New Update: Proposal Deadline Extended to August 31 for the 2023 Jack London Society 16th Biennial Symposium: October 5-8, 2023, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California
Hi Everyone,
The 2023 Jack London Society Symposium (Oct. 5–8) at the Huntington Library, Museum, and Gardens in the beautiful Haaga Hall is finding its stride! In addition to an array of panels (with catering by Bon Appétit), the symposium organizers, Sue Hodson and Hye Ok Park, have prearranged special garden, estate, and home tours. Also, we will have an opening reception and dinner at nearby El Portal restaurant and a closing reception and banquet at the Westin Pasadena, where the JL Society has reserved a block of rooms for attendees (see below).
Register for The Jack London Society 2023 Symposium Here
There’s still time to submit a paper proposal or organize a panel. We want to hear from you! Send your proposals to Ken Brandt at kbrandt@scad.edu
Below is our preliminary schedule, along with some important information about applying for reading privileges at the Huntington, the optional garden and home tours, and a list of local restaurants, including the nearest In ‘n’ Out Burger.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Huntington!
Key Dates:
August 31: Paper/Panel Proposal deadline
September 5: Room Reservation deadline for Westin Pasadena JLS Society Room Block
September 20: Symposium Registration Deadline
September 20: Registration Deadline for Garden, Estate, and Gamble House Tours
September 20: Banquet Registration
Note: Attendees who plan on applying for a reader’s card at Huntington must schedule an appointment to do so in advance (see details below).
Quick Links:
Register for The Jack London Society 2023 Symposium Here
The Westin Pasadena is offering the special rate of $209 a night for Jack London Society participants: Reservations can be made starting June 27 to September 5, 2023, at this web address: Welcome to the Jack London Society Symposium Room Block
Preliminary Schedule:
Thursday, October 5
- Opening Panels in Haaga Hall at the Huntington. Pastry and Coffee service catered by Bon Appétit.
- Lunch on your own: Dining at the Huntington 1919 Cafe and Red Car coffee shop
- Thursday Night Gathering: Opening Reception and Dinner at El Portal Restaurant (695 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101) in the Maya Room. El Portal is a short walk from the Westin Pasadena (191 N Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101).
Friday, October 6
- Continued morning panels in Haaga Hall at the Huntington. Pastry and Coffee service catered by Bon Appétit.
- Lunch on your own: Dining at the Huntington 1919 Cafe and Red Car coffee shop
- 1:30 PM Friday Tours at the Huntington (Optional): JLS Symposium attendees can choose from two tours: 1) The Estate Tour is a one-hour overview of the estate grounds. Or 2) The Chinese Garden Tour is 90 minutes, which includes 30 minutes on the estate and one hour in the Chinese Garden. Each tour is $34 fee and includes admission to the grounds. The deadline for tour registration and payment is September 20, 2023. Register for tours here.
- Dinner on your own
Saturday, October 7
- Continued morning and afternoon panels in Haaga Hall at the Huntington. Pastry and Coffee service catered by Bon Appétit.
- Lunch on your own: Dining at the Huntington 1919 Cafe and Red Car coffee shop
- Closing Reception and Banquet at the Westin in the Plaza Room.
Sunday, October 8
- The Gamble House Tour (Optional): The Gamble House, designed by the architectural firm Greene and Greene and constructed in 1908-09, is an iconic American Craftsman home in Pasadena. It was designed as a home for David B. Gamble, son of the founder of the Proctor and Gamble company. A National Historic Landmark and a California Historical Landmark, Gamble House is a stunning example of Craftsman architecture. The two-part tour begins at 10:00 a.m. with an hour-long tour of the house itself , followed at 11:15 with a 90-minute tour of the historic neighborhood. Visitors are asked to wear broad-heeled flat shoes to protect the floors in the house and are advised that restroom facilities are very limited, chiefly consisting of a facility in the bookstore. A maximum of 36 guests can be accommodated. The Gamble house is located at 4 Westmoreland Place, in the 300 block of Orange Grove Blvd., between Wet Walnut St. and Rosemont Ave. Requires advance registration by September 20, 2023. The fee covers both parts of the tour. $30. Register for the Gamble House tour here.
Important Reminders
- The Westin Pasadena is offering the special rate of $209 a night for Jack London Society participants: Reservations can be made starting June 27, 2023, at this web address: Welcome to the Jack London Society Symposium Room Block September 5, 2023, is the “cut-off date” for accepting reservations into this block is on. Space is limited, so register early. THE WESTIN PASADENA 191 N. Los Robles Ave. Pasadena, CA 91101
- SECURING OR RENEWING HUNTINGTON READER’S CARD: Readers who hold a current reader’s card can secure a free garden pass and can do so in the Rothenberg Reading Room on the day they want the pass. If their reader’s card is not current, they MUST secure an appointment IN ADVANCE to renew their card, as they cannot enter the library research buildings without a current reader’s card. Read more about securing reading privileges at the Huntington here. If you have any questions about getting or renewing a reader’s care, please feel free to contact Sue Hodson at <shodson405@gmail.com>
Call for Papers:
The 16th Biennial Jack London Society Symposium will be held October 5–8, 2023, at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California. The organizers encourage participants to experiment with innovative, alternative and established theoretical approaches to the life and work of Jack London. We welcome papers and panel submissions on any aspect of the author’s life and work. In addition, proposals for roundtables or teaching presentations are encouraged, especially those that connect London with other writers and artists. Please email 200-word abstract proposals (noting any audio/visual requests) along with complete contact information and a short biography to Kenneth K. Brandt at kbrandt@scad.edu. Proposal deadline is August 31, 2023.
