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News Article

Celebrate Ray Bradbury Week

Ray Bradbury is often referred to as the world'd greatest living science fiction writer, but one could argue he's also the world's greatest living horror writer, having penned classics like The October Country, Something Wicked This Way Comes, and The Halloween Tree, as well as the countless eerie tales that fill short-story collections like The Illustrated ManThe Golden Apples of the Sun, and The Martian Chronicles. So horror fans are more than welcome to join in the festivities as Bradbury celebrates his ninetieth (!) birthday this week. The venerable scribe reached this milestone on Sunday, August 22nd, marking the beginning of what the Los Angeles City Council has officially declared Ray Bradbury Week. Find out how you can help celebrate after the jump.

Though several birthday events have already occured, a few more are still set to take place this week in Los Angeles, and Ray Bradbury himself is expected to attend them.

According to Hero Complex, tonight at 7 PM the downtown Central Library will host a special screening of Bradbury's "The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit" (1998), starring Joe Mantegna, Esai Morales, Edward James Olmos and Clifton Collins Jr., with special guests: Mantegna and Collins in attendance.  Also, "architecturally inspired" ice cream sandwiches will be sold out front by Coolhaus. The event will take place at Richard J. Riordan Central Library, Mark Taper Auditorium, 630 W. 5th Street.

Then, this Saturday at 1 PM, The Paley Center for Media presents "Ray Bradbury on Television," with three television productions based on works by Bradbury — "Ray Bradbury Theater: The Banshee" (1986), starring Peter O'Toole; "American Playhouse: Any Friend of Nicholas Nickleby Is a Friend of Mine" (1982), starring Fred Gwynne; and "The Electric Grandmother" (1982), starring Maureen Stapleton. The Paley Center is located at 465 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills.

Can't make it to these events? You can still sign and leave a message on the online birthday card that UCLA has prepared for Bradbury here. Or watch Bradbury's video birthday messages to his fans here.

Finally, all Bradury fans should watch the following extremely NSFW music video, perhaps the best birthday greeting of all... From all of us here at FEARnet, happy birthday, Mr. Bradbury. Thanks for a lifetime of unforgettable stories and inspiration.

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