Carell, King and Herzog in New Yorker arts fest line-up

(AFP/VALERIE MACON)

At the 11th annual New Yorker Festival, the magazine's schedule of events will feature musicians, actors, authors, politicians, and filmmakers, October 1-3, in New York City.

The highly anticipated panels, workshops, interviews and readings are often quickly sold out in advance.

The initial lineup was announced Wednesday with highlights including speakers like Steve Carell ( Date Night, Despicable Me, The Office) and film director Werner Herzog who has shot Grizzly Man, Fitzcarraldo and the upcoming Caves of Forgotten Dreams about paintings in French caves.

Another hot panel will feature author Stephen King and Twilight Saga screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg discussing vampires in pop culture, a $7 billion business, from films and television to books, merchandise, games and apparel, according to a report in entertainment news site The Wrap.

Also scheduled to appear are actress Patricia Clarkson ( Shutter Island), fantasy writer Neil Gaiman ( Coraline, Beowulf), musician James Taylor, and actor Paul Reubens - better known as Pee-Wee Herman of 1980s movies, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure by Tim Burton; the kids show character will feature in an out-of-character appearance for an interview.

Moderated by contributors and editors of The New Yorker magazine, other panels will discuss the impact of Google and the internet on media with author Ken Auletta and a tasting walk from Greenwich Village to Chinatown with writer Calvin Trillin.

A full lineup for the festival will be posted at http://www.newyorker.com/festival.

Tickets are available September 10 at noon EST.

RC