Newline and the New Zealand post are having a stamp launch for the new LotR:Two Towers stamps at 5pm on 2 dec 2002 at Parliament buildings in Wellington. They have graciously invited 20 LotR fans to come to the launch, in costume if they’d like. If you are interested in being on of those 20, please RSVP as soon as possible to stamplaunch@frodosgirl.net to reserve a spot (you will be able to get into the launch only if your name is on the list). [Launches are an attractive source of nice wine and nibbly cheesy things and yummy bits of salmon, in my experience, so if that sounds like fun and you also like the idea of meeting some other LOTR fans, by all means sign up for this! – Tehanu]

Direct from the Hollywood Bowl Wellington enters the ancient world of sorcerers and wizards through the power of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra on Thursday 5 December at the Michael Fowler Centre. Acclaimed Hollywood Bowl conductor John Mauceri leads the NZSO in a concert that will include music from the recent hit film Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and the Southern Hemisphere premiere of Academy Award®-winning composer Howard Shore’s new orchestral suite adapted from his score to The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. [More]