graduate of UCLA, and holds an MA in English from Cal State Los Angeles. Barraza currently teaches California Literature and Advanced Placement English at Santa Monica High School and sits on the Academic Committee of the Western Region of The College Board.
“Cannery Row When It Was”
Joe Bragdon A graduate of CSUSC and Stanford University, Bragdon worked on Cannery Row in the 30’s and was acquainted with Ed Ricketts and other actual characters in Steinbeck’s book Cannery Row.
“Surprise for Steinbeck”
Betty Guy The company artist for the San Francisco Opera was called the most delightful small show of the year at the Legion of Honor. Vagabonding around the world, John Steinbeck wrote her, “Just don’t sit there, paint.” Her book about Steinbeck is available.
“Storyboarding—the Filmmaker’s Secret Weapon”
Stephan Franck’s credits include 15 animated movies. He has performed as a story artist and/or animation supervisor for Walt Disney Feature Animation, Dreamworks Animation, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., has worked as a director for Lucasfilm Animation and Digital Domain, and is now writing and directing an original animated movie for Sony Pictures Animation.
“The Grail on Film”
Kevin J. Harty Professor and Chair of English at La Salle University, is the author or editor of thirteen books including The Reel Middle Ages: Films about Medieval Europe. He has published extensively on films about King Arthur, Robin Hood, and Joan of Arc.
“Steinbeck and Malory: A Look at Steinbeck’s Modern Retellings of Arthurian Tradition”
Janice Hawes is an assistant professor in the Department of English and Modern Languages at South Carolina State University. Her teaching and research interests include medieval literature and its influence on modern culture, popular culture, and folklore.
“Violence and Heroes: King Arthur 007”
Edgar Landa is currently Managing Director of the Son of Semele Ensemble in LA, and a Company Member of Shakespeare & Company in Massachusetts and has worked extensively in their nationally recognized education programs. He is Adjunct Faculty at USC and California Institute for the Arts. Companies for whom Landa has recently staged fights include the Mark Taper Forum, South Coast Repertory and Shakespeare Orange County. Edgar is an alumnus of the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab & The Directors Lab West and is a graduate of the USC School of Theatre.
“The Writer and the Knight”
Kim Moreland is Professor of English at George Washington University. She is author of The Medievalist Impulse in American Literature.
“Participatory Parables and Social Action”
Marijane Osborn holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University in Old and Middle English Literature and Languages and has taught or held fellowships for formal research at the Universities of Oxford, Syracuse, Columbia, Lancaster (England), Edinburgh, Belfast (Queen’s), Alaska, Hawaii, Iceland, and UCDavis. She specializes in Old English studies, with an emphases on Beowulf and attention also to Old Norse texts. Osborn is an award winner of the American Screenwriters’ Guild Award, has been awarded three Fulbright Fellowships, and has won the Phi Beta Kappa NCA Teaching Excellence Award (2004).
“Making Literary Magic”
Christopher Paolini author of the #1 New York Times bestselling fantasy trilogy The Inheritance Cycle which includes Eragon, Eldest and Brisingr, has written a new foreword to John Steinbeck’s The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights offering his perspective to the classic. Paolini won the 2006 Quill Book Award in the Young Adult Literature category for his book Eldest. Also in 2006, the film version of Eragon was released by 20th Century Fox and starred Jeremy Irons and John Malkovich.
“Camelot: Salinas-Bruton-Sag Harbor”
Art Ring holds BS and MS degrees from Syracuse University and made a career in education, which included 7 years at San Jose State University. Art has met Dook Sheffield, Steinbeck’s roommate at Stanford and lifelong friend, and has visited most of his homes including trips to Discove Cottage, Bruton, UK and to Sag Harbor, Long Island, NY.
“The Making of a Legend: the Making of the Golden Globe Award Winning Television Mini-Series East of Eden”
Ken Wales veteran filmmaker and producer, has worked with such Hollywood legends as Julie Andrews, Omar Sharif, William Holden, Ryan O’Neal, Rock Hudson, Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Peter Sellers. He was Vice President of Production for Walt Disney Pictures. Wales co-produced the ABC 8-hour mini-series, Emmy-nominated and Golden Globe winner John Steinbeck’s East of Eden, starring Jane Seymour.
