We have limited ala carte offering for our daytime seminars. We highly suggest you join us for the full experience: stay on property and pick up a Platinum level resort Pass - it include 8 seminars!!
Special Event
Thursday October 8th 6:30pm-7:30pm - purchase here
Wine Appreciation with vintners, Gerald V. Casale and Judd Finkelstein
Gerald V. Casale and Judd Finkelstein invite you to join them as they make wine approachable and break down the intimidation factor surrounding the world of wine. Get wine-confident! You’ll learn sensory techniques, and gain knowledge of common grape varieties, hear engaging stories and share some laughs along the way. Of course, all of this will be accompanied by a tasting of wines curated by Gerald and Judd and provided by The Fifty By Fifty and Judd’s Hill. {This special event is 21+}
Thursday October 8th 8pm-9pm - purchase here
Gerald V. Casale Talks Mid-Century Style & Design
In this lively conversation, hosted by Judd "The Fink" Finkelstein, learn how Mid-Century Modern design & style influenced many of the creative endeavours of Gerald V. Casale: from DEVO; to historic home restoration; to the boutique winery The Fifty By Fifty. Energy domes optional.
Gerald V. Casale is the founder, co-principal songwriter and a vocalist for the new wave band, DEVO. Gerald is also an award-winning music video/commercial director and avid art collector. He was part of the creative team behind the restoration of Richard Neutra’s Kun House in Los Angeles built in 1933. Recently Gerald contributed to the narration for "Schindler Space Architect" - the first feature-length documentary exploring the life and works of R. M. Schindler, the most innovative and the least understood of all the pioneers of modern architecture. Casale created, The Fifty by Fifty, a boutique California wine brand specializing in small-lot, cool-climate wines from the Sonoma Coast and Carneros regions, with a strong focus on Pinot Noir and Rosé. geraldvcasale.com // thefiftybyfifty.com
Judd "The Fink" Finkelstein is a prominent second-generation Napa Valley vintner, entertainer, and cocktail scholar. He has been a familiar face in the scene and with the Tiki Oasis entertainment family since 2003 when his band, The Maikai Gents, made their first of many appearances at the festival. Often called "Mr. Hospitality Napa Valley", he is best known as the owner of the celebrated craft cocktail lounge The Fink, and the long-time proprietor of Judd's Hill winery. thefinknapa.com // juddshill.com
Friday October 9th, 9:10-10:10am - purchase here
Hats Off! Mid-Century Modern Hats with Dave Temple
Take a deep dive into the mid-century phenomenon of hats and examine what prompted their decline. Engage in a fascinating tour through the past and future for vintage enthusiasts who want to wear this key period fashion accessory the right way!
Fashion historian Dave Temple has written and lectured about vintage fashion for decades in conjunction with his company Clever Vintage Clothing. His seminars “Fashion and the History of Travel” and “California: Sportswear Capitol” have led to corresponding exhibits at The Museum at FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising). @clevervintageclothing
Friday October 9th, 9:10am-10:10am - purchase here
Bay Area Modern with Heather M. David
In the 1950s and 1960s, the San Francisco Bay Area experienced an explosion in residential and commercial development. Builders and architects embraced experimentation and novelty in order to differentiate themselves from a host of competitors. Take a virtual tour around the Bay, celebrating some of the region's more notable mid-century modern buildings—many of which can still be experienced today!
Heather M. David is a California-based cultural historian and freelance writer. She is the author of Mid-Century by the Bay, Motel California, and numerous articles on American popular culture and historic preservation. Heather is an advocate for the preservation of mid-century modern architecture, art, and signage — with a focus on Northern California Modernism. @hmdavidcalmod
Friday October 9th, 10:20am-11:20am - purchase here
Rebel Girl: The Dazzling & Colorful World of Enid Collins with Alix Tyler
Step into the vibrant universe of Enid Collins, the 1960s handbag icon who defied convention with her whimsical, hand-decorated creations. Discover the story of a trailblazing woman who was not just a designer, but also a savvy businesswoman and an inspiring "rebel girl" in a more demure era. Prepare to be inspired by her colorful legacy!
