Wizard of Oz Festival, June 11-13 2015
Wednesday, June 10th, 2015
The Judy Garland Museum and Children’s Discovery Center celebrates Judy Garland’s 93rd birthday with Free Admission all day. Free cupcakes! 1pm - 3pm.
The original "Horse of a Different Color" carriage ferrying Dorothy and her friends into the Emerald City will be on exhibit - and open to purchase offers. The 1863 carriage was originally made for President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. If sold, the proceeds will benefit plans to expand and endow both the Judy Garland Museum and the Children's Discovery Museum for future generations. For more information about the carriage sale, private showing, or to make an offer, contact Jon Miner at 763.412.0771 or emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Thursday, June 11th, 2015
Scuba Dive in search of Ruby Slippers
Scuba divers from the Itasca County Sheriff's Department dive team who work for the Judy Garland Museum, will take the plunge into the Tioga Mine Pit to explore a decade-old rumor that an authentic pair of Ruby Slippers were discarded there after the brazen heist from the museum in 2005.
Tricon Films and Television will shoot live footage of the dives for an upcoming film documentary, "The Slippers."
TIME:
10am and 1pm, on both 06/11/2015 and 06/12/2015
PLACE:
Tioga Mine Pit
PRICE:
Free
Joan Beck Coulson
Josh GallagherFestival Opener - Two Special Events!
Pianist Josh Gallagher, a native of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, will celebrate Garland’s legacy with his own jazzy renditions of some of his favorite Judy Garland songs. Expect to hear a varied selection including "Swanee", "Get Happy", "Friendly Star", "Over the Rainbow" and more!
Author Joan Beck Coulson will present her story with “Memories of the Judy I Knew." Joan, a native of England, was present for many of Judy Garland’s legendary concerts and television shows, as well as recording sessions and on the set of her last film. During these years, she met Judy and spoke to her on several occasions. In her talk, Joan Beck Coulson will use her education in anthropology and social sciences, as well as her personal experiences with Judy, to give us a unique perspective of this legendary star. A slide show will be included. Joan will be available to sign copies of her new book, “Always for Judy" after her presentation on Thursday, and again on Friday.
Josh Gallagher – A Jazz Tribute to Judy Garland
TIME:
7:00pm
Joan Beck Coulson – "Memories of the Judy I Knew"
TIME:
8:00pm
LOCATION:
Judy Garland Museum
PRICE:
$15.00
Friday, June 12th, 2015
Scuba Dive in search for Ruby Slippers
Scuba divers from the Itasca County Sheriff's Department dive team who work for the Judy Garland Museum, will take the plunge into the Tioga Mine Pit to explore a decade-old rumor that an authentic pair of Ruby Slippers were discarded there after the brazen heist from the Museum in 2005.
Tricon Films and Television will shoot live footage of the dives for an upcoming film documentary, "The Slippers."
TIME:10am and 1pm, on both 06/11/2015 and 06/12/2015
PLACE:
Tioga Mine Pit
PRICE:
Free
WIZARD OF OZ JEOPARDY GAME - Prizes! Gift Shop Certificates!
Join in the fun and test your “Wizard of Oz” knowledge or just enjoy watching the competition. Concept and format designed and produced by Judy Garland members and supporters, Paul Herrick and Joe Malinovsky.
TIME:
10:00am
LOCATION:
Judy Garland Museum
PRICE:
$5.00 (Contestants are FREE!)
GIFT SHOP BOOK SIGNINGS
Joan Beck Coulson – "Always for Judy"
11:00am - 12:00pm
Amanda Michelle Moon – "Stealing the Ruby Slippers"
12:00pm – 1:00pm
“FUN FACTS ABOUT OZ” – FREE EVENT!
Oz historian John Fricke will talk about The Wizard of Oz and reveal some facts you might not know. This is a "kid friendly" talk that will include one of Oz’s important messages, how very different people can get along, an important anti-bullying message for our time.
TIME:
1:30pm - 2:00pm
PLACE:
Judy Garland Museum
PRICE:
Free
DOROTHY’S FARM and ZOO ANIMALS – FREE EVENT!
A walk-thru event for kids. Lots of animals! Lots of fun! Snacks available.
TIME:
2:00pm – 4:00pm
PLACE:
Judy Garland Memorial Garden
PRICE:
Free
JUDY IN CONCERT
Garland historian, John Fricke, shares rare, silent home movies and previously unheard audio of Judy’s concert years – from 1951 to 1969. Much of the silent film that exists of Judy during her stage appearances only has been seen as brief excerpts in documentaries. Here is an unprecedented chance to see unedited footage from Judy’s shows at the Palace (1951 and 1967); on her Carnegie Hall tour (1961); during her 1967 engagements in Las Vegas, Chicago, Melbourne, and elsewhere. During the same presentation, you’ll also hear private concert, TV, and radio recordings, never before publicly shared. It’s an unparalled opportunity for fans of “Miss Show Business” to see her in splendid action – and for those who only know “Dorothy” of "The Wizard of Oz" to see and hear how she grew up to be “the world’s greatest entertainer.”
TIME:
3:30pm – 5:00pm
PLACE:
Judy Garland Museum
PRICE:
$15.00
BBQ Picnic catered by the SAWMILL INN
Come and enjoy a delicious outdoor BBQ meal catered by the Sawmill Inn in the Judy Garland Memorial Garden. Music by Jeff Borg Entertainment.
