Con-Sarnit One Program Schedule        

 

9:30 a.m. Registration opens outside the Programming Room

*Starred items are still open for participants as of 5-20-08            

10:00-10:15 a.m. Opening Ceremonies
In which we learn how two Western movie buffs kept shooting the breeze about pulling together a Western convention, and finally did. We also learn about the official Con-Sarnit poll of the Top Ten 20th Century Western Movies. David Christenson, Eric M. Heideman, MCs

*10:15-11:15 a.m. Panel: Tall in the Saddle: John Wayne and His Films, 1907-1979
Each Con-Sarnit we aim to do a panel on a Western Icon of the Year. Naturally, We're starting with the Duke. Eric M. Heideman, David Christenson, co-mods; John Calvin Rezmerski

 

11:15-noon. Presentation: Follerin' Louis L'Amour Today
In which Wisconsinite James P. Roberts—whose 11 books include Famous Wisconsin Authors (2002), and who's read each book by Louis L'Amour (1908-1988) 50 times--talks, reads journal entries about, and shows photos of, his 1995 and 2001 visits to some of the precise locations L'Amour writes about in his novels.

 

 

Noon-1:30 p.m. Lunch Break

 

*1:30-2:30 p.m. Panel: West of Everything
West of Everything: The Inner Life of Westerns (1993), is Jane Tompkins' radical synthesis of the Western as a response to 19th century sentimental romances, and as a revision of monastic ideals. A prime example is the film Tombstone (1993). John Calvin Rezmerski, mod.; David Christenson, Eric M. Heideman (John Calvin Rezmerski of Mankato is a lifelong Western buff, the author of several books of poetry, and editor of The Frederick Manfred Reader, 2002.)

2:30-3:00 p.m. Recital: Lonesome Ron, King of the Valley Yodelers

Lonesome Ron (Ron Affolter) of Mankato plays various instruments, yodels up a storm, and sings cowboy songs new and old, including traditional Western music, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers songs, and songs of his own composition. Lonesome Ron's performance leads straight into a presentation by his pal...

3:00-4:00 p.m. Talk/Slideshow Presentation: The James-Younger Northfield Raid
A vivid recreation of the Jesse James-Cole Younger Gang's ill-fated 1876 visit to Northfield, by noted Western historian John J. Koblas, whose more than 50 books include Jesse James Ate Here: An Outlaw Tour of Minnesota (2001) and Minnesota Grit: The Men Who Defeated the James-Younger Gang (2005).

*4:00-4:30 p.m. Autographing: John J. Koblas, et al.

4:30-5:30 p.m. Discussion: Con-Sarnit Top Ten 20th Century Western Movies Poll:

In which the results of our poll are presented and talked about.

David Christenson, Eric M. Heideman

5:30-7:00 p.m. Dinner Break

7:00 p.m.-late night: Film Program

In which we reassemble at our Hospitality Suite, Room 101, for light refreshments, and the viewing of movie Westerns till the cows come home....