“King Arthur and His Knights”
Jim Weiss has been telling stories for over 25 years. He has captivated and delighted child and adult audiences with his original stories and re-tellings of ancient stories including King Arthur and His Knights. He has starred as host and storyteller in an Emmy-winning PBS pilot and has also
performed at the White House for the annual Easter celebration. He currently has 42 recordings and 80 national awards.
“Joseph Campbell, John Steinbeck, and Ed Ricketts: Mythic Friendships”
Jonathan Young psychologist and storyteller, Young assisted Joseph Campbell at seminars and served as founding curator of the Joseph Campbell Archives and Library. Dr. Young’s books and articles focus on personal mythology.
Tour Guides
Herb & Robbie Behrens Herb is a volunteer three times a week in the archives at the National Steinbeck Center. He works with the collection of material by and about John Steinbeck, the Rabobank Agriculture Museum and the Center. Robbie has given tours of Ed Ricketts’s lab for many years.
About Registration
Tickets may be purchased individually, but passports offer exceptional convenience and savings. Please note that even with a Passport, it is necessary to make reservations to particular events that have limited capacity.
The Excalibur Passport is $150 per person ($135 for Members) and includes ALL of the events Thursday-Saturday with the exception of the Picnic Under the Stars at Castle Rock and the Feast at the Fox.
The Avalon Day Passport is an excellent deal at $60 ($54 for Members) and includes one full day of Museum admission,
a morning social and entry to all talks, films, workshops and exhibits until 6:30pm.
The Merlin’s Apprentice Day Passport is ideal for students at
$15 ($12 for Members) and includes one full day of Museum admission, a morning social and entry to all talks, films,
workshops and exhibits until 6:30pm. Student ID is required.
The Round Table Passport is $30 per person ($27 for Members) and includes all events on Thursday with the exception of the Picnic under the Stars at Castle Rock.
Continuing Education Credit & Group Rates Available.
For information contact Colleen Bailey at (831) 775-4724.
Save Money – Become a Member
Members of the Center receive discounts to all Festival events. Membership benefits include: free Museum admission, at least one guest passport, Steinbeck newsletter, a 10% discount in the Museum Store, and invitations and discounts to special events.
Lunch Options
Steinbeck House – Feel like a member of the family with a home-cooked meal in the Queen Anne-style house where Salinas’ native son was born. Call (831) 424-2735 for reservations or visit www.steinbeckhouse.com.
Oldtown Salinas Restaurants
Historic Oldtown Salinas has a variety of dining options. Visit www.oldtownsalinas.com.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Official Hotel
195 Kern Street, Salinas/Special Festival rate available. Reservations must be made by July 25. (72 hour cancellation). Call (831) 737-1160 or visit www.hiesalinas.com
Area Information
www.salinaschamber.com or www.destinationsalinas.com
SPECIAL OFFER!
Register Early and receive a reusable eco-friendly water bottle. *by July 31
29th Steinbeck Festival Schedule
All events at the National Steinbeck Center at One Main Street, Salinas, unless otherwise noted.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Registration
10:00am–5:00pm (The National Steinbeck Center)
12:00pm–2:00pm (Hopkins Marine Station, Monterey)
Parking
Pay parking is available in the Cannery Row Lot located on David Avenue between Foam and Wave streets. Limited metered parking is available on the surrounding streets. Free parking is difficult to find. The City of Monterey's Smart Parking web pages have extensive information on parking options, public transportation within the area and RV parking.
12:30pm
Film: “Street of the Sardine” by Eva Lothar (1968)
Winner of the San Francisco Film Festival, this noir documentary is about Cannery Row, the once thriving “Sardine Capital of the World” immortalized by John Steinbeck. Hopkins Marine Station. Free with Round Table Passport.
1:00pm–2:00pm
Talk: Cannery Row When It Was by Joe Bragdon
Local hero Joe Bragdon worked in the canneries and knew Ed Ricketts. He shares his stories about the real characters of Cannery Row. Hopkins Marine Station. Free with Round Table Passport.
2:00pm–2:30pm
Walking Tour of Cannery Row to Ed Rickett’s Lab with Michael Hemp
The past meets the present on this tour of the “Sardine Capitol of the World.” Free with Round Table Passport.
