Riding With Reagan
A Conversation With John Barletta
Saturday, April 26 . 1 pm

Retired Secret Service agent and author of Riding with Reagan, John Barletta joins us for an intimate and revealing portrait of Ronald Reagan. Having spent more than a decade traveling around the world with the Reagans, he fast became a life-long friend of the President. Hear John paint a picture of a relaxed Reagan as he speaks to their shared love of the outdoors and horse-riding. He will be available to sign copies of his book, Riding with Reagan, following the presentation.

Lalo Alcaraz
Creator of the nationally syndicated comic strip
"La Cucaracha"
Sunday, May 4 . 2 pm

Political cartoonists create the images that can define issues. What makes funny cartoons seriously persuasive? Find out as we chat with Lalo Alcaraz, a one-of-a-kind cartoonist, satirist, and writer who captures the essence of the country’s changing cultural and political landscape. In his entertaining multi-media presentation, Lalo sketches his favorite cartoons and shares his dazzling kaleidoscope of irreverence, wit, subversion, anarchy, politics, humanism, and rage for an eventful, thought-provoking presentation.

Black Hat, White Hat:
The Good, The Bad, and The Enduring Image
With Curator Byron Price
Saturday, July 12 . 2 pm

The powerful iconographic symbol of the heroic American cowboy has been used by Presidents to define themselves to the nation and the world. The press, foreign governments, and domestic political opponents have found cowboy imagery just as useful in criticizing presidential policy and leadership. In a special presentation Byron Price, curator of the exhibition Cowboys and Presidents, takes a look at the ongoing intersection of cowboy culture and presidential politics from Theodore Roosevelt to George W. Bush.

Will Rogers, Now! Starring Lance Brown
Saturday, August 9 . 2 pm

History and hilarity grace the stage as Lance Brown brings us a few rope tricks, some food for thought, and the irrepressible spirit of Will Rogers. In his own time Will Rogers was a radio and film personality, humorist, and a grass-roots philosopher. His straightforward attitudes about life, politics, and the world reflect the values of the cowboy culture in which he was raised. Some 70+ years after his death, Will has come down from heaven for a visit, and he finds us funny as ever.

Steve Ford From the White House to the Rodeo
Saturday, September 6 . 1 pm

Imagine being 18 years old when your father suddenly becomes President of the United States. Faced with the prospect of heading to college with 10 secret service agents as constant companions, Steve Ford marched into the Oval Office and informed his dad he was moving out west to pursue his dream—of becoming a working cowboy! The youngest son of Gerald Ford, Steve shares a humorous and entertaining insider's view of life in the public eye, featuring many historic and never-before-seen photos, slides and videos.

Saturday Aug 2, 2008 12-3 pm
Wells Fargo Theater
Chisum (1970)

Cattle Baron John Chisum (John Wayne) joins forces with Billy the Kid (Geoffrey Deuel) and Pat Garrett (Glenn Corbett) to fight a land war against Lawrence Murphy (Forrest Tucker) and his group of bandits. An avid and active supporter of Richard Nixon, the film summed up John Wayne’s political views. Nixon saw the film in 1970 and commented that it reflected his own thoughts on how the law should be enforced. Join us and “Cowboys and Presidents” Curatorial Assistant Jeffrey Richardson for a screening and discussion of Wayne’s vision of a time before law in the old west.

Saturday Aug 16, 2008 12-3 pm
Wells Fargo Theater
Hang 'Em High (1968)

When an innocent man (Clint Eastwood) barely survives a lynching, he becomes a lawman determined to bring the vigilantes to justice. Clint Eastwood’s rough and morally ambiguous character resonated with the changing tone of American politics during the social revolution of the late 1960’s. The film takes the classic revenge tale and adds shades of grey to its protagonist’s actions, questioning capital punishment and the state of law enforcement during one of the most turbulent times in modern American history. Join us and “Cowboys and Presidents” Curatorial Assistant Jeffrey Richardson for a stimulating discussion before the show.

Saturday Aug 30, 2008 12-3 pm
Wells Fargo Theater
High Noon (1952)

Lawman Will Kane (Gary Cooper) is forced to face a deadly enemy alone when a fearful town refuses to help him. This film, an allegory for what was feared to be the spread of Communism in Hollywood during the early 1950's, is the most watched movie in the White House. It is rumored that Bill Clinton watched the film 17 times while in office. Join us and "Cowboys and Presidents" Curatorial Assistant Jeffrey Richardson for a screening and discussion of the most popular movie among presidents.

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