Can you believe it has been 10 years since we first gathered at Griffith Park to celebrate the birthday of not one, but two imaginary characters from a book and film? The Baggins’ Birthday Bash has always been a great way to celebrate Fellowship amongst LA Fandom, act a little goofy, and to farewell the Summer. This year the party comes just a day after the official 75th anniversary of the publication of The Hobbit back in 1937, so we’ll have more to celebrate than just Bilbo and Frodo. Here are the pertinent details:
When: September 22 from Noon till 6pm
Where: Griffith Park in LA, just past the Carousel turnoff. There are directions and a link to a map at the bottom of the description on the Facebook Event Page. Baggins’ Birthday Bash Facebook page
What can you bring?: Take a peek at the Facebook page, and open the description fully to see what food and beverage needs we have and what you can bring. The list will be updated when people RSVP, which can be done on the Facebook event page, or by emailing Garfeimao@TheOneRing.net
Activities: There will be some trivia, we will have fans taking turns to read The Hobbit aloud during the day, and there will be a rousing game of Golfimbul, followed by a Birthday Cake.
The fun and games never stop at DragonCon! Staffers from TORn have been busy all weekend, speaking at panels, running TORn’s booth and enjoying meeting with fellow fans. For a brief while this afternoon we were joined at the table by none other than actor Billy Boyd, who took over asking trivia questions to some delighted folks! Many people have stopped by to enjoy our ‘Don’t you know YOU’RE Sam’ photo opportunity – and Billy joined in the fun to create a slightly confusing hobbit line up!
One more day of festivity to go – expect more photos and reports later in the week!
Thirty-nine years ago today, our beloved professor, J.R.R. Tolkien, passed away at the age of 81. Among his many legacies are the books, “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings,” that have brought so much joy to so many people, including us. This morning, the variety news show “Sunday Morning” which airs weekly on CBS in the U.S., did a small segment in tribute to Tolkien. Message board member Magpie caught it and alerted us to it, and we wanted to share it with you:
Actors Billy Boyd, Craig Parker, and John Rhys-Davies captivated Dragon*Con yesterday with their enchanting accents and witty repartee as they hosted a panel at the Atlanta convention. Debbie Yutko writes:
“When asked about Peter Jackson’s upcoming film The Hobbit, all three actors agreed that it will be epic. Rhys-Davies predicted that The Hobbit will be a game-changer. ‘You’re going to see one of the greatest films of all time—soon,’ he said to rousing cheers and applause. He predicted that a lot more awards will be coming Peter Jackson’s way.”
Thanks to Ringer Lisa for the heads-up on the article.
As you undoubtedly know by our grand adventure across the country, TheOneRing.net is set to invade Dragon*Con , the world’s largest Sci-Fi/Pop Culture convention, this Labor Day weekend (August 31st – September 3rd) in Atlanta, Georgia.
This years LotR/Hobbit guests feature a star-studded line-up: Billy Boyd, John Rhys-Davies, Craig Parker, and Sylvester McCoy.
Meet up with other Tolkien fans at the annual Evening at Bree event on Friday August 31st, hosted by Tolkien’s Middle-earth Track with music by Emerald Rose and a costume contest MC’d by Craig Parker. The Tolkien Track will also host fan film screenings, costuming panels, scholarly discussions, even open mic nights! Stop by TOR.n’s fan table to pick up a TOR.n t-shirt and try your hand at Tolkien trivia. And of course TOR.n staffers will be on hand to discuss all the latest information on ‘The Hobbit’ films.
Jess Lee from The Sydney Morning Herald: If your flying Air New Zealand from November you’ll be greeted by Hobbits, Wizards and elves in a Hobbit-themed safety video. Crew member’s were given a Middle-Earth make over to get into character for the video which is being released to coincide with the world Premier of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.
Air New Zealand is renowned for making quirky in-flight briefings with the likes of fitness guru Richard Simmons and the All Blacks rugby team in them. Carrying on a successful collaboration between Air New Zealand and film studios New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer during The Lord of the Rings trilogy. [Read More]