Activities will include garden and grounds tours at the Huntington. On Sunday, October 8, attendees can also tour the famous Gamble House and walking tour of the Arroyo Terrace and Grand neighborhood. Information on Accommodations is forthcoming. Symposium attendees wishing to do research in the library must obtain reading privileges in advance by going online to www.huntington.org
Local Dining and Other Points of Interest
- Norton Simon Museum which is also within walking distance from Westin: 6 mins to walk from Westin and 4 mins to walk from the Gamble House, if anyone wants to make it a day of exploration. Admission is $20, $15 for seniors. It has a cafe on site, if people want to get a light lunch. Here’s the link: https://www.nortonsimon.org/.
- Nearby Restaurants
Restaurants Near the Westin
Alexander’s Steakhouse
Adjacent to the Westin, at 111 N. Los Robles. Steakhouse classics with Japanese cuisine.
California Pizza Kitchen
Adjacent to the Westin, at 99 N. Los Robles Ave. Inventive pizzas, pasta salads.
In Paseo shopping center, Colorado Blvd.
Brazilian Steakhouse
Upscale, all-you-can-eat meat carved tableside, extensive salad bar.
El Cholo
Californian-influenced Mexican dining, with notable green-corn tamales.
https://www.elcholopasadena.com/
Yardhouse
High-end sports bar with huge menu and extensive list of draft beers.
In Old Town Pasadena
Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery
40 W. Green Street. Nostalgia, comfort, and flavorful food.
All India
39 S. Fair Oaks. Casual Indian eatery with extensive menu.
Arroyo Chop House
536 S. Arroyo Parkway. Upscale steakhouse, also seafood, wine & cocktails in a luxe setting.
https://www.arroyochophouse.com/
Gale’s
452 S. Fair Oaks. Inviting dining room, traditional Italian pastas, salads and roasted meats.
https://www.galesrestaurant.com/
Il Fornaio
24 W. Union St. Upmarket, Italian dining. Pasta and bread made in-house.
https://www.ilfornaio.com/location/il-fornaio-pasadena/
The Kitchen
78 W. Union St. Pizza and red-sauce Italian fare in a casual setting inside a rustic building.
https://www.thekitchenpasadena.com/
Mi Piace
25 E. Colorado Blvd. California-Italian fare.
Mijare’s
145 Palmetto. Mexican dishes served in a simple, family-friendly space.
https://www.mijaresrestaurant.com/
Parkway Grill
510 S. Arroyo Parkway. Upscale spot, California cuisine in art-filled, elegant setting.
https://www.theparkwaygrill.com/
Saladang
363 S. Fair Oaks. Contemporary and traditional Thai food in modern setting.
https://www.saladang-pasadena.com/
On Lake Ave.
Celestino
141 S. Lake Ave. Traditional Italian dishes.
https://www.celestinopasadena.com/
Granville
270 S. Lake Ave. Trendy eatery, thoughtfully sources international cuisine.
https://www.granvillerestaurants.com/
Green Street
146 Shoppers Lane, just east of Lake & north of Cordova. Californian-style comfort food in a casual space. Extensive menu.
Jersey Mike’s
122 S. Lake Ave. Sub sandwiches.
https://www.jerseymikes.com/20052/pasadena-ca
Smitty’s
110 S. Lake Ave. Upscale, traditional American fare, in bustling setting.
Further Afield
Marston’s
151 E. Walnut St. Informal eatery serving breakfast classics, and more.
https://www.marstonspasadena.net/
Pie ‘n’ Burger
913 E. California Blvd. “Old-fashioned joint” serving classics like burgers, shakes and fruit pies.
Near The Huntington
Colonial Kitchen
1110 Huntington Dr., San Marino. “Throwback joint” serving classic American fare, with Elvis memorabilia.
https://www.colonialkitchenca.com/
In ‘n’ Out Burger
1210 N. Atlantic Blvd. at Huntington Drive, about 10 minutes west of The Huntington.
https://locations.in-n-out.com/121
Julienne’s
2649 Mission St., San Marino, about 10 minutes west of The Huntington. Creative French breakfast and lunch in cozy café.
Symposium organizers: Sue Hodson, Hye Ok Park, and Kenneth K. Brandt
Register and Pay Dues Here for the 2023 Jack London Society Symposium
(Registration: $150 Regular, $75 Students; Dues: $25 Regular, $20 Students/Retired)