by Jill Feiwell
HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - It's Oscar time again.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences will kick off a yearlong celebration of its 75th anniversary on May 8, with a shindig at La Cienega Park in Beverly Hills.
The festivities will continue through 2003, concluding March 23 with the 75th annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.
"We've invited Academy members who have served on our many committees in recent years as well as friends, governors and executive staff," Academy president Frank Pierson said. "We'll outline our plans for celebrating our distinguished past, preview our immediate future and raise a toast to the guy who's made it all possible -- Oscar."
Pierson said attendees will be able to tour the usually off-limits areas of the park's adjacent Margaret Herrick Library and the Academy Film Archive, both of which will have on display items of historical interest. "And," he added, "there may be a surprise or two during the evening."
© 2002 Reuters/Variety