Susan Lendroth from The Planetary Society writes: John Rhys-Davies, Gimli the dwarf, will make a one-time only appearance on stage in Pasadena, California on September 22 as the famous astronomer Galileo Galilei in “An Evening with Galileo and His Daughter.”
A benefit for the non-profit organization, The Planetary Society, the reading is based on Dava Sobel’s best-selling book, “Galileo’s Daughter,” and pays tribute to the Galileo spacecraft that will crash into the planet Jupiter on September 21, ending a 14-year mission to that planet and its moons.
Who: John Rhys-Davies – Galileo, Linda Purl – Galileo’s Daughter, Dava Sobel – Narrator
What: An Evening with Galileo and His Daughter
When: September 22, 2003
Where: Pasadena Playhouse. 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, California
Time: 7:30 PM
Tickets: $60-75
Information: 626.793.5100 or planetary.org
Event Description:
On September 21, 2003 the Galileo spacecraft will plunge into Jupiter on a targeted trajectory of self-destruction, ending a 14-year mission that has been a remarkable voyage of discovery. The following day, The Planetary Society will pay tribute to the mission, the team that made it possible, and the astronomer for which it is named, with a special theatrical event.
“An Evening with Galileo and His Daughter” explores the dynamic relationships between science and religion, reason and faith, and father and child. Dava Sobel bases her story of Galileo’s scientific discoveries and subsequent battle with the Inquisition on letters written to him by his daughter, Suor Maria Celeste, a cloistered nun since the age of 13.
John Rhys-Davies will portray the brilliant astronomer, telling about his momentous discoveries in Galileo’s own words.
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Were you wondering if TORn was going to have their 2nd annual Baggings Birthday picnic, and were you beginning to despair? Well, we haven’t been hasty in announcing it, but the answer is “yes”! The picnic will take place from noon to 6pm on Sunday September 21st at the Hollywood Camrose park (where Bowlmoot was hosted last year as some of you may remember), one block south of the Hollywood Bowl.
As always, costuming is highly encouraged, and there will be contests and games and great prizes. Sadly, this event will also be a “Sarumann Going Away Party”. Yes, our very own Sarumann (Josh) has elected to sail into the East and return home to his own Shirefolk. So please come in great numbers to wish him a very fond farewell.
As this is a potluck event, please contact Arwen at arwen@theonering.net to let her know what items you will be contributing – and check the news page in the next few days for more details about the picnic (directions, hours, festivities). We hope to see you there!
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Soloman Lam writes: I should have written this a few days ago, but I’ve been busy with starting a new year of university. But here goes: I met Ian McKellen! Here’s my story… [More]
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Ian McKellen at the Toronto Internation Film Fest
Soloman Lam writes: I should have written this a few days ago, but I’ve been busy with starting a new year of university. But here goes:
I met Ian McKellen! Here’s my story…
I go to school and live at Victoria College at the University of Toronto, and we own the beautiful Isabel Bader Theatre which is used during the Toronto International Film Festival. The theatre is practically on my front yard, and many of my friends have ushering jobs during the school year, and they also work during the festival. Last Saturday, I dropped by outside the lobby to say hi to a friend of mine who was working, and I asked him what movies were screening that night. He showed me his worksheet, and it said, “Emile.”
Now, I knew from TORn that this was Ian McKellen’s new movie, the one he did with a Canadian indie filmmaker in Vancouver right after “X2.” I also knew it was going to have its world premiere during the Toronto film festival….but I never would have through it would premiere at my front doorstep!
A sidenote here: Ian McKellen has always been my favourite actor. I absolutely love his work in Shakespeare (he is the greatest Macbeth, ever), and his powerhouse performances in films like “Gods and Monsters” and “Richard III” have blown me away. Actually, it was Ian McKellen who introduced me to Lord of the Rings; when I first heard he was cast as Gandalf, I got curious and read the books. Needless to say, I fell in love with the books and the movies and Peter Jackson….but it all began with my interest in Ian McKellen’s career.
Anyway, I lined up for rush tickets, got in, and Carl Bessai (the director), Ian McKellen (right before my eyes and ears!), and the rest of the cast introduced the movie. Then “Emile” made its world premiere. It was a very poignant film – it’s about a man who abandons his home in Saskatchewan to be a professor in England, only to come home 40 years later and face the guilt of leaving his family behind. It has that slow pace that distinguishes Canadian films, but the interesting and unconventional narrative style (Sir Ian plays his younger self in psychological flashbacks) builds to a graceful and poetic ending.
After the Q & A with the audience, I ran out to the stage door (since I’ve performed at the theatre before, I knew where the stage door was — other autograph seekers did not), and waited with two others for Sir Ian. Of course, I brought my ‘Fellowship’ EE DVD. He came out, signed some stuff for them, then came to me and signed my “Fellowship of the Ring” Extended Edition DVD! I thanked him for a beautiful performance (I should have said “beautiful performanceS,” from Gandalf and James Whale to Richard III and Edward II), and told him how proud I was that he was playing a Canadian! He laughed at my joke, smiled with those twinkling eyes, and boarded his limo. And that was that!
Of course, I’ve been on a constant high since! I just met Gandalf! And he signed my Fellowship Extended Edition DVD! On my front lawn! How exciting is that? =-)
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Niofiel writes: Here are a few images from the Tolkien track. Thanks for checking these out. Namarie. [More]
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Cate Blanchett at the Toronto International Film Festival
TORONTO (Reuters) – Cate Blanchett, Australian star of “Veronica Guerin,” which is having its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, told reporters on Monday she was terrified playing the true story of a crusading Irish journalist, but noted that the film itself is not truth. [Article] [Images]
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