Do you have a Harry Potter or Fantastic Beasts fan in your life? Wizarding World presents DECK THE GREAT HALL, an interactive experience which allows fans to send their friends and family a festive message!
Fans send each other messages via floating magical candles which float to the top of the Great Hall‘s ceiling, illuminating the room with a glow.
Harry Potter fan Liam Payne joined-in on the celebrations sending the first message to TikToker Abby Roberts! Stay tuned for more celebrity guests!
The experience runs till December 31, 2020 and is available in the following countries:
Want to partake in the festive fun? Visit greathall.wizardingworld.com to send a candle!
(Photo credit: Wizarding World)
Review by Jonathan Godfrey for Mr. Will Wong
Toronto loves Harry Potter! We have the Lockhart, Curiosa and its Movies in concert at the Sony Centre. Earlier this year the Toronto Symphony Orchestra debuted their duet with Potter. In their return, the orchestra is led by Joshua Gersen of New York Philharmonic fame.Their performance of John Williams’ Score paces perfectly with the Film, and also sheds light on the charms of its instrumental complexities.
Gersen is a great conductor. Not only does he lead Toronto’s finest through the material brilliantly, he also begins it all by encouraging the audience to engage with the Film via cheers and household affection. Affection for the ever triumphant trio, and jeers for all things Syltherin rippled through the crowd. It’s an incredible experience, and not only for fans, but also packed to the rafters with them. You’re bound to see robes, scarves, and t-shirts galore adorned with icons from the wizarding world.
With two more dates left for the Chamber of Secrets, there are many in Toronto yet to attend in their regalia, and cheer for their household as they quest for the cup. If you are attending, there’s also a merch booth with Dobby tees, a well laid out program, and many other magical items… like wands! But if you’ve already got one, bring it. This is something every wizard should come prepared for, and enjoy.
You still have a chance to experience this magic as it runs through Saturday, October 14, 2017. More here.
By Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong
Twenty years ago, the world was introduced to Harry, Ron, Hermoine and the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Five years later Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson gave those characters life in the Chris Columbus-directed Movie Harry Potter and Philosopher’s Stone. On June 27th through 29th, you will have the rare opportunity to see this wonderful Movie on the big screen with an orchestra performing the score live at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts.
As a devoted Potterhead and proud Slytherin, you can imagine how excited I was to hear that the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts and Attila Glatz Concert Productions were bringing Harry Potter and Philosopher’s Stone in Concert to Toronto and had engaged the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Women’s Chorus from Amadeus Choir and the Elmer Iseler Singers to perform the score on-stage. Fans will feel chills as the first haunting notes of Hedwig’s Theme fill the Sony Centre and we finally meet baby Harry for the first time.
While searching for my missing letter from Hogwarts, I was lucky enough to catch the TSO rehearsing with conductor Justin Freer and was amazed at true magic created by the live orchestra. Freer’s familiarity with the score was on display as he guided the orchestra and brought John Williams’ Oscar-nominated score to life.
Tickets have sold out for Tuesday night’s performance and limited seats are available for Wednesday but the good news is that Sony Centre for the Performing Arts and Attila Glatz Concert Productions just added a THIRD night and great seats are still available at the link below for Thursday. Whether you’re a Potterhead or simply a fan of the TSO, don’t miss your opportunity to attend Harry Potter and Philosopher’s Stone in Concert.
Great news Potterheads who like to plan ahead, The Sony Centre for the Performing Arts and Attila Glatz Concert Productions will be returning in October with performances of the second movie in the franchise, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
More on tickets here.
(Photo credit: Siobhán Rich)
Fan Expo Canada 2015 took place in Toronto this weekend at Metro Convention Centre, drawing at least 127k to the venue as fans were given a rare opportunity to connect with their Pop Culture favourites! Now in its 21st year, the bonanza gives fans a chance at meeting their favourite Artists, Cosplayers, Actors, in addition to screenings, purchasing rare merchandise and playing new games first. Photo Ops, Autograph Signings and Panels were held throughout the weekend, allowing a generous window of opportunity to connect. Installations were on display for upcoming Films like The Little Prince, The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay Part 2, The Hateful Eight and more. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Drawing a large crowd this year were Harry Potter stars Rupert Grint, Tom Felton and The Phelps Twins. Fans also got a chance to see new faces at the Expo like Boxing legend Mike Tyson, Jenna Coleman (Dr. Who), Tyler Hoechlin (Teen Wolf), Christian Slater (Mr. Robot), Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal), Neve Campbell (Scream), Ming-Na Wen (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Robin Lord-Taylor (Gotham), Danny Trejo (Machete), Hayley Atwell (Agent Carter), plus returning fan favourite Norm Reedus (The Walking Dead).
As a friendly reminder this year, signs were displayed stating “Cosplay is not consent” promoting a vibe of respect among attendees, many whom utilize Fan Expo as an opportunity to fulfill their wildest fantasies of role playing as a more extraordinary version of themselves.
Our Team, including Justin Waldman, Christine Miguel and myself sat-in on a few of the Panels! Some of the more memorable quotes to come out of Fan Expo Canada 2015:
MING-NA WEN
She later jokingly publicly asked George Lucas about potentially casting her in one of the upcoming new Star Wars spinoffs or as she kidded, “whoring herself out”.
TOM FELTON
THE PHELPS TWINS
MADS MIKKELSEN
JASON MOMOA
And some Photo Ops, because like you, we’re fans too!
Jason Momoa
Via @jdubs5121: #MadsMikkelsen at @fanexpocanada, “I’ve never seen a #Bond film in my life. I had no idea what I was getting into (for #CasinoRoyale)”. #Hannibal star recently cast in #RogueOne. #StarWars #FanExpo #FanExpoCanada Thanks Marc Levy for the pic! A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Brandi Cyrus (yes, Miley‘s big sis)
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Rupert Grint
With gorgeous #AgentsofShield star #MingNaWen at @FanExpoCanada. #MULAN #FanExpo #FanExpoCanada A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
The Phelps Twins
Tom Felton
With #ChristianSlater, in #Toronto for #FanExpoCanada and new Showcase series, #MrRobot. #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Danny Trejo
Christine had a chance to sit-in on a screening and panel of ADVENTURE TIME (review here) with voice talents Jeremy Shada and Tom Kenny, which can be seen on The Cartoon Network in Canada. Learn more here.
Learn all about FAN EXPO CANADA here.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Christine Miguel/Marc Levy/Justin Waldman)
We’re super-thrilled for FAN EXPO this weekend in Toronto and it looks like they’ve saved the best for last! Do you believe that Harry Potter star RUPERT GRINT (Ron Weasley) will be headlining the Expo this weekend? And you finally can get your chance to buy an Autograph or Photo Op with the star!
FAN EXPO runs Thursday, September 3, 2015 through Sunday, September 6, 2015! Online tickets have been extended a bit longer to accommodate overwhelming demand! Click here for more.
Robin Lord-Taylor, Ming-Na Wen, Danny Trejo, Hayley Atwell, Jenna Coleman, Norman Reedus, Jason Momoa. These are just some of the major stars taking part this weekend!
See you there!
(Photo credit: Empire Online)
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com