The hills are alive as La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment presents one of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most beloved family musicals of all time, “The Sound of Music”. This immortal classic is directed by Glenn Casale, choreography by Arthur L. Ross, with musical direction by Dennis Castellano.
This spirited and romantic musical story of Maria and the von Trapp family, as suggested by “The Trapp Family Singers” by Maria Augusta Trapp, takes audiences to re-discover the inspiring story of family, faith, joy, and courage taking place in early Austria 1938 during turbulent times.
Maria Rainer is a new member of becoming a nun of the Nonnberg Abbey. But her free-spirit and youthful behavior prevents her from fitting in with the others upon their service to God. The Mother Abbess sends her back to the world to become a governess to the von Trapp children to test her faith. The family is led by widower father Captain von Trapp who runs the household like a naval operation.
Audiences will be thrilled with “The Sound of Music”‘s Tony, Grammy, and Academy Award-winning Best Score that includes unforgettable classics such as “My Favorite Things”, “Sixteen Going on Seventeen”, “So Long, Farewell”, “Do-Re-Mi”, and the iconic title song, all performed by a live 17-piece orchestra.
You’ve never heard or seen “The Sound of Music” like this before. It’s like hearing the music for the first time. Not only is it thanks to the spectacular cast, but also to the newly upgraded state-of-the-art sound system. An overhaul to the acoustics that includes custom-made mounted panels, high quality microphones, and new soundboard creates a crisp and clear heavenly experience from ears to soul. Listen for noticeable highlights with the title song, “The Lonely Goatherd”, “Climb Ev’ry Mountain”, and the singing nuns. “The Sound of Music” makes the perfect musical to showcase the improved acoustics of the theatre.
The cast of “The Sound of Music” features an array of talent from professional voice performers to Grammy-nominated opera singers. Diane Phelan brings a nurturing and enthusiastic “Maria” to life beyond the hills of Austria and on to the stage. Christopher Carl as “Captain von Trapp” commands with an authoritative booming voice but reluctantly changes his tune upon hearing the first notes from his singing children.
Suzanna Guzmán as an understanding and sympathetic “Mother Abbess” with a set of operatic vocals that no one can resist. Roland Ponce Rusinek as the opportunist and yet redeemable “Max”. Jenna Lea Rosen as both the love-struck and heart-broken “Liesl”. Alma Marian as the strong-headed and clear-minded “Brigitta”. Not to mention Kayla Anjali as the cute and irresistibly adorable “Gretl”.
The quality of the set design is at the same caliber as one would find on a professional revival tour straight from Broadway. The dimensions and use of space between the abbey and the von Trapp home brings the audience in and out of the players settings. Not only does the hills come alive, but also the production design with its grand staircase, stone walls, marble pylons, and hanging windows.
La Mirada Theatre Info:
Come keep the lonely goat company and yodel all the way to the new and improved La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts now through Sunday, May 15. Performances are Thursdays at 7:30pm; Fridays at 8pm; Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm; Sundays at 1:30pm and 6:30pm. Additional performance on Thursday, May 12 at 1pm. Open-captioned performance on Saturday, May 7 at 2pm.
Question and answer with the cast and creative team will be on Thursday, April 28 at 7:3pm and Thursday, May 12 at 7:30pm. Tickets range from $14 – $79 (Prices subject to change). Children under 3 will not be admitted. Tickets can be purchased online at www.lamiradatheatre.com or call (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310. La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts is located at 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.
Disney On Ice: Mickey and Friends is a delightful adventure through some of Disney’s most beloved stories. A must-see for Disney fans with or without their little ones, Mickey and Friends takes the audience on a journey through some of Mickey and his friends’ fondest memories, which include friends from Toy Story, Finding Dory, Inside Out, Frozen, and Moana, as well as almost all of Disney’s beloved princesses.
The dancing and fun begins almost immediately upon our hosts bringing out their “Mouse Pad” tech to start the show. With a nostalgic clip of Walt Disney leading way to a celebration of Mickey Mouse dancing with people across the globe at notable landmarks. Soon, Mickey and his friends begin reminiscing about some of their most cherished memories which begins with Toy Story.
This section is super fun with some of the most beloved characters from the first two Toy Story films, and includes a fun dance lesson for the young and young at heart. Finding Dory was charming, as this film is often underrepresented for how good it was.
I was very impressed with Dory and Marlin especially as I imagine it is difficult to skate and convey large puppeteering actions that create emotions. The princess section will be a big hit with littles, and anyone who loves some good acrobatics. Skating itself is amazing, but it was even cooler to see Ariel do aerials!