2:30pm–3:30pm
Panel Discussion: The Legends of Cannery Row with Kalissa Moore
Robbie Behrens will interview the “Queen of Cannery Row.” Hear stories about her memories of John Steinbeck and the lab where Ed Ricketts entertained some of the most unforgettable guests immortalized in Cannery Row. Ed Ricketts’s Lab, 800 Cannery Row (near Aquarium’s members’ entrance). Limited to 15. $15/$10 Members/Free with Round Table Passport. Advance reservations required. Not ADA accessible. Event Code PD 1
3:30pm & 4:30pm
Ed Ricketts’s Lab Tours
Experience a tour of this rarely-visited literary, scientific and bohemian haunt that is one of the only historic buildings remaining on the Row. Ed Ricketts’s Lab, 800 Cannery Row (near Aquarium’s members’ entrance). Limited to 15. $15/$10 Members/Free with Round Table Passport. Tours on the hour. Limit of 15 visitors per tour. Advance reservations required. Not ADA accessible. Event Codes: 3:30-LT1, 4:30-LT2
6:00pm–9:00pm
Picnic Under the Stars at Castle Rock
Enjoy dinner under the exotic turrets of Castle Rock in Corral de Tierra, which was John Steinbeck’s imaginary Camelot and childhood inspiration, listen to the words of John Steinbeck brought to life by Taelen Thomas, and watch a theatrical performance of “King Arthur 007” by LA-based actor and stage combat artist Edgar Landa. $30/$27 Members Event Code D1
Friday, August 7, 2009
8:30am–9:30am
Morning Social
National Steinbeck Center. Free to Passport holders. No host all others.
9:30am
Welcome by National Steinbeck Center President and CEO, Steve Hoffman and Steinbeck Scholar-in-Residence, Dr. Susan Shillinglaw
Salinas Room, Free with Passport or Tickets to "The Writer and the Knight" talk at 10am
10:00am–11:00am
Talk: The Writer and the Knight by Kim Moreland
Moreland, author and Professor of English will speak about the Medievalist impulse in American literature, including in the works of John Steinbeck.
Salinas Room, $18/$10 Members/Free to Passport holders. Event Code S1
11:00am–4:00pm
Medieval Marketplace
Come explore our marketplace of master artisans, sip an ale or sink your teeth into delicious fare while perusing fine crafts and enjoy performances of magicians and belly dancers. Museum Rotunda, Free with Museum Admission.
11:15am–12:15pm
Talk: Steinbeck & Malory by Janice Hawes
A look at Steinbeck’s modern retellings of Arthurian tradition. Salinas Room, $18/$10 Members/Free to Passport holders.
Event Code S2
12:30pm–1:30pm
Archive Tour
See unique items from the Center’s collection, with archivist Herb Behrens. Limited to 15.
Free with Museum Admission. Event Code A1
1:30pm–3:35pm
Film: “Star Wars”
Academy Award-winning film written and directed by George Lucas starring Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher.
Maya Cinemas, 153 Main St., Salinas, Free with Museum Admission and to ticket holders for the Mythic Themes in Film panel discussion.Event Code FM1
1:30pm–2:30pm
Talk: Camelot: Salinas-Bruton-Sag Harbor by Art Ring
Learn about and see images of the many places Steinbeck called home from someone who has visited them all.
Salinas Room, $18/$10 Members/Free to Passport holders. Event Code S3
2:45pm–3:30pm
Talk: Surprise for Steinbeck by Betty Guy
Artist Betty Guy will share stories of her time spent in Bruton, England, with John and Elaine Steinbeck, and her inspiration for her painting of the English cottage where they stayed. Salinas Room, $18/$10 Members/Free to
Passport holders. Event Code S4
3:45pm–4:45pm
Panel Discussion: Mythic Themes in Film
This mega-panel of literary and film professionals discuss the power of mythic themes in film. Panelists include director and animator Stephan Franck, producer Ken Wales, author Christopher Paolini and cinema scholar Kevin J. Harty. Maya Cinemas, 153 Main St., Salinas, $18/$10 Members/Free to Passport holders. Event Code PD 2
4:00pm–5:00pm
Archive Tour
See unique items from the Center’s collection, with archivist Herb Behrens. Limited to 15.
