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Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Closed at 3 PM the day before Thanksgiving, on Christmas Eve and on New Year's Eve.
The National Steinbeck Center is a $15 million museum and archive in historic Oldtown Salinas, California, Nobel-prize winning author John Steinbeck's birthplace. Enjoy three distinct experiences: literature in the John Steinbeck Exhibition Hall, agriculture in the Rabobank Agriculture Museum and art & culture in the Changing Exhibit Galleries. Discounted admission rates are available for group of 12 or more with advance reservations.
The John Steinbeck Exhibition Hall presents the life of John Steinbeck, his writings and characters through interactive exhibits for all ages. Seven themed theaters showcase film clips from Cannery Row, The Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden, Of Mice and Men, The Red Pony and much more.
The Rabobank Agriculture Museum shares the stories of the Salinas Valley 'from field to fork' with hands on displays. Vote for your favorite vegetable, play 'the Produce Game' or design your own crate label.
Enjoy a variety of art and cultural exhibits in changing exhibit galleries.
Shop The Museum Store featuring Steinbeck books and films in addition to a unique inventory of gift items and collectibles. The National Steinbeck Center is a unique event facility, for groups from 25-600.
Our mission:"To tell the story of John Steinbeck's rich legacy, and to present, create and explore stories of the human condition."
29th Steinbeck Festival: Legends, Myth and Magic
August 6, 2009
- August 9, 2009
“The fact seems to be that I can think almost anything, which means I suppose that I can be almost anything.” John Steinbeck
Coinciding with the recent Penguin Classics Deluxe edition paperback release of John Steinbeck’s book, The Acts of King Arthur and his Noble Knights, the National Steinbeck Center, announces its 29th Annual Steinbeck Festival. This year’s theme is “Legends, Myth and Magic”. The Festival occurs at the National Steinbeck Center, August 6 – 9, 2009, in Salinas, California (approximately 20 miles east of Monterey).
Leading this year’s Festival presentations is #1 New York Times bestselling author and award winner, Christopher Paolini, who is most famous for his fantasy series, The Inheritance Cycle which includes the books, Eragon, Eldest, and Brisingr. Paolini also wrote the forward to John Steinbeck’s only work of fantasy literature, The Acts of King Arthur and his Noble Knights. As part of the Festival, Paolini will lead a presentation entitled, “Making Literary Magic” and will share his own story, which is itself a fantasy story.
Over one dozen presenters will lead topics related to the Festival theme. In addition to Christopher Paolini, other notable program leaders include:
• 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,
• Kim Moreland, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies at George Washington University, will speak on, “The Writer and the Knight”,
• Author and founding curator of the Joseph Campbell Archives and Library, Jonathan Young, discusses the mythic friendships between Joseph Campbell, John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts.
Also included in the Festival are a variety of programs and activities for people of all ages that include:
• A Film Festival of classic, cult and contemporary films related to the Festival theme
• A performance of Renaissance music presented by the Carmel Bach Festival
• Theatrical stage fight demonstrations led by Edgar Landa, known for his stage combat work around the country at some of the most prestigious theaters and universities,
• Storyteller, Jim Weiss, who has starred as host and storyteller in an Emmy-winning PBS pilot, has 42 recordings and over 80 national awards.
“This Festival will capture the imagination of a wide audience, including Steinbeck fans, those who love the Arthurian Legend, and the countless number of fantasy enthusiasts,” said Colleen Bailey, National Steinbeck Center Director of Community Engagement and Learning.
Additional information about the Festival will be available in late May at 831-775-4721 or www.steinbeck.org including early bird pricing and Festival hotel rates and packages.
Location: National Steinbeck Center
Phone: 831-775-4721
Email: info@steinbeck.org
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