Scholastic Announces Children's Essay Contest to Win Trip to "Beedle the Bard" Release Party

As a follow to what we first reported below, Scholastic, the US publishers of the Harry Potter novels, have now formally announced a Children's Essay Contest to win a trip to Scotland for the release of  The Tales of Beedle the Bard. This contest, open to children ages 8-17 and begins today, requires the entrant to write a "an essay of 200 words or less describing how they have helped Continued...

J.K. Rowling to Host Party in Scotland for Release of "Beedle the Bard"

The Scotsman is reporting today that Harry Potter author will be holding a tea party at the National Library of Scotland for the release of The Tales of Beedle the Bard. This special book, proceeds to benefit the Children's High Level Group charity, will be released on December 4, and "ten local schools will be asked to bring 20 pupils, aged between eight and 11, to the party."  The paContinued...

Wizarding World of Harry Potter: "Revealed in 2010"

As we reported several weeks ago, the FAQ on the official Wizarding World of Harry Potter website at Universal was updated to state an opening of “2010.” The front of the same site now reads ‘Harry Potter “Theme Park within a Theme Park” will be revealed in 2010-Fans to be Immersed in the Adventures of the World’s Most Popular Wizard.’ However, an exact date in 2010 for the grand openContinued...

Brief Update on Closures, Construction for Wizarding World of Harry Potter Theme Park

A brief update today regarding the ongoing construction at Universal Orlando for the new “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” theme park. The Orlando Sentinel has word today regarding areas being closed in the existing park, including closures of the “Flying Unicorn ride, the Enchanted Oak Tavern restaurant, the Dragon’s Keep store and the Alchemy Bar. All will be refurbished with new theContinued...

Dance the Night Away, Leaky Con and Wizard Wrock Style at Terminus

Let’s shake the rafters at Terminus, Leaky Con and Wizard Rock style, as we are thrilled to announce a very special dance party to be held next month. Hosted by DJ Paul DeGeorge (of Harry and the Potters), this dance party will take place the weekend of the Terminus 2008 convention in Chicago, Illinois on Friday, August 8th. Held

Reminder: Portus 2008 This Weekend in Dallas, Texas

A reminder today that Portus 2008, the HPEF Harry Potter symposium will take place this weekend in Dallas, Texas. If you have not yet registered for this event, you may still do via this link, with individual day registrations remaining as well. A note as well that the day registration for Saturday will allow you to to attend a special event with US audio book narrator, Jim Dale. To pr

Wizard Rock the Vote

The HP Alliance, in coordination with the wizard rock community, has just unveiled its newest effort, “Wizard Rock the Vote,” a nationwide (that is, United States-wide) event to get as many Potter fans registered to vote in this November’s election as possible.

To remember why it matters look only to J.K. Rowling’s Harvard commencement address: “Even your nationality sets you apart. Th

Harry Potter Conference Updates: Terminus, Portus, Accio 2008 and Convention Alley News

Now that June is here, time is quickly approaching for a host of Harry Potter conferences set for this summer. Here is the latest from the upcoming events in the nearing days ahead.

Convention Alley: Due to begin next week on June 19, Convention Alley now has Day Passes and individual Keynote tickets available for purchase. If you will be attending the convention at the University of

Live PotterCast Friday in Florida, with HP Actors

Attention Florida residents, or those visiting the area: There will be a live PotterCast this friday featuring actors from the HP films as they attend Florida SuperCon, a comics/sci-fi/fantasy convention in Weston, Fl.

The podcast will take place at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 23, at the Hyatt Regency Bonaventure: The actors attending the con (who are all scheduled to be part of the podcast)

Forty NYC Public Schools Represented at NY "Open Book Tour" Stop

U.S. publishers Scholastic announced today it will invite that 1,600 children from 40 New York City public schools to Carnegie Hall on Oct. 19 to see J.K. Rowling read from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein and Scholastic Chairman, President and CEO Richard Robinson will hand out 40 “sorting hats” to representatives from each school to h

Seeking International Partiers

Hey: We have a request for a quick call to our international audience today. If you are going to or organizing a midnight book release party in any of the following locations, would you please send an email to me at melissa@the-leaky-cauldron.org? We promise it’s for a good reason. Thanks so much!

Here are the locations:

Hamilton, Bermuda
Rio/Sao Paulo, Brazil
Costa Rica
Dubai, UAE
Rejkja

Australian Publishers Allen and Unwin Open JKR 'Midnight Signing' Competition

Along with US and UK Harry Potter publishers Scholastic and Bloomsbury, Allen and Unwin, who publish the series in Australia, have opened their ‘J. K. Rowling and the Midnight Signing’ contest. Similar to the US and UK contests we previously told you about, Allen and Unwin are now accepting entries to win tickets to London for J. K. Rowling’s Midnight Signing of Harry Potter and the DContinued...

Salon.com Features New Report on Phoenix Rising

Online publication Salon.com has a new report online, chronicling the Harry Potter conference that took place in New Orleans last month. "Potterpalooza" gives us an in depth look inside the event with interviews and insights from many who attended Phoenix Rising. Among the many things the article highlights is Wizard rock, with such bands such as the Whomping Willows, the Remus Lupins

PotterCast 90 is Live from New Orleans!

Right on time! :cough: Our special live-from-Phoenix-Rising edition of PotterCast, our Harry Potter podcast, is now available for download! To listen, just hit the "Play" button on the right side of the page (--->), or use iTunes, or direct download. What's in store?
This show took place on opening night of the Harry Potter conference in New Orleans, and featured live acoustic performan

Fans Gather at Phoenix Rising for "Harry's Last Dance"

The St. Petersburg Times has an extensive piece about Phoenix Rising, the Harry Potter conference that took place last week in New Orleans. They are reporting that the event "drew about 1,000 participants to New Orleans" and throughout the weekend, people dressed in wizard attire took part in Quidditch games, wizard rock concerts and "discussed the psychology, symbolism and structure o