Alix Tyler is a time traveling photographer, filmmaker and Creative Director at Instagram. A self-proclaimed maximalist, her passions include vintage clothing, midcentury design and live music. Alix spent nearly every childhood summer driving cross country with her family from Michigan to California, so she knows the delight of seeing that "Next Exit!" sign. @galexina
Friday October 9th, 11:25am-12:25pm - purchase here
Sonoma County Neon: Mid-Century Beacons with Randall Ann Homan, Al Barna, and Katherine Rinehart
Neon sign design exploded with creativity in the middle of the century with hot pinks, amoeba shapes, blinking arrows, and layered trapezoids. Once considered blight, neon signs are now shining landmarks of roadside America. These hand-made signs light up the cityscape and dot country roads throughout Sonoma County.
Randall Ann Homan and Al Barna are the producers of Neon Speaks, an annual festival and symposium that celebrates the past and future of neon signs. Historian Katherine Rinehart brings decades of experience researching, writing and advocating for Sonoma County cultural heritage and is the founder of the Petaluma Signs Project. neonspeaks.org
Friday October 9th, 11:25am-12:25pm - purchase here
Don't Let What You Own Own You with Rusty Blazenhoff
Every collection tells a story. The question is who gets to tell it next. Rusty Blazenhoff held a living estate sale for her closest friends. She doesn't downsize. She upgrades. In this talk, Rusty explores collecting with intention, editing with discernment, and letting go with almost no regret. Your stuff is not the problem—the story behind it is the true gift.
Rusty Blazenhoff is a culture crafter and self-declared Professional Free Spirit. Lifelong thrift hunter. Onetime estate sale runner. She spent over a decade collaborating with Paul Reubens on the Pee-wee Herman universe and has stewarded the collection of visionary artist and songwriter Allee Willis. She believes the best collections keep finding new hands.
Friday October 9th, 12:35pm - 1:35pm - purchase here
Cover to Cover: A History of Mid-Century Record Album Design with Nick Rossi
Rossi will explore the development of how much was packaged and sold from the emergence of albums and albums art in the 1940s through packaging and design into the 1960s, culminating in the concept art album packages of the later 1960s.
West Coast Californian Nick Rossi has been a mainstay of the San Francisco Bay Area music world for over three decades. The guitarist-bandleader continues to be an active part of a vibrant jazz scene. As a writer and project producer, Rossi has worked with record labels such as Ace, RPM, and Fresh Sounds, as well as magazines such as the Fretboard Journal and Acoustic Guitar. He teaches both privately and publicly at the California Jazz Conservatory and as a guest lecturer at the College of San Mateo. @a.modernist
Friday October 9th, 1pm-2:00pm - purchase here
Homes That Walt Built with The Walt Disney Family Museum’s Bri Bertolaccini
The Walt Disney Family Museum opens the doors to Walt Disney’s homes. Join Content and Research Manager Bri Bertolaccini as you tour through rare photos and footage from his Los Angeles and Palm Springs retreats.
Bri Bertolaccini is the co-host and producer for WD-FM: The Official Walt Disney Family Museum Podcast and serves as Content and Research Manager at The Walt Disney Family Museum. She started at the museum in 2014 as a volunteer and later joined in the marketing and communications department where she currently develops historical content for digital platforms, publications, and exhibitions. She previously co-hosted the museum’s interview series, Happily Ever After Hours. In 2024, she contributed and managed the development of the publication, Walt Disney Treasures: Personal Art and Artifacts from The Walt Disney Family Museum. www.waltdisney.org
Friday October 9th, 2:10pm-3:10pm - purchase here
Mysteries of the Madonna Inn with CyndeLicious
The Madonna Inn (1958) in San Luis Obispo, California, is a roadside Americana icon famous for its unapologetic maximalism, pink-everything aesthetic, and 110 uniquely themed rooms. Beyond the vibrant decor, the property holds several intriguing quirks and mysteries! Architectural storyteller CyndeLicious is ready to reveal the secrets (well at least some!) and history of this beloved Central California Hotel.
