Steinbeck Festival in Salinas May 3-6

On May 3-6, 2012, the National Steinbeck Center at 1 Main Street in Salinas presents the 32nd Annual Steinbeck Festival, focusing on the way literature, film and music tell our stories—highlighting, among others, the voices of John Steinbeck and Woody Guthrie, but extending beyond them to other writers, film-makers, musicians and artists.








In collaboration with The Woody Guthrie Centennial, a world-wide celebration with the GRAMMY Museum & the Woody Guthrie Foundation.







The 2012 festival theme is “A Voice.” What can a voice change? A mind. A heart. The world. For thousands of years, writers, artists and musicians have been giving voice to our stories, our hopes, our dreams. Join us to celebrate the power of one voice—through story, song and image—in the work of Steinbeck and others. What can a voice change? Everything.







Activities Include:



Thursday, May 3:



· 9AM – 4:30PM: Tours of Red Pony Ranch with Steinbeck scholar Susan Shillinglaw; Ed



Rickett’s Lab Tours; and Steinbeck Country Agricultural Tour of Salinas Valley with Vearl Gish.



· 5 – 9PM: Opening Night Celebration in Carmel Valley includes wine tasting tour and a celebration of Woody’s life in song.







Friday, May 4:



· 8:30AM – 4:30PM: Talks, discussions and workshops about Steinbeck, Guthrie, and others whose voices have impacted the world. Speakers include Steinbeck scholar Susan Shillinglaw; Peter T. Hoss and Ansel Adams son, Dr. Michael Adams; author Susan Straight; GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Robert Santelli; Thomas Steinbeck; and others.



· 5 – 6PM: Book signing with authors and presenters.



· 6 – 8PM: Opening Reception for “Woody at One Hundred” exhibition, with Woody’s daughter, Nora Guthrie. [Exhibition opening Free].







Saturday, May 5:



· 8:30AM – 4:30PM: Talks, discussions and workshops about Steinbeck, Guthrie, and others whose voices have impacted the world. Speakers include NY Times bestselling author Zachary Mason; Rolling Stone contributor David Wild; Assembly member William Monning; international artist Enid Baxter Blader and others.



· 9 – 10:30AM: Steinbeck Young Authors award ceremony with Francisco Jimenez, author of The Circuit.



· 11AM – 3:15PM: Teen programs including digital storytelling and pattern making workshops.



· 7PM: Woody Guthrie Centennial Concert with Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion.







Sunday, May 6:



· 9AM – 5PM: Free day for Monterey County residents; teacher workshops; book discussions; simulcast with Bruton, Somerset, the English town where Steinbeck translated the King Arthur tales; community conversation about the Dust Bowl with Mike Martin; children’s art workshops; and bilingual reading circles.




Go! Discover! Explore! Create! and Read! in the company of scholars, a diverse community, youth and local leaders. Tickets for all events are available online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/  or by calling (831) 755-4721. For more information about this and other events, visit our website at http://www.steinbeck.org/.