It's time to open the nominations for the One Ring Awards, to be held at The One Ring Celebration in Pasadena, CA on January 21, 2006. Like last year, most of the Awards will be voted on by you, the best LOTR fans on the net. Please send all nomination submissions to: OneRingAwards@theonering.net using the format asked for, thank you. Entries will be accepted until the end of November 2005.

1 - Best Tolkien based Lecture or Paper presented at an Academic function (i.e. Marquette, Oxenmoot, etc) in 2005.
Please list the event presented at, name of the scholar presenting and if known, the title of the paper or lecture. If you do not know the exact title, summarize the lecture or paper.

2 - Best Tolkien themed book published in 2005.
Please provide the name of the author and the title of the book.

3 - Best Performance by a LOTR actor/actress in a Supporting Role in a TV Series, Made for TV Movie, Mini-Series or Motion Picture (for 2005).
Please provide the name of the actor/actress, the show/film, and the role played. For television shows please provide the name of the network and the country it aired on.

4 - Best Performance by a LOTR actor/actress in a Leading Role in a TV series, Made for TV Movie, Mini-Series or Motion Picture (for 2005).
Please provide the name of the actor/actress, the show/film, and the role played. For television shows please provide the name of the network and the country it aired on.

5 - Best Fan Fiction (PG-13 or lower, no Slash).
Please submit link to the story, the title, and the name of the writer. If possible, how to contact the writer should also be included. This should be a Fan Fic that is currently available on the web so that other fans can view it and then vote on it.

6 - Best Fan website (fan fiction, fan art, actors, etc).
Please provide a link, and the name of the site. This should be a website that is currently in existence so that other fans can see it and vote on it.

In order to help you in the acting categories, we've compiled a non-exhaustive list of the shows and films the LOTR cast appeared in this year. You can pick from this list and you can add to it. Thank you!

Linuxelf writes: John Rhys-Davies makes a welcome return to New Zealand as a special guest. all three days of the upcoming tenth anniversary expo. Currently best known for his role as GIMLI THE DWARF in the hit trilogy of Lord of the Rings, John studied at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and in addition to his distinguished theatre work - Othello, Macbeth and Falstaff - has taken leading roles in many movies among them Victor/Victoria, The Living Daylights, King Solomon's Mines and the 1992 remake of Conan Doyle's The Lost World in which he starred as Professor Challenger.

These are the signing times for the guests at Armageddon. Please note, these times do not include on stage panel times. Video Ezy Celebrity Signing area - Level three. All guests signing all three days between

Gates McFadden
Dean Haglund
Robin Atkins Downes
Richard Hatch
Cliff Simon
Julie Caitlin Brown
Nicole DeBoer
Torri Higginson
Jay Laga'aia
John Rhys-Davies

Tinuvielas writes: Here are the Pro's (many) and Con's (some) about RingCon 2005, to be followed by a Summary & Quotes of the John Noble and (part of) the Billy Boyd panel
October, 9th, 2005

"I'm sittin' in a railway-station, gotta ticket for my destination… hmm-mmm…" – anyone remember that song? Anyone relate to that melancholy feeling of being cast out of Middle-Earth and re-emerging into the bleak reality of a crowded train-ride home, so familiar after three day's worth of RingCon? Three days of coming-together (which is of course what "con-venire" actually means), of singing – it was a very musical Con, this time, dubbed a "Sing-Con" by some, but more of this later – of laughing and having FUN!

The above was indeed written on the train, when I was still dressed up as an elf and suffering from the after-effects of overexcitement, of being part of a large, one-minded group, of too much mead and too little sleep and food. But, to quote another ancient song, "sometimes all I need is the air that I breathe and…" to be at RingCon!!! Yes, they managed to pull it off again! Yes, they actually managed to top last year's experience – and, what's more, they did it in spite of not inconsiderable odds such as:

a) A totally new location. The newly-opened Esperanto Hotel in Fulda is larger than Bonn's Maritim, conveniently situated in the Middle of Germany and endowed with a lot of nice terraces where people could go outside and enjoy the beautiful warm weather, but it was scarcely and unlovingly decorated in the opinion of several fans I spoke to, and also in large part coldly lit and not very atmospheric indeed (one fan compared it to a railway-station…). Moreover, at least initially, organisation and staff at the hotel were rather ignorant and totally overtaxed, resulting in fans erring all around Middle-Earth looking for places to leave their luggage, people waiting up late for their overbooked rooms and loooooong lines at the counters;

