Thursday, April 19, 2018

Judy Garland - Letter from Home - 2018 Festival Schedule


5/10/18  PLEASE SEE THE NEWLY UPDATED FESTIVAL SCHEDULE!

Hello!

We now have what we think will be a final version of 2018 Wizard of Oz Festival with all the details. As noted below, things things sometimes change. In the future we will give more details.

In addition,  Judy Garland Museum website is still being worked on, so it will be a few more days or a week until you will be able to purchase tickets. Please don't make the mistake of buying last year's tickets!  As the web page is ready for sales, you will get a notice!  Thank you!

Enjoy!


2018 Wizard of Oz Festival
THURSDAY JUNE 14 * FRIDAY JUNE 15 * SATURDAY JUNE 16
IN GRAND RAPIDS, MINNESOTA
*
A  Time for Celebration


THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2018

Festival Opener  - A Musical History Event in the Judy Garland House


Learn more about the history of the Gumm family in Grand Rapids and hear the songs they sang by a cast of  adults and children. (Limited space. If sold out, may be repeated on Saturday).              

Date: June 14th
Time: 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Place: Judy Garland Museum
Price: $10.00


A “Rat Pack” Dinner

Come and enjoy a dinner Judy, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and friends might have enjoyed at one of their summer BBQs: broasted chicken, coleslaw, mashed potatoes & gravy or waffle fries ( please specify) & garlic bread. Drinks provided. Must purchase tickets in advance.

Date: June 14th
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Place: Judy Garland Museum
Price: $13.00


Judy Garland’s Miracle Year, Part 1 - Judy, Frank and Dean

John Fricke introduces “Judy’s Miracle Year – 1962!” She tallied Oscar and Emmy nominations; her first Gold Record; and Grammy, Golden Globe, and SBI Awards. From being told in 1959 that she’d never work again, she soared to the greatest triumphs of her career!

The thirty-minute talk will be followed by a screening of the 1962 television special, The Judy Garland Show, with guests Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin -- on the big screen. This rare black-and-white copy of the show (as taped and telecast) includes the original commercials and neatly sidesteps image distortion caused by inept 1980s colorization.

Date: June 14th
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Place: Judy Garland Museum
Price: $10.00


The Wizard of Oz presented by Young at Art

The Wizard of Oz – a children’s production – will be presented by Young at Art, a youth theater company. Great fun for families. (Additional performances on Friday and Sunday.)

Date: June 14th
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Place: Ives Theatre, The Reif Center, 720 NW Conifer Drive, Grand Rapids
Price: $10.00



FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

Oz and Judy Jeopardy!

Don't miss the annual fun as fans compete for prizes while playing a very special edition of the classic TV game show. Once again, popular hosts Joe Malinovsky and Paul Herrick provide the answers - and, in response, the contestants have to provide the correct questions about The Wizard of Oz movie and its star!  

Date: June 15th
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Place: Judy Garland Museum
Price: $5.00


“Hidden Treasures at the Museum with John Kelsch”

Come and see some of the unique items related to Judy Garland that have never been seen by the public. During the last twenty-three years, the Judy Garland Museum has received some lovely and unusual items related to Judy and her family history. Hear the stories behind them, as only museum director John Kelsch can tell them! A unique experience.

Date:  June 15th
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Place: Judy Garland Museum
Price:  $10.00


“Judy’s Miracle Year, Part 2”

Hear the backstory of the making of I Could Go on Singing (prior to tonight’s screening); see that film’s premiere footage (and two songs) from The Ed Sullivan Show. Extensive research enables the presentation of new anecdotes, facts, and fun about Judy’s extraordinary performance. Presented by John Fricke.

Date:  June 15th
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Place: Judy Garland Museum
Price:  $10.00


A Community Picnic and Live Entertainment!

Join us for some entertainment and good food! Dreams Come True Dance Studio will be entertaining with some of the acts they are taking to Disneyland. Log Home Wood-Fired Pizza will be available, and Chad’s Meat Wagon will be cooking up some real delicacies. Bring a blanket or some chairs and set up to watch the classic Wizard of Oz film on the big screen beginning at 8:30 p.m. Vouchers will be given for those wishing to purchase dinner will be . A menu choice will be available. Those attending I Could Go on Singing should line-up early!

Date:  June 15th
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Place: Judy Garland Museum Garden
Price:  Individual items or $15.00 Dinner Voucher


I Could Go On Singing

Judy’s final screen triumph, made in 1962, will be shown in Blu-Ray on a 12’ screen. Beautifully filmed in London, I Could Go on Singing is a semi-autobiographical drama-with-songs about international singing star, Jenny Bowman – professionally a legend, but personally adrift – who reaches out to the man she loved and lost (Dirk Bogarde), as well as to the young son who never knew her. Costarring Jack (The Odd Couple) Klugman and featuring fantastic scenes of Judy performing at the London Palladium.

Date:  June 15th
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Place: Judy Garland Museum
Price:  $10.00


The Wizard of Oz presented by Young at Art

The Wizard of Oz – a children’s production – will be presented by Young at Art. Great fun for families. (Additional performances on Thursday and Sunday).