Free with Museum Admission. Event Code A2
5:00pm–7:00pm
Film: “East of Eden” Part 1
Producer Ken Wales will introduce this award-winning television mini-series starring Jane Seymour and Timothy Bottoms.
Maya Cinemas, 153 Main St., Salinas, Free with Museum Admission and to all Passport holders.
Event Code FM2
6:00pm–8:00pm
Exhibition: From This Stone and Anvil: Arthurian Legend Exposed and Abstracted Art Opening and Reception
The exhibition will showcase the works of The Octopi Collective, and will include photography, paintings,
illustrations, encaustic (wax) works, and sculptures in contemporary form that relate to the stories and characters of John Steinbeck’s novel, The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights.
No Host Bar, Gabilan Gallery, Free as part of the First Friday ArtWalk
8:00pm–9:00pm
Talk: The Grail on Film by Kevin Harty
An authority on Cinema Arthuriana, Harty will examine how the legend is interpreted in films such as “Monty
Python and the Holy Grail”, “Fisher King” and “Indiana Jones”, among others.
Maya Cinemas, 153 Main St., Salinas, $18/$10 Members/Free to Excalibur Passport holders. Price includes the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”. Event Code S5
9:00pm–10:30pm
Film: “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”
A 1975 comedy and cult classic spoofs the legends of King Arthur’s quest to find the Holy Grail starring John Cleese. Maya Cinemas, 153 Main St., Salinas, Included with the Grail on Film. Event Code FM3
Saturday, August 8, 2009
8:30am–9:30am
Morning Social (National Steinbeck Center)
Free to Passport holders. No host all others.
9:30am–11:30am
Workshop: The Universal Journey: A Storytelling Workshop with Jim Weiss
Master storyteller Jim Weiss will facilitate a storytelling workshop for aspiring storytellers young and old.
Salinas Room, $18/$10 Members/Free to Passport holders. Event Code WS1
11:00am–4:00pm
Medieval Marketplace
Come explore our marketplace of master artisans, sip an ale or sink your teeth into delicious fare while perusing fine crafts and enjoy performances of magicians and belly dancers. Museum Rotunda, Free with Museum admission.
11:45am–1:15pm
Film: “Eragon”
A fantasy-adventure film based on the #1 New York Times bestselling novel by Christopher Paolini starring Jeremy Irons and John Malkovich. Maya Cinemas, 153 Main St., Salinas, Free with Museum Admission and to all Passport holders. Event Code FM4
11:45am–12:45pm
Talk: Participatory Parables and Social Action by Marijane Osborn
More than just a good story with a moral, Osborn discusses how Steinbeck’s The Pearl is a legend that he adapted to a realistic and political purpose. Salinas Room, $18/$10 Members/Free to Passport holders. Event Code S6
1:30pm–2:30pm
Talk: Joseph Campbell, John Steinbeck, and Ed Ricketts: Mythic Friendships by Jonathan Young
Some of the most famous members of “The Lab Group”, these friends explored universal ideas in an informal think-tank that would become central to their work. Salinas Room, $18/$10 Members/Free to Passport holders.
Event Code S7
2:45pm–4:15pm
Workshop: Storyboarding: The Filmmaker’s Secret Weapon by Stephan Franck
What better way to learn to storyboard your own film than with Stephan Franck who has performed as a story artists on many blockbuster films. Salinas Room, $18/$10 Members/Free to Passport holders. Event Code WS2
3:30pm–4:30pm
Archive Tour
See unique items from the Center’s collection, with archivist Herb Behrens. Limited to 15. Free with Museum admission. Event Code A3
3:30pm–4:30pm
Film: “East of Eden” Part 2
Producer Ken Wales will introduce this award winning television mini-series starring Jane Seymour and Timothy Bottoms. Maya Cinemas, 153 Main St., Salinas, Free with Museum admission and to all Passport holders.
Event Code FM5
4:30pm–5:30pm
Talk: The Making of a Legend: the Making of the Golden Globe Award-Winning Television Mini-Series “East of Eden” with guest appearances by producer Ken Wales and cast members from the film.