b) The cancellation of both major stars Sean Astin and David Wenham on short notice because of their filming-schedule. Fortunately, Billy Boyd came instead, but more of that later;

c) The cancellation of John Howe and Colleen Duran because of the flu. All of these cancellations lead to various changes of schedule which were necessary but a bit confusing;

d) Finally, a comparatively lame opening ceremony in a cold hall without funny videos, featuring a Marc B. Lee hard put to explain all of the above to several thousand disgruntled fans. He did it professionally enough and ended up offering free mead and beer to get the party going… yeah, but it still did take the Con a full day to take off, this year, which was a shame.

However, once it got going, like I said, they made it another unforgettable experience, and by "they" I mean not only the organisers, but staff, stars, guests and fans alike. For this year's RingCon, even more than last's imho, was a true get-together, a shared experience of those on stage and those below. The interaction was wonderful: fans singing for Billy Boyd during his panel and Billy Boyd performing a beautiful solo on stage; the "elves"-actors joining in the choreographed show put up by the sword-fighting workshop at the Closing ceremony; Mark and Craig and the "hobbit"-actors getting fans on stage to perform with them; or last-minute addition Lawrence Makoare (who said it was going to be his last Con L) playing the fool in the audience during some of the panels. Even Marc B. Lee once got down to the floor to ask Thomas Robbins ("Deagol") (I think) a couple of questions.

Or take John Noble, who held his first panel Saturday night. Tell you what: I wasn't excited about him as Denethor, so I didn't much mind him coming to RingCon (or indeed, not coming last year). But wow, what a surprise: this actor is a wonderful person! A true gentleman, nice, polite, considerate and warm, appreciating the fans, giving each and everyone of them the feeling of being glad to meet them (and indeed shaking every single autograph-seeker's hand, not to speak of the fact that he gave autographs for free). However, read for yourselves in my transcription of his panel below.

Another thing which made up for the initial difficulties, and which made RingCon 2005 a success after all, was that for the first time (again imho), this year's several shows were truly spectacular and of professional quality. Whereas last years' costume contests, for instance, often bore the mark of unintentional Comedy, with contestants seriously re-enacting a scene that was much better re-viewed on DVD, or Germans declaiming Tolkien-lyrics in a heavily accented English, this year's acts were for the most part witty, funny, each with a twist to them that had the audience rolling on the floor laughing – as when two girls dressed up as "A Leaf of Lembas" and "Galadriel's Phial" and hopped around the stage dancing to the title-song of grumpy children's cartoon-character "Bernd, the Bread".

However, what really totally surprised and overwhelmed everyone present on Saturday night was the following shows. After an exciting stunt-show featuring human (or rather orcish) torches and a guy unexpectedly falling off the ten-meter ceiling in the middle of the hall (onto a thick mattress, sending up billowing clouds of dust), the well-known Boromir-character (he with the wet hair in his eyes "who wants to live forever…") entered the stage. He was joined by a huge cast of fellow Ring-Stars, all of them fans and amateurs, professionally enacting a highly entertaining quick version of The Lord of the Rings: "Ring-Stars – The Unleashed Tales". Anyone enjoyed "Shakespeare's works in 90 minutes"? Well, this one's a match, and Kudos to director Marc Blasweiler! Most impressive of all (in a literal sense as well, since it was rather loud…) was the score, a perfectly mixed medley of the most hilarious songs fitting for each scene. A few examples, and thanks to my two roommates who helped my poor musical memory out:

Are you interested in attending a premiere screening and charity event for RINGERS in Los Angeles? If so write to: info@planetbb.com. ONLY YOU can help us convince SONY that the fans should have a wonderful premiere party for RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS before it comes out on DVD November 22!! [http://www.sonypictures.com/ringers] We are sending out this EMERGENCY call to action for Southern California Tolkien fans -- because YOU showing interest in the event will help make it our break it! The movie you've heard so much about, our award-winning documentary RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS, needs your help! If you guys respond over the weekend by writing to us, and tell your local friends to join in, we might succeed in creating another party of special magnificence!

