From concerts to cels, attraction openings to book signings, there’s a mighty busy Mouse-related week coming up

Jim Hill

12 years ago

Never mind March coming in like a lion. This month is really
more a mouse, given all of the Disney-related events that are going to be happening
all over the country in the coming week.

Like what? Well, for starters, today through Monday, March
11th, internationally recognized artist Larry Dotson will be appearing at
Epcot's Art of Disney. And if you'd like to purchase one of his paintings
and/or get Larry to sign one of his canvases, Mr. Dotson will be in this Future
World Shop from 10 a.m. – 12 noon and
then from 3 – 5 p.m. on both days.

Photo by Paul Hiffmeyer. Copyright Disney
Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved

Then on Tuesday, March 12th, the Happiest
Place on Earth unveils its latest addition. Fantasy
Faire (i.e. the new home of the Disney Princesses at Disneyland
Park) will officially be opening to
the public at rope drop that morning. So if you'd like to be among the first to
meet with a trio of princesses at Royal Hall and/or do some shopping at Fairy
Tale Treasures, then you may want to drop by the Disneyland Resort later this
week.

If — on the other hand — you're more of a fan of the
original version of Disneyland, then you probably want
to swing on by the Hollywood Heritage
Museum on Wednesday, March 13th.
Where — starting at 7:30 p.m. —
they'll be holding an event to honor one of Walt's favorite Imagineers, Bob
Gurr. Mr. Gurr will be sharing stories about the work that he did on this theme
park (to be specific, his efforts on the Autopia and the Monorail) as well as
signing copies of his new book, "Design : Just for Fun
" (Ape Pen
Publishing, July 2012).

Mind you, if you're one of those folks who just can't 'til
this weekend to begin celebrating St. Patrick's Day … Well, then I am pleased
to report that Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant will be kicking off its festivities early this year. Starting on Thursday, March
14th, this Downtown Disney favorite will be home to Orlando's
largest, longest and most authentic St. Paddy's Day event. There'll be live
Irish music by top bands as well as dancers performing on multiple stages. And
did I mention the awesome selection of beers as well as the authentic Irish
cuisine that they're be serving up starting at 6
p.m. on March 14 & 15 and at 12 noon on March 16 & 17?

Terri (in the white apron) showing off her considerable pumpkin carving skills during
an interview with the news team at Los Angeles' NC affiliate, Channel 4

And now a personal request: Former Imagineer and longtime
friend-to-JHM Terri Hardin Jackson has spent the past year or so working on her
memoirs, a sure-to-be-fun read tentatively titled "Little Zebra." If
you'd like to get an advance peek at Terri's book, she's posted an excerpt over
the Backspace Writers Conference Scholarship Contest page (Ms. Hardin Jackson's
story is 74th on the list). And after you read this excerpt, if you could
please vote for "Little Zebra" in the "This Manuscript HAS TO Become
A Book" contest … That will then help Terri's memoir in front of some publishing
professionals.

Ms. Hardin Jackson and her artfully stitched-together
friend, Stitch

All I ask is that you please don't dawdle. Given that (you
guessed it) the deadline for the Backspace Writers Conference Scholarship
Contest is Friday, March 15th.

Zipping back to the Disney Parks now: On Saturday, March 16th,
the Studio Animation Galley at Disney's Hollywood Studios will holding a cel
release & artist signing. The latest in Walt Disney World's series of
exclusive hand-painted Cel series, "Waltz in the Park" shows Mickey
& Minnie dressed as the Beast and Belle in front of that popular new New
Fantasyland eatery, the "Be Our Guest" restaurant.

Just so you know, folks: This is a limited-edition piece created by the Studio
Ink and Paint Artists. Only a thousand of these hand-painted beauties were ever
produced. And when they're gone, they're gone.

An exclusively designed pin is available with the first
750 orders placed for a framed cel only

FYI: If you'd like to have your hand-painted "Waltz in
the Park" cel signed by the artists who help create it, the team from
Studio Ink & Paint will be on hand at DHS's Studios Animation Gallery on
Saturday, March 16th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then again from 2 – 5 p.m.

Which then brings us to Sunday, March 17th. And if you'd
like to add a little twist to next weekend's entertainment line-up, might I
suggest that you drop by Epcot's American Gardens Theatre in the late afternoon?
Where — as part of the Flower Power Concert series (which is presented each
Spring at this theme park as part of the International Flower & Garden
Festival) — Chubby Checker & the Wildcats will be live onstage at 5:30
p.m., 6:45 p.m. and again at 8 p.m.

Oh, and if you're one of those people who grouses about how
Disney-related events are only ever held in and around Anaheim, Burbank,
Hollywood, New York City and Orlando …
Just be aware that the weekend after next, D23 is journeying to Boston, MA. to
present one of its hugely popular Fanniversary events. Tickets are still
available for these two presentations (which will be held on Sunday, March 24th
at 2 & 5 p.m. at Boston Theatre
1. Which is located inside of the Revere Hotel at 200
Stuart Street).

Speaking of these D23 presentations, come back to JHM
tomorrow and I'll tell you how the Official Disney Club actually puts together
each of these Fanniversary events.

Your thoughts?