OzWiki:Current events: Difference between revisions

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===Vandergrift ArtFest, Vandergrift, Pennsylvania===
===Vandergrift ArtFest, Vandergrift, Pennsylvania===
'''July 30, 2023: Vandergrift ArtFest, Vandergrift, Pennsylvania.''' This small town near Pittsburgh hosts an annual arts festival which takes up much of downtown. This year's theme is "Beyond the Yellow Brick Road", and much of the art and events will be Oz themed. For more information, or to sign up as an artist, see the festival's website at https://www.vandergriftartfest.com/.
'''July 30, 2023: Vandergrift ArtFest, Vandergrift, Pennsylvania.''' This small town near Pittsburgh hosts an annual arts festival which takes up much of downtown. This year's theme is "Beyond the Yellow Brick Road", and much of the art and events will be Oz themed. For more information, or to sign up as an artist, see the festival's website at https://www.vandergriftartfest.com/.
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==September 2023==
===Autumn at Oz Party, Banner Elk, North Carolina===
'''September (exact dates to be announced), 2023: Autumn at Oz Party, Beech Mountain, Banner Elk, North Carolina.''' The Wizard of Oz Park on the mountain may no longer be in regular operation, but it's still there, and Oz and park fans get together once a year for a party. For more information, including when tickets go on sale, check out https://www.landofoznc.com/autumnatoz.
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===Michigan Wizard of Oz Festival, Ionia, Michigan===
'''September (exact dates to be announced), 2023: Michigan Wizard of Oz Festival, Ionia, Michigan.''' This Michigan town holds an annual ''Wizard of Oz'' festival. For details and schedule, see the festival's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MichiganWizardofozfest/.
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===''The Wiz'' play, national tour===
'''''The Wiz'' play, national tour.''' This is a new staging of the Tony-winning musical adaptation of ''The Wizard of Oz'', gearing up for a Broadway engagement. The following tour dates have been announced:
* September 26-October 1, 2023: Hippodrome Theatre, Baltimore, Maryland
* October 31-November 5, 2023: Benedum Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
* November 14-19, 2023: Fox Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia
* November 28-December 10, 2023: Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chicago, Illinois
* December 12-17, 2023: Des Moines Performing Arts Center, Des Moines, Iowa
* January 2-7, 2024: ASU Gammage, Tempe, Arizona
* January 9-14, 2024: Civic Theatre, San Diego, California
* February 13-March 3, 2024: Hollywood Pantages Theatre, Los Angeles, California
For more information, see the show's website at https://wizmusical.com/.


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<div style="text-align:center;">[http://thewizardofoz.info/index.html "There's no place like the home page."]</div>
<div style="text-align:center;">[http://thewizardofoz.info/index.html "There's no place like the home page."]</div>

Revision as of 20:20, 26 March 2023

Other Oz events can also be found on the Wizard of Oz Calendar of Events page on Facebook.

Please note that, since I live in the United States and most Oz events take place in the United States, I will identify most event locations by city and state only. Any events taking place in other countries will include the name of the country as well.

Going on now

Wicked play, around the world

Now playing: Wicked. This is the award-winning musical based on Gregory Maguire's novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. The book is by Winnie Holzman, the music by Stephen Schwartz, and the show is directed by Joe Mantello. It has done so well, it has spawned the following productions:

  • A new Japanese production is expected to debut in October 2023, produced by the Shiki Theatre Company. Keep an eye out for more information at https://www.shiki.jp/ (site is in Japanese, but click on "Language" for other options, including English).
  • The latest UK/Ireland tour is also gearing up, with details at https://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/tour/. Current stops scheduled:
    • December 7, 2023-January 14, 2024: Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland
    • January 23-February 25, 2024: Bristol Hippodrome, Bristol, England
    • March 5-April 7, 2024: Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham, England
    • April 16-May 19, 2024: Bradford Alhambra, Bradford, England
    • May 23-June 16, 2024: Southampton Mayflower, Southampton, England
    • June 20-July 14, 2024: Liverpool Empire, Liverpool, England
    • July 23-September 15, 2024: Dublin Bold Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin, Ireland
    • September 24-October 20, 2024: Sunderland Empire, Sunderland, England
    • October 24-November 23, 2024: Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, Wales
    • December 3, 2024-January 12, 2025: Manchester Palace Theatre, Manchester, England