CyndeLicious is a pin-up model turned architectural storyteller who explores the sensual, subversive side of design. Crowned the final Bettie Page Look-Alike Champion at the 1996 Glamourcon, she later earned degrees in Architecture and City & Regional Planning from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Now serving on the AIA Board of Directors, she brings glamour and scholarship together.@cynde_licious
Friday October 9th, 2:10pm - 3:10pm:- purchase here
San Francisco's Nob Hill: The Mount Everest of Tiki Bars with Eric Jost
How did one of San Francisco’s most buttoned-up neighborhoods become the mid-century capital of tropical escapism? Explore how the opening of the legendary Tonga Room in 1945 led to Trader Vic’s new nearby location, and soon after Tiki Bob’s launched around the corner. Join us for a deep dive into the deliciously dramatic history of Tiki's Nob Hill takeover.
Eric Jost isn't your average urban anthropologist – he's the spirited time-traveler of San Francisco's vibrant past! With a penchant for unraveling the city's secrets, he's the brain behind the tour “SOMA Origins: Bars, Bathhouses, & Beyond,” and has presented “The Tonga Room: From Swimming Pool to Hurricane Tiki Hut” at both Tiki Oasis and the San Francisco Historical Society. @ejost119
Friday October 9th, 3:15pm - 4:15pm - purchase here
A Journey Through Children's Fairyland with Master Puppeteer Randal Metz and CEO Kymberly Miller
Step inside the storybook! Explore the rich history of Children's Fairyland — Oakland's beloved 10-acre park that has sparked the imagination of young visitors since 1950, and inspired similar parks across the nation.
Trace Fairyland's remarkable journey from its whimsical origins on the shores of Lake Merritt, through the golden decades that shaped its unique fairytale aesthetic, to the extraordinary figures who made it what it is today.
Then an in-depth look at the Storybook Puppet Theater — the oldest continuously operating puppet theater in the United States. Master Puppeteer, Randal Metz will share his passion for the art form and offer a behind-the-curtain view of how puppetry at Fairyland has kept children's literature alive for generations.
Whether you're a longtime Fairyland fan, a lover of performing arts, or simply curious about this hidden gem in Oakland's backyard, this seminar promises to enchant and inspire.
Randal Metz is well known for being a Master Puppeteer, creating puppet productions at Children’s Fairyland’s Open Storybook Puppet Theater - the oldest continuously operating puppet theater in America. Over his half century career at Fairyland, he has been an entertainer, ride operator, recreation specialist, event coordinator, Artistic Director and historian. Metz has published six books on the history of Children’s Fairyland and American puppetry.
In August 2019, after an 11+ year career at Girl Scouts of Northern California, Kymberly Miller stepped into the role of executive director of Children’s Fairyland in Oakland. Fairyland, a storybook theme park, has been providing educational and community opportunities for Bay Area families since 1950. Miller is passionate about delivering satisfying experiences and supporting children and their families. fairyland.org
Saturday October 10th, 9:00am-10:00am - Purchase Here
Motel Morgue: An Examination of Demolition and Murder with John W. Murphey
Together we will examine the deaths of three former motels along Santa Rosa’s Redwood Highway through a mock forensic investigation. Using archival research, postcards, and police records, the talk explores how redevelopment, regulation, social change, and violence—including the double homicide of two motel owners—shaped roadside decline, reframing demolition as a complex cultural process rather than simple obsolescence.
John W. Murphey is an architectural historian specializing in roadside history, transportation landscapes, and vernacular commercial architecture. Active nationally, his work has included surveys and National Register documentation for bridges, motels, gas stations, tourist courts, and Route 66-related properties. He has also written on roadside culture and preservation for American Road and other publications. archhistoryservices.com
Saturday October 10th, 9:15am-10:15am - Purchase Here
Microwaves, Feminism and the Enjoli Paradox with Carrie Swing
Bring home the bacon, but still need to fry it up in the pan? “You can have it all” was pushed hard mid-century women: A career! A beautiful home and family! A bouncy perm! Just buy this perfume and microwave! Explore kitchens of the ‘60s & ‘70s, where microwaves were supposed to propel us to new heights of feminism.
