Events Roundup: Magical Gatherings and Mystical Drinks
Wizarding World Gathering Added to Magic Fest
The Edinburgh International Magic Festival has highlighted and celebrated the art of magic for the past eight years, and this year it is adding a new feature for Harry Potter fans to enjoy. To help kick off the festival, the Wizarding World Gathering will be held at Assembly Roxy, May 11–13, 2018. Dress in your best robes, wizard finery, or just masquerade as a Muggle for a night of fun and magic.
Enjoy a free cocktail and chocolate frog on arrival, indulge in delicious food and bespoke drinks, find a friend, lose a friend, dance and upgrade your broomstick as you wander between the great hall and intimate theatres.
There’ll be live magic shows from expert magicians R Paul Wilson, John Henry Blackwood and Kevin Quantum, a fantasy quiz to test your knowledge and DJ sets. And of course, beware of surprises that we’ll spring on you throughout the night.
Early bird tickets are still available here, and you can choose between four sessions over the three days.
Can’t-Miss HP Event in Scotland
The Loretto School in Musselburgh, Scotland, comprises some amazing buildings, and later this year, one of them will be transformed into a real-life school of witchcraft and wizardry. August 3–5, 2018, the Pinkie House campus will be filled with props and set builds inspired by the Harry Potter movies, a Muggle quidditch field, the Weasleys’ flying Ford Anglia, and wizard’s chess. Actors from the movies, such as Stanislav Yanevski (Viktor Krum), Josh Herdman (Gregory Goyle), and Sally Mortemore (Madam Pince) will be there for a question-and-answer session and to sign autographs. There will also be an animatronic Dobby, a Nimbus 2000 greenscreen photo opportunity, butterbeer, Chocolate Frogs, and a costume contest. Cosplayers representing many familiar characters will be roaming the grounds to add to the magical atmosphere.
Fiona Quilietti, a Loretto school parent, came up with the idea over six months ago after realizing how much the whole area around the school reminded her of Hogwarts. Now, along with Monopoly Events’ brand For the Love of Fantasy, her vision is being brought to life for a spectacular event set to kick off the month-long Edinburgh Festival.
Driving along past the racecourse every day, seeing the beautiful gates, looking at the grounds and buildings of Loretto really got my imagination going. Once I was inside, that was it – it was like stepping into the corridors of the wizarding school itself. This is a gathering of fans of all ages who will have the chance to be part of something very special.
Tickets are selling quickly; they are available here or by calling the TicketQuarter Hotline at 0344-800-0410.
Potterverse Quiz Competition
If you live in the area of Bridgwater, England, and fancy yourself a Harry Potter knowledge whiz, you’re in luck. Griffens Carnival Club is hosting an HP-themed quiz competition at Trinity Hall, April 27 at 7:00 p.m. There will be seven rounds, with prizes not only for the winning team but also for best costume.
HP Pop-Up Bar
Love for all things Harry Potter doesn’t end when you grow up, and so it’s always great to hear about an event geared strictly for the adult fans. Oscar’s Gin Bar in Stockton-on-Tees, England, will be holding one such event April 27 and 28. The Harry and GINny Potter Night fancy dress event will feature specially themed gin cocktails, including butterbeer with gin! According to the owner of the bar, word spread quickly once the event was announced.
‘The weekend event was going to be free entry for all but due to the demand and capacity size it looks as though we will have to put a small ticket entry fee simply to control the numbers – it seems that Teesside is Harry Potter mad,’ said Kevin Ward, of Oscar’s.
To purchase tickets to the event, call the bar at 01642 673262 or pop in.
