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International Oz club coming to IU to celebrate "100 Years of Oz"
April 26, 2000
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- This summer, the yellow brick road will lead to Bloomington.
Indiana University will be the site for the International Wizard of Oz Club's (IWOC) annual convention and "100 Years of Oz," its centennial celebration of the publication of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. Events are scheduled July 20-23 at the Indiana Memorial Union.
IU's Lilly Library houses an Oz collection that includes the publishing files of Bobbs-Merrill Co. Inc., publisher of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz since 1903, as well as drafts and revisions of the 1939 MGM film adaptation screenplay.
"I can't think of anywhere in the country where an exhibit of the caliber being presented by the Lilly Library could have given us more impetus for choosing that location rather than Bloomington for our annual educational conference," said Jane Albright, chairman of the Oz Centennial Convention and vice president of IWOC. "I found Bloomington to be a lovely town with a beautiful college campus, a perfect fit for such a momentous occasion."
Albright said the wide range of conference events will appeal to all kinds of Oz fans. During the four-day event, registered conference attendees can hear more than 50 authors, illustrators, descendants of the Baum family and of John R. Neill, and academics discussing specific topics associated with Baum's life and work, Oz stage and screen productions, Oz collecting, the literary significance of the first book, and the Land of Oz itself.
"Presentations, panel discussions and dramatics -- even a puppet show -- are planned to help fans of all ages immerse themselves in Oz," Albright said. "In addition to authors whose focus is Oz, it's gratifying to see renowned writers like Pulitzer Prize-winner Alison Lurie and Hugo Award-winner Philip Jose Farmer. The story's universal appeal has influenced society for 100 years, and now it is drawing us together to celebrate in Bloomington for what promises to be an unforgettable four days."
In conjunction with the IWOC conference, the Lilly Library will present an exhibit titled, "We're Off to See the Wizard, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, 1900-2000" from June 19 to Sept. 23. It also will present an exhibit of select materials from the Elisabeth W. Ball Collection of historical children's literature from July 20 to 23.
Several dramatic tributes to Oz and its author are planned. From July 17 to 23, the Ryder Film Series will present "A Tribute to L. Frank Baum," a week-long film festival honoring the life and work of the author of the first 14 Oz books. The Bloomington Area Arts Council will co-produce Patrick Shanahan's play OZ, which will have four performances at the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre July 21 and 22.
Other community events planned to celebrate "100 Years of Oz" include a week-long series of events at the WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology featuring Bubblefest on July 20; an exhibit by the Monroe County Historical Society Museum highlighting the 1900 presidential election; storytelling at the Monroe County Public Library; book signings; hot air balloon lift-offs; a Silver Slipper fashion show; a scarecrow-making contest; an Auntie Em-calling contest; a Toto look-alike contest; and more.
For more information about IWOC or for information regarding registration for the Oz Centennial Convention, visit the IWOC Web site at www.ozclub.org/ For information about Oz Centennial Convention events on the IU campus, contact Mary Catherine Morgan of IU Conferences at 812-855-6007. For information concerning community events, contact Evelyn Powers, community events coordinator for the Oz Centennial Convention, at 812-332-9203.
(Evelyn Powers, Media Relations, Oz Centennial Convention, 812-332-9203 or Mary Catherine Morgan, IU Conferences, 812-855-6007, mcmorgan@indiana.edu)