Tolkien Reading Day is an event to encourage the use of Tolkien’s works in education and library reading groups. Launched in 2003 the reading day event has sparked interest in reading and reading groups across several nations and ages from Primary schoolchildren to University students and library users of all ages. Hence the circulation of this release to the media, educational press and county library services.
Tolkien’s works encompass many themes, and can be used to illustrate or provide assessment subjects for study areas in current school curricula. 25th March has significance to Tolkien’s readers, as it is the day of the Downfall of Sauron at the conclusion of the ‘War of the Ring’ in “The Lord of the Rings.” For children and adults reading together is fun, and stimulates good conversation, vocabulary development, an interest in history and for some an interest in linguistics.
There’s more to Tolkien than “The Lord of the Rings”, schools and reading groups can enjoy the mock-medieval rebellion of “Farmer Giles of Ham” complete with giants and dragons or the radio play “The Homecoming of Beohrtnoth” that looks at the aftermath of a Viking raid.
Have a Tolkien Reading Party or Dinner
Why not have a group of people gather to read aloud? As this year’s Reading Day is a Saturday schools may be closed but libraries, pubs, cafes, youth clubs, restaurants and other places won’t be. Members of the public (and schools wishing to hold an event near to rather than on the 25th) can contact the Society for free posters, bookmarks and help with publicising their event.
Tolkien Reading Day Fun in the East Riding of Yorkshire
East Riding Libraries will be running several events to tie in with Tolkien Reading Day. A county wide art competition is being held throughout March with a theme of “The Magic of Middle Earth.” At Hessle library Games Workshop will be holding a games demonstration and running a diorama model competition “Middle Earth in Miniature,” Beverley Library will be hosting a Games Workshop tournament themed around Lord of the Rings while art and modelling workshops will be running at Bridlington and North Bridlington library. There will also be wordsearches, quizzes and displays at several libraries across the region, for more information about events being held by the library service please contact Gemma Williams on 01482-392747 or email her at Gemma.Williams AT eastriding.gov.uk
REDWOOD CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan. 13, 2006–Electronic Arts (Nasdaq:ERTS) today announced that the highly anticipated PC game, The Lord of the Rings(TM), The Battle for Middle-earth(TM) II will make its exclusive console debut when it ships in Summer 2006 on the Xbox 360(TM). Players can now command epic Middle-earth battles presented in spectacular high-definition from the comfort of their very own couch. To add to the intensity of the experience, The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II for the Xbox 360 is the first game in The Lord of the Rings(TM) series that will be playable over Xbox LIVE(TM)(1). Players will be able to challenge friends online and engage in intense, action-packed real-time battles.
“Living these cinematic battles in high-definition with stunning surround sound, all from the comfort of your living room couch on the Xbox 360, is an extraordinary experience,” said Louis Castle, VP of Creative Development at EALA. “Adding the ability to battle it out with friends via Xbox LIVE is also really exciting.”
Based on the PC version of the same name, The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II for the Xbox 360 will bring players into the heart of Middle-earth to live the battles seen in the blockbuster New Line Cinema films and classic J.R.R. Tolkien literary fiction. The game boasts a new and intuitive console-specific control scheme that will allow novice players to enjoy the game’s signature strategy gameplay while giving expert players the flexibility needed to engage in a deeply complex strategy experience. Players will directly control hundreds of units in an attempt to defeat enemy armies, conquer new lands, and seal the fate of Middle-earth.
Developed at EA’s Los Angeles studio, The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II for the Xbox 360 offers players a new depth of The Lord of the Rings fiction never before explored in an EA console game. The game makers at EALA have brought The Lord of the Rings world to life in accordance with an agreement with The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises that grants EA the rights to develop games based on the books, in addition to a separate agreement that allows for games based on the New Line Cinema films.
The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II for the Xbox 360 has not yet been rated by the ESRB and the PC version is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB. For more information about either game, please visit: www.bfme2.ea.com. For information about all of EA’s games, please visit EA’s press site at www.info.ea.com.
