According to the little countdown on the left side of this page, we are only 10 days away from ‘The One Expected Party‘ and 8 days away from The Unexpected Art Show!’ (Yes, tickets are still available, but we are getting close to a sell out!) Today we’d like to focus on one of our Mithril sponsors for the event, Air New Zealand. AirNZ is not only the official airline of Middle-earth, but they are also officially supporting the fans of Middle-earth by providing both financial and airfare support for our event. In fact, we can thank them for flying in Billy Boyd and Beecake all the way from Scotland!
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand is the official airline of Middle-earth with a global two-movie partnership with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again.
As part of the two-year partnership, passengers from North America can fly on Hobbit-wrapped Boeing 777 aircraft and even enjoy a very special edition of the in-flight safety video.
Destination New Zealand is clearly established as the home of Middle-earth and Air New Zealand brings that magic to life for travelers.
Just as Sir Peter Jackson is able to transport audiences to the magical world of Middle-earth, Air New Zealand brings people to the breathtaking landscape that has been home to these epic productions.
Air New Zealand will be sending a Hobbit-themed crew to help escort our VIPs throughout ‘The One Expected Party,’ and will also be displaying a scale model of the Hobbit-wrapped 777. They are also generously contributing four unique ‘Hobbit’ packs for our giveaway – packs that are not for sale and only available through events like ‘The One Expected Party.’
We hope you can join us and our friends from Air New Zealand for a magical night in Hollywood! Purchase your tickets today!
[Purchase Tickets] [Art Show Tickets] [The Noble Collection]
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We are only two weeks away from the Tolkien weekend event of the year in Hollywood, CA! Both ‘The Unexpected Art Show‘ and ‘The One Expected Party‘ (Tickets are still available!) can only happen with the generous support of our volunteer staff and some very generous sponsors. For the next two weeks we will be sharing with you the stories behind the scenes of the party as well as information about those companies who have decided to lend their financial support behind this unique event.
Today we’d like to feature our first sponsor, The Noble Collection:

The Noble Collection
The Noble Collection is a private held company based in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The Noble Collection has established the premier position in collectibles and movie props. By bringing heightened concept, detailed sculpture and design to each piece, the company has set new standards that have captured the loyalty of collectors, and brought a new generation of enthusiasts into this revered art form.
You are most familiar with The Noble Collection’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit collectibles, but they also create many other quality products from other licenses like Superman, The Dark Knight, Green Lantern, Harry Potter, Avatar and many more. Visit them online at NobleCollection.com.
Besides financially supporting the party, The Noble Collection will be both showcasing their products and then donating those items to be awarded to fans at the end of the evening. Attendees will have the chance to walk away with some marvelous items from The Hobbit.
[Purchase Tickets] [Art Show Tickets] [The Noble Collection]
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We are only 20 days away from ‘The One Expected Party‘ and we are very excited to share with you the preliminary list of auction and raffle items coming to the party. By far the highlight of the event will be a 2002 Sideshow/Weta Collectibles Balrog Statue – Artist Proof. Yes, THAT Balrog statue – the one that has sold on eBay for a small fortune. We’ve also got a Gollum statue from Weta Collectibles signed by Andy Serkis himself! And if you are looking for even more collectibles from the early 2000s…how about the Houghton Mifflin ‘No Admittance Except on Party Business’ – Bookends? Check out the Raffles/Auctions page for more items, but I’m sure we’ll have more to share as we get closer to the event. Remember, tickets are still available for both the party and ‘The Unexpected Art Show‘ – so snag your tickets today! [Auction/Raffle Listing] [Party Tickets] [Art Show Tickets]
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Emil Johannson of the LOTRProject assembled this simple flowchart analysing how Gandalf solves problems. He says that when there is no hope left, Gandalf will simply call the eagles. Which is probably a neat demonstration of why the eagles are such a dangerous literary device — something Tolkien himself recognised.

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A dilapidated tower thought to have been the inspiration for the fortress of Isengard in JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, is to be renovated and opened to the public.
Perrott’s Folly in Edgbaston, Birmingham, will be permanently opened if enough money can be raised for its restoration, its owners have said. JRR Tolkien grew up in the area and would have passed the old hunting lodge every day on his way to and from school. Historians believe Tolkien would also have seen the gothic tower dominating the horizon from his bedroom window as a boy. Continue reading “Tolkien’s inspiration for Orthanc to be opened to public”
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“Beyond Bree” has created a new calendar for 2013, a special limited edition featuring amazing artists! There are only a *very few* remaining, so here is your last chance to get a great Tolkien calendar and also support the J.R.R. Tolkien Special Interest Group of American Mensa: BEYOND BREE. *UPDATE: These calendars have all sold out as of 10 January 2013!
It is time to shine a light on the dark creatures of Tolkien’s world with this breathtaking collection of international art featuring: Anke Eissmann, Sylvia Hunnewell, Tim Kirk, Octo Kwan, Nancy Martsch, Jef Murray, Ted Nasmith, Colin Williams, Maciej Wygnanski, Patrick H. Wynne and more!
The calendar contains both colour and black & white works and has both Middle-earth dates and real world holidays. It will be 11 x 8 1/2 inches, opening to 11 x 17 inches.
THERE ARE LESS THAN TEN QUANTITY LEFT – so now is the time to get yourself a lovely calendar!
Pricing: $20 plus shipping – USA $2.00, the rest of the world $5.00.
For PayPal orders please add $1.00.
Send PayPal payments (in USD) to: beyondbree (at) yahoo (dot) com
Send check or postal money order (in USD drawn on a US bank) to:
Nancy Martsch, PO Box 55372, Sherman Oaks, CA 91413, USA.
Or send currency (at your own risk, in a sturdy envelope).
For more details, please e-mail: beyondbree (at) yahoo (dot) com
UPDATE: These calendars have all sold out as of 10 January 2013!
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