WHAT: RINGERS is trying to put together a big premiere party (it will also be a charity fund-raiser, the select charity is TBD)

WHY: We need to see that we have enough interest from fans in order to hold the event.

WILL ANY LOTR STARS ATTEND?: We have invited them but none have confirmed.

WHAT KIND OF PARTY? WHAT IS INCLUDED?: The details are still being ironed out -- but you will be the last audience to EVER see the film RINGERS in full glory in a movie theatre before its home video release. This will be a red-carpet premiere of the film followed by a catered party sure to please the hobbity appetite in all of us. There will be food, drink, and merriment! Details TBD.

TICKET PRICE?: This will be a charity fund-raiser! Therefore these tickets will be in the Oscar party range.

SONY will not confirm this event unless you write us an email, stating you have an interest and how many tickets you would like. WE MUST GET EVERYONE TO WRITE US BY END OF DAY MONDAY, OCT. 17 or this will not happen!

You need only tell us how many tickets you are certain could be purchased for your groups' attendance.

Watch the front page of TheOneRing.net and we will update you as we move forward!

WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING ABOUT RINGERS:

"There's a new documentary to take you back to the Shire!"
- Premiere magazine

"...Charming! Plenty of juicy factoids!"
-Wired.com

"...Wildly entertaining! ...A flawless combination of informative objectivity and insider enthusiasm. Unfailingly noble in spirit and delightfully comprehensive, RINGERS is a collector's gift that can proudly stand alongside Tolkien's books and Jackson's timeless movie trilogy."
- Amazon.com

"RINGERS is comprehensive, entertaining and informative pop-cultural history!"
- The Toronto Star

"...Will always be a salient part of 'Lord of the Rings' history... See it, absorb it, love it!"
- FilmThreat

Winner of the "Outstanding Achievement" Award at the
Newport Beach Film Festival

Gimli, the stought-hearted dwarf of Erebor. What is the sum of his contribution to the quest? Is it any more than being Legolas's passenger on the back of Hasufel and helping Gandalf thread a path through the dark depths of Moria?

Then there's Legolas, the fleet-footed archer of Mirkwood. Did he do any more than ease the passage through Lothlorien and bring down a Nazgul at Sarn Gebir?

What of Pippin, the youngest member of the fellowship? Was his messing with the Palantir that vital in saving Gandalf from exposure to Sauron? Did he in some way help sustain Denethor for longer and help save Minas Tirith - and Frodo? Or was his presence simply a foolish risk -- as exposed by his capture at Amon Hen?

And then there's Merry, leader of the conspiracy to prevent Frodo from running away from Bag End by himself. But apart from ensuring that Frodo got to Bree without falling into Mordor's hands, how much did he really accomplish?

These are just a few of the questions that we'll be posing at what's sure to be a lively Hall of Fire debate this weekend. So come and join us on Sunday October 16 2pm EDT in #thehalloffire on the TORn IRC server.

Chats usually last 45 mins to an hour, and are very newbie friendly. Simply drop in and join the conversation!

Upcoming topics:
Sun October 16 Were Merry, Pippin, Gimli and Legolas essential to the quest?
Sat October 22 - Silmarillion Ch 14
Sun October 30 - Silmarillion Ch 14
Sat November 5 - Alan Lee live Q&A

Don't forget our live chat with famed Tolkien illustrator Alan Lee on November 5. Alan will be answering your questions on his work for an hour. However, this chat is sure to be popular, so get your question in early and here! ) or choose to install a dedicated chat program such as mIRC on your computer.

To find out more about using mIRC to connect to TORn IRC server, check out these instructions.

If you have a burning desire to discuss something in Hall of Fire, drop us a line with your topic at halloffire@theonering.net. If we like it, we'll probably give it a run in the coming weeks - you might even get to guest moderate the session!

Did you know that Hall of Fire has a mailing list? Join today and get topic announcements and news delivered regularly to your inbox!

