June Letter From Home: Jazz, Judy and The Wizard of Oz Festival

Last week, visitors to our “Judy Garland Letter from Home” about The Slippers reached an all-time high. This week, in our final blog before the 2016 Wizard of Oz Festival, we will reveal some more information.

Meanwhile, tickets are going fast, so don’t delay in purchasing yours!

-         The Wizard of Oz in 3D

-         Josh Gallagher – Jazz Tribute

-         John Fricke Talks about Judy

-         Meet the Staff

-         The Slippers Showing

-         More about Festival Events

-         Where Is…?

-         Surprise Exhibit Items

The Wizard of Oz in 3D

Word reached the Judy Garland Museum this past week that the annual outdoor showing of “The Wizard of Oz” on Friday, June 10^th will be extra special because this year there are plans to show it in 3D! In addition, 3D glasses will be provided for the film. During the announcement, John Kelsch, director of the Judy Garland Museum, noted, “This will be a one-time only event.”

Addendum: In following up on this news, it seems showing a 3D film is a lot trickier than one would think. Not only does it require the special film and glasses, a special projector and silver screen are needed for movie quality screening. A 3D film also requires complete darkness, and it has been suggested that persons sit center in order for the effects to be fully realized.

That said, the Museum is still working on the details in order to make this event happen. In any case, the film will be shown either as Blu Ray or 3D. Meanwhile, it will not be shown until 10:00 p.m. to accommodate the 3D. 

The scheduled location is Evergreen Terrace lawn, just next to the Judy Garland Museum. Food will be available for purchase. It is hoped as well that the replica Oz hot air balloon will be raised once again on the Ever Green Terrace lawn earlier that evening. The balloon can only be raised in non-windy weather

This film showing also depends on weather. In case of rain, “The Wizard of Oz” will be screened at the IRA Civic Center. The presentation is free and open to the public. Please check back with the Museum for details. Information will be posted on Facebook.

Friday, June 10^th, 10:00pm on the Evergreen Terrace Lawn.

Jazz Artist Josh Gallagher and Judy

Josh Gallagher is a jazz pianist from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and a very talented musician at that. Last year, the audience was wowed by his amazing renditions of some favorite Garland songs. This June, Josh returns with a special tribute to Judy Garland in film. In fact, 2016 marks the 80^th anniversary of Judy’s film debut.

A year ago, Gallagher told us that he had the honor of studying at the Brubeck Institute.  Dave Brubeck (1920-2012) is, of course, the renowned American jazz pianist, widely considered one of the foremost exponents of cool jazz. In addition, Brubeck wrote a number of compositions, which are now jazz standards. Because of this, we thought we’d ask Josh about his memories of Dave Brubeck.

About that time, Josh says:

“I was in the Brubeck Institute Fellowship Program during the 2004-2005 school year.  Dave Brubeck started the program, but was not actively involved in our daily activities.  We were able to interact with him for about a week during the "Brubeck Festival" that spring.

For the last song on one of the concerts that week, Dave had the six of us students play Billy Strayhorn's "Take the 'A' Train" along with him, and Dave and I took turns at the piano. 

A year or so later, I was in Boston studying at Berklee College of Music, and Dave played a concert there with his quartet. I met him at the stage door when he arrived, and he remembered me and let me sit backstage with his wife, Iola, during the concert. At the end of the show, he had me come out on stage, and again we took turns playing "Take the 'A' Train."

Well, if Dave Brubeck took turns playing “Take the A Train” with Josh, you can imagine just how talented this young man is.

For quite a few years, Josh Gallagher came to the Judy Garland/Wizard of Oz Festival as a visitor. In his spare time, he go into the Garland house and play piano, which got people talking. As a result, he was asked last year to perform at the Festival. This year, he salutes Judy Garland’s amazing accomplishments in film. Among the songs Josh will include in his program are:

Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart, Over the Rainbow, Our Love Affair, How About You?, After You've Gone, I Got Rhythm, On the Atchison, Topeka, and the Santa Fe, I Wish I Were in Love Again, Get Happy, Little Drops of Rain, and By Myself, and many more!

 

Gallagher’s program will be followed by one of Judy Garland’s early films,“Everybody Sing,”  about a girl who loves to sing jazz!

In addition to fifteen year-old Judy Garland, who shows what an amazing talent she was already, are: Billie Burke (Good Witch of the North) and the famed Fanny Brice. The film “Funny Girl” is based on her life. It was after making this film in 1938, (just before The Wizard of Oz), that Judy and her mother took a train trip to New York to fulfill part of Garland’s contractual agreement for film appearances with the release of her new film. On the way back, the pair stopped in Grand Rapids because, as Judy requested, she wanted to see the house where she lived in as a child and see her best friend.

The Jazz Tribute to Judy Garland in Film by Josh Gallagher and Everybody Sings will take place on Thursday evening, June 9^th 2016, at 7:00 pm at the Judy Garland Museum. The cost of the event is $15.00.

It’s going to be a great evening, so don’t miss it!

John Fricke on Judy Garland

During this year’s Festival Emmy award winning producer and author John Fricke will present several talks on Judy Garland which should be of great interest to her fans.

,

Friday, June 10,

10:30 a.m.

“They Remember Judy” – This program is accompanied by film clips.

4:00 p.m.

“Judy Remembers Dorothy” – This program is straight lecture.

Saturday, June 11^th

3:00 pm

“The Best of Judy, 1965 – 1968” – The program includes film clips.

In addition, Mr. Fricke will present a short commentary before the “Everybody Sing” film on Friday at 7pm, and on

 Saturday, June 11,

1:30 pm – Free with Museum Admission

“Fun Facts and Lessons from Oz” – a short talk for kids of all ages.

