PHILADELPHIA – From October 12 – 29, 2011, the Rosenbach Museum & Library – home of Bram Stoker’s original research notes and outlines for Dracula – will bring visitors another chilling Dracula Festival with a series of special events and programs inspired by Stoker’s classic novel and the iconic figure.
Dracula has had a long and eventful life – the novel was originally published in 1897 and has never gone out of print. A popular, sensational “pot-boiler,” Dracula first attracted only modest critical attention, but became enormously popular when performed on stage and later in film.
Visitors to the Rosenbach’s 9th annual Dracula Festival are invited to re-discover Stoker’s infamous novel in Dracula and Friends (on display Sept. 21 – Nov. 6). This eerie exhibition features pages of Stoker’s hand-written research notes for Dracula alongside a selection of other literature about the supernatural from across the Rosenbach’s collections. Also on display is the Rosenbach’s recent acquisition – John Polidori’s The Vampyre (1819), the first vampire novel ever published in English.
The October festival will also feature the return of Dracula D.I.Y. (Oct. 29),a free crafting event inspired by all things Dracula. Dracula D.I.Y. will feature craft making with local Steampunk artists including Victorian inspired broach designs, relief printing and lessons on Victorian style dress from artists Mary Vogel Lozinak, Jason McKittrick and Allen Crawford. The program will also feature a participatory reading of Dracula and a Dracula-themed photo booth.
The Rosenbach will welcome celebrated author Leslie Klinger who will read from and discuss his new book, In the Shadow of Dracula, a collection of classic vampire stories which either informed or benefited from Bram Stoker’s Dracula(Oct. 12).
Dracula Festival will also feature Dracula-themed tours and informal discussions with Rosenbach staff members, including Growth of Stoker’s Dracula Hands-On Tours (Oct. 26, 28 and 30) and a Conversations with the Curator program with the Rosenbach’s Assistant Curator Kathy Hass, curator of the exhibition Dracula and Friends (Oct. 20).
Stoker’s Dracula, a theatrical performance of Stoker’s tale adapted and performed by Josh Hitchens, will be presented for one night only on Thursday, October 27. Hitchens inhabits 14 characters in a chilling solo performance that uses much of the novel’s original text. Additional event descriptions for all Dracula Festival programming follows below.
DRACULA FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF PROGRAMS:
Dracula Festival programs and events are free with museum admission. Dracula D.IY. is entirely free.
Exhibition: Dracula and Friends
Wednesday, Sept. 21 – Sunday, Nov. 6
Dracula, one of the most famous literary characters ever created, first appeared in an 1897 novel written by an Irish theatre manager, Bram Stoker. The Rosenbach Museum & Library preserves 124 pages of Stoker’s working notes for the novel, which document his reading and research into the supernatural, including vampires, werewolves, and demons from around the world. The Dracula and Friends exhibition presents a selection of Stoker’s research notes, as well as a selection of “friends” – other literature about the supernatural from across the Rosenbach’s collections, including Increase Mather’s An Essay for the Recording of Illustrious Providences and John Polidori’s Byronic tale The Vampyre.
Reading and Book Signing: Leslie Klinger, editor of In the Shadow of Dracula
Wednesday, Oct. 12, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Leslie Klinger, the celebrated author of The New Annotated Dracula, returns to the Rosenbach for the Dracula Festival. Klinger will discuss his latest publication, In the Shadow of Dracula, a collection of classic vampire stories which either informed or benefited from Bram Stoker’s Dracula such as Algernon Blackwood’s The Singular Death of Morton published in 1910 and John Polidori’s Vampyre, published in 1812. An American edition of Polidori’s Vampyre, printed in 1819, is included in the museum’s Dracula exhibition, Dracula and Friends, on display during the festival. Included in general admission. RSVP recommended. Please call (215) 732-1600 ext. 123 or rsvp [at] rosenbach [dot] org.
Gallery Talk: Conversations with the Curator, Dracula and Friends
Thursday, Oct. 20, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
The Rosenbach’s Conversations with the Curator series invites visitors to meet the curators of current museum exhibitions. This informal presentation by Assistant Curator Kathy Haas will offer an inside scoop on the exhibition Dracula and Friends. Mrs. Haas will introduce the group to key aspects of the exhibition and answer questions as visitors explore Dracula and Friends further. Included in general admission.
Hands-On Tours: Growth of Stoker’s Dracula
Wednesday, Oct. 26, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 28, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 30, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Get up close and personal with Bram Stoker’s hand-written notes for Dracula the novel as Rosenbach staff discuss what it takes to create an enduring monster. The museum’s Hands-On Tours (offered weekly) explore an array of subjects and allow visitors to get in touch with the museum’s collection, literally, as visitors are invited to learn how to handle historic objects and view them closely. Hands-On Tours are approximately 1 hour. Included in general admission. No RSVP required, but space is limited.
Performance: Stoker’s Dracula, Adapted and Performed by Josh Hitchens
Thursday, Oct. 27, 6 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Stoker’s Dracula is a new 75-minute adaptation of Bram Stoker’s tale of terror, hailed as “intensely frightening” by WHYY’s Newsworks. Josh Hitchens inhabits 14 characters in a chilling solo performance that uses much of the novel’s original text. The play received its world premiere at the Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion, and was subsequently produced by the Magic Circle Theater Company for the 2011 Philly Fringe to enthusiastic audiences. Included in general admission. RSVP recommended. Please call (215) 732-1600 ext. 123 or rsvp [at] rosenbach [dot] org.
Crafting Event: Dracula D.I.Y.
Saturday, Oct. 29, 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Admission is FREE
The Rosenbach celebrates Halloween Transylvania-style with Dracula D.I.Y., an evening of Dracula inspired crafts and performances, suitable for all ages. Costumes encouraged.
Sinister Snapshots– Dracula may not have his image captured on film but visitors to the Rosenbach can in this sinister Dracula-themed photo booth
Dracula Aloud– Readers of all ages and backgrounds are invited to participate in this unique experience of reading aloud from Bram Stoker’s chilling tale of the infamous vampire Dracula
Vampires 101– 10 minute gallery talks on the Rosenbach’s collection of Dracula notes and related collections
Do-It-Yourself Dracula – Build Dracula-related creations with local Steampunk artists and crafters:
o Cameo Broaches – Design and build your own Victorian inspired broach using images reproduced from the Rosenbach’s photograph collection. Add your own fang charm or other steampunk bling. Artist: Mary Vogel Lozinak (www.etsy.com/shop/pinkflamingo61)
o Relief printing Choose your own Dracula– Select one of three scenes to print.
Dracula’s Castle: a spooky Transylvanian backdrop and a set of small Dracula themed linoleum blocks. Participants can than choose to add ink to the blocks and place where they wish on backdrop. Vampire Hunter Kit: Fill your Vampire Hunter Kit print with your own arsenal of garlic, stakes and other “hunters tools.” Prince Vlad Dracula: Simulate the 1488 woodblock image of the historic figure Dracula (not a vampire!). Artist: Jason McKittrick (http://cryptocurium.blogspot.com)
o How to tie a cravat like Jonathan Harker– Learn how to properly tie a neck scarf in the Victorian style. A spiffy cravat can keep inquiring eyes from noticing that bite on your neck?! Scarves provided. Artist: Allen Crawford (Lord Breaulove Swells Whimsy) (www.lordwhimsy.com)
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