Wizard News

Dallas cultural institutions jump on Harry Potter celebrations

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Dallas movie theaters are gearing up to for an annual celebration dedicated to witches and wizards by airing Harry Potter-themed marathons — culminating on September 1.

For the uninitiated, September 1 is "Back to Hogwarts Day," an informal celebration first created by Harry Potter fans in 1997, marking an iconic moment in the books and films — the day Harry is due to board the Hogwarts Express and go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry for a new year.

As WizardingWorld notes, over the years since the Harry Potter books and films were released, fans around the world have found all sorts of ways to celebrate this significant moment in Harry’s story: from dressing up Hogwarts robes to throwing a magical bash to rewatching a movie.

To that end, Dallas movie theaters are hosting marathons, executed in one way or another. The Angelika has been doing a slow version, screening one Harry Potter film per month over the course of eight months.

Cinemark theaters are doing it all in eight days, with an eight-day movie marathon, screening all eight films in the franchise from August 25–September 1.

This is not the first year Cinemark has hosted such a marathon (nor is this the first movie marathon ever hosted by a theater chain). But new this year at Cinemark, the film series will be available at select theaters in D-BOX motion seats, so fans can feel like they are flying on their own broomstick alongside Harry and friends.

The Cinemark schedule is as follows:

August 25 – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
August 26 – Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
August 27 – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
August 28 – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
August 29 – Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
August 30 – Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
August 31 – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
September 1 – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Select theaters will also be selling a Harry Potter pillow, so fans can take the magic home with them (for $20).

DSO
Meanwhile, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra is getting in on the fun with a 4-day Harry Potter-themed movie-and-music event: Called Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in Concert, it'll allow audiences to relive the magic of Harry Potter soaring across the big screen in high-definition with a screening of Goblet of Fire, accompanied by a live symphony orchestra performing Patrick Doyle’s unforgettable score, led by guest conductor Lawrence Loh.

The concert will take place August 29-31 at 7:30 pm plus a matinee showing on September 1 at 3 pm.

Shop
If you're in need of a Gryffindor robe (in both Adult and Kid sizes!), a Ravenclaw notebook, or a packet of Hogwarts puffy foam stickers, then head to Muggle Hut, a Harry Potter-themed store that opened a year ago in Frisco, at 2930 Preston Rd. inside The Painted Tree Boutiques, where Muggles, Witches, and Wizards can find magical gifts, crafts, and collectibles.

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Radio News

Cumulus Media launches new country music radio station in Dallas

Courtesy Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

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Cumulus Media has launched a new radio station in Dallas-Fort Worth: Called Country Legends & Texas Classics 93.3 HD2, it will play hit country music from the 70’s and 80’s, and it launched on December 15.

The station began broadcasting its new format and programming at 12 noon, airing its first song, “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind" by George Strait.

93.3 HD2 in Dallas isn't a primary station but part of the WBAP-FM/AM cluster, specifically its digital subchannels offering other formats. The main 93.3 FM broadcasts News/Talk 820 WBAP. This is one of its HD subchannels, meaning that you need an HD Radio receiver in your car (or home) to tune in.

The station stream will be up in a couple of days via the new website at www.countrylegendstexasclassics.com, so you can stream it on your phone, computer, or Smart speaker.

Country Legends & Texas Classics HD2 will feature country favorites from artists including George Strait, Willie Nelson, Alabama, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Randy Travis, Alan Jackson, and Reba McIntyre, among many others.

The station previously aired Westwood One syndicated Classic Rock. (Westwood One is owned and operated by Cumulus Media.)

Cumulus Dallas regional VP Dan Bennett notes in a statement that they're already seriously invested in country music.

“We are doubling down on our long-term commitment to Country music in Texas by launching Country Legends & Texas Classics 93.3 HD2," Bennett says. "This station will give a voice to great Country hits from the 70’s and 80’s. Paired with our fan favorite DFW Country stations, 99.5 The WOLF and New Country 96.3, this creates a wall of Country for our station group and for the passionate Country music lovers in the DFW area and strengthens our belief in this incredible format."

Cumulus Media has 395 owned-and-operated radio stations across 84 markets, delivering nationally-syndicated sports, news, talk, and entertainment programming from brands that include the NFL, the NCAA, the Masters, Infinity Sports Network, AP News, the Academy of Country Music Awards across more than 9.500 affiliated stations through Westwood One, the largest audio network in America. They also have Cumulus Podcast Network, a platform for original podcasts.

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