HAPPY SPRING TO ALL!
It was spring here in Grand Rapids until
Sunday when we woke up to snow. Now, once again, things are turning green and
sunny, but we just heard more snow is coming! That’s Minnesota!
Meanwhile, we have a lot of news, including information on our
Wizard of Oz Festival, June 8 – 10,
so here we go.
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Dash for the Ruby Slippers
For the first time ever, there will be a 5k run during the
Wizard of Oz Festival. This idea, suggested by fan, Justin Charles, is ready
for sign-up!
Hosted by the Children’s Discovery Museum, the aptly named Dash
for the Ruby Slippers will take place on Saturday, June 10th,
beginning at 8:30 a.m.
There will be two prizes for this event – a trophy for the
Fastest Runner and a trophy for the Best Costumed Runner. Meanwhile, we think it will be a great event for all ages-- even
if you just want to make it a Ruby Slipper Walk!
Sign-up now and the
cost will only be $20. AFTER May 19th, the fee goes up to $30.
Children between the ages of 4 and 12 are $10. Under 4 is free.
To sign up, please go to: http://www.signmeup.com/119850
Please note: the sign-up for this event is NOT included in the Festival
Package.
In addition, we would like to note that we are still in need of:
Sponsors – You or your business
may help sponsor this event. Your name will appear on the event T-Shirt
Volunteers
– We could use about 10 volunteers for Saturday, June 10th.
Please contact Sheena Richards at the Museum, if you would
like to help.
Judy Garland Talent Contest
2017 will have a
return to the annual Judy Garland Talent Contest – an event for
youth ages six through eighteen. Now
that the Reif Center for the Performing Arts has completed its grand additions and
renovations, we will be happy to see this contest held in the Reif’s new
200-seat Ives Studio Theater.
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| Winners from the 2015 Contest |
The show will be MC’d by John Fricke with three illustrious
talent judges on our panel: David Marty, director of the Reif, Mary Jo Jess,
Grand Rapids theatre director, and our special guest, Tina Marie Casamento
Libby, New York actress, director, producer, who conceived the excit-ing new
show, “Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz.”
The prizes this year will be extra exciting.
First Place - $1,000
Second Place - $500
Third Place - $250
These prizes are in the partial form of scholarship
money. For the details on this and
applications, please visit the www.judygarlandmuseum.com
website and look under the 2017 Wizard of Oz Festival. You may
print out the application and all the information, or you may go to the Museum
to pick them up. In addition, the Museum Gift Shop has songbooks for sale.
All performers are asked to keep with the theme of The Wizard of Oz (including The Wiz, Wicked, etc.) or Judy Garland’s
career – which includes a vast amount of material. Applicants should put their
own style into these presentations. For further information, please e-mail us
or give us a call.
It is suggested that you get ready and submit your
application in now. June 1st is the last day applications will be
accepted!
The New Grand Theatre
A few weeks ago, there were reports that a number of
buildings in downtown Grand Rapids were about to be torn down to make way for a
new brewery/restaurant. Although this heavily trafficked block is passed daily
without much thought, there was a great deal of concern by Garland fans that a
certain historic building would soon be gone.
The reason for this concern is the fact that it was a
building on this Pokegama Avenue block, that Judy Garland—then Frances Gumm--
made her theatrical debut at the age of two and a half. It was a career
beginning that never stopped for the next 44 years. This is, indeed, a historic
site, so we are happy to report that as of this date, there are no plans to
tear the former New Grand Theatre down.
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| Fan Katie Stella visits the former New Grand Theater |
1917, that it was completed, marking its 100
There have been many misconceptions about the history of the
Gumm theatres in Grand Rapids, so here is some information which may set the
facts straight. When Frank and Ethel Gumm first moved to Grand Rapids in 1914,
only a couple of months after they were married, Frank went to work for Bentz
and Barlow, who were running a movie theatre known as The New Grand, in a
portion of the Oddfellows Hall. This building stood across the street, “kitty-corner”
to the present New Grand building.