(1) Online play requires Internet Connection. Xbox Live online play also requires subscription to the Xbox Live service.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for videogame systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA(TM), EA SPORTS BIG(TM) and POGO(TM). In fiscal 2005, EA posted revenues of $3.1 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA’s homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA’s products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
About Tolkien Enterprises
The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises is the holder of worldwide motion picture, legitimate stage, merchandising, and other rights in J.R.R. Tolkien’s literary works The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Tolkien Enterprises has been producing and licensing films, stage productions and merchandise based on Tolkien’s works for almost 30 years. Its headquarters are in Berkeley, California, and its website may be found at www.tolkien-ent.com.
About New Line Cinema Corporation
Founded almost 40 years ago, New Line Cinema is the most successful independent film company in the world. Its mission is to produce innovative, popular and profitable entertainment in the best creative environment. In addition to the production, marketing and distribution of theatrical motion pictures, the fully-integrated studio has divisions devoted to home entertainment, television, music, theater, merchandising and an international unit. In 2005, New Line partnered with HBO to form Picturehouse, a new theatrical distribution company to release independent films. A pioneer in franchise filmmaking, New Line’s Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of the most successful film franchises in history. New Line is a division of Time Warner, Inc. (TWX).
Electronic Arts, EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All The Lord of the Rings content other than content from the New Line trilogy of The Lord of The Rings films (C) 2006 The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises (“SZC”). All Rights Reserved. The Lord of the Rings, and the names of the characters, events, items, and places therein are trademarks or registered trademarks of SZC under license. All content from The Lord of the Rings film trilogy (C) MMVI New Line Productions Inc. All Rights Reserved. Xbox and Xbox LIVE are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Lightsteward writes: I’ve recently taken over maintaining the NYC Line Party list for Lightwards, who was our Line Party organizer over the years here in NYC. I was hoping you could list this news item on the site a.s.a.p.. The historic Ziegfeld in NYC is showing the LotR Trilogy as part of their Hollywood Classics series this coming week. The Ziegfeld is the largest and most magnificent single screen venue left in NYC and is the location of most major film premieres in NYC. This is the first time that the LotR films will play there, as none of them ran there. Previously only the first two films had premieres there. So this is a real first for fans of the films who want to see the movies under prime conditions.
Many of us from the NY Line Party will be reuniting for our Second Annual Trilogy Day as a part of this run on Saturday 2/25. We have also arranged a group discount with the theater, lowering the ticket price from $7.50 per film, to $4.50 per film. People just need to print out and present this flyer at the box office.
The discount is also good for the entire week, so anyone who cannot make it on Saturday, or wants to go more than once can take advantage of the break. So, please help us get the word out a.s.a.p.. I’m sure there may be some people out there outside NYC who’d even want to come in for the day.
As part of our popular Movie Watch chats, this weekend TORn’s IRC gang will be settling in to watch the second of the four Harry Potter films, “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” We will follow up with “Prisoner of Azkaban” on March 11th, and “Goblet of Fire” on March 25th.
Join us Saturday on our IRC server at 5:30 pm EST when we pop our copies of the film into the DVD player. After the usual confusion, at around 5.30pm EST we’ll all press play on our individual players and proceed to cheer and jeer (or discuss and argue, if you like!) the finer points of the film.
We plan to take a break midway through the film, to allow for stretching of fingers and backs. Barliman will be on hand to serve drinks and snacks (and to enforce the house rules).
* * *
WHEN WILL IT HAPPEN?
Saturday February 25
Time zone conversions:
Not sure what time the chat will be where you are? Check this little conversion table out for some help.
America: 5.30pm EST (New York) 4.30pm CST (Chicago) 3.30pm MST (Salt Lake City) 2.30pm PST (Los Angeles)
On TORn’s IRC server, in the #moviechat channel. After joining the server, type /join #moviechat to get there.
If you’ve never been to TORn’s IRC server before, you can join through our java applet and type /join #moviechat once you’re signed in. We recommend you visit our FAQ for some guidelines on using our IRC service. Barliman’s is a place for good conversation about JRR Tolkien’s works. We welcome you to our community and ask that you, and all guests, abide by some simple guidelines.
HOW?
Once everyone is in #moviechat and has their DVD ready to go, the ops will moderate the room and have a countdown to “Play.” I expect that we will be able to give minute-markers throughout the evening for latecomers. A break will be taken midway through — the exact point will be announced in the topic.