After the intermission, Mickey’s friends from Inside Out came to remind us about our memories, which led us to Mickey finding Yensid’s Sorcerer hat and putting it on to remember his Sorcerer’s Apprentice experience using magic to make brooms dance around him. Mickey’s demonstration was followed by an almost complete musical recap of Frozen to the delight of basically everyone in the arena. The Frozen section had some great effects and fantastic choreography to tell the story.
The final memory we experience is that of Moana which I was not sure I was prepared for. What an emotional and beautiful retelling of that story, the special effects and props used for Moana were simply stunning and honestly gave me the chills a few times (can you tell I’m a Disney fan?).
Featuring music from these beloved films, new mixes, and “Live Your Story” by Auli’i Cravalho, voice of Moana, kids and adults alike are sure to be singing and dancing in their seats the entire time. There is audience participation throughout the show as well which was especially exciting for the littles.
Get to the arena early for an adorable photo op and to hit up the merch booth and food locations. You can get a snow cone in a unique Disney cup, and this is such a cute dessert for watching a Disney on Ice performance. Head to the box office or buy your tickets online to see Disney On Ice: Mickey and Friends before it skates away!
Polar Bear tells the story of a new mother whose memories of her own youth prepare her to navigate motherhood in the increasingly challenging world that polar bears face today. The full feature film streams exclusively on Disney+ beginning April 22, 2022, as part of the streamer’s Earth Day celebration. Narrated by two-time Academy Award® nominee Catherine Keener (“Capote,” “Being John Malkovich”).
Disneynature also revealed that in honor of the film’s majestic and extraordinarily resilient stars, Disneynature and the Disney Conservation Fund will continue their longstanding commitment to caring for wildlife and their habitats by supporting Polar Bears International (PBI) in their efforts to help protect polar bear mothers, cubs and their Arctic home.
Among a host of activities, PBI is deploying a new aerial radar detection tool to allow aircraft to identify polar bear dens to help protect these sites for polar bear moms and cubs during this crucial period, giving each new cub the best possible start in life.
The non-profit organization is also working with Arctic communities to reduce potential human-bear conflicts to keep bears and people safe, as well as efforts to inspire action on climate change globally. “Polar Bears International is an exceptional organization doing exceptional work for both the polar bears and the environment in which they live,” said Roy Conli, who is a producer of “Polar Bear.”
“They bring essential awareness to the general populace of what’s going on in the Arctic and the realities polar bears face today, and inspire us all to take action to positively change the future for this species. I’m so proud that we’re working with their incredible team.”
“Disneynature’s engaging and beautiful films are known for their ability to tug at the heart and inspire people to care,” said Krista Wright, executive director of Polar Bears International. “We’re thrilled to be working with such a creative team as they tell the story of a polar bear mom as she navigates a changing Arctic. We’re also extremely grateful to Disneynature and the Disney Conservation Fund for their generous support of our work to protect moms and cubs as well as our other polar bear conservation efforts.”
Polar Bear Team
Helmed by Alastair Fothergill and Jeff Wilson, the directing team behind Disneynature’s “Penguins,” and produced by Fothergill, Wilson and Conli, “Polar Bear,” along with “Explorer: The Last Tepui” and “The Biggest Little Farm: The Return” from National Geographic, will debut on Earth Day and take Disney+ viewers on a journey around the world – from the rainforests of Guyana to the farms of California to the icy tundras of the Arctic – to witness and celebrate the diversity and resilience of our planet and the species that inhabit it.
Additionally, Disney+ is home to a wide range of movies, series, and specials from Disneynature and National Geographic for nature lovers of all ages. The programming can be found in the Earth Month collection on Disney+.
On June 17, 2022, theater-going audiences will get to experience the origins of everyone’s favorite toy spaceman in Disney and Pixar’s 26th feature film Lightyear.
Lightyear shows us the origin story of Buzz Lightyear (the toy) in the form of the science-fiction adventure film featuring Buzz Lightyear (the human character) that captured Andy’s imagination and spawned a huge toy franchise.
For an early look at the making and development of Lightyear, Socalthrills.com was given the chance to hear from several of the creative forces behind the film including Angus MacLane(Director/Screenwriter,) Galyn Susman(Producer,) Greg Peltz(Sets Art Director,) Fran Kalal(Tailoring and Simulation Supervisor,) Jane Yen(Visual Effects Supervisor,) and Jeremy Lasky(Director of Photography.) In this first half, MacLane and Susman give some insight into the story development of Lightyear, as well as introduce us to the voice cast and music.