Judy and Liza bio-musical, British tour

Judy and Liza: The Amazing Bio-Musical British tour. Judy Garland and her daughter, Liza Minnelli, are both show biz icons. This show tells their stories through the songs they made famous, including "Over the Rainbow", against the background of their appearance at the Palladium Theatre in London in 1964. The following tour stops have been announced:

  • April 1, 2023: Queens Theatre, Barnstaple
  • April 5, 2023: Waterside Theatre, Sale
  • April 7, 2023: The Coro, Ulverston
  • April 8, 2023: Kings Hall, Ilkley
  • April 12, 2023: The Town Hall, Cheltenham
  • April 14, 2023: Torch Theatre, Milton Haven
  • April 15, 2023: Millennium Centre, Cardiff

For more information, or to purchase tickets, see the show's website at https://www.judyandliza.co.uk/.


Ozmafia anime series, on the Internet

Now playing: Ozmafia anime series, crunchyroll.com. In this Japanese anime series (based on the video game of the same name), Scarlet is a new transfer student at Oz Academy. He doesn't get off to a good start, but the teachers seem nice enough. But what strange secrets are hiding at Oz Academy, and why are they at war with the other academies? Episodes (in Japanese, with English subtitles) are available to view online at http://www.crunchyroll.com/ozmafia for free.


The Wizard of Oz and The Wiz, throughout the United Kingdom

Now playing: The Wizard of Oz, throughout the United Kingdom. Oz is a popular show to perform in the United Kingdom, and there always seems to be a show going on somewhere. For a complete listing of all upcoming productions of The Wizard of Oz in the United Kingdom, see the listings at The List, naturally. They also have listings for performances of The Wiz.


Emerald City television series, NBC.com

Emerald City television series, NBC.com The latest Oz TV project has gone through its broadcast run on NBC. But the show's website is still up at http://www.nbc.com/emerald-city. You can still watch episodes online at http://www.nbc.com/emerald-city/episodes, and the show is also streaming on Peacock.


Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, Internet Streaming and Cablecast

Now playing: Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz cartoon series, Internet Streaming, Boomerang. Boomerang brings you the latest Oz cartoon series, based (very loosely) on the famous 1939 film version. Dorothy is now a princess of Oz and living in the Emerald City with Queen Ozma. But she's still having adventures! The first episode is free on the Boomerang website, but getting the rest means subscribing to Boomerang's streaming service. For more information, see the show's website at https://watch.boomerang.com/shows/dorothy-franchise/series/dorothy-series/volume-1. Or, if you have the Boomerang or Cartoon Network cable channels, episodes are now being shown there as well. Other territories around the world, outside the United States, also have the show, so check your local version of the Cartoon Network or Boomerang channels or websites.


Lost in Oz series, Internet streaming

Now playing: Lost in Oz, Amazon Video streaming. This animated series from Amazon tells the story of Dorothy, a modern-day girl, and her dog Toto, who are whisked to Oz when Dorothy opens one of her mother's old journals. To get home, she must find the elements of magic and help restore magic to Oz. Fortunately she has made friends with Ojo the Munchkin and West, a trainee witch, to help her out. To get started, see Amazon's Lost in Oz website at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z89MYTI! And in November of 2022, this short was dropped with news of what's to come.


