News & Updates 3/18/03
The Show will go on!
3/18/03, 5:20 pm EST - Calisuri
Many fans have e-mailed us concerned about how current events regarding Iraq might affect our 'Two Towers - One Party.' The show will go on! With the news of the Academy Award ceremony will being broadcast as scheduled, we can firmly state that our 'Two Towers - One Party' will also take place as planned. From the beginning we have worked to make the event as secure as possible, so party guests can expect to be wanded and searched when they enter the party.
GUITARIST/SINGER, MICHAEL BILACH, TO APPEAR AT OSCAR PARTY Michael Bilach is a guitarist and singer who creates his own special blend of Tolkien-inspired music while dressed as a wizard. A long-time fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, he has read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings many times; with some musical impressions going back to his first readings in high school.
"The Oscar Party is a chance to bring together two of my loves - Tolkien and music - and share them on an occasion honoring Peter Jackson and the other film makers who have so brilliantly brought these works to life; capturing the imaginative spirit of J.R.R. Tolkien in such wonderful ways!"
Michael attended last year's Oscar Party and came to the attention of event coordinators at the Griffith Park Birthday Bash for Bilbo and Frodo this past September. He also participated in the 111st birthday toast and celebrations in January.
Michael brings his love for Tolkien and music to children in his second grade class at Los Robles Academy in Hacienda Heights, California. He has taught them poems and music from the books, and shown them how to write using Tolkien's "Elvish" alphabet. Several years ago he began reading The Hobbit to each group of new students; and recently began the more ambitious The Fellowship of the Ring, building on the high interest generated by the films.
"The children's love of great literature has enabled them to use their imaginations while listening to these sophisticated books without pictures."
Michael's love for music goes back to early childhood when he joined with his parents, brother, and sister in live musical events at home. He sang in choirs during college and has toured Europe as a singer and guitarist with the Jane Hardester Singers. He began his serious study of music by taking private lessons for many years with the legendary classical guitarist, Celedonio Romero; who has remained a powerful influence on his musical life ever since.
"It's exciting to be a part of this celebration! As Bilbo himself said, 'Gandalf, my old friend, this will be a night to remember!'"
In the next few days we will be spot-lighting the sponsors that make the 'Two Towers - One Party' celebration possible. Today we look at one of the Premiere Sponsors: Games Workshop. Please support our sponsor.
In the next week and a half we will be spot-lighting the sponsors that make the 'Two Towers - One Party' celebration possible. Today we look at one of the Premiere Sponsors: Vivendi Universal Games / Black Label Games. Please support our sponsor.
In the next week and a half we will be spot-lighting the sponsors that make the 'Two Towers - One Party' celebration possible. Today we look at one of the Premiere Sponsors: EA Games. Please support our sponsor.
We made some small updates to our FAQ area today. One of the complaints from last year's party was how long it took to get into the club and the fact that many fans lost their "Goody Baggins." As a result, we decided to pass the 'Goody Baggins' will be given to guests as they leave the party. Extra staff will be on hand throughout the night to hand out the gift bags as you leave. Parking - The lot directly behind the Hollywood Athletic Club will be available for party guests FREE of charge. This lot can hold 200 cars, but we expect it to fill fast. Please plan accordingly. There is also a lot across the street available, for approximately $8/day.
One of our fans MG sends this tidbit for women attending the party. If you have yet to find a dress, there is another option of renting one! While we can't vouch for this service personally, it is an option for you last minute Louises. [More]
Putting on one of the largest parties in Hollywood on Oscar night is no piece of cake! Thanks to the generous support of our party sponsors, we are able to celebrate the success of The Two Towers in glorious Hollywood style. In the coming weeks we will be telling you more about the sponsors who made this event happen. Here is a list of our sponsors for 'Two Towers - One Party:' Sideshow/Weta Collectibles Please support these sponsors! They have proven their loyalty to making fan events a reality.
Black Label Games
EA Games
Games Workshop
Houghton Mifflin
American Flyer
Noble Collection
Serious USA
Wychwood Brewery
Won't Billy Boyd be proud! "We read Tolkien aloud at home for our family time, so this opportunity is very special to us. Sharing LOTR with our kids has been a peak experience. We have all been very impressed by the movies - they have been a constant topic of conversation and (sometimes heated) debate among the band". All four members have are long-time fans of the Tolkien series and have been avid fantasy gamers for years. They are passionate fans of Magic: The Gathering, and play fervently when on tour. Science fiction and fantasy cons are some of their favorite gigs. The band has been musical guests at I*Con in New York, DragonCon and Fantasm in Atlanta, and they will be the Filk Guests of Honor at Galacticon 2003 in Chattanooga. Emerald Rose has been touring throughout the Eastern US for the past two years. Their cd "Bending Tradition" won them international critical acclaim and radio airplay across the US and in Canada, Europe and Australia. Their subsequent release, "Fire in the Head - Emerald Rose Live" has garnered even greater enthusiasm from fans and the press, propelling the band into full time touring and recording. Early 2003 will see the group releasing their traditionally influenced cd, "Celtic Crescent". The band has received over 380,000 downloads at internet music site http://www.mp3.com, and charted #1 songs in several musical genres. Emerald Rose will be wearing kilts from Utilikilts. The Utilikilts Co. in Seattle is known as the originator of the casual, functional, everyday, Men's Unbifurcated Garment called "The Utilikilt". Utilikilts are available in waist sizes from 27" to 60" and beyond, and in a variety of lengths. All Utilikilts have large, pockets, and belt-loops. There are six models: the heavy-duty, Workman's kilt, (comes in Black, caramel or chocolate, with tool rigging and extra pockets.) The graceful, Black, Wool Tuxedo kilt. The stunning, black, Leather kilt. The light-weight, yet durable Original kilt, which comes in Black, Olive, Grey, Navy Blue, Tan Khaki, Green Camo, and Nightwatch Camo. And lastly, the Classic Blue Denim. Custom Beer Gut Cuts available. Priced from $110.00 to $600.00 Order by phone: 1-866-666-MYUK or online: www.utilikilts.com Emerald Rose is currently touring in the Southeast US. They have a website at http://www.emeraldrose.com, and a free song download page at http://www.mp3.com/emeraldrose.
Celtic folk-rockers Emerald Rose will be featured performers at the upcoming "Two Towers: One Party."
Emerald Rose is a high energy Celtic folk rock band that blends harmony vocals, pennywhistle, world percussion and driving guitars and bass. Their music ranges from traditional jigs and reels to original folk rock and pop songs. The band often draws from Celtic myth and legend to create their unique sound.
Emerald Rose is well known to Celtic music fans in the Southeast, and the band has been forging a following in the New York and Boston areas during the past two years. Band member Brian (Logan) Sullivan says, "We had a chance to share table space with TheOneRing.net at Dragon*Con 2001 in Atlanta, just before the first movie hit, and we've been Tolkien fans for years, so that was exciting for us. Last year we played their 'Evening at Bree' costume party, where elves, hobbits and rangers ended up dancing a spontaneous Macarena to one of our songs! It was great to be the house band at the Inn of the Prancing Pony! We're looking forward to a fun-filled show out in Hollywood, and we're delighted to be able to present some of our music to such a talented group of folks!"
CD's are available from their website, or can be ordered from Amazon.com and CDbaby.com.
Contact: Brian Sullivan 706 864-0882
Website: http://www.emeraldrose.com
Music Downloads at http://www.mp3.com/emeraldrose