National Steinbeck Festival in Salinas

When: Friday, August 7, 2009, time TBA
Where: National Steinbeck Center, Salinas
Cost: Not available
Age limit: Not available
Categories:

It's a lesser-known part of his legacy than "Grapes of Wrath''' or "Cannery Row,'' but John Steinbeck had a life-long passion for Arthurian myth. The Steinbeck Center will be exploring this side of the great American author in its new exhibition, "Legends, Myth and Magic,'' coinciding with the recent Penguin Classics paperback release of his book on the subject, "The Acts of King Arthur and his Noble Nights.'' It was an interest Steinbeck had cultivated since childhood, as well, perhaps, to escape the box of being characterized as a great American social documentarian in the tradition of John Dos Passos while conveniently overlooking his other interests. The Center is coordinating a series of memorable events in conjunction with the exhibition. From Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 6-9, "Legends, Myths and Magic'' a four-day festival of films, tours, talks and visual and performing arts activities featuring Christopher Paolini, the best-selling author of "The Inheritance Cycle'' will be taking place. On Saturday, Aug. 8, "The Feast at the Fox'' featuring Paolini and a dinner and live musical interludes from the hit show "Camelot,'' sung by local singer Reg Huston will take place at the Fox Theater in Salinas, followed by program showcasing a discussion with Paolini. Sunday,Aug. 9 from 1o am - 5pm will be a community free day with free admission for Monterey County residents with proper identification. Events include perfrmances by The Spirit of Salinas Irish Dance Company, storyteller Jim Weiss and the Carmel Bach Festival. Sunday, Aug. 9 features a Carmel Bach Festival Youth Chorus concert performing a cappella choral music. Free to Monterey County residents. All this and more, for all those interested in the tangled legacy of the Arthurian Knights, Steinbeck and the way the two myths play together. (For more information,see story, tktk.)[PW]
National Steinbeck Center. 1 Main St., Salinas, 775-4721. http://www.steinbeck.org.

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