Carrie Swing is delighted to return to Resort-O-Rama with another irreverent romp through the past. Trained in Cultural Anthropology at UC Berkeley, and possessing a vast knowledge of lyrics to Gen X-era commercials, Swing has spent decades studying women’s lives and will fight you for that copy of Ms. Magazine at the local estate sale! @modgirl86
Saturday October 10th, 10:30am-11:30am - Purchase Here
Beyond the Four Walls: Mid-Century Modern Landscapes with Thomas Eddy
We think of mid-century modern landscape design as innovative, but its roots are from centuries-old designs. These early influences, coupled with modern revolutionary design principles, spawned a landscape design rebellion and propelled American landscape architecture into a new era. Eddy will share an exploration on the historically significant people and places that catapulted the quintessential indoor/outdoor California lifestyle here and afar.
Thomas Eddy is a retired Sonoma/Marin landscape contractor and arborist with a B.S. in landscape architecture and an interdisciplinary master’s degree. Currently, Thomas teaches the History of Landscape Architecture and other subjects at West Valley College in Saratoga. He lives with his partner, Rob, alongside their temperamental cat, Nomy, in Saratoga and Palm Springs.
Saturday October 10th, 10:45am-11:45am - Purchase Here
Just Got Potlucky: Entertaining in Mid-Century America with Karen Finlay
In post-World War II America, the battles were over, suburbs were booming, and banquettes were piled high with bananas swimming in sauce, tasty tuna-noodle casseroles, and Jell-O, which was considered a salad. Join Karen Finlay, co-creator and hostess of the Mid-Century Potluck, for a fun look back on the gatherings and dishes—both delicious and deluded—that made mid-century parties legendary.
Hostess with the mostest, Karen Finlay, is the co-founder of The Mid-Century Supper Club Potluck, and owner of Alibi Bookshop in Vallejo, CA. When she’s not reading, perfecting her casserole recipes she’s crafting cute felt brooches - something she never thought she would do! @sparkleneely
Saturday October 10th, 11:45am-12:45pm - Purchase Here
Bay Area Bowling: How Mid-Century Architecture Invaded the Suburbs with Chris Nichols
Along with drive-in theaters and coffee shops, lush and lavish bowling centers brought modern architecture to the new suburbs in the San Francisco Bay Area. Jaunty rooflines, acres of glass, and flashy neon signs beckoned motorists to pull in to these pleasure palaces described as the country club of the people.
Chris Nichols is a writer, editor, preservationist, and former chair of the Los Angeles Conservancy Modern Committee. He is senior editor at Los Angeles Magazine where he also writes the "Ask Chris" column. He authored the books Walt Disney's Disneyland (2018), and The Leisure Architecture of Wayne McAllister (2007). His most recent book is Bowlarama: The Architecture of Mid-Century Bowling. @nixols
Saturday October 10th, 1:30pm-2:30pm - Purchase Here
The Los Angeles Breakfast Club: Hollywood, Hi-Jinks, and Ham & Eggs with Sandi Hemmerlein & Rachel Skytt
The Breakfast Club became internationally famous in the 1920s and '30s as the premier host organization of Los Angeles, counting many Hollywood stars, starlets, and studio execs among its upper-crust ranks. Now known as The Los Angeles Breakfast Club, the "Club of Hospitality" recently celebrated its centennial and once again welcomes a parade of prominent performers, politicians, and personalities — but every Wednesday morning, everyone who comes to Friendship Auditorium for breakfast is just a regular ol' Ham or an Egg. Join Club Historian Rachel Skytt and history book author Sandi Hemmerlein to discover what happened at "The Shrine of Friendship" in the eras in between — including rarely-seen images and newly discovered archives that may have never seen the light of day.
