The winter that won’t quit really makes me want to split

Jim Hill

17 years ago

Let’s take a quick look at the weather, shall we? For Central New Hampshire, the forecast calls for …

Some areas of light snow or mixed showers will move in tonight. A spotty light accumulation is possible, but will move quickly out of the state early Friday morning. After a fairly quiet, but mostly cloudy Friday, another system will move in Friday evening and will likely have a little more moisture with it. It looks like some snow in northern and central NH with rain or a wintry mix in southern areas. There could be a few inches of accumulation with this system.

ARGHHH !

That’s it. I’ve had it. It has snowed every three days now since before Thanksgiving. Which is why I have a snowbank at the edge of my driveway that’s 10 feet high, 12 feet wide and 60 feet long. It looks like I killed Moby Dick and then laid him to rest out on the front lawn.

Photo by Nancy Stadler

I need to go someplace warm. I need to go where there are no snow shovels or ice scrapers. Where the roads are smooth & ice-free, not pockmarked with potholes and frost heaves.

So what’s going on in Orlando this weekend? Can I possibly concoct some sort of excuse that will then allow me to fly to FLA ASAP?

Well, the Disney Studios Animation Gallery at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is holding an event tomorrow. It’s an artist signing tied to the release of the latest addition in the Gallery’s Ink and Paint collection, “Off to Never Land.”

If you’d like to pick an autographed copy of this new Ink and Paint Cel, there’ll be an artist on hand at this DHS store from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and again from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. And I’m sure that these folks will be happy to personalize this “Peter Pan” inspired piece.

Better yet, I could go check out “Rising Star.” That new karaoke club that’ll be opening next Friday night at Universal Orlando‘s CityWalk. “Rising Star” — when you get right down to it — is Universal once again beating Disney to the punch. Where WDW visitors will have to wait until at least this fall to see what it’s like to stand on stage at “American Idol” and belt out a tune … Universal guests will be able to have that star-standing-in-the-spotlight experience starting on March 21st.

You see, “Rising Star” plans on moving karaoke to a whole new level. Given that CityWalk visitors who decide that they really want to perform will first be introduced to a screaming audience by the club’s slick emcee. Then they’ll perform with back-up singers in front of a live band.

Doesn’t that sound like a fun way to shake off the winter blahs? But if you can’t carry a tune … Well, why not head out to Hollywood? Where you can then at least show your appreciation for the history of animated carTOONs by attending an “Art Deco in Animation” seminar at the American Cinematheque.

Co-presented by the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles, this lecture — which will be held in the Egyptian Theatre on Saturday, March 22nd starting at 2 p.m. — will be given by David Pacheco, the creative art director for Walt Disney Art Classics. Pacheco will be discussing the use of Art Deco design in film animation by showing footage from the archives of Fleischer Studios as well as the Walt Disney Company. A special focus of this presentation will be the deco stylization of Walt Disney’s “Fantasia” as well as Max Fleischer series like “Betty Boop” & “Superman.”

However, if you prefer your animation to be of a more recent vintage … Then might I suggest that you make plans now to visit “Where the Magic Begins” in Livermore, CA on Saturday, March 29th. Why For? Because that’s when Pixar artist Jeff Pidgeon will be on hand for a “Ratatouille” -themed party. And he & noted artist Matt Nolte will be happy to sign your favorite “Art of … ” Pixar-related books over the course of that day’s event.

And as long as you’re up in the Bay Area … You might as well as hang on until Sunday, March 30th. When you can catch the very last day of “The Art and Flair of Mary Blair” exhibition at the Cartoon Art Museum. Disney animator & illustrator Ron Dias will be on hand that day to give a special presentation that takes an affectionate look back at Blair’s career. Which should be a great way to cap off the run of this highly praised exhibit.

If I just keep traveling around the country, checking out all these events & exhibitions … By the time I get back home, winter will (in theory, anyway) be over. And I can then look forward to the joys of April in New Hampshire (AKA Mud Month). Followed by the fun, fun, fun of May & June (Bring on the black flies) …

You know, winter’s suddenly not looking so bad …

Photo by Roger Colton

What’s that you say? You notice that you didn’t really get an article today. Not to worry. Over at the Blue Parrot, JHM alumni Roger Colton has just concluded a series of columns that discuss his recent tour of the Disneyland Dream Suite? If you feel like you’ve been short-changed when it comes to Mouse-related news today … Well, then follow this link over to the Blue Parrot. When Roger will then share his thoughts about what’s become of the Disney Gallery.

Now — if you’ll excuse me — I have to go shovel the driveway … again.