Celebrate the 80th Anniversary of MGM’s OZ!

Oz Events

MGM’s classic turns 80 this month. One place to celebrate is Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. A popular resort town in 1939, it’s one of a few places MGM screened The Wizard of Oz to get public reaction August 12, three days before the film’s Hollywood premiere. The community turns over Main Street for a free public event Aug. 15.

https://www.travelwisconsin.com/events/fairs-festivals/80th-anniversary-of-wizard-of-oz-157744

Wisconsin fans also can celebrate Ozma’s birthday Aug. 3 in Owen, Wisc., when the public library hosts a fun-filled party honoring the Ruler of Oz. Come join the festivities with your favorite characters. Event information is on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/events/368783663774753/

Aug. 9 in Peoria, Ill., the MGM film of the Wizard of Oz will be paired with dinner for a fun evening out.
http://www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org/posts/1350

Aug. 10 in Mapleton, Illinois, the annual Oz Fest welcomes fans for a memorable journey down the Yellow Brick Road.
https://www.hollispark.org/oz-fest

Stage productions

For those who like their Oz “live,” happening in August include:

Aug. 2-4 and 7-11, the Muni in Springfield, Ill.

http://www.themuni.org/WizardOz.aspx

August 13-17 at the Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre in Manama, Bahrain, the lavish Prather Production version of The Wizard of Oz brings the story to life. https://wizardofoztour.com/

Aug. 17 -Sept. 1 in Subiaco, Australia at the Regal Theater. https://www.bandsintown.com/.../1014743073-the-wizard-of...

And kids! Lancaster, PA, has a puppet company with a terrific Wizard of Oz performance. Dates through Aug. 23. https://lmt.yapsody.com/event/index/190056/the-wizard-of-oz

In Chicago -- where Oz was written, published, first staged, and first filmed -- The Shakespeare Theater performs on Navy Pier. Through Aug. 25
https://www.chicagoshakes.com/plays_and_events/wizardofoz

Summer Exhibitions continue
Barry Moser: The Storied Artist, a retrospective of the illustrators work, continues through Aug. 16 at the Bromer Gallery in Boston.

https://www.bromer.com

For a truly unique Oz experience head to El Segundo, Calif. through Sept. 21 for an original artwork exhibition.
https://esmoa.org/experience/oz/

Open through Nov. 2, Expanding Oz, a collections-based exhibit, is open at the Johnson County Kansas Museum in Overland Park, Kansas.
https://jcprd.com/434/Special-Exhibition

Article by The International Wizard of Oz Club