Posted by It’s here! The centennial of Judy Garland’s birthday is on June 10th which as we know is tomorrow. Did the “Judy Gods” plan for her birthday to be on a weekend in order to make it easier to get to events? We like to think so! Seriously, here are the main events happening this weekend, plus some of the recent Garland CDs that are now available.
Of course, there are many, many other tribute shows on stage, radio, podcasts, social media, and so on. Keep your eye out for events in your area and of course, that you can listen to. Or just pop in your favorite Garland albums and then have your own Garland film fest. There’s nothing like experiencing the real Judy Garland in all her fabulous glory!
In chronological order:
June 9 – 12: The Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, MN (Judy’s birthplace), has a weekend of events lined up.
June 10: Our friend, the fabulous Peter Mac, brings a centennial version (“100 Years of Magic“) of his award-winning show to Rancho Mirage, CA (Palm Springs area just a stone’s throw from LA) followed by engagements in Sacramento, CA, and Pittsburgh, PA. This is no mere “local drag” imitation. Mac pays homage to Judy’s memory, so much so that he’s been vetted by none other than Margaret O’Brien and the late Mickey Rooney, among others. Details about this and his upcoming shows can be found on Mac’s website here.
June 10: Every Friday in June, Turner Classic Movies celebrates Judy as “Star of the Month” by airing her films. Here is Friday’s (June 10) lineup (and into the early morning of June 11) – check your local listings for times:
June 10: Judy’s children, (Liza Minnelli, Lorna & Joe Luft) will unveil the new unisex fragrance “Judy” created by chemist Vincente Spinnato, at a birthday gala at the Wilshire Ebell in Hollywood, CA. Details can be found here.
Note that there will be another issue of this unisex perfume in the Fall, in a “special” bottle (shown below) that was inspired by Judy’s movements and form in the “Get Happy” number from Summer Stock. No word on how much that bottle will cost. Put your name on the mailing list here.
June 10 & 11: Popular Garland impersonator Debbie Wileman brings her show, “Judy – A Musical Celebration,” to the Catalina Jazz Club in Los Angeles. Get tickets here.
Upcoming tour dates (details here):
June 14 (The Castro Theatre, San Francisco)
June 17 (Balboa Theatre, San Diego)
June 20 (The Parker Playhouse, Fort Lauderdale)
June 22 (Plaza Live Orlando, Orlando)
June 25 (Carnegie Hall, New York City)
June 26 (Provincetown Town Hall), Provincetown, MA)
June 11 & 12: The Judy Room is proud to have provided the audio program for “Get Happy! 100 Years of Judy Garland – The Exhibit.” This two-day immersive event features costumes (several newly restored and several previously unseen in public) and other rare Garland ephemera, such as newly restored rare movie posters and much, much more! The event will be held in the same venue that Judy and her sisters, as “The Garland Sisters,” performed at several times in the early 1930s: The Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. Don’t miss this!
June 12: The Hollywood Forever Cemetery (Judy’s final resting place) is celebrating Judy’s 100th Birthday with a special screening of The Wizard of Oz, and a Walking Tour of the grounds which will include informative markers identifying some of the people who worked with Judy and/or were her peers, including Mickey Rooney, Terry (“Toto”), Adrian, Oz director Victor Fleming, and many more.
For tickets, go to www.cinespia.org.
New CD! Hit Parade Records presents JUDY AT 100 – 26 CLASSICS IN STEREO which features the best of Garland’s film, TV, and studio performances. 26 of her original classic recordings all in thrilling stereo high-fidelity, highlighted by the premiere release of 22 tracks in state-of-the-art stereo. You won’t believe your ears!
Details & audio samples are here.
Order here.
Universal Japan has reissued TEN of Judy’s Capitol albums in the UHQCD (Ultra High-Quality CD) format. this June 8th!
You can purchase the CDs here, at CD Japan, for a much cheaper price than on Amazon (subject to change).
* Notes first time on CD in the Japanese market (according to the press release)
UCCU-45038 Miss Show Business *
UCCU-45039 Judy *
UCCU-45040 Alone * (includes the bonus track)
UCCU-45041 Judy in Love
UCCU-45042 The Letter * (this is the expanded version first released in 2007)
UCCU-45043 That’s Entertainment! *
UCCU-45044 The Garland Touch * (this is the expanded version first released in 2009)
UCCU-45045 Garland at the Grove * (this is the expanded version first released in 2008)
UCCU-45046 Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli – Live at The London Palladium * (this is the expanded version first released in 2010)
UCCU-45047 Live! *
On-Demand: The Criterion Channel is offering Babes in Arms, Ziegfeld Girl, For Me and My Gal, Girl Crazy, Presenting Lily Mars, Meet Me in St. Louis, The Clock, The Harvey Girls, Easter Parade, The Pirate, In the Good Old Summertime, Summer Stock. Subscription required.
My CD “Judy At 100 – In Stereo” arrived yesterday and the audio is stunning. It’s almost as if Judy is sitting in the room with you, the vocals are that crisp, that clear. I admit I was skeptical about purchasing yet another version of her audio recordings that had been cleaned up, etc, but I am glad I did. This one is the real deal. I will say, it was hearing the ‘sample’ audio on this site that convinced me to place the order. I highly recommend it. Tomorrow I will visit Judy’s resting place in person to say thank you for 100 years of recordings and films she left as her legacy. Never to be equaled.
I’m so glad you like the new CD. I was also amazed at what they were able to accomplish. Today’s tech is miraculous.
Judy’s legacy is so incredible. Not many stars are celebrated like this 100 years after their births. Her talent will always grab people and entrance us as long as her performances are available in whatever media format is out there!
Thanks for posting that! ~ I’m waiting for mine to arrive with the same trepidation. Your post gives some hopeful confidence that I didn’t make a mistake… Enjoy! and Happy 100th Birthday to the gal who’s legacy lives on in us all.
Where can I buy the 100th anniversary judy album everyone here is talking about?
I think you mean the “Judy at 100 – 26 Classics in Stereo” – info is here: https://www.thejudyroom.com/discography/judy-garland-in-stereo/
🙂
I received my three new Blu ray copies yesterday of ZG, FMAMG, and TC. As I’m sure everyone knows, the reviews for these upgrades have been stellar. I’m gonna start with ZG tonight. So cool as I’m also a Lana fan, and this film marked a huge step in her career.
I, too, can’t wait to get the new CD.
Scott, really, what we do without you?? Dude, you’re the best.
I have only watched “Ziegfeld Girl” so far. It looks great! I look forward to seeing the others. Especially “For Me And My Gal” which is one of my top 5 favorite Garland films. 🙂
I am one of the few that has held in my hands, thee Dress Judy wore to sing Over the Rainbow in , in the movie! I aslo make A1 Replicas of the Ruby Slippers
I am very happy with your Judy at 100 stereo release. I hope you plan on future releases of Judy in stereo with her young voice and even her later years when she is sounding great! Please release more!!
Thank you! I love it too. No plans for a follow-up that I know of. But it’s possible, I guess.