Jeff sent us updated information on the Kansas City LOTR Concert this May.
THE KANSAS CITY SYMPHONY & CHORUS PRESENTS THE LORD OF THE RINGS SYMPHONY THURSDAY, MAY 7 & FRIDAY, MAY 8 AT 8PM MUSIC HALL, DOWNTOWN KANSAS CITY
Join the Kansas City Symphony & Chorus on a musical journey into the realm of Middle Earth! Since its premiere in 2003, Howard Shore’s The Lord of the Rings Symphony has received standing ovations on four continents. The musical experience is heightened with projected illustrations, storyboards and more than 200 performers on stage. Tickets: $28-$88, plus all applicable taxes and fees. Tickets available now through Ticketmaster.com or call 1-800-745-3000!
In related news Howard Shore will be at the Radio City Music Hall event this fall in NYC. Watch FOTR with a 300 member orchestra and Howard shore! Tickets Available at Radio City Music Hall or Ticketmaster.com
Eva writes: Fantastic news. Howard Shore is going to do a talk before the Albert Hall Concert on Tuesday, April 14. I booked my ticket in October and got this email on March 26: From the Newsletter – Thank you for booking your tickets to the live UK premiere of ‘The Lord of the Rings – The Fellowship of the Ring’ at the Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday 14 April 2009. 
TheOneRing.net is teaming up with Galatia Films to celebrate the DVD release of ‘Reclaiming the Blade’ by giving away the ‘Late 15th Century Bastard Sword’ from Albion Swords! A prize worth nearly $500! Entering the contest is super easy – you don’t even need to answer any questions! ‘Reclaiming the Blade’ is narrated by John Rhys-Davies and features appearances by many LOTR veterans: Viggo Mortensen, Karl Urban, Bob Anderson, John Howe and Richard Taylor of WETA Workshop. The DVD will be released on March 30th, but you can place your pre-order today at the Galatia Films website. So after you enter the contest, secure your copy of the DVD today! [
SAM RAIMI, who was on the shortlist of directors for the big-screen remake of The Hobbit, says Guillermo del Toro was a brilliant choice to make the film. thehobbit1.jpgSpider-Man director Raimi told Empire magazine: “I thought that The Hobbit was just a fantastic icon of fantasy literature. I love that book and I’m a giant fan of the Lord of the Rings movies. “It would have been an excellent job but Peter Jackson is the producer and he chose who he thinks would be the best filmmaker, which is Guillermo del Toro, who I love. 
If there is one thing the director of The Hobbit cannot be without while based in Wellington, it is plenty of graphic novels and books. Mexican Guillermo del Toro has been in Unity Books in Willis St buying large numbers of graphic novels and books as he settles in for pre-production on the two-part adaptation of The Hobbit at Peter Jackson’s Miramar studios. Shooting takes place next year. Del Toro was also a guest at Wellington Zoo on Sunday for the introduction of Weta Workshop’s new children’s television series The WotWots – the first time he has appeared before the media since arriving in Wellington. Del Toro, whose two recent Hellboy movies were based on a comic book series, is renowned for being a voracious reader.