Chronicles of Oz podcast, the Internet

Now streaming: The Chronicles of Oz podcast, seasons 1, 2, and 3. This audio adaptation of the first three Oz books, each in six episodes, presents The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Marvellous Land of Oz, and Ozma of Oz. Produced by Crossover Adventure Productions out of Australia. All episodes, along with trailers and other materials, can be downloaded at http://chroniclesofoz.com/. And now available…


The Royal Podcast of Oz, the Internet

Now streaming: The Royal Podcast of Oz, podbean.com and other podcasting sites. Now running for over a decade, this podcast is devoted to all things Oz, with interviews, reviews, news, and other items of interest to Oz fans of all types. You can listen to or download all editions at https://anchor.fm/the-royal-podcast-of-oz/, or look for it on your favorite podcast site.


Wait Wait…Don't Tell Me, National Public Radio

Now streaming: Wait Wait…Don't Tell Me edition of May 11, 2019, npr.org. The popular current events quiz show recorded this episode in St. Louis, and got one of the city's most celebrated residents to play "Not My Job". Former Cardinals shortstop and Hall of Fame inductee Ozzie Smith was nicknamed "The Wizard of Oz" in his playing days, so naturally, he gets to answer questions about The Wizard of Oz! You can listen to the entire episode here, or just Smith's segment here.


Hit the Bricks! podcast, the Internet

Now playing: Hit the Bricks! podcast, the Internet. One hundred years after the events of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Gale farm is abandoned, and a new generation is off to have adventures in Oz. The first act has now dropped, with further episodes to come. For more information, see the show's website at https://hitthebricks.com/, and its Twitter feed at https://twitter.com/HitTheBricksPod/.


The Smallwood Sessions podcast, "The Podcast of Oz", the Internet

Now playing: "The Podcast of Oz" episode of The Smallwood Sessions podcast. To celebrate what would have been the 2020 edition of Chittenango's Oz-Stravaganza, this podcast about upstate New York celebrates Oz and creator L. Frank Baum's connections to the area. To listen, go to https://anchor.fm/josh-taylor87/episodes/Episode-22-The-Podcast-of-Oz-ef05f4.


Down the Yellow Brick Pod podcast, the Internet

Now playing: Down the Yellow Brick Pod podcast. This podcast takes a deep dive into the Oz books, one chapter at a time, and looks at all that they encompass. Available on many podcast sources, including Google Podcasts, and through this link.


The Wonderful Recap of Oz podcast, the Internet

Now playing: The Wonderful Recap of Oz podcast. This podcast recaps the Oz books, one per episode. Available Available on many podcast sources, including Google Podcasts, and through this link.


No Place Like Home podcast, the Internet

Now playing: No Place Like Home podcast. This podcast looks at the Ruby Slippers, how they were stolen in 2005 and found again in 2018, and all the background behind them, the production of The Movie, the life of Judy Garland, and more. Available on most podcasting sites. For more information, the show's website is at https://shows.cadence13.com/podcast/noplacelikehome.


The Lost Princess of Oz podcast, the Internet

Now playing: The Lost Princess of Oz podcast. A new, original Oz story for kids (of all ages), told in six parts, with songs, and presented by the Delaware Children's Theatre. Although based on Baum's writings, this is not the same story as his novel The Lost Princess of Oz. For more information, or to subscribe, see the show's website at https://www.thelostprincessofozpodcast.com/.


The Wizard of Oz: A Homegrown American Fairy Tale radio broadcast, BBC World Service

Now playing: The Wizard of Oz: A Homegrown American Fairy Tale radio documentary, BBC World Service and online streaming. This program looks at the origins and mythology of The Wizard of Oz and how it came about. It is currently available to listen or download online, anywhere in the world. Check the program's website at https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct1rl9 to listen to it online, or to download it.


To Oz? To Oz! online convention, the Internet

To Oz? To Oz! online convention. With so many Oz events having to be cancelled this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a bunch of them got together to present some of their events to a worldwide, online audience for free. The live portions of the convention have now ended, but if you go to https://ozis.us/, you can see many prerecorded talks and events.


The OzConnection, YouTube

The OzConnection, YouTube. OzCon International, the world's longest running Wizard of Oz convention, now has a YouTube channel at "The OzConnection", which features highlights of earlier cons and new material. The link is at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQU5pEFZZ6n_vXvRalgclSg.

