New Website for Oz-Stravaganza! 2012!

Come and check out the new look for our Oz-Stravaganza! 2012 website!

Follow the website as it develops!


Stay up to date with all of the latest information and news right here and on our website!


If you are looking for information from last year's event - you can still find it... for a limited time...


at ww2.oz-stravaganza.com.

Enjoy!

Setting The Stage...What's Coming in 2012!

2012 seems like a long way off, but the Oz-Stravaganza! committee is already hard at work planning the event. My responsibility includes booking the main stage and producing the Emerald City Idol competition, among other things. Next year is going to be AMAZING!

Many local and regional acts are already booked for the Main Stage (A sponsorship is still available- it would be the Community Stage - in case you are interested).

Local acts like Vada March, the LaValle's USA BlackBelt Champions Demo Team, and Shane Reed are already on board. Add to the mix regional recording artists Mark Zane and Friends, Fab Five Paul, and Bill Ali and suddenly it is shaping up to be something special!

Lastly a national recording artists and 80's/90's hitmaker and Billboard top 20 artist will headline the Main Community Stage (details still being finalized, but we are getting close- exciting)!

As for Emerald City Idol- auditions held at a local mall will add to the talent pool, and there is a change of date coming. Idol winners will be performing at the Main Community Stage on Sunday and a fun time will certainly be had by all.

So here is the bottom line...If you are NOT a fan of OZ in general- that's OK. There will be plenty of awesome entertainment for you next year in oz...and if you are a fan- three words pop to mind...

BEST YEAR EVER!

We'll see you in June in L. Frank Baum's hometown- Chittenango, NY
Oz-Stravaganza! 2012 - June 1-3
www.oz-stravaganza.com

Shane Reed Joins Line up at Main Stage

Local recording artist Shane Reed will join the Oz-Stravaganza! main stage FREE concert series! Shane will play some of his favorites and some originals at 11am Saturday on the Oz-Stravaganza! main stage!

All Things Oz

All Things Oz is the name being used for 211 Genesee St., Chittenango, NY 13037. The building houses an Oz-Stravaganza store and Oz collection. The collection will show items from Baum the Man, Baum's works, the MGM movie, other Oz works, and the history of Oz in Chittenango. A special exhibit: "Celebrating Dorothy" echoes this year's them for the weekend.

During Oz-Stravaganza, June 3-5, 2011 "Judy Garland: The Dressing of a Legend" will be available for viewing at the building. This is a collection of dresses worn by Judy Garland owned by Michael Siewert. Come and see over 15 items of clothing worn by Garland during various shows and concerts. View the dresses and view video of Garland wearing each item.

For more information call 315 687-6250.

Paul Bienvenue Joins Oz-Stravaganza! 2011 guest list!

Paul R. Bienvenue is the author of "The Book Collector's Guide to L. Frank Baum and Oz," which examines all of Baum's published book-length works with unprecedented simplicity and clarity, and additionally covers the Oz books of his major successors. The book is thoroughly illustrated with hundreds of photos of rare books, artwork, posters and related ephemera, most in full color. The book has been awarded the 2009 Gold Medal for Best Reference Book by the Independent Publisher's Book Awards (the 13th Annual "IPPYs"), as well as Silver Medals from the Eric Hoffer Awards and the Benjamin Franklin Awards. Paul is the proprietor of March Hare Books, a rare book service specializing in Baum and Oz-related material.



The Oz-Stravaganza! festival held June 3-5 in Chittenango, NY is shaping up to be the BEST Oz Festival EVER! Authors and authorities, Original 1939 MGM "Wizard of Oz" actors, Baum family decendants, and a host of surprises! Make your plans now to attend Oz-Stravaganza! 2011.

All Purpose String Band plays Oz-Stravaganza! Main Stage!

The All Purpose String Band is making an appearance at Oz-Stravaganza! this year. Coming to the Main Stage at 1pm on SUNDAY, this local favorite string/bluegrass group will bring their particular brand of true string acoustic music to the fans in Chittenango for FREE Sunday June 5th.