Hof-announce@theonering.net
http://www.theonering.net/mailman/listinfo/hof-announce

Ringer Celebriel reports on the Greater Bay Area Costumer’s Guild's special event, An Evening in Rivendell: A secluded lodge in the Oakland hills was transformed Saturday evening into Elrond’s hall, surrounded by woods, lit by candles, and warmed by a bright hearth. Seventy two guests attended, most costumed as elves, but men and women of Rohan and Gondor, a handful of hobbits, a Haradrim mumakil driver, and a Ringwraith were also present.

Dinner featured a Middle-Earth theme, with Master Samwise’s roast chicken a popular entrée. Elves circulated offering chocolate leaves as one of three desserts. After dinner, the Hall of Fire featured renditions of Pippin’s Song and Into the West, accompanied by a harpist, followed by Philip and Kathe Gust’s performance of Theoden’s arming scene from The Two Towers, which brought down the house. (For costume details, please see the tutorial at celefinniel.webhop.net

The rest of the evening was turned over to the dances, and dancers, of Middle Earth. Those seated with a goblet of wine or a mug of ale watched as the golden circlets, hand sewn embroidery, silks and velvets worn by twirling elves caught flashes of light from the candles and scattered it across the Hall of Fire. It was a magical evening, with friendships renewed and new ones forged.

THE COLLEGIATE CHORALE AND MUSIC DIRECTOR ROBERT BASS Present The Rings: Myth and Music Excerpts from Wagner’s Ring Cycle and The New York Premiere of Howard Shore’s Movements I and II “The Fellowship of the Ring” from The Lord of the Rings Symphony

New York, NY - The Collegiate Chorale, led by Robert Bass, opens its 64th season with The Rings: Myth and Music on November 13th at 3 p.m. at Carnegie Hall. Excerpts from Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle, including Die Walkϋre and Götterdämmerung and a suite from Flying Dutchman, and the New York Premiere of Movements I and II “The Fellowship of the Ring” from The Lord of the Rings Symphony by Howard Shore, will be performed.

Guest artists include Christine Goerke, soprano; Valentin Peitchinoff, bass; and the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus.

The operas of Richard Wagner illustrate the profound influence of myth and legend. His “Ring” cycle and Flying Dutchman are mainstays of opera houses around the world and are notable in part for their Valkyries, giants, gnomes and ghosts. Few composers unfold supernatural forces as effectively as Wagner, matching music to story.

Howard Shore’s The Lord of the Rings Symphony, based on the music from his Academy Award winning film score, like the works of Wagner and others, is derived from mythological sources. In this instance, the books by J.R.R. Tolkien dramatically unfold the fable of the lowly Hobbits as they struggle against the forces of evil. The Rings Symphony has been performed more than 50 times on four continents including performances in Sydney’s Opera House and London’s Royal Albert Hall. In fall 2004 The Lord of the Rings Symphony received 25 performances in the United States and Europe, including a historic concert by the National Philharmonic of Russia in Moscow’s Kremlin Palace Theater.

Howard Shore, composer, had a record-breaking 2003/2004 awards season. His score and song for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King won two Academy Awards and two Golden Globes. The Best Score "Oscar" went to the entire film score The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Shore also won a Grammy Award for his work on the previous "Rings" film, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. In 2002, he received top honors – both an Oscar and a Grammy (Best Original Score) – for The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, which also received awards from the Los Angeles Film Critics, the Chicago Film Critics and the Broadcast Film Critics.

The UK’s Classic FM voted The Lord of the Rings soundtrack the Best Film Score of All Time for two consecutive years. In addition to the recordings of his film score, Shore’s chamber music has been featured on an Arabesque Records CD entitled Reel Life – The Private Music of Film Composers, Vol. 1.

Shore’s music has been performed throughout the world. He has conducted concerts of his original music in Seville (at the Seville Film Music Festival); Melbourne (at Cinesonic’s First International Conference on Film Scores and Sound Design); and Ottawa, and at the National Arts Centre.

Shore conducted the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in the world premiere of The Lord of the Rings Symphony: Six Movements for Orchestra and Chorus in 2003. He is currently touring the symphony, conducting performances in communities all over the world. Each of the symphony's six movements corresponds to a book within J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. The concerts feature over two hundred onstage performers, including large orchestra, adult and boy choruses, and numerous vocal and instrumental soloists.

