Celebrating Centennial of John Steinbeck’s Birth

February is the focal point of a yearlong celebration of the centennial of John Steinbeck’s birth in Monterey County, where the author grew up. Dozens of events are also scheduled throughout the year in California and New York.

This weekend an exhibit focused on the friendship between Steinbeck and marine biologist Ed Ricketts opened at the Monterey Bay Aquarium; it runs through December. Starting Feb. 9 there will be weekend tours for $45 per person this month that visit Steinbeck’s Monterey, his grave and other sites.

Events Feb. 21 to 24 include free performances of a play based on Steinbeck’s “The Long Valley” in Salinas; lectures and book signings of the centennial edition of his “America and Americans” by co-editors Jackson Benson and Susan Shillinglaw; tours of Steinbeck’s childhood home in Salinas, where brunch will be served ($25); and the first of three performances by the Monterey Symphony of a work by Allen Shawn and Jamaica Kincaid commissioned for the centennial (tickets $15 to $46).

On Steinbeck’s birthday, Feb. 27, there will be a book sale; a free birthday ceremony at the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas and another one, with dinner ($20 per person), in Monterey. For information on events, call (831) 775-4721 or visit www.steinbeck.org or www.steinbeck100.org.