There’s no place like the Queen City, and residents will soon be able to follow the yellow brick road to CharlOz — Charlotte’s own “Wizard of Oz” themed festival.
The CharlOz Festival, held September 26-29, is a unique celebration of L. Frank Baum’s classic tale at UNC Charlotte. The event includes author talks, exhibits, gaming experiences and discussions on the themes of the classic story.
Highlights include a keynote by “Wicked” author Gregory Maguire, a VR exhibit and a presentation by Baum’s granddaughter. The festival also features screenings and events at multiple locations, making it a vibrant, multi-faceted experience that reflects the ongoing cultural impact of “The Wizard of Oz.”
“When I was a child, I used to get the neighborhood kids together, and we would do a reenactment of the movie the day after it was on television … I always had to play the Scarecrow, because obviously I couldn’t be Dorothy,” said Maguire, an openly gay man.
The connection between the classic movie and novel with the LGBTQ+ community is one widely acknowledged by society. The visible love of Oz among many gay men can be traced back to the 1970s and has since become a cornerstone of queer culture.
This love goes beyond an infatuation with Judy Garland — according to many fans. Oz represents a utopia where people can be whoever they want. The main lesson taught via the plot is simple: become your own true self, which some have attributed as an allegory for “coming out.”
“The seeds of why I do what I do are in my childhood. I wouldn’t let Nana of Never-Never Land and Oz go. … Why would I love these wonderlands? They were the ways I best understood myself,” said Clive Baker, an openly gay writer and filmmaker.
Complementing CharlOz, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra is performing The Wizard of Oz in Concert Sept. 27 and 28. This special event at Belk Theater showcases the original 1939 film accompanied by a live orchestra, blending classic cinema with an orchestral score.
Audiences can enjoy the beloved movie as the symphony enhances the experience with a live performance of the iconic music. This event is a perfect companion to the CharlOz Festival, merging the magic of Oz with the beauty of live music.
Together, these events offer an immersive and multi-dimensional journey into the world of The Wizard of Oz, allowing the Charlotte community to enjoy a blend of nostalgia and artistic expression.
For information on CharlOz, you can visit the festival website. For tickets to The Wizard of Oz in Concert, you can visit the Charlotte Symphony website.