Howard Shore received his formal musical education at Boston's world famous Berklee School of Music. He recorded with the group "Lighthouse" from 1969 to 1972, and was the original musical director of Saturday Night Live, where he worked with his lifelong friend Lorne Michaels between 1975 and 1980.

Christine Goerke, soprano, was the recipient of the 2001 Richard Tucker Award and has established an outstanding reputation with many of the world's leading opera houses and orchestras. Ms. Goerke has appeared at the Metropolitan Opera (where she is an alumna of the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program), the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, the Paris Opera, the New York City Opera, the Seattle Opera, the Houston Grand Opera, the Santa Fe Opera, the Pittsburgh Opera, the Saito Kinen Festival and the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.

She also appeared in a series of Mozart/da Ponte operas staged by the Seiji Ozawa Ongaku-Juku Opera Project which included Le Nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, and Cosi fan tutte. Ms. Goerke's many roles include the title roles in Norma, Alcina, Agrippina, and Iphigenie en Tauride; Donna Elvira and Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, Fiordiligi in Cosi fan tutte, the Countess in Le nozze di Figaro, Vitellia in Clemenza di Tito, Elletra in Idomeneo, Armida in Rinaldo, Alice Ford in Falstaff, Musetta in La Bohème, Madame Lidoine in Dialogues des Carmelites, the Female Chorus in The Rape of Lucretia, and Ellen Orford in Peter Grimes.

On the concert platform, Ms. Goerke has appeared with a number of the leading orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra, New World Symphony, Houston Symphony, Sydney Symphony, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.

In both opera and concerts, Ms. Goerke continues to work with some of the world's foremost conductors including James Conlon, Mark Elder, Christoph Eschenbach, Claus Peter Flor, James Levine, Sir Charles Mackerras, Kurt Masur, Zubin Mehta, Seiji Ozawa, Esa-Pekka Salonen, the late Robert Shaw, Leonard Slatkin, Patrick Summers, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Edo de Waart.

Ms. Goerke's recording of Vaughan Williams Sea Symphony with Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Classical Recording and Best Choral Performance. Her close association with Robert Shaw yielded several recordings including the Brahms' Liebeslieder Waltzes, Poulenc's Stabat Mater, Szymanowski's Stabat Mater, and the Grammy-nominated recording of Dvorak's Stabat Mater. Other recordings include the title role of Iphigenie in Iphigenie en Tauride for Telarc and the Britten War Requiem which won the 1999 Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance.

Ms. Goerke recently made her debut at the Opera Company of Philadelphia as Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus, sang the Beethoven Symphony 9 with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, and appeared in Tokyo as Chrysothemis in Elektra.

Valentin Peitchinoff, bass, has appeared throughout his native Bulgaria in such roles as Mephistopheles in Faust, Gomez da Silva in Ernani, the title roles in Ivan Sussanin and Aleko, Mustafa in L'Italiana in Algeri, Basilio in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Pizarro in Fidelio, and Ramfis in Aida. In addition, he has also appeared on opera, symphony, and recital stages in Germany, Austria, Italy, Mexico, Canada, Ireland, and Poland before emigrating to the United States.

In America, he has appeared as Lanciotto in Rachmaninoff's Francesca da Rimini and King Rene in Tchaikovsky's Iolanta with Sarasota Opera; the title role in Der Fliegende Holländer and Ramfis in Aida with Nashville Opera; King Philip in Don Carlos (in the original French) with New York Grand Opera; Zaccaria in Nabucco with Opera Hamilton, Sarasota Opera and Opera Columbus; Banquo in Macbeth and Fiesco in Simon Boccanegra and in Macbeth with Opera Hamilton; Sparafucile in Rigoletto with Calgary Opera and Mustafa with the Dublin Opera; Raimondo in Lucia di Lammermoor and Colline in La Bohème with the Florentine Opera, Opera Columbus and Hartford Opera and Timur in Turandot with Baltimore Opera.

In New York, Mr. Peitchinoff made his first appearances as Bronza in Rothchild's Violin at The Juilliard Opera Center. Since that time, he has appeared at the New York City Opera as Prince Galitsky in Prince Igor, Basilio, Colline, and Sparafucile. He also joined the roster of the Metropolitan Opera in 2000.

