Hello magical friends and welcome to episode 107 of WZRD Radio! I’m your hostwitch Bess and oh my goodness we have so much going on!
Before we even begin I want to remind you that WZRD Presents is tomorrow. It’s one-of-a-kind, and it’s a real, live wrock show happening in Orlando FL featuring Dream Quaffle, How Airplanes Fly, The Blibbering Humdingers, and Hawthorn & Holly. And we can’t forget the emcee, Brian of Draco and the Malfoys! I’ve been working on this show for months, and I hope I’ll see at least some of you there. [link]
While you grab your last minute flights and hotels for the show, here’s some music!
We’re opening with The Forbidden Forest and “Born of the Centaurs.”
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That was “Born of the Centaurs” by the Forbidden Forest, How Airplanes Fly singing “Astoria” [lyrics], and “Autumn and the War” from Totally Knuts [lyrics].
We’ve got another report from that globe-trotting Special Correspondent in the Field, but first some news from the anchor desk!
As you might recall, WZRD Radio launched the Community Wrock Fund in March for our fourth anniversary. This fund, supported by our incredible patrons and individual donations, is available to any wizard rocker for almost any need that will further their wizard rockery, from instrument purchases to travel support.
I am delighted to announce that the CWF has officially given out its first grant!
Congratulations to Lillian, who used the fund to get an electric guitar. She’s still working on a proper wrock name but has already debuted on the Wizard Rock Sampler as part of The Snail Collective. Lillian is excited to join the world of wizard rocking, and I’m excited to see what she creates!
And now it’s time to hear from the one and only Dream Quaffle!
Voulez vous, and I do mean you. This is special correspondent in the field, DQ with a field report from Mischief and Magic. This two day celebration of all things Harry Potter takes place in a lovely small town in Michigan called Holly, specifically in a place appropriately titled Battle Alley. If that name rings a bell, you may be familiar with the longest running Charles Dickens Festival in North America, which takes place in the same location. And when you enter Holly, Michigan, if it feels like you’re in one of those Hallmark Christmas romantic comedies, it’s because at least one of those has been filmed in this town. But as for Mischief and Magic, the original concept came about only a year ago with several local shop owners deciding that they could throw together some decorations, some treats, and some buns and games for the community. But the idea quickly grew larger and larger until they realized they needed to make it a proper street festival stretched out over two days, and that’s exactly what happened this year.
The first day on Friday was geared more towards grownup fans of Harry Potter with scavenger hunts, an actual invisibility cloak, and an opportunity to take your picture as undesirable number one on the front of the Daily Prophet. The second day was more geared towards the younger crowd with things that were fun and appropriate for children. Unfortunately, your correspondent was not able to attend on the second day, but was able to provide wizard rock performances all throughout the day on Friday, which were very well received by the crowd. As a matter of fact, this correspondent took it upon themselves to share not only their own wizard rock, but some of the greatest wizard rock hits by band such as Draco and the Malfoys, the Whomping Willows and Hawthorn & Holly. Once they realized they’d found themselves in a place where not much wizard rock had been heard, this correspondent decided that it was their mission and their privilege to make sure that anybody who walked by their booth at this festival walked away with a good idea of what some of the biggest names and greatest hits in wizard rock were. At the end of it, all the people attending this festival were incredibly kind and receptive, and the whole town seemed to turn out to support this amazing event.
This is your special correspondent in the field, DQ saying, I’ll be back in Holly at the first chance.
Thank you so much, DQ! I can’t wait to see where your adventures take you next.
It’s time for our second music break. And here’s How Airplanes Fly once more, with “Wolfstar.”
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You just heard “Wolfstar” by How Airplanes Fly [lyrics], Dots & Lines singing “Ariana Rose” [lyrics], “Sleep, Little Hippogriff” from Dream Quaffle [lyrics], and Karl-Johan Noren’s “Hut on the Wrock” [lyrics].
And now, magical friends, let’s talk about a few of November’s spectacular events!
First up, of course, is WZRD Presents. November 2nd, Orlando, FL, a truly epic lineup, and a craft fair before hand to boot! [link]
Okay, technically the first thing is on November 1st, a Harry Potter themed fireworks show in Almondsbury, UK, which does sound awesome. [link]
Then just a short week later on November 9th, the New York Order of the Phoenix is hosting Avada Kedavrock! In addition to the Dancing Death Eaters, they’ll be hosting Band in a Horcrux, Celestial Warmbottom, the Gringotts Girls, and Priori Incantatem. [link]
Also that weekend we’ll have the virtual event Merry Magical Market hosted by Wondrous Wizard Weekend, and they’ll have Lauren Fairweather and Tonks and the Aurors playing! [link]
November 9-10th is a busy weekend, with Ironton Wizardfest in Ironton, OH returning. Their festivities include actors from the original movies, divination, and potions lessons. [link]
Then November 15-17th in Duluth, GA is CONjuration! Some of the top HP authors will be there, and maybe a few wrockers as well? [link]
Also on November 17th, the Temple Symphony Orchestra is performing a fascinating Harry Potter- Stravinsky hybrid in Temple, TX. [link]
In addition, we have a new comp looking for contributors! The Galleon Guy is putting together a collection of wizarding children’s songs, and I hope you all participate. [link]
As for what I missed last month…
Dots & Lines released a bat album, with more than a few wrock songs included. [link]
The Galleon Guy gave us an entire album of magical children’s songs. [link]
Neville’s Diary brought back a whole host of lost songs. [link]
The Cruciatus Curse brought together a Halloween compilation. [link]
And the Bookish Hufflepuff released a single! [link]
All these events, and more, can be found on the Potterhead Calendar of the WZRD website.
It’s time for a bit more music. Here’s Dots & Lines with “Odo the Hero.”
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That was Dots & Lines singing “Odo the Hero” [lyrics], “Harry, My Son” from NEWTs [lyrics], and Ashley Hamel’s “The Penseive” [lyrics].
And that’s it for this episode! I wish you all sweet dreams.
This episode’s theme is a special dedication put together in the wizard rock discord. If you haven’t joined it yet, you really should.
If you heard your new favorite song, go to the transcript at WZRDRadioPod.com, follow the link, and buy yourself a copy. You’ll get a great new addition to your music collection and a wizard rocker will know they’ve got a fan. And you know what I always say: without our wizard rockers, we wouldn’t be here.
You can support WZRD and the Community Wrock Fund by joining the Patreon at Patreon.com/WZRDRadioPod. There are two, five, and ten dollar tiers that all get the same perks, including early episodes and bonus content, and support the Fund in helping our wizard rockers get their music out there.
You can still guess this episode’s theme on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok at WZRDRadioPod. You can also get in touch by commenting on the transcript or emailing me at WZRDRadioPod@gmail.com.
Until next time, magical friends: Should be a good do, I reckon.
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