Humphrey Carpenter’s excellent biography, Tolkien, was published way back in 1977, and it is still considered the best of its kind. I remember reading it shortly after it came out and learning that in 1911, when Tolkien was a young man of 19, he formed part of a group taking a walking tour in the Swiss Alps. It was his first and only experience of really large mountains, and as he later made clear in several of his letters, the experience inspired the mountain landscapes in his Middle-earth writings.
At the time, I vaguely thought it would be wonderful to take a tour of the places Tolkien and his companions visited, to see exactly what had fired his imagination. Over the years that vague thought occasionally resurfaced, but I never imagined that I would actually be able to do it. Not until December 1, 2012, when TheOneRing.net posted an announcement that there was to be a tour based on that idea: “In the Footsteps of Tolkien.” Continue reading “In Tolkien’s Real Misty Mountains”
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Every fall, Los Angeles Ringers hold a fabulous Hall of Fire party that features all the things Hobbits, Elves, and Dwarves love most: food, drink, and fabulous costumes. The yard of a private residence in Glendora is transformed for the evening with pavilions representing the Shire, Rohan, and other regions of Middle-earth. You can visit Smaug’s Horde and Gollum’s pool, then relax with a drink at the Flaming Mumak Tavern.
Hosted by Tolkien Forever, the local smial of the Tolkien Society, “costumes are highly encouraged (though not required), and just like the Hall Of Fire from the book, people often bring games to play; sing and play music; and share the art and inspiration that Tolkien has given them.”
If you are in the Los Angeles area, join us this Saturday, October 19, at 6:00pm. Visit the event’s Facebook page and read the event details to RSVP and be sent the party address. The party is open to all, but it is being held at a private home, so you must email the host to receive directions. All ages are welcome, but please be responsible for your children. This a big backyard with a pool in the middle of it. Some parts of the yard are dimly lit. so please be aware of your surroundings. All party attendees must respect the wishes of the home owners at all times.
[Visit the event page] [Local to LA? Check out Tolkien Forever] [See photos from last year’s Hall of Fire]
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That’s right, Ringers will take over Manhattan NEXT WEEK! The work continues here at TORn headquarters (ie, in our own homes scattered across the globe…) to plan a wonderful event as part of our exciting New York ComicCon weekend. Last week we told you that, at the party, we’ll be giving away two tickets to see Sir Patrick Stewart and Sir Ian McKellen on Broadway! Now we can confirm that we will also have some exciting goodies from WETA to give away at the event! We’re keeping this party small – tickets are strictly limited – so attendees have a good chance of winning something awesome!
Your ticket includes your first drink, a finger food buffet, two entries into the raffle, and a fab goody bag. And of course, excellent company in a private room in Manhattan – party like dwarves! (No green food allowed!)
Oh, and we’ve also invited all the Hobbit actors – Sir Ian, Orlando, Stephen Fry – who happen to be in The Big Apple at the moment. Not saying any of them will be there – but they’re invited, so you never know….
Grab your tickets now, before we reach our limit on numbers! Hope to see you there!
[Buy tickets to Ringers take Manhattan]
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Following the success of last years World Premiere Party which we co-hosted with Red Carpet Tours, Julie, Vic and Raewyn are holding the Desolation of Smaug Premiere Costume Party in Wellington.
Continue reading “Red Carpet Tours 14 Day DoS Tour and Premiere Costume Party”
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Lots of folks have already bought their tickets to join TheOneRing.net and fellow Ringers at our annual party in Manhattan! We’re hard at work planning a special event, and can’t wait to see everyone there. Everyone attending will receive a goody bag, and in addition to this, as ever, we will have some amazing prizes to be won; and we just got news of a very exciting giveaway to include in that raffle. We will be giving away TWO TICKETS to see Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart on Broadway! The lucky winner (and companion of their choice!) will be able to pick a date to go along and see Gandalf and Picard, (or Magneto and Professor X), live on stage!
There will be more amazing giveaways at the party – stay tuned for further details! Your ticket to the party – at The Oak Cellar, Manhattan, on Thursday 10th October – includes two entries into the raffle, as well as your goody bag, your first drink, plentiful finger food throughout the evening, and of course a great time with fellow fans! Numbers are strictly limited in our private room this year, so buy your ticket now! We look forward to seeing you in New York in a couple of weeks.
[Click here for all details, and to buy tickets to Ringers Take Manhattan]
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TORn’s LA staffers hosted their 11th annual Baggins Birthday Bash today in Griffith Park. We’ve always held it here, but have been a couple different positions over the years. Today, we moved over to the Mineral Wells area, past the Harding Golf Course, and it finally afforded us some much needed room, since the party has been expanding the past couple of years. There must have been close to 150 folks eating, drinking and having a Tolkien Good Time.
The design motif this year was definitely Dragons and Spiders, we had spiders all over the cake and cupcakes, they were on every table, in the trees and all over the food tent. But there were also dragons, also on the tables and in the trees, but it was Smaug sitting on his pile of gold that got the most attention. You may not be able to notice it, but there are some jewels under his belly in this image, look closely and maybe you will see them. Nothing remains of Smaug, he was desolated when one child ate his head and another ate one of his wings. Someone else asked for a foot, no word on what happened to the tail. There was plenty of Dragon Gold to go around as well, thanks to Wonderland Bakery and their amazing cake designers.
Many games were played, including everyone’s favorite Hobbit game, Golfimbul. Prizes of Hats, Bags and Shirts were given out to winners of Golfimbul, both in the Adult and Youth divisions. There was also a very interactive Trivia game contest, two rounds, to determine who knew their Hobbit material best. There are only a few images here, check out the facebook page to find the Baggins Birthday Bash photo album to see the rest. In the crowd, you will notice many Hobbits, Elves, Dwarf women and Gandalf, among other Middle-earth notables.
Yes, we will be hosting this party again next year, so if you find yourself in Los Angeles the weekend of Sept. 20/21, look for the Party Sign and party like a Hobbit, or Dwarf, or Elf, or even a Wizard or two.
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