On the concert stage, Mr. Peitchinoff has appeared in New York at Alice Tully Hall as bass soloist in Shostakovitch's Symphony No. 14, with the Santa Fe Symphony for Rossini's Stabat Mater and Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, and numerous appearances for the Verdi Requiem (Carnegie Hall, West Virginia Symphony, Collegiate Chorale, Connecticut Grand Opera). In addition, he was featured soloist performances of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 14 and his Suite on Poems by Michelangelo in two concerts of the music of Shostakovich as part of the International Music Festival broadcast nationwide on National Public Radio. He has appeared in recital at the Spoleto Festival in Italy, in the Gala of L'Opera de Montreal.

New York City Gay Men’s Chorus is the longest standing member of Big Apple Performing Arts, having just celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 2005. New York City Gay Men’s Chorus now comprises 250 voices, appearing in three subscription concerts each year, moving between Avery Fisher Hall and Carnegie Hall as well as other world-class venues in New York City. Affirming their world-class status is a roster of classical and contemporary artists who have graced the stages with the Chorus: Marilyn Horne, Roberta Peters, Liza Minnelli, Stephen Sondheim, Barbara Cook, Carol Channing, Jerry Herman, Eartha Kitt, Joel Grey – to name just a few. In addition to the full chorus, the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus includes the 24-voice Ambassadors Chorus which serves as a community outreach ensemble.

Robert Bass, the Music Director of the Collegiate Chorale since 1980, conducts a wide repertoire including choral works and operas, and has initiated numerous commissions in his tenure. The upcoming season marks Mr. Bass’ 26th yeah with the Chorale. He made his Carnegie Hall conducting debut at the age of 26, and has since presented several operas in concert at Carnegie Hall including the New York premieres of Richard Strauss’ Friedenstag, Schubert’s Fierrabras, Respighi’s La fiamma, and the American premiere of Dvořák’s Dmitri, as well as Verdi’s Nabucco, Giovanna d’Arco (Joan of Arc), Macbeth, La Forza del Destino, Un Ballo in Maschera and Ponchielli’s La Gioconda. He also serves as artistic director of the Olga Forrai Foundation, which supports the careers of young singers and conductors, and is a judge for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.

The Collegiate Chorale, among New York’s foremost vocal ensembles, has added to the richness of the City’s cultural fabric for more than 60 years. Founded in 1941 by legendary conductor Robert Shaw, The Chorale has achieved national and international prominence under the leadership of Music Director Robert Bass, who recently celebrated his 25th Anniversary season. The Chorale has established a preeminent reputation for its interpretations of the traditional choral repertoire, vocal works by American composers and rarely heard operas-in-concert, as well as commissions and premieres of new works by today’s most exciting creative artists.

James Levine has invited The Collegiate Chorale to return to the Verbier Festival following its triumphant performance of the Verdi Requiem in August 2005. On August 3rd, 2006, The Collegiate Chorale will perform in Verdi’s Otello with soprano Barbara Frittoli, tenor Ben Heppner and baritone Carlo Guelfi. They will also participate in the closing of the Festival on August 6th in Beethoven’s monumental Symphony No. 9. Both concerts will be conducted by Maestro Levine.

The Orchestra of St. Luke’s, one of America's foremost chamber orchestras, commands a mastery of a diverse repertoire spanning from the Baroque to the contemporary. First organized at the Caramoor International Music Festival in the summer of 1979, the Orchestra evolved from the St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble, established in 1974, whose members formed the Orchestra’s artistic core as principal players. The Orchestra has worked with the finest conductors, including former Music Directors Sir Charles Mackerras (1998-2001) and Sir Roger Norrington (1990-94). In 2001, they continued this tradition by appointing Donald Runnicles as Principal Conductor.