Lightyear Director Angus MacLane is photographed on March 7, 2022 at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, Calif. (Photo by Deborah Coleman / Pixar)Producer Galyn Susman is photographed on March 7, 2022 at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, Calif. (Photo by Deborah Coleman / Pixar)
Disney and Pixar “Lightyear” The Story
The Inception:
MacLane: “…One day, after I was eating corn on the cob with my father, we went and saw the movie that changed my life, Star Wars. After I saw Star Wars in the theater in the Westgate 5, all I wanted to do was play Star Wars. All I wanted to draw was Star Wars. Star Wars was my religion. So Star Wars was just the beginning of a whole string of science fiction classics that defined my childhood.
“And then in 1995, I saw another film that changed my life. Toy Story. Of course in Toy Story, Andy had a birthday party and his favorite gift was a character that he loved: Buzz Lightyear, the space ranger. It was a toy that would redefine playtime for Andy. I’ve always wondered, what was the movie that Buzz was from? Why couldn’t we just make that movie? So, that’s what we did. Presenting Lightyear: The movie that Andy saw that changed his life. Andy’s Star Wars. A sci-fi epic designed to inspire a new generation.”
Andy with Woody and Buzz from TOY STORY
“Now, in this film, Buzz Lightyear is not a toy, he’s a human. This is the Buzz Lightyear character–the real Buzz Lightyear–and he’s starring in Pixar’s first sci-fi action-adventure movie.
Constructing the plot:
“I wanted to tell something personal, something true, and at the same time, I wanted to get to the heart of the Buzz Lightyear character. Now although I’d been working with Buzz Lightyear for the better part of two decades, it wasn’t until the development of this project that I was able to finally isolate what the unifying character trait was for everyone’s favorite space ranger. You see, Buzz Lightyear, as I discovered, is a character who is at odds with his surroundings. Or to put it another way, Buzz always has a disagreement over the nature of reality. In Toy Story, Buzz thinks he’s a space ranger. Woody disagrees. Toy Story 2, Buzz thinks he’s the Buzz Lightyear–the other Buzz Lightyear disagrees. In Toy Story 3, you had Spanish mode. In the shorts, he had some other problems, like in Small Fry he was tiny. Buzz is a character who is always at odds with his surroundings.
Woody and Buzz in SMALL FRY
“So we’ve defined Buzz’s core trait, but we need to ground the story. We need a universal truth. What universal truth can I draw from? You know, Pixar directors often draw from their own lives in a way to find a kernel of truth to build around. For Lightyear, I chose time.
“When I started the company, I was in my 20s and now I’m in my 40s and time is moving on. That’s universal for all of us, and never more acute than in the production of animated features. Now I’ve been working in this particular building since the November of 2000. It’s kind of strange to work in the same physical space for that long. The building pretty much stays the same, but the details change and people…they come and go. These halls, to me, are filled with ghosts. Memories of successes and triumphs, of joys and setbacks. The studio is a bit of a time machine.
A Lightyear audience preview meeting held in the atrium on October 24, 2021 at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, Calif. (Photo by Deborah Coleman / Pixar)
“You see, our films, as I said, are very time-consuming to produce: Lightyear took five and a half years. When you finish one of these movies and you come up for air…the world outside these walls of Pixar is a little different than you remember. You feel the same internally, but the world has moved on in subtle ways. For example, after every film, I would go home to my hometown of Portland, Oregon. Over the years, I saw my hometown steadily change from a…city with a small-town feel and a vibrant, artistic community, into an overcrowded tourist destination. Traffic became a real problem, and the artists in lower-income communities were pushed out. Now, I still love Portland…but it’s just not the same. I wish I could go back. I wish I could visit the people and the places that are gone, but I know I can never go back. And I suspect I’m glorying the good aspects of the area while ignoring the bad, but the pull of this nostalgia is strong. They say you can’t live in the past, but what if you could? We all wonder what it would be like to go back in time, but instead, we’re jumping forward in time. All of us.
“So that’s the truth I wanted to build for Lightyear: Nostalgia for the past while rapidly jumping into the future. So, we pictured a story where Buzz Lightyear would be traveling rapidly through time, and all because of a job. And because of that, as a result, he’s separating himself from society and all of his loved ones. Just like the film industry.
“This idea felt like fertile ground for both our own personal experiences and the core defining trait of Buzz Lightyear. See, Lightyear is a fish-out-of-water story. A Rip Van Winkle trapped in a future he doesn’t recognize, trying desperately to get back to the past