On June 10, Judy Garland Day will mark the 103rd anniversary of the “Wizard of Oz” star’s birth with a lively celebration. Organized by the city’s Chamber of Commerce, the event coincides with a ribbon-cutting for Beaches Tropicana, a nightclub in the Rainbow District on Santa Monica Boulevard.
Judy Garland’s unforgettable role as Dorothy Gale in the 1939 classic continues to captivate, especially since last year’s “Wicked” release fueled speculation about Dorothy’s place in the upcoming “Wicked: For Good.” Her poignant “Over the Rainbow” has inspired generations, often viewed as a beacon of hope and, for some, a precursor to the Pride flag.
“This ceremony reflects our commitment to honoring cultural icons who have influenced the creative identity of our city and the LGBTQ+ community,” said Chamber CEO Genevieve Morrill. “Through this celebration, we recognize Judy Garland not just as a legendary performer but as a significant figure in the arts.”
The event includes a panel with Garland’s son Joey Luft, granddaughter Vanessa, perfumer Vince Spinnato (creator of the unisex “Judy” fragrance), author Meredith Ponedel, and collector Woolsey Ackerman, who will display an exhibit of Garland’s costumes and memorabilia. Actress Margaret O’Brien, who played Garland’s sister in “Meet Me in St. Louis,” will share memories of their work together.
Morrill highlighted the event’s timing during Pride Month, following West Hollywood’s June 1 Pride Parade, as deliberate. “The chamber believes that celebrating Garland during Pride Month creates a powerful connection, reinforcing our values of inclusivity and unity,” she explained. “We are excited to commemorate her legacy and the vibrant spirit of our community during this special occasion, further enhancing West Hollywood’s reputation as a hub of creative meetings and events.”
Garland’s legacy intertwines with the gay rights movement, with some tying her June 27, 1969, New York funeral to the Stonewall Riots that began hours later. RuPaul once claimed Stonewall protestors “used their grief over Judy’s death to rise up and fight back,” though historians debate whether the timing was coincidental.
Garland’s life, tragically ended by an accidental overdose at 47 in 1969, was fraught with addiction, financial, and personal struggles, yet her resilience defined her. Her electrifying concerts, dramatic roles in “A Star is Born” and “Judgment at Nuremberg,” and 1940s musicals like “Easter Parade,” “The Harvey Girls,” and “Summer Stock” cemented her as a cultural icon. Her Dorothy, captured at 17, remains her greatest legacy, with “Over the Rainbow” closing nearly every show.
“The whole premise of the song is a question. A quest. At the end, it isn’t, ‘Well, I’ve found my world and I am a success and you and I will be together.’ The lyric is having little bluebirds ‘fly over the rainbow. Why, oh, why can’t I?’ It represents everyone’s wondering why things can’t be a little better,” Garland told reporters at a 1967 press conference.
Her embrace of gay fans, who identified with her challenges, was steadfast. “I couldn’t care less. I sing to people,” she said at a 1965 San Francisco press conference. Later, she added, “I’ll be damned if I’ll have my audience mistreated.”
Judy Garland Day begins at 4 p.m. on June 10 at Beaches Tropicana in West Hollywood. Click here to RSVP.
Miss Garland’s dramatic performance in JUDGEMENT AT NUREMBERG is especially appreciated again in the 21st Century as the worldwide threat of fascism looms over humanity again. It’s on Prime and is well worth a re-screening. Miss Garland joins a well known cast of Hollywood greats in dramatizing Abby Mann’s script.
A real feel-good moment.
What a beaut!