Events planned to celebrate new Harry Potter film, book
Events planned to celebrate new Harry Potter film, book

By Brandy McDonnell

Published: July 6, 2007

On Wednesday, the spell will be cast. The literary and cultural phenomenon Harry Pottermania will reach its apex over the next two weeks as the enchanted book series draws to a close and the next film adaptation appears on the silver screen.

The movie "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” opens Wednesday in theaters. Based on the fifth book, the story picks up after young wizard Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) has witnessed the return of the evil Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon), headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, believes Harry, but much of the magic community is in denial. The Ministry of Magic installs bureaucrat Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) at the school to silence Harry and Dumbledore, but the pair begin secret preparations for war with Voldemort.

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” the seventh and final book in the best-selling series, will go on sale midnight July 21. Author J.K. Rowling has revealed that two major characters will die in the last novel.

Many libraries, bookstores and other places are also planning events.

Omniplex Science Museum, 2100 NE 52, will have parties for both. The "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” Movie Premiere Camp-in will be July 13-14 at the museum. The event, for students in kindergarten through middle school and their parents, starts at 6 p.m. July 13. It will include an assembly on the science of Harry Potter and hands-on activities related to herbology, potions and care of magical creatures (or in nonwizard or Muggle terms, botany, chemistry and zoology). A quidditch game, giant chess match and other activities will be staged.

"They will have to do with scenarios from any of the books up to this point,” Omniplex Education Director Cheryl Neal said.

Campers will see the fifth movie at Cinemark Tinseltown theater and can watch the previous films overnight at Omniplex. The camp-in will include a late-night snack and breakfast.

Admission is $40 for children of museum members and $45 for children of nonmembers. Each child or group of children must be accompanied by an adult. Adult admission is $25.

The "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” book release event for families will be 7 p.m. to midnight July 20 at Omniplex. It will include some favored activities from the movie camp-in and past Potter events along with new projects, Neal said.

"They will keep children engaged, and those who love the Harry Potter lore will appreciate them, too,” she said. "When they all get their books, they tend to skedaddle quickly so they can get home to read them.”

For Omniplex members, admission is $30 for the activities and new book. Book tickets are $35 for nonmembers. Children who get their books elsewhere can do the activities for $10. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Adults can attend for free but must pay to get the book or do the activities.

A few spaces remain in the morning session of the July 16-20 "Hogwarts: Omniplex Chapter” camp for fourth- through sixth-graders. The afternoon session is full, Neal said.

The museum is considering opening a morning session of its July 30-Aug. 3 "Welcome to Hogwarts!” camp for second- and third-graders if enough people are interested. The afternoon session is full.

For more information, call 602-3760 or go online to www.omniplex.org.

Leading up to the opening of "Order of the Phoenix,” AMC Quail Springs 24, 2501 W Memorial, has been showing the previous movies. "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” and "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” will show at 10 a.m. and midnight today through Sunday.

For more information, call 775-0262 or go online to www.amctheatres.com.

The Pioneer Library System will mark the "Deathly Hallows” book release with events at several branches. Moore Public Library, 225 S Howard, will have a Harry Potter watch party from 10 p.m. July 20 to 1 a.m. July 21; teens who attend can check out their copies of the book at midnight. The library also will offer a Harry Potter book discussion for teens at 2 p.m. July 13 and a Harry Potter birthday party from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 31.

Noble Public Library, 204 N Fifth, will have a watch party at 2 p.m. July 21. At Purcell Public Library, 919 N Ninth, a Harry Potter release party will be at 2 p.m. July 24.

For more information, go online to www.justsoyouknow. us or call the libraries.

The magic also will spread to branches of the Metropolitan Library System. Midwest City Library, 8143 E Reno, will have a Harry Potter Day from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 25; activities will include science experiments, wand making and a trivia contest.

A Harry Potter party including crafts and games will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Aug. 1 at the Edmond Library, 10 S Boulevard.

Tribute bands the Remus Lupins of Los Angeles and the Whomping Willows of Providence, R.I., will play a Wizard Rock Concert from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 19 at Southern Oaks Library, 6900 S Walker.

"There's a whole movement of music called ‘wizard rock,' and it started with a band called Harry and the Potters,” said Emily Williams, Metropolitan Library youth services coordinator. "They dress up like the characters and play rock songs with Harry Potter references, and they started a movement ... with other bands like these.”

For more information, go online to www.metro library.org or call the libraries.

Many bookstores will offer activities July 20 for customers awaiting the stroke of midnight to collect their copies of "Deathly Hallows.” Best of Books, 1313 E Danforth in Edmond, will reopen at 11 p.m. July 20 and provide free refreshments and games related to the magical stories. For more information, call 340-9202.

"Midnight Magic” will be the theme, and costume contests and other activities will be tap July 20 at metro-area Barnes and Noble stores. The party will start at 7 p.m. at the Quail Springs store and 8 p.m. at the May Avenue and Norman locations.

For more information, go online to www.barnesand noble.com or call the stores.

Fans can attend the Grand Hallows Ball, which will include games, giveaways and other events, at 9:30 p.m. July 20 at Borders stores in Tulsa, Norman and Oklahoma City and Waldenbooks in Shawnee and Tulsa. The event begins at 7 p.m. July 20 at the Borders on E 21st Street in Tulsa.

For more information, go online to www.bordersstores. com or call the stores.

For additional events, call your local library or bookstore.