The Genre Traveler and Beyond Boundaries Travel Team Up for Special Weekend Package to See the Lord of the Rings Musical in Toronto
For Immediate Release: On Memorial Day Weekend, some fortunate Lord of the Rings fans not only will get to see the World Premiere musical in Toronto – already receiving rave reviews from theatre goers – but will also get the chance to meet the producer and cast in a private Q&A session.
This one-of-a-kind tour, offered only by Beyond Boundaries Travel in cooperation with The Genre Traveler, features three nights accommodations at the Delta Chelsea Hotel, a luxury hotel in the heart of downtown Toronto; a private Q&A session with producer Kevin Wallace and the cast, exclusively arranged for travelers on this tour; an intensive, behind-the-scenes workshop with actors and crew; a Gala Lord of the Rings Costume Party; and, of course, tickets to see the musical.
“We strive to make our tours as fun and interactive as possible,” says Jeannie Barresi, co-founder of Beyond Boundaries Travel. “That’s why we worked so hard to arrange the Q&A session with the producer and cast, as well as the intensive, hands-on workshop.”
“What’s so special about these kinds of tours,” says Carma Spence-Pothitt, editor of The Genre Traveler, “is the opportunity to meet interesting, intelligent people who share an interest with you, in this case, an appreciation for J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic work.”
All this – 4 days and 3 nights, May 26-29, 2006 – is only $799 double occupancy. This price also includes three breakfast meals, all taxes, meal gratuities and baggage handling. A deposit of $250 is due upon reservation, with the balance due by March 28. Reservations need to be made by April 1 to ensure space.
Previews of Lord of the Rings, directed by Matthew Warchus, opened on February 4 at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto and will run until March 22. Fans who have seen the preview said it was worth the wait. One even said, “It was unlike reading or watching Middle Earth, it was like being there!” The official Gala opening is scheduled for March 23. Toronto will be the only place to see this production for at least nine months, when it is scheduled to open in London.
For more information about, or to make reservations for, this once-in-a-lifetime tour, contact Beyond Boundaries travel at (800) 487-1136 or (719) 471-0222, or visit lotrfantrips.com. Information can also be found at The Genre Traveler’s website, www.thegenretraveler.com, and blog, thegenretraveler.braveblog.com.
About The Genre Traveler:
The Genre Traveler, which debuted in October 2005, is a quarterly online travel magazine for science fiction, fantasy and horror enthusiasts. Topics covered include genre-themed attractions, events and vacation packages, as well as ideas for creating your own genre-themed getaways. Also included are websites, gadgets and other items that support genre-themed travel and seeing the world through genre-colored glasses.
About Beyond Boundaries Travel:
Beyond Boundaries Travel, established in 1991, designs themed tours for fans sharing common interests such as Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean and others. Tour designers always include a good dose of historical and educational information, film locations and lots of fun. Beyond Boundaries’ Fan Trips have been featured in Frommer’s and Fodor’s, as well as several newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times and The Chicago Tribune. A recent book about Harry Potter devoted more than 18 pages to Beyond Boundaries’ trips, which were described as the “tour of choice” for fans.
Vacaville, CA – Hear ye! Hear ye! On April 21-23, 2006, the second annual Middle Earth Festival will come to life in historic Downtown Vacaville to celebrate author J. R. R. Tolkien and “The Lord of the Rings”.
This fun-filled family event includes a fun run and forums on the themes of Tolkien. Saturday and Sunday activities include craft and merchandise vendors, entertainment, and games for the kids, demonstrations of old time skills, music, dance, fantasy and abundant food. Take part in one of many trivia contests or enjoy the antics of the Gollum impersonation contest, and seek the best costumed elf, dwarf, hobbit and other dwellers of Middle Earth! Admission and most festival activities are free.
New to the Middle Earth Festival is the green, eco-friendly area of booths and information. These vendors do not look like they stepped out of Middle Earth, but there you may hear echoes of voices of ancient Ents caring for all that was good and green. This is a special way to celebrate Earth Day which falls on this weekend!
Volunteers are being sought to join the “fellowship” of those who bring the festival to life. Potential vendors, entertainers, and demonstrators of old time skills may download applications directly from the Middle Earth website at www.middleearthfestival.com.
For more information on this unique and exciting event, contact event organizer Betty Lucke at 707.448.1021 or the Downtown Vacaville Business Improvement District at 707.451.2100.
