Thursday, July 31st, marks the birthday of much beloved, occasionally demonized, fictional character Harry Potter. This auspicious occasion will be celebrated by throngs of booknerds, who, tearing themselves away from MMORPGs and LARPGs (if you don’t know what these acronyms stand for count yourself among the lucky) will assemble in various theatres across North America and Europe, to witness full screenings of Wizard People, Dear Readers, a version of the first Harry Potter movie, The Sorcerer’s Stone with the original sound turned off and replaced with a recording of a narration by Brad Neely. We’re hosting a screening here in Chico at the Blue Room Theatre on Friday night (8 PM doors, 9 PM show), and if you are in the area you should probably attend. Here’s a sample of what is to come:

[The following was written by Synthesis Weekly columnist Emilie Clark for our 6/16 issue. She can be reached at emilie@synthesis.net.]

Missing Harry

Remember last summer when Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows came out and you spent 36 hours reading it cover to cover? Well maybe that was just me, but I remember it fondly. And I’ll be honest that I’m a bit depressed this summer. I’m sitting on my couch and the weather is lovely and my living room is clean and I wish I had a big fat fantasy book here to share it with. But alas, Harry Potter’s story is over, for now at least. There is, however, plenty of Potter related news and things to comfort yourself with, if you’re so inclined.

Wizard People, Dear Reader: Many of you are probably familiar with Brad Neely’s viral video “Cox & Combes’ George Washington,” which tells the fantastical story of George Washington in song form. But Neely is also responsible for the most entertaining two hours I’ve spent in years. “Wizard People, Dear Reader” is an audio narration for the movie Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. You sync up the audio, which you can download online, with the DVD of the movie and then you prepare to laugh so hard that your cheeks hurt.

Neely provides a pointedly loose version of the events going on onscreen, verging from changing the names of virtually all of the characters to killing and resurrecting Hermione in a particularly touching scene. Not only is Neely one of the funniest people in existence, but I’m pretty sure he’s created a new form of art. Do yourself a favor and download the audio, rent the DVD, invite some friends over and watch this. You will most certainly not be disappointed.

After the jump, J.K. Rowling sues her fans, and commencement address at Harvard.
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Brad Neely. Intense.

Because the Professor Brothers know when the Jailhouse Rock is over, it’s time for the Jailhouse Slow Dance. And that’s not what Christmas is about.

You can also spend the next hour or so in complete Professor Brothers bliss, courtesy of Superdeluxe.com.

Brad Neely is a genius.

In case you weren’t already aware from the 2343 posts already on this blog about him, Brad Neely is a genius.