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