Hello Everyone:
The last time we wrote, we told you about the 2019 Judy Garland Festival. Since then some exciting news has come out way, and there are a few things we haven't told you yet!
"From Gershwin to Garland" on Local PBS Stations this Week!
Those who attended the Judy Garland Festival this year enjoyed the brilliant performance of pianist Richard Glazier and Ruth Ellison, loved the performances. As a result of requests to the Duluth PBS station, Richard Glazier's pre-recorded programs will be shown as follows:
PLEASE NOTE: There is a slight correction on this. The Channel is 8.2 WDSE Explore is our local PBS Station.
FROM BROADWAY to HOLLYWOOD
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10th, from 9-10 p.m
FROM GERSHWIN TO GARLAND*
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, at 10 p.m.
*Please note, this program is minus Joan Ellison, but contains some interesting footage and artifacts collected over the years.
The programs will be repeated again as follows:
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 2019
FROM GERSHWIN TO GARLAND will be shown at 9:00 p.m.,
FROM BROADWAY to HOLLYWOOD, at 11:00 pm.
If you are not in our area, you may call you local PBS station and request that they be shown. It is our understanding Richard Glazier's programs are in the PBS library! Enjoy!
Minnesota State Fair
If you plan to attend the 2019 Minnesota State Fair be sure to be on the look out for Judy Garland - that is her picture. We're not sure exactly where of what they are doing but they requested photos she will be there somewhere!
Special Garland Costume Display at the 2019 Judy Garland Festival
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| Melissa with her Meet Me in St. Louis Costume |
This year the museum had a surprise when two of our visitors decided to bring along some very special artifacts. Melissa from Oklahoma and her mom brought two costumes they had purchased from the Debbie Reynolds auction. Fans were thrilled to see these lovely and unique Judy Garland costumes.
One it was the dress Judy wore under her coat while making the snowman. Apparently another scene was planned in this dress, but was cut from the script. The wool dress had a great deal of fine lace or tatting and is truly like a piece out of the 1900s in St. Louis.
The second outfit Melissa brought was an outfit Judy was set to wear in Annie Get Your Gun. She made costume tests in the outfit, but as most of you know, due to illness was unable to complete the film and the role was taken over by Betty Hutton.
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| Judy's Suit from Annie Get Your Gun the design is made up of miniature beads sewn on by hand! Unfortunately, the display we had does not show the full length of the skirt. |
The Judy Garland Birthplace Restoration Fundraiser
As most of you know, since May we have been raising funds to repair and restore the Judy Garland Birthplace, which has suffered the effects of aging, weather, and the many tourists who visit every year. As of this date, the Museum has raised approximately $1,800 in funds through GoFundMe and direct donations in the museum. In addition, we are awaiting the amount of money which will be donated from Festival tickets.
The leak in the roof over the kitchen will be repaired shortly. We are also going to be repairing a portion of the foundation. An estimate of $150 per windows was given to us, plus labor costs. At present, it appears there are further issues with the siding of the home. We are looking into perhaps receiving a partial donation of labor as it's estimated this part of the repair could cost of more than the estimated $100,000.
or by mail with credit card or check: Judy Garland Museum, P.O. Box 724, Grand Rapids, MN 55744
You may also visit our website and donate via Paypal - though there is a fee: www.judygarlandmuseum.com
PLEASE specify "Judy Garland House Fund"
Thank you very much for your help.
*** Just in case this is the best way, here is our GoFundMe, which we will update shortly. https://www.gofundme.com/f/zqfgx-a-cause-i-care-about-needs-help?fbclid=IwAR2riGNsbm_nJL27fUT5N7ZnnbwJypPND3xFOhX71DLRIeRXuzlJqNdWm3A
Staff Member, Nancy O'Toole, Completes Pokegama Swim
Nine years ago, teacher Nancy O'Toole set out to see if she could compete a very big goal - to swim the entire circumference of Lake Pokegama. Nancy is part of our Children's Discovery Staff. Having retired from teaching, she took over education for our visiting school groups and helps to plan various children's exhibits. She also loves to swim!
