The Norman Transcript
August 04, 2006 12:23 am
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Festival all day Tuesday at library and around downtown Norman
By Adam Scott
entertainment editor
It's humbling to think MuggleFest, this year's event in downtown Norman for fans of the Harry Potter novels, was sparked by a single band playing one gig last summer.
Of course, that was no ordinary band, says Norman Public Library librarian Lee Hall.
"We invited Harry and the Potters to Oklahoma last year in Moore. It was such a huge success we decided to do it again."
Harry and the Potters, a band from Boston with songs all inspired by the Harry Potter novels, "kicked off a summer 'Reading and Rocking' tour July 5," Hall said.
"Norman is their only stop in Oklahoma."
Library public information officer Gary Kramer conceived MuggleFest, Hall said, but this year, "the twist is their backup band -- Draco and the Malfoys."
Harry and the Potters (and Draco and the Malfoys) will give a free concert at the Sooner Theatre, 101 E. Main St., 7 p.m. Tuesday.
As of Tuesday, Aug.1, "at least 450 tickets were committed," said teen library collection librarian Rebecca Spence.
"So we're expecting a big crowd."
A central part of the event is the joy of reading, said the library staffers, so the library is the place to go for tickets to the concert.
"You can reserve tickets online or by phone, but you have to stop by the library to claim them," Kramer said.
The tickets can be picked up between 1 and 6 p.m. Tuesday. Any unclaimed tickets will be taken to the Sooner Theatre at 6 p.m. and released to the public at 6:15.
To reserve free tickets, visit the library at 225 N. Webster Ave., visit or call 701-2600.
Kramer said he really can't take all the credit for MuggleFest.
"It's been a real collaborative team effort," he said. "We all work on it. We're also recruiting volunteers to help with events. Practically the entire library staff is helping out in some way."
There's a little something extra kids who like to read can get at the meet-and-greet by Harry and the Potters, scheduled 5 p.m. Tuesday at the library, too.
"As part of the band's 'Reading and Rocking' tour, book reports on any of six books on a list on the Harry and the Potters Web site can be exchanged for a free Harry Potter toothbrush."
The event is much more than just the concert, however, library staffers said.
Also as part of MuggleFest there will be a sidewalk art competition for adults and teens 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. along Legacy Trail. Entry forms for the competition are available at the library and at the Firehouse Art Center.
Registration for the chalking competition will be offered at the MuggleFest Tent located just west of the Sooner Theatre on Main Street.
Divisions include teen and adult chalking, Kramer said. Teams of 1-4 people may compete in each division. In each of these there are two sub-divisions, one for Harry-Potter themed chalking and open chalking "with artwork appropriate for public view," Kramer added.
Judging for the competition will take place at 3:30 p.m., Hall said. The winners of the contest (each division has a $50 prize for first place, with Harry Potter merchandise as prizes for other places) will be named during a preshow 6:30 p.m. at the Sooner Theatre before the concert, where there will be a costume contest also, Hall said.
Divisions for the costume contest will include Best Male Character, Best Female Character, Best Non-Human Character and Best Overall.
There also will be an 11:30 a.m. concert at the Norman Depot. The opening act will be Norman band Refuje, followed by an as-yet-unnamed quartet, Kramer said.
A free lunch is offered to the first 100 attendees at the lunchtime concert.
"The Norman Downtowners Association is funding the lunch," Spence said. "There will be a shaved ice vendor present and water will be given to the chalkers and outdoor participants."
In addition, there will be a full day of events for kids 11 and under at the library, with sidewalk chalking in the morning. The kids' chalking is just for fun, Kramer said, and will be supervised by library staff. Chalk will be provided.
During "Muggle Crafts -- Mysterious Arts" in the afternoon, Professor Trelawney (Children's Librarian Kim Zahller) will offer a divination class, complete with origami fortune-tellers, Professor Snape (Information Services Librarian Nelson Dent) will teach a class on making potions and Professor Sprout (Information Services Librarian Belinda Foster) will preside over a herbology class in which students will receive cuttings of spider plants.
There will also be a Harry Potter movie marathon from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The two G-rated movies will be shown in the Lowry Room while the two PG-13 films will be shown in room AB. There is no charge for admission and popcorn is free as well.
MuggleFest will conclude with a Dress-Up Story Time for kids ages 3-6 at 7 p.m.
With the summer heat a concern, Kramer said, there will be "designated cool zones" inside the Norman Depot and Sooner Theatre, where participants in MuggleFest may go for a little relief.
Many downtown Norman merchants are partners in MuggleFest as well, Kramer said.
Participating retailers will be listed on the Marauder's Map, which will be available at the library. Those stores will have special sales, promotions or offers, Kramer said.
"Ravenfeathers will offer free palm readings for kids and teens," said Spence.
Kramer added that Winans Coffee and Chocolates went "all out for MuggleFest."
The shop will offer such candy delights as Peppermint Toads, Jelly Slugs, Fudge Flies and Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans during the event.
Sponsors for the event include Friends of the Norman Library, Pioneer Library System, Norman Public Library, Downtowner's Association, First Fidelity Bank, Performing Arts Studio, Sooner Theatre, Arvest Bank, Montford Inn, City of Norman, Sweet Basil Thai Cusine, Firehouse Art Center, The Norman Transcript, Cimarron Circuit Opera Company, and Starbucks, Inc.
For more information about MuggleFest, call 701-2600 or visit the library at 225 N. Webster Ave.
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