Mafgrl writes: Last night at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Downtown Los Angeles a very unique and inspiring event took place. Entitled "Voices of a People's History of the United States", the event sampled speeches, letters and more by the likes of Susan B. Anthony, abolishionist John Brown, Mark Twain and Cindy Sheehan. These excerpts read by many of Hollywood's great actors and political advocates, including Viggo Mortensen(History of Violence), Marisa Tomei (My Cousin Vinny), Sandra Oh (Grey's Anatomy), Josh Brolin (Into the Blue), Kerry Washington (Ray) and Danny Glover(Lethal Weapon). The material was both moving and funny in turn. One reading by Oh was written by a Japanese American woman who was removed from her home in San Pedro in 1941 and sent to a concentration camp during the war. Another piece told of a factory worker in Chicago who was one of the first women to organize unions in that state for better conditions and rights. A very moving rendition of Cindy Sheehan's speech about her son being killed in the Iraq war and her subsequent trip to try to talk to President Bush in Crawford, Tx was given by Tomei.

Each of the readers for the evening was clearly passionate about the material both Mortensen and Vanessa Martinez (Lone Star) read their passages both in Spanish and English to the delight of the mixed crowd. Danny Glover had flown in from Florida and arrived midway through right off of the plane to participate. Mortensen made one of his now famous antiwar/anti Bush shirts which stated "Impeach, Remove, Jail". He was still sporting the red and blue paint on his hands!

The panel was moderated by Howard Zinn who wrote the book that this reading was based on "A People's History of the United States" and Anthony Arnove who is the writer of "Iraq Under Siege: The Deadly Impact of Sanctions".

It was very interesting and enjoyable to hear these words of many people in history who are not as famous and often overlooked for their views. If you have an opportunity to pick up a copy of Zinn's book, please check it out, I think you will find it fascinating. [More]

Then there's Legolas, the fleet-footed archer of Mirkwood. Did he do any more than ease the passage through Lothlorien and bring down a Nazgul at Sarn Gebir?

These are just a few of the questions that we'll be posing at what's sure to be a lively Hall of Fire debate this weekend. So come and join us on Saturday October 8 at 5.30pm EDT in #thehalloffire on the TORn IRC server.

Asia-Pacific:
7.30am (Sunday) Brisbane
7.30am (Sunday) Sydney
9.30am (Sunday) Wellington

Chats usually last 45 mins to an hour, and are very newbie friendly. Simply drop in and join the conversation!

Sat October 8 - Were Merry, Pippin, Gimli and Legolas essential to the quest?
Sun October 16 Were Merry, Pippin, Gimli and Legolas essential to the quest?
Sat October 22 - Silmarillion Ch 14
Sun October 30 - Silmarillion Ch 14
Sat November 5 - Alan Lee live Q&A

Chat happens on #thehalloffire on irc.theonering.net - the TORn IRC server. You can connect instantly via our java chat client that works inside your web browser (find it here! ) or choose to install a dedicated chat program such as mIRC on your computer.

To find out more about using mIRC to connect to TORn IRC server, check out these instructions.

Did you know that Hall of Fire has a mailing list? Join today and get topic announcements and news delivered regularly to your inbox!

Hof-announce@theonering.net
http://www.theonering.net/mailman/listinfo/hof-announce

Kevin Lively writes: I am currently directing a production of The Hobbit at Bakersfield Community Theatre (Bakersfield's Oldest Community Theatre). I thought you guys might like to hear about it. Attached is an article written by one of publicity guys for a local underground newspaper called The Black Board.

THE HOBBIT is on its foot-stompin’ way - By N.L. Belardes

Kevin Lively, that dashing actor/director with more energy than a Tehachapi wind turbine is now spinning one of the most masterfully whimsical plays to ever grace Bakersfield Community Theatre. Here comes The Hobbit, no not Frodo ala Elijah Woods look-a-likes from Peter Jackson-style Hobbityville landscapes; this is a directorial-specific play version of the J.R.R. Tolkien novel that started it all—and Frodo isn’t even in it!