Sandi Hemmerlein is the author of the forthcoming book The Los Angeles Breakfast Club: A Century of Hollywood, Hi-Jinks, and Ham & Eggs. She is Los Angeles-based writer who has covered history and offbeat travel destinations for PBS, Frommer’s, Atlas Obscura, Los Angeles Magazine, NPR, Fox 11, KTLA, Australia’s 9News, and more. She has been a good Ham-and-Egger since 2017 and maintains a blog of personal essays and travel photos. AvoidingRegret.com
Rachel Skytt grew up in Solvang, California. She received a B.A. in Dramatic Arts and History from UC Davis and an M.F.A. in Dramatic Writing from USC. She joined The Los Angeles Breakfast Club in 2019 and has been the club historian since 2022. She is the co-author of the upcoming book The Los Angeles Breakfast Club: A Century of Hollywood, Hi-Jinks, and Ham & Eggs. @labreakfastclub
Saturday October 10th, 1pm-2pm- Purchase Here
The Influence of Mid-Century Design on Disney Productions with Stephen Cargile
Step into the optimistic world of the Disney and discover how mid-century modern design and the atomic-age shaped Disney’s films, television, and theme park attractions from the 1950s. In this lively and visually rich seminar, Disney Imagineer Cargile will take you on a fantastic journey through the most futuristic creations, including the original 1955 Tomorrowland and the iconic 1957 Monsanto House of the Future. From sleek modern aesthetics to visions of tomorrow, this seminar offers a fascinating look at the intersection of Disney, design, and mid-century imagination. Sit back and enjoy the ride!
Stephen Cargile is a Disney artist and 35-year Disney Imagineer. He has been on the creative team for nine Disney theme parks, including Disneyland, Disney World, and Disney Parks in Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Cargile is a Disney history specialist whose contributions range from Disney character artist to graphic designer and illustrator.
Saturday October 10th, 3pm-4:30pm - Purchase Here
Draw Like a Madman with BrandCamp
What is it about commercial art of the Mid-20th Century that takes our breath away? This insightful talk-and-draw session explores the visual language of mid-century artists, and uses their creative energy to fuel our own artistic adventures. Illustrator Brandon Campbell "BrandCamp" will unpack the mid-modernist’s toolkit and provide inspiration for some surprisingly simple sketches for your next campaign pitch on Madison Ave.!
Brandon Campbell is an Atlanta-based artist specializing in traditional illustration and design. Campbell's free-form pen & ink sketches offer nostalgic glimpses of bustling cityscapes, whimsical wildlife, and vintage fashion. His distinctive linework and impromptu drawing techniques are showcased in process videos on social media, offering viewers a glimpse into his creative journey. @brandcamp
Saturday October 10th, 2:45pm-3:45pm - Purchase Here
Packing for Paradise with Martin Cate
Donn Beach famously said, “If you can’t get to paradise, I’ll bring it to you.” But for those with the means, paradise was within reach. Join Martin Cate as he explores the 20th Century history of Hawaii tourism, and how those travels have continued to inspire, resulting in the exchange of drinks and arts between Hawaii and the mainland. {Cocktail sample served to those 21+}
Martin Cate is owner-creator of Smuggler’s Cove in San Francisco. He is also the co-owner of Hale Pele in Portland, False Idol in San Diego, California Gold in San Rafael, and Max’s in Grand Rapids. Martin and Rebecca Cate's book “Smuggler’s Cove: Exotic Cocktails, Rum, and the Cult of Tiki” won the 2017 James Beard Award for Best Beverage Book. martincate.com
Special Event!!
Saturday October 10th, 7:30pm-9pm - Purchase Here
Charles Phoenix: The Grand Mid-Century Tour of Europe
A BIG RETRO Dream Vacation Slide Show Travelogue
“Fasten Your seatbelts and prepare for takeoff!” says retro pop pulture expert, Charles Phoenix, as he launches the classic European vacation into a romantic and glamorous adventure extravaganza!
With his unbridled enthusiasm and eagle-eye for oddball detail, Charles lavishes spirited commentary on spectacular vintage Kodachrome slides taken by Americans touring England, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and Belgium in the ‘50s & ‘60s.
Join the vacationers basking in the glow of Europe's iconic attractions, legendary landmarks, fun festivals, local flavors, chic fashions, planes, trains, buses, boats and automobiles, the exquisite mid-century modernism of the 1958 World’s Fair and more galore!
Be prepared for your imagination to be inspired and for your spirit to soar! charlesphoenix.com