Date: June 15th
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Place: Ives Theatre, The Reif Center, 720 NW Conifer Drive, Grand Rapids
Price: $10.00


Children’s Wizard of Oz Costume Contest

Dress as your favorite Oz character and join the contest just before the film screening. Prizes awarded!

Date: June 15
Time: 8:00pm – BEGINNING PROMPTLY!
Place: Evergreen Terrance Lawn, next to the Judy Garland Museum
Price: FREE!


“The Wizard of Oz,” (1939)

The classic 1939 film, starring Judy Garland, will be shown in the finest Blu-ray on a JUMBO Screen under the stars.  Screening begins at 8:30.

Date:  June 15th
Time:  Approximately 8:30p.m. (1 hour & 52 minutes)                  
Place: Evergreen Terrace Lawn, next to the Judy Garland Museum
Price:  FREE        
                                    
SPONSORED BY WOODLAND BANK and CHILDREN FIRST!


     


SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 2018


Dash for the Ruby Slippers 5K Run

Our second annual Dash for the Ruby Slippers 5K will be off and running!. First Place Winner receives a trophy, as does the "Best-Dressed Oz Costumed Runner.” Each early-bird paid-participant gets a T-shirt!




Date:  June 16th
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Place: Judy Garland Museum Parking Lot
Price:  Early Bird - $25!   After MAY 19th - $35.  Children 4-12 - $15 
Family (includes 2 T-shirts) - $70  Children under 4 – Free – If want T-shirt - $10


Land of Oz Kids’ Activities  - Carriage Rides

A memorable event for kids of all ages: Carriage Rides, Scavenger Hunt, Art Exploration and Tornado Tubes!
Meet characters from The Wizard of Oz and take pictures with them!

Date:  June 16th
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Place: Under the Tents - Outside the Judy Garland Museum
Price:  FREE
      
                         SPONSORED BY CHILDREN FIRST    


Historic Judy Garland Festival & House Film Clips

Recently, the Museum transferred old news footage and found some treasures from the last twenty-five years. Come and see: the Judy Garland Birthplace being moved to its present locations, plus interviews with Munchkins, John Kelsch, Lorna Luft and others from decades ago! A unique retrospective that fans will love!

Date:  June 16th
Time: 11:00 a.m. – Noon
Place: Judy Garland Museum
Price:  $10.00


Ask Anything about The Wizard of Oz with John Fricke

Perfect for the whole family! Historian/documentarian John Fricke discusses the most frequently asked questions about the world's best-known, best-loved film - and addresses any wonders you might have! (Also: a brief reminder of the wonderful anti-bullying themes in The Wizard of Oz.)

John Fricke is regarded as the preeminent Judy Garland and MGM Wizard of Oz historian and has written seven books on these topics. He is the recipient of Emmy Awards as co-producer of the PBS American Masters and A&E Biography Garland documentaries, and a Grammy Award nominee for his liner notes on the Capitol CD, Judy Garland: 25th Anniversary Retrospective. John has appeared as a programmer and co-host on the Turner Classic Movies network and at their Los Angeles Film Festival. In addition, he’s been interviewed on The Today Show (four times), CNN, Entertainment Tonight, The Joan Rivers Show, National Public Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio. He’s a long-time regular at the Judy Garland/Wizard of Oz Festival, and we are happy to welcome him back this year.


Date:  June 16th
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Place: Judy Garland Museum
Price: FREE!


A Musical Event in the Judy Garland Birthplace

Come and listen to your favorite Garland Songs and sing-a-long. TBA

 Date:  June 16th
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Place: Judy Garland Museum
Price:  $10.00


Judy Garland Talent Contest at the Reif - CANCELLED

Young people, ages six thru eighteen, will compete. We welcome singers, dancers, musicians, actors, magicians and comedians. Winners will receive:

              1st Prize - $1,000 – Combination of scholarship and cash.

              2nd Prize - $750 – Combination of scholarship and cash.

              3rd Prize - $500 – Combination of scholarship and cash.

              4th Prize - $250 – Combination of scholarship and cash.

Our theme is the artistry inspired by Judy Garland and/or The Wizard of Oz. Talent will be judged on the creative tie to Judy and/or Oz, as well as their overall performance. Click here for an application or visit the Judy Garland Museum.

Date: Saturday, June 16th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Ives Theatre, The Reif Performing Arts Center
Price: $10.00
                            
                 CO-SPONSORED BY THE REIF CENTER  


Sunday, June 17, 2018

The Wizard of Oz presented by Young at Art

The Wizard of Oz – a children’s production – will be presented by Young at Art, a youth theater company. Great fun for families. (Also presented on Thursday and Friday).

Date: June 17th
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Place: Ives Theatre, The Reif Center, 720 NW Conifer Drive, Grand Rapids
Price: $10.00



PLEASE NOTE:  ALL EVENTS and INFORMATION MAY BE CHANGED WITHOUT NOTICE