For those not from Minnesota, Lake Pokegama completely freezes in the winter and is often pelted with winds and rain in the summer. As she stated to the Grand Rapids Herald Review, there are very few days per year you can swim. So each year she set off with her husband in a boat and swam a few days. Then they would photograph the spot she left off and return to that spot the following year.
Lake Pokegama with its ins and outs is about 27 miles around. This August, Nancy complete her goal. For her final lap, she swam from the bridge to Zobas and was greeted by a big crowd of well-wishes with flowers, posters and horns. Awarded with a hand-made Mermaid Award and chocolate turtles, Nancy gave an interview to the press. Next on her list - she and her husband, think they might try paddle boarding around the lake!
Goings on About Town
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| Front of the new Rapids Brewing Co. The New Grand would be to the right of it. |
As we mentioned before the Judy Garland Festival in June, the new brew pub situated in the Old Rialto Theatre was about to open. It did open this last week for the weekend of Tall Timber Days. It should be open again this weekend and then full-time.
The Rialto was the theatre which opened in 1931, the day after Judy's father's theatre, The New Grand - right next door - closed. The Rialto was the theatre where Judy appeared onstage during her 1938 visit to
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| The back of the new pub. To the left, you can see the back of the former New Grand Theatre. People have often confused the two buildings. In fact, Judy herself did, saying that when she came to Grand Rapids in 1938, she was on the stage of her father's theatre. |
Unfortunately not much of the interior remains. A mural of Marilyn Monroe was installed in the 1950s and according to what we have heard, is now in the brewing area. The stage - originally thought to be preserved for live performances, is not there. Between the brewing area and the pizza ovens a lot of rearranging took place.
Persons have asked if the theatre exterior would be restored, but as you will see it has been changed entirely. While it's fresh and new, it doesn't really go with the surrounding historic buildings.
As an added note, we understand that construction on the new hotel on the site of the old Sawmill will begin soon. The planned restaurant has pulled out, so that will be built later when decisions will be made as to what it will be.
Upcoming Judy Garland Events
With autumn just around the corner we'd like to mention the following events related to Judy:
September 26 - October 27, 2019 - "CHASING RAINBOWS" starring Ruby Rakos as Judy. PLAYHOUSE in Millburn, New Jersey.
PAPERMILL
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| Michelle Russell for the Judy Garland Museum meeting Ruby Rakos |
A group of fans attended the Old Log Theatre concert reading this month and were totally amazed by the script, music, presentation of Judy's young life and the talented Ruby Rakos. If you want to see a show that presents young Judy with depth and truly honors her talent and rise to stardom, this is it!
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In addition, while we don't have details, we understand there is a tribute to Judy in the works for New York City with John Fricke hosting. We don't have the details yet, but will add them here as soon as we learn more.
This is certainly the year of Judy and though we have not seen these and cannot recommend some of the following - this is more of what's coming out:
September - Judy, a new film starring Rene Zwellwiger.
October - Showtime - Sid and Judy - a documentary - through the memories of Sid Luft.
Museum Gift Shop
When looking for special items, please don't forget the Judy Garland Museum Gift Shop. In the last year we have have purchased special Judy related souvenirs, have received donations and cleared extras from our collection. If you are looking for something special, we may have it.
Collectible plates
Records
Sheet Music
Magazines - including Life, Look, Fan magazines
Books
Christmas Tree ornaments
and more....
Some things are shown on our site, but not all, so call the museum if you are in search of something. http://www.judygarlandmuseum.com/gift-shop/memorabilia-books-toys
http://www.judygarlandmuseum.com/gift-shop/collectible-plates
(218) 327-9276*
*Right now, we are open 7 days a week. Starting October 1st we will only be open Fridays and Saturdays.
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More information keeps coming in, but we want to get this out, so we can only say, enjoy the rest of your summer and we will update as the news comes in!
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| Judy in July |
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