Eventually, Frank Gumm, having bought Mr. Barlow out, became
partners with Fred Bentz. The movie theater business under Frank Gumm’s
management (with Ethel Gumm on piano for the silent movies and onstage with
Frank on various weekends) was been quite successful, so it was decided that a
new building should be found. After searching for some time, it was decided
there wasn’t a suitable building in town. Eventually, it was agreed that one
would be built, specifically for use as a theatre. The pair hired Jesse Matson
(pronounced Jess), a mining boss in Keewatin, and plans were made for a new
state-of-the-art theatre. Frank and Fred took numerous trips to Minneapolis in
order to buy seats and sign agreements for the best movies.
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| Back of the New Grand where the Gumm girls often played. |
After the Gumms left Grand Rapids, the theatre was renovated
and continued to operate as The New Grand. It closed in 1931, the day before
the new theatre next door, the M opened. It was in this theatre, that Judy
Garland appeared during her visit in 1938. At that time, she went onstage to
speak to the audience, but per her MGM contract, she was not allowed to sing.
Since that time, the New Grand has operated as an office
building, but her basement may be found, marks showing the formerly slanted
theatre floor and other details.
More information will be coming soon!
It’s Tea Time!
One of the favorite events last year was High Tea in the Judy Garland House. This
year we will have a Tea Party once again with the much-loved Josh Gallagher on
the piano. We want to tell you, there are a couple of added surprises too.
You’ll have to wait and see what they are!
The High Tea enables
fans and others alike to experience life in Judy Garland’s childhood home the
way it was back in 1925. Judy’s parents Frank and Ethel Gumm loved to
entertain. Ethel was said to have been a wonderful cook, who also loved
decorating her home for special events – using different themes, she would
choose follows and colors which brought a certain atmosphere to the event.
Last year, our High Tea was simply beautiful, with loads of
th from 4:00-5:30 pm.
However, we must warn you, there is only room for 30 people, so if you are
interested sign up now. This event is a fundraiser for the Judy Garland Museum.
The price is $25.
flowers from home gardens, fine china, silverware, and fine linen. This year,
the event takes place on Thursday, June 8
To sign-up, visit our 2017 Festival page at www.judygarlandmuseum.com
EMERALD CITY FEST –
THIS YEAR AT THE
JUDY GARLAND MUSEUM
One big change at our Festival this year is that the Emerald
City Fest will take place outdoors at the Judy Garland/Children’s
Discovery Museum. It was decided in this way people attending the event will be
at the same location where Dorothy’s Farm Animals takes place, and at the same
time they will be able to visit the Museum, if they wish to do so.
This is a fun event for kids of
all ages with games, Oz projects, carriage rides,
a scavenger hunt and more. Meet characters from The Wizard of Oz and take
pictures with them!
During both events, there will be a Specialty Food & Candy Hut with hot dogs, chips, popcorn, caramel apples, and specialty candies
from the Candy Hut. Drinks will include pop, lemonade and water. A wash-up
station will be provided.
New Exhibit “LAKE LIFE” at the
Children’s Discovery Museum
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| Director John Kelsch at the Lake Life Exhibit |
Speaking of the Children’s Discovery Museum, last Saturday,
April 22nd, the long-awaited “Lake Life” at the Children’s Discovery
Museum had its grand opening. The exhibit brings great changes to the museum.
The great new design and fabrication was produced by Jeff Brown / BrownKnows
Design LLC. In addition, instead of white walls, murals by
artist, Ashley Wereley, now grace the walls revealing beautiful nature scenes of all the seasons
with snow, green grass and streams, autumn woods and blue skies
.
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That’s all our news for now, but we assure you that more
will be coming very soon!
Please be sure to visit our website for further information
on the Festival http://www.judygarlandmuseum.com
Just pull down the Festival tab!
Please like our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/judygarlandmuseum