TIME:
5:30pm – 7:30pm
PLACE:
Judy Garland Memorial Garden
PRICE:
$12.00
WIZARD OF OZ CHARACTER COSTUME CONTEST
Join in the fun! Dress as your favorite character from “The Wizard of Oz.” Come alone or as a group and be interviewed by Jeff Borg Entertainment on the big screen. Prizes will be awarded for First, Second, and Third Place.
TIME: 7:30pm – 9:00pm
PLACE:
Evergreen Terrace Lawn
PRICE:
Free
Watch the classic 1939 film "THE WIZARD OF OZ" on a JUMBO SCREEN–under the stars.
See the wonderful WIZARD OF OZ on a JUMBO SCREEN. Popcorn and drinks will be available.
TIME:
9:00pm – 10:30pm
PLACE:
Evergreen Terrace Lawn
PRICE:
Free
SATURDAY, JUNE 13th, 2015
A special OZZY DUO presentation!
Act One: THE OZ THAT ALMOST “WOZ”!
Oz historian and author John Fricke presents a fascinating look at the actors and actresses who almost made it “over the rainbow” back in 1938. See vintage film footage of the performers whose work led them to be among the first to be considered for the roles of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, the Cowardly Lion, the Wizard, Glinda, and the Wicked Witch of the West in MGM’s "The Wizard of Oz"! Its an outstanding combination of entertainment and entertainment history as well as the opportunity to imagine how OZ might have fared with other performers.
TIME:
10:00am – 11:00am
PLACE:
Sawmill Inn
PRICE:
$15.00 for Act One or $25 for Both Acts One and Two
Act Two: AWAY FROM THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD!
John Fricke continues the legendary back-story of "The Wizard of Oz" with film clips of the stars and MGM’s motion picture in some of their other, classic movie appearances. It’s all about song, dance, and comedy – with Garland, Bolger, Haley, Lahr, Morgan, Burke, and Hamilton in different roles, guises, and costume, but with the same God-given talents and “Oz” magic!
TIME:
11:30am – 12:30pm
PLACE:
Sawmill Inn
PRICE:
$15.00 for Act Two Only
THE EMERALD CITY FESTIVAL
Don’t miss the "Horse of a Different Color" carriage rides and take pictures with the characters from "The Wizard of Oz". There will also be: Face Painting, Hair Styling, Manicures, Hair Braiding, Glitter Tattoos, Glinda’s Bubbles, games and more. Most events cost $1.00 each.
TIME:
11:00am – 2:00pm
PLACE:
Old Central School House (Downtown Grand Rapids MN)
PRICE:
$1.00 per event
JUDY AND CHUCK WALTERS!
Join author Brent Phillips, NYU film archivist/preservationist and Turner Classic Movies special guest programmer, for a gloriously entertaining and in-depth review of Judy Garland’s film, theater and concert work with the Academy Award-nominated director and choreographer Charles “Chuck” Walters. Phillips, who wrote the new book and first-ever biography of "Charles Walters: The Director Who Made Hollywood Dance" (University Press of Kentucky), will celebrate Walters’ dance numbers with Judy in "Presenting Lily Mars," and "Girl Crazy," along with other films they worked on together, including "Meet Me In St. Louis," "Ziegfield Follies," "Easter Parade," and "Summer Stock".
In addition to film clips, Phillips’ presentation will be highlighted by private newsreel silent footage of two stage acts he directed for Judy in 1951 and 1958. The program will be moderated by John Fricke. This is going to be a unique and fascinating presentation for all Judy and movie musical fans!
TIME:
2:00pm – 3:30pm
PLACE:
Sawmill Inn
PRICE:
$15.00
Brent Phillips will be available to sign his new book, Chuck Walters, after his talk.
TIME:
4:00pm – 5:00pm
PLACE:
Judy Garland Museum Store
THE JUDY GARLAND MUSEUM SINGING CONTEST
This year, the Reif Center is closed, so our talent contest will focus on singing. Get your application(s) and contest guidelines form the Judy Garland Museum® and start getting ready. There will be First, Second and Third Place Scholarship prizes and cash! There is NO CHARGE to apply.
TIME:
5:00pm – 6:30pm
PLACE:
Judy Garland Museum
PRICE:
$2.00 for audience members. (Contestants are FREE!)
SPECIAL EVENT!!!
HAMILTON MESERVE, SON OF THE LEGENDARY MARGARET HAMILTON, OZ’S WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST SPEAKS ABOUT – “OZ, THE WITCH AND MOM.”
Don’t miss the chance to meet the Wicked Witch of the West, Margaret Hamilton’s son, Hamilton Meserve, and hear his talk “Oz, The Witch and Mom". Margaret Hamilton was the first celebrity amd member of the famous "Wizard of Oz" cast to attend a Grand Rapids' Judy Garland Festival. Thirty-six years later her son, Hamilton Meserve, will tell us what he remembers about the making of this classic film as well as the years after, during which the film became part of our culture. The talk includes a slide presentation, as well as a Q&A session moderated by John Fricke.
This is a rare opportunity to hear from and meet one of the genuine members of "The Second Generation of Oz". Help us welcome Hamilton Meserve and enjoy the Wine and Cheese Reception with light hors d'oeuvres before the talk.
TIME:
7:00pm – 8:00pm, Reception
8:00pm - 9:30pm, Hamilton Meserve Presentation
PLACE:
Judy Garland Museum
PRICE:
$20.00
Sunday, June 14th, 2015
FAREWELL BREAKFAST
Join your friends, family, and new friends for a farewell breakfast.
TIME:
9:30am
PLACE:
Sawmill Inn
PRICE:
Pay for your own meal. Spaces reserved.
10:00 am - 11:00 am and 11:30 am to 12:30 am