Weekly Events Counting Down to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Midnight Release!

Happy birthday to (or perhaps from) Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling! The newest work in the Harry Potter world, the script for the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, will be released at midnight between Saturday, July 30, and Sunday, July 31. This play, opening in London July 30 (with previews beginning June 7), takes place 19 years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione defeat Voldemort, and is a study of how family stories echo through generations.

Any new Harry Potter release is a good enough reason for book lovers to party, but this summer we have EVEN MORE: local author Lorrie Kim, who is by her own description obsessed with Severus Snape, will also be releasing her character study of the Half-Blood Prince that same night. Called Snape: A Definitive Reading, the book is the perfect present for anyone who has ever melted at the single word "Always."

Beginning Saturday, June 18th, we're launching seven weekends of Harry Potter events! We’ll be showing all eight movies, with different crafts and associated games each week. All events are free and appropriate for Harry Potter fans of all ages. Popcorn, snacks, trivia, and fun!

You can pre-order either book (or both) from us starting NOW by emailing orders@bigbluemarblebooks.com. See the calendar below, and check back for updates.

Countdown Schedule:        

Saturday, June 18 - Countdown week 1

• 6 pm - Harry Potter Warm Up – Make a wand of your own, and decorate your own Harry-Potter-style glasses!
• 7 pm - Screening of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Sorcerer’s Stone

Saturday, June 25 - Countdown week 2

• 6 pm - Dobby Sock Contest – Wear your most outrageous mismatched socks! Take your picture in our Harry Potter Photo Booth!
• 7 pm - Screening of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

photo by Jennifer Sheffield

Saturday, July 2 - Countdown week 3

• 6 pm - Animagus/Patronus Costume Contest – What animal will you be? Make your own Azkaban Wanted Poster!
• 7 pm - Screening of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Saturday, July 9 - Countdown week 4

• 6 pm - Contest – Can you get your name into the Goblet of Fire?
• 7 pm - Screening of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Saturday, July 16 - Countdown week 5

• 6 pm - Activities – Create your own prophecy and orb! AND Create your own Educational Decrees!
• 7 pm - Screening of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Saturday, July 23 - Countdown week 6

• 6 pm - Activities – POTION MAKING! Mix your own magic - but you'll have to taste test it! AND Invent your own magic spells
• 7 pm - Screening of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

image by ShockingBlankets, via Lorrie Kim

Friday, July 29 - Countdown week 7

• 6 pm - Harry Potter Character Guessing Game – In Book 7, our heroes keep changing identities - are you fan enough to keep track?
• 6:45 pm - Reading of "The Tale of the Three Brothers".
• 7 pm - Screening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1

Saturday, July 30 - Release party! Costumes encouraged for all!

• 6 pm - Screening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
• 8:30 pm - Starring Severus Snape! Celebration of Snape: A Definitive Reading, Lorrie Kim’s hot-off-the-press definitive study of the potions master. Readings, trivia, and passionate discussion.
  Reserve your copy of Snape by emailing: orders@bigbluemarblebooks.com
  Check out the new interview with Lorrie Kim, just posted on the blog!
• 11 pm – Screening of Tom Felton Meets the Superfans, a special documentary on the world of Harry Potter
• 12:01 am – Get your copy of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child!
  Reserve your copy by emailing: orders@bigbluemarblebooks.com.
  The first 40 people to buy the book will receive a special certificate sealed with a Hogwarts Crest!