Maya Cinemas, 153 Main St., Salinas, $18/$10 Members/Free to Passport holders. Event Code S8
5:30pm–6:30pm
Wine Reception & Book Signing
Chat with Festival speakers and invited authors. Museum Rotunda, Free with Museum admission. Must be 21 to
purchase and consume alcohol.
6:30pm–7:30pm
Feast at the Fox
Hear Ye, Hear Ye, you are invited to the King’s banquet to meet his special guests, who include Christopher Paolini. In the spirit of a medieval feast, enjoy an inspired dinner and live musical interludes from the Lerner and Loewe musical Camelot. Following the feast will be a program by author, Christopher Paolini. Fox Theater, 241 S. Main St. $50/$45 Members. Price includes talk by Christopher Paolini. Event Code D2
8:00pm–9:30pm
Talk: Making Literary Magic by Christopher Paolini
New York Times #1 bestselling author Christopher Paolini will speak about his books Eragon, Eldest and Brisingr, and how, like John Steinbeck, he found inspiration from the legend of King Arthur.
Fox Theater, 241 S. Main St. $20 VIP Seating/$18 General/$12 Members & Students. Event Code S9
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Community Free Day
10:00am–5:00pm
Free admission for Monterey County residents who show proper identification. Families will enjoy Festival-themed cultural activities throughout the day. Events are included with regular Museum admission unless otherwise noted.
10:00am–11:00am
Talk: The Magical Relevancy of Steinbeck in the Classroom by Pete Barraza
An experienced high school educator and Steinbeck enthusiast, Barraza will share ideas on how to bring
Steinbeck alive in the classroom. Salinas Room, Free
10:00am–11:00am
Archive Tour
See unique items from the Center’s collection, with archivist Herb Behrens. Limited to 15. Free.
Event Code A4
11:00am–4:00pm
Medieval Marketplace
Come explore our marketplace of master artisans, sip an ale or sink your teeth into delicious fare while perusing fine crafts and enjoy performances of magicians and belly dancers. Museum Rotunda, Free with Museum admission.
11:00am-1:30pm & 12:00pm-2:30pm
Oldtown Walking Tour
Stroll through Steinbeck’s Salinas. Visit the historic First Mayor’s House, see the model of the Southern Pacific Railroad as it was in the Salinas Valley circa 1950, the height of produce shipments by rail, have lunch at the Steinbeck House where John Steinbeck was born, and return through historic Oldtown Salinas. Be prepared to walk or stand for 75 minutes. Tour departs from the front of the National Steinbeck Center, Limited to 30. $20/$18 Members. Price includes tour and lunch. Event Code WT1 and Event Code WT2
11:00am–12:00pm
Performance: “King Arthur & His Knights” by Jim Weiss
King Arthur comes to life through vivid imagery when attendees experience the power of oral language from this master storyteller. Jim’s stories appeal to children and adults, bonding families together with exciting tales, the love of literature and timeless themes. Salinas Room, Free
12:00pm–1:00pm
Performance: The Spirit of Salinas Irish Dance Company
Enjoy a performance by an award-winning dance company from Salinas, directed by Lisa Eisemann.
Museum Rotunda, Free.
1:00pm–2:00pm
Performance: Heroes: A Stage Combat Workshop Student Performance led by stage combat choreographer Edgar Landa
See broadswords in action through performances created and performed by students of the “Sword Fighting 101” stage-fighting intensive. Museum Rotunda, Free
1:00pm–4:30pm
Film: “East of Eden” Part 3
Producer Ken Wales will introduce this award winning television mini-series starring Jane Seymour and Timothy Bottoms. Maya Cinemas, 153 Main St., Salinas, Free with Museum admission. Event Code FM6
2:00pm–3:00pm
Performance: Carmel Bach Festival
Community Concert
The Carmel Bach Festival Youth Chorus, made up of some of the finest high school singers from Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, will present a concert of a cappella choral music with an Arthurian-era theme.
Salinas Room, Free
3:00pm–3:30pm
Performance: Festival Puppet Show
A fun-filled puppet show will be performed using the puppets designed and created by students from the
summer Puppetry Class. Museum Rotunda, Free