Who needs to see DVD re-plays of that psychotic little hobbit, Frodo when Bakersfield has Lively’s telling of The Hobbit? In this story, Bilbo Baggins, one of the hippest hobbits of the Shiretown blues there ever was, journeys from his homelands of The Shire and beyond the Mirkwood Forest. Enter Lively’s slapstick blend of The BBC meets Mel Brooks meets Tolkien in a dark alley of stand-up comics. Yes, Bilbo gets the One Ring, but just how he goes about his journey, only Kevin Lively in his secret meetings of choreography with over 45 stage actors and mysterious monumental Middle Earth sets knows. Will he tell all before the very premiere of such a play as has never before been seen by Bakersfield folk? A simple “No,” will have to do! So sit back, and wait, but don’t you dare be patient. Working with a considerably large budget sponsored by lots of fine folks from the Bakersfield community, The Hobbit promises to be one of the most popular shows to ever grace Southern Central Valley theatres... just take a look at this cast and crew:

Bilbo - Chris Orta (last seen in Peter Pan as Tootles)
Gandalf - Angela Poncetta (Last seen in Laugh in as the British chick)
Smaug (voice) - 160.1 KRAB Radio's Meathead
Thorin - Aaron Logan
Gollum - Ben Lejeune
Smeagol –Jenna Lejeune
Gobbo - Clay Beaudette
Elfrida - Katrina Cruz

Director - Kevin Lively
Ass. Director - Caroline Clark
Producer - Aaron Mauldin (Zog the troll)
Sound - Sean Perryman (Best Sound Design for Peter Pan for the 2004-05 BCT Season)
Costumes - Sarah Downey and Jeny Rendt Scott-Sanchez for a svelte take on Middle Earth
Make-up - Victoria Vasquez (Full creature make up down to the hairy feet.)

October 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23.
14th and 21st @ 7
15th and 22nd @ 2 and 7
21 and 23 @ 2.

Chapter 13 of The Silmarillion, Of the Return of the Noldor, takes us back to where we left the Noldorian elves, on the northern shores of Middle Earth. Feanor and his followers making their way inland, exploring and settling. Later, we see Fingolfin and his kin come ashore to the first rising of the Sun, and meeting again with the estranged kin who left them for dead on the ice.

Although there is accord between the two groups, it is shaky at best. Meanwhile, Morgoth tests their strength against his own, sending orc hordes and balrogs and finally Glaurung the Uruloki (firedrake) to challenge the elves. The Noldorian elves are introduced to the elves of Menegroth as well as the Dwarves -- who become tentative allies in the peace of this time.

"And even as the Noldor set foot upon the strand, their cries were taken up into the hill and multiplied…" What was the cause or emotion of this clamour?

We see that the arrival of Fingolfin is very unlike that of Feanor. What are the differences and what significance is implied here?

Fingon, while full of despair, attempts a daring rescue of Maedhros with the aid of the eagles. Is this enough to bridge the chasm of the enmity between the two groups of elves? Does Maedhros represent a Christ-like figure?

How is King Thingol regarded by the Noldor? Does the growing involvement with the king hinder the joining of the elves?

Ulmo sends Turgon and Finrod dreams to build strongholds, which they do. What is this interference in the lives of the Noldor by the Valar? Is Ulmo going against the wishes of the Valar by doing this?

The Noldor launch a scattering of cities, mansions and strongholds. Does this establish them with strength throughout the region, or separate them enough so that they become vulnerable to Morgoth's ever-growing malice?

Join us in the Hall of Fire on Sunday October 2 at 2:00pm EDT as we discuss Chapter 13 of the Silmarillion - Of the Return of the Noldor.

Asia-Pacific
4.00am (Monday) Brisbane
4.00am (Monday) Sydney
6.00am (Monday) Wellington

Chats usually last 45 mins to an hour, and are very newbie friendly. Simply drop in and join the conversation!

To find out more about using mIRC to connect to TORn IRC server, check out these instructions.

Sat September 24 - Silmarillion Ch 13
Sun October 2 - Silmarillion Ch 13
Sat October 8 - Were Merry, Pippin, Gimli and Legolas essential to the quest?
Sun October 16 Were Merry, Pippin, Gimli and Legolas essential to the quest?
Sat October 22 - Silmarillion Ch 14
Sun October 30 - Silmarillion Ch 14
Sat November 5 - Alan Lee live Q&A

Did you know that Hall of Fire has a mailing list? Join today and get topic announcements and news delivered regularly to your inbox!

Hof-announce@theonering.net
http://www.theonering.net/mailman/listinfo/hof-announce