Two weeks ago, we presented a portion of an interview with author/historian John Fricke. Here is the conclusion of that piece.

Judy Garland Museum:  What should people/fans expect to gain from these programs?

John Fricke:  Well, they'll hear insights from people who knew her...from 1924 or thereabouts until the end of her life. They'll hear her own words and opinions about her most iconic screen role, in the best-loved and best-known motion picture of all time. And they'll see and hear her kickin' it across with the very best and most she had to offer in those last years of her life, when the challenges and pressures were ever-greater. Yet, as will be seen, she never stopped offering the "most" of Judy Garland she had to offer at any given moment.

JGM: Is there anything else you'd like us to know?

JF: I'd like everyone to know that I'm grateful -- to the maximum -- to be coming back, to have the chance to see old friends at our "family" reunion, to meet new people...and, most of all, to try to share the unparalleled and unequaled "joy of Judy" in her birthplace: her music, her laughter, her life, and her love.

***

John Fricke will also give a short commentary before the showing of the film,

Everybody Sing on Thursday at 8:00 pm

Meet our Staff

Sue Plagmann has worked at the Judy Garland Museum for the last two and a half years. She not only handles the front desk, but is also responsible for purchasing all the items in our shop.

 Before coming to the Museum, Sue worked at gift shops in Duluth and Grand Rapids. At one point, she owned her own store. 

Sue graduated from BIWABIK in St. Paul. She’s been married to Greg Plagmann for 30 years now. They have two daughters and one granddaughter, who loves to play at the Museum.

Sheena Richards joined the staff of the Judy Garland Museum in March of this year.

Sheena is currently attending college to obtain her Master’s in Nursing and Minor in Psychology. She has been married to Tom Richards for fourteen years. They have two children, 12 and 8. The Richards children love visiting the Judy Garland Museum. Sheena’s favorite hobby is travel!

Michelle Russell – From time to time, you will see Michelle Russell working at the front desk. In addition, Michelle is responsible for cataloging Museum items, helping with the Festival and doing special research.

Michelle is the author of six books, including the two volume work, “From Tennessee to Oz – The Amazing Saga of Judy Garland’s Family History.” Michelle is married to John Kelsch.

Special Mentions

Marie & Marn Flicker

Marie Flicker worked (and “played” she says) at the Judy Garland Museum for seven years, working both as director John Kelsch’s administrative assistant and covering the  front desk. Marie is now retired, but from time to time comes in to help John on special projects. Marie is known for her friendly personality and willingness to be helpful.

Marn Flicker, as a former electronic tech, has been called on to help as a handyman at the Museum, especially when Treesa, the talking tree, would malfunction. He also fixed one of the carpets in the children’s museum so no one would trip and put up a coat hanging bar for the children’s costumes. Recently, and perhaps most special, Marn created the beautiful fence which now encloses our wild animals in the art room.

 Prior to retiring to Grand Rapids in 2006, Marn & Marie owned and operated Flicker’s TV & Appliance in Monticello, Minnesota where they worked side by side managing 12 employees for 33 years. While Marn ran the business, Marie did the bookkeeping and managed the office.

Today, the Flickers have a cabin on Jessie Lake near Marcel where Marn loves to hunt/fish and Marie loves to read and knit.  They enjoy meeting people as well as four-wheeling and snowmobiling with friends. We thank Marie and Marn for their contributions to the Judy Garland and Children’s Museum.

Do You Recognize These Items?

A few items from our rare collection will be brought out for guests to see during the Festival. Do you recognize any of these items or know their significance?

When you visit the Judy Garland Museum during Festival time, look for them. These rare artifacts were recently uncovered during the reorganization of our archives, including a unique piece of Judy Garland clothing.

To the left, we have a portion of a building, a coffee pot, runway light, silver writing case. 

Where Is….?

Visitors often ask us, “Where is the Itasca Historical Society?”  For many years, the Historical Society was located upstairs in the old Central School. A few years ago, it moved to a building on the same street – 201 N. Pokegama Avenue, just across from the former New Grand theater and across from the block on which the Pokegama Hotel sits.

While in Grand Rapids, be sure to visit them. The ICHS has Judy Garland’s baby cradle and many other items of interest both related to Judy Garland and the history of Grand Rapids. Recently, they opened a 25 year old time capsule and found some more artifacts on Judy Garland and her relation to Grand Rapids.

Meanwhile, the “Judy Around Town” bus tour on Friday, June 10 at 1:00 pm is sure to inform you about some other sites you may want to visit.

The 2016 Wizard of Oz Festival

Everyone is excited about something special during this year’s Festival. Of course, we have our children’s events, both will be on Saturday, June 11^th:  The Emerald City Fest will be outside the Central School. From 11:00 – 1:00 pm. 

Dorothy’s Farm Animals will be in the Judy Garland Memorial Garden directly after that from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. Both events are free.

Many visitors are excited about our High Tea in the Judy Garland House, others about the Judy Around Town Tour, the talks by John Fricke and the Minnesota Premiere showing of the “The Slippers” on the famed Ruby Slippers. 

PLEASE NOTE: The High Tea is almost sold out. There will be a cut-off day so we may fill our order for goodies in advance.

THE SLIPPERS Premiere dinner event tickets need to be bought by early next week. We must put an order in for number of dinners at the beginning of the week. Please don't wait to buy your tickets on Thursday and Friday for the dinner. That will be too late!

Whatever, you interest, please check our previous blogs for further information, or better yet, visit our website:

http://www.judygarlandmuseum.com

We look forward to seeing you there!

Visit us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/judygarlandmuseum/