The OzConnection has recently started two shows specifically for their channel. The first is a talk show called "OZ:Connect", which you can find in a playlist at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-NAe0FKDXk&list=PLVNfENfXbx111GmnLLJFklUVGxPl1zUC-. The other new show is "Crypto-Oz-ology", short stories about all kinds of unusual happenings in Oz, which is in a playlist at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCoSH97u4ts&list=PLVNfENfXbx11g0DhXikoqyP0dslwHeC1h.


Oz Talk, YouTube

Oz Talk panel talk show, YouTube. Join five Oz friends as they discuss any and all Oz subjects under the sun. New episodes will drop every two weeks on the Official Oz Club's YouTube Channel. You can find the playlist for Oz Talk at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNINbbefPS4&list=PL3OVMLWgINCRfgeWZR8GPJOp11rR73Ssc.


Fifty Years of Oziana Readings, Youtube

Fifty Years of Oziana short story readings, YouTube. To celebrate fifty years of Oziana, the International Wizard of Oz Club's annual literary magazine, Club members read stories from the last five decades. Many authors have even revisited their own stories. You can see the playlist of all stories right here.


American Experience: American Oz documentary, pbs.org

American Experience: American Oz documentary, pbs.org. The recent PBS documentary, American Oz, about the life of L. Frank Baum and the creation of Oz (part of the American Experience series) is now available for viewing online, and streaming on the PBS app. To watch, go to https://www.pbs.org/video/american-oz-cvqd3p/. If you're not sure yet, here's the trailer:


Wicked in Concert, pbs.org

Wicked in Concert, pbs.org This special highlights the music of the Broadway musical Wicked. Hosts Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth introduce performances by artists including Amber Riley, Rita Moreno, Gabrielle Ruiz, Ariana DeBose, Cynthia Erivo, Isaac Powell, Alex Newell, Jennifer Nettles, and the American Pops Orchestra. To watch online, see https://www.pbs.org/show/wicked-concert/, or the PBS app.


Rainbow movie, Netflix

Now playing: Rainbow, on Netflix worldwide. The first streaming service premieres this new movie, from director Paco León, that uses themes and imagery from The Wizard of Oz to explore the coming of age of Dora, a young Spanish woman who finds that everything she thought she knew about her life may be wrong. Available in an English dub, or with English subtitles.


April 2023

Garmin Marathon in the Land of Oz, Olathe, Kansas

April 22, 2023: Garmin Marathon in the Land of Oz, Olathe, Kansas. If you're going to have a 26.2-mile run in Kansas, you may as well give it an Oz theme! For more information and to register, see the race's website at http://ozrun.org/.


The Giz: The Go-Go Musical, Washington, DC

April 28-30, 2023: The Giz: The Go-Go Musical, Lincoln Theatre, Washington, DC. DC Black Broadway presents this reimagining of The Wizard of Oz for the twenty-first century. For more information, see the theatre's website at https://www.thelincolndc.com/.


May 2023

Chesterton Wizard of Oz Days Gala, Chesterton, Indiana

May (exact dates to be announced), 2023: Chesterton Wizard of Oz Days Gala, Chesterton, Indiana. One of the most celebrated Wizard of Oz festivals is back! For more information, see the event's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WizardofOzDays/.


Yellow Brick Road Festival, Sedan, Kansas

May 26-27, 2023: Yellow Brick Road Festival, Sedan, Kansas. This town in Kansas celebrates The Wizard of Oz every year. For details, see http://www.lasr.net/travel/city.php?Sedan&Kansas&Yellow+Brick+Road+Festival&City_ID=KS0604019&Event_ID=KS0604019e002&VE=Y or call 620-725-4033.


The Oz Run, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

May 27, 2023 (estimated date): The Oz Run, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. This annual 5K and half-marathon run raises money for local charities while the participants dress in Oz costumes as they make their ways to the Emerald City at the end. For more information, or to sign up, go to https://www.raceentry.com/oz-run/race-information. And if you want to find out a little more, including video of the 2016 run, see http://www.weau.com/content/misc/Oz-Run---Dec-19th-407438355.html.