While there are bleacher seats available, lawn chairs are suggested!

Exciting News About An Oz-Stravaganza! Guest

Eric Shanower received a prestigious nomination! Meet him and congratulate him at Oz-Stravaganza! 2011 June 3-5.

The 2011 Will Eisner

Comic Industry Award Nominees

Best Adaptation from Another Work

The Marvelous Land of Oz, by L. Frank Baum, adapted by Eric Shanower and Skottie Young (Marvel)

Illustrator joins Author's Alley Line up!

Oz-stravaganza! 2011 is shaping up to be the best festival ever! Their has never been an opportunity to meet such a wide array of Oz universe guests, from writers and family of L. Frank Baum, to current illustrators, and even original actors and actresses from the 1939 movie- the Oz universe will certainly come alive this year.

The latest addition to the talented line up in the Author's Alley is Gwendolyn Tennille Adams. Gwen is an illustrator, and she will be joining the co-authors of the new Oz/wonderland crossover book "Of Cabbages, Kings, & Even (Odd) Queens of Wonderland and Oz" which she is illustrating.

This will mark the first time that a new Oz book will debut at the Oz-Stravaganza! festival and that the authors and illustrators will all be in attendance to autograph your copy. Add in the fact that Oz-Stravaganza! is held in Chittenango, N.Y., (the birthplace of L. Frank Baum), and you have an unmissable opportunity.

We hope you will all come and meet Gwen and all of the other guests at this years Oz-Stravaganza! June 3-5 in Chittenango, NY.

Ron Baxley Jr. Comes to Oz-Stravaganza! 2011

Ron Baxley Jr. will be making his first appearance in Chittenango this year at the Oz-Stravaganza! Author's Alley.

Ron will be available to meet fans and sign his books while taking in the atmosphere at the birthplace of L.Frank Baum and the center of the Oz Universe.

The author of the "Talking City of Oz" is currently working on co-writing his second Oz universe book with James C Wallace II. It is said to be an Oz/wonderland crossover book, which could bring a whole new look at the Emerald City and what is down the rabbit hole.

The Oz-riffic duo will debut their new Oz tale, "Of Cabbages, Kings & Even (odd) Queens", (described as a gothic young adult crossover novel), at this year's Oz-Stravaganza! Author's Alley.

James C. Wallace II Returns to Author's Alley!

Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma Returns to Chittenango!




James C. Wallace II Is returning to the Land of Oz- Chittenango, NY.

An Oz author and so much more, James is the self proclaimed Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma, Sovereign Ruler of Oz. He endeavors to fulfill her royal command to tell the tale of her newest Royal Magician to the children of the Great Outside.

His books include "Magician of Oz", Family of Oz", and "Shadow Demon of Oz", as well as a new work currently being finished.

James was a part of the first Author's Alley in 2010. He will be returning to autograph copies of his books, and to unveil the new Oz/Wonderland crossover book co-written with fellow Oz-Stravaganza! Author's Alley guest- Ron Baxley, Jr.

Roger Baum author of "Dorothy of Oz" comes to Chittenango for Oz-Stravaganza! 2011

This year Oz-Stravaganza! and it's Author's Alley is delighted to welcome Roger Baum to the event.

Roger is a bestselling children's book author and the great-grandson of L. Frank Baum, creator of the original Oz book series. He is the author of "Dorothy of Oz", "The Green Star of Oz", and "Lion of Oz and the Badge of Courage".

Roger says he is delighted to meet fans old and new at the longest running Oz festival in the nation, held in his Great Grandfather's birthplace, Chittenango, NY.

This will be Roger's first time attending the Author's Alley, and the timing couldn't be more perfect as his book, "Dorothy of Oz" is being made into an animated feature film staring the voice talents of Lea Michele (Glee), Kelsey Grammer (Frazier), Patrick Stewart (Star Trek NG), Dan Ackroyd and Martin Short. The film version of the book is scheduled for realease next year.

Author's Alley Guest List Expands!

Dennis Anfuso meets with some fans at the 2010 Oz-Stravaganza! Author's Alley!

