As you may have heard, there’s a new Harry Potter book coming out this weekend . . .
Sorta.
Okay, it’s not really a book. More of a script. And it wasn’t even really officially written by J.K. Rowling herself. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a stage play currently in theaters in London. Here’s the description:
“As an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband, and a father, Harry Potter struggles with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs while his youngest son, Albus, finds the weight of the family legacy difficult to bear.”
Remember when Rowling said years ago that she’d never write another Harry Potter novel again? Well, she’s kept her word on that front. But no one ever told her she couldn’t help produce a play on the subject. And just to make it extra confusing this script is listed as “Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany & Jack Thorne.”
Still, many of us have fond memories of Harry Potter release parties of years past, so let’s whoop it up and have another! Evanston is going all out for this and there are loads of fun events to be had on July 30th. Here are the official details:
Noon
The day will start with a reading relay at the Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave., at noon. Come read a paragraph, a page or a chapter as we attempt to get through as much of the series as possible, in several locations, before midnight! Bring your own book or read one of ours. The EPL Childrens’ Library will also offer two quiet time Potter-inspired activities.
6 p.m.
The EPL closes at 6 p.m., and the action will move to Evanston’s very own Wizarding School: Northwestern University’s Deering Library. A pick-up Quidditch Game will gather on the Deering Meadow at 6 p.m. Bring a friend, bring a Quaffle, and prepare to run/fly fast.
7 p.m.
An Animal Keeper will present a class on the Care and Feeding of Creatures on the Deering Steps. The Reading Relay will continue in the Deering Library, along with Wand Making and Basic Spells.
8:30 to 8:45 p.m.
There will be a costume contest judging with one award for best existing character cosplay and one award for best original character cosplay.
9 p.m.
All visitors are encouraged to parade back to downtown Evanston and Diagon Alley (on Sherman Avenue) just outside of Bookends and Beginnings Bookstore, 1712 Sherman Ave., for the announcement of the Costume Contest winners. First prize winners will get to open one of the sealed boxes at the stroke of midnight at one of the bookstores and receive the first book.
The reading relay will split into two parts with simultaneous readings at Bookends and Beginnings and Barnes and Noble, 1630 Sherman Ave., to see which location can get the furthest by Book Box Opening at midnight. Bookstores will have continuous activities from 8 p.m. until midnight. All readers are encouraged to preorder their book from their favorite Evanston bookseller prior to the party.
For more information, please contact Bookends and Beginnings at 224-999-7722 or Barnes and Noble Evanston at 847-424-0848.
And, naturally, if you’d like to reserve your own copy, feel free to do so. It’s definitely going to be a hit!