June 2023

The Wizard of Oz play, San Fransisco, California

June 1-25, 2023: The Wizard of Oz play, Toni Rembe Theater, San Francisco, California. American Contemporary Theater presents their version of the Royal Shakespeare Company's satge adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. For more information, or to purchase tickets, see the show's website at https://www.act-sf.org/whats-on/202223-season/wizard-of-oz/.


Oz-Stravaganza, Chittenango, New York

June 2-4, 2023: Oz-Stravaganza, Chittenango, New York. This village in upstate New York honors its native son, L. Frank Baum, with an annual festival honoring his creation, the Land of Oz. For more information, see the event's website at http://www.oz-stravaganza.com/.


Judy Garland Festival, Grand Rapids, Minnesota

June 8-11, 2023: Judy Garland Festival, Judy Garland Museum and environs, Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Judy Garland's home town celebrates her in this annual festival, with events all over town spread out over several days. For more information, keep an eye on the event's website at https://www.judygarlandmuseum.com/.


The Wizard of Oz stage show, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

June 24-July 15, 2023: The Wizard of Oz stage show, Fulton Theatre, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The stage version of the famous movie version becomes a Saturday matinée summer event in southeastern Pennsylvania. For more information, including buying tickets, see the show's website at https://thefulton.org/shows/the-wizard-of-oz/.


July 2023

OzCon International, Pomona, California

July 28-30, 2023: OzCon International, Kellogg West Conference Center and Hotel, California State Polytechnic University Pomona, Pomona, California. The world's longest continuously running Wizard of Oz convention is back for its first live, weekend-long edition in four years. The theme will be animation and Oz. For updates and further details, check out http://www.ozconinternational.com/. Registration is now open at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/5659038. If you want to see any of the videos presented at the 2020 and 2021 online versions of the convention, you can now watch many of them through the OzConnection YouTube channel, at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQU5pEFZZ6n_vXvRalgclSg/featured.


Vandergrift ArtFest, Vandergrift, Pennsylvania

July 30, 2023: Vandergrift ArtFest, Vandergrift, Pennsylvania. This small town near Pittsburgh hosts an annual arts festival which takes up much of downtown. This year's theme is "Beyond the Yellow Brick Road", and much of the art and events will be Oz themed. For more information, or to sign up as an artist, see the festival's website at https://www.vandergriftartfest.com/.


September 2023

Autumn at Oz Party, Banner Elk, North Carolina

September (exact dates to be announced), 2023: Autumn at Oz Party, Beech Mountain, Banner Elk, North Carolina. The Wizard of Oz Park on the mountain may no longer be in regular operation, but it's still there, and Oz and park fans get together once a year for a party. For more information, including when tickets go on sale, check out https://www.landofoznc.com/autumnatoz.


Michigan Wizard of Oz Festival, Ionia, Michigan

September (exact dates to be announced), 2023: Michigan Wizard of Oz Festival, Ionia, Michigan. This Michigan town holds an annual Wizard of Oz festival. For details and schedule, see the festival's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MichiganWizardofozfest/.


The Wiz play, national tour

The Wiz play, national tour. This is a new staging of the Tony-winning musical adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, gearing up for a Broadway engagement. The following tour dates have been announced:

  • September 26-October 1, 2023: Hippodrome Theatre, Baltimore, Maryland
  • October 31-November 5, 2023: Benedum Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • November 14-19, 2023: Fox Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia
  • November 28-December 10, 2023: Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chicago, Illinois
  • December 12-17, 2023: Des Moines Performing Arts Center, Des Moines, Iowa
  • January 2-7, 2024: ASU Gammage, Tempe, Arizona
  • January 9-14, 2024: Civic Theatre, San Diego, California
  • February 13-March 3, 2024: Hollywood Pantages Theatre, Los Angeles, California

For more information, see the show's website at https://wizmusical.com/.