Oz-stravaganza! 2011 is proud to announce that Dennis Anfuso will be returning to Author's Alley at Oz-Stravaganza! 2011 June 3-5 in the birthplace of L. Frank Baum, chittenango, NY.

Dennis will be on hand to meet fans and sign copies of his books and illustrations. Dennis is widely know for his Oz works "A Promise Kept in Oz" and "The astonishing Tale of the Gump of Oz".

Dennis was on hand last year for the 1st annual Author's Alley, and we are looking forward to his return.

Author's Alley is a part of Oz-Stravaganza! that allows the public to meet the people behind the books in the Oz universe.

"Silver Shoes" Author's Alley Update!

It brings me great joy to be able to relate to you, our readers, that Paul Miles Schneider will be attending the 2011 Oz-Stravaganza! Author's Alley.

Mr. Schneider is the author of "Silver Shoes", a novel sure to please oz-fans the world over.

Paul Miles Schneider was born in New York City and raised in Lawrence, Kansas. At various times he has been an actor, writer, composer, singer, and arranger. He recently relocated to the Midwest from Los Angeles, where he spent the last ten years producing and designing DVD/Blu-ray menus and interactive content for Hollywood films and television shows.

"Silver Shoes" is his first novel, and it was selected as a 2010 Kansas Notable Book by the Kansas Center for the Book at the State Library of Kansas.

Oz-Stravaganza! 2011 Theme

The theme for this year's Oz-Stravaganza! is "Celebrating Dorothy". It is a GREAT theme for a parade, because you can enter your float or group using Dorothy from the 1939 MGM Movie or Dorothy from L. Frank Baum's books. Dorothy is described differently by Baum than what you see on the big screen, and this is a great way to "Celebrate" all of Dorothy! Grand Marshal of the parade this year is Caren Marsh-Doll who was Judy's movie stand-in during "The Wizard of Oz".

Michael Siewert, will be celebrating Judy Garland by showing his very special collection to Chittenango! Siewert owns the world's largest private collection of Judy Garland dresses. You can stroll through the dresses owned and worn by Garland while watching video of her in those very gowns.

What Oz fan wouldn't be happy with all that!

Community Night Out!

The 3rd Annual "Community Night Out" Fund Raiser Dance is nearly upon us! If you are local to the Chittenango, New York area, or will be in the area for the dance, you won't want to miss it.

The annual fundraiser dance is going to be Saturday, February 5th, from 7PM to 11PM, at the Rusty Rail, on State Route 5, in Canastota, NY.
Ticket price: $14 per person
Music for dancing by: Alter Ego

To get your tickets call 415-8546 or 687-6250 Today!

For more details check out the Official Oz-Stravaganza! Website.

New Blog Authors On Their Way

We have some new Blog Authors joining us here at the Oz-Stravaganza! Blog, where we talk about all things related to L. Frank Baum's works, including, but not limited to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Did you know that L. Frank Baum, the Royal Historian of Oz, was born in Chittenango, New York? Every year we throw a great bash in his honor and in the honor of all of the people who have added to and partaken in creating and continuing the telling of great Oz tales. We call this celebration Oz-Stravaganza!, and it is a great event to attend in the pleasant temperatures of Central New York in the summer.

Every year we have a theme. Last year's theme was honoring one of the many books that Baum wrote about Oz, The Emerald City of Oz. That book turned 100 years old last year. This year, our theme is "Celebrating Dorothy". To help us celebrate the character of Dorothy, we are honored to have Caren Marsh-Doll as our Grand Marshal. Did I mention we have an out-standing parade as a part of the event?

This year's Oz-Stravaganza! will be kicked off on Friday the 3rd of June, 2011. We will have some fire-works to kick off the event, and ensure that everyone from munchkins to good witches and everyone in-between knows it has begun. There will be simply more things to do, see, and buy than I can mention in this short post. So, be sure to check back often for more news, and check the official Oz-Stravaganza! Website for the latest information.

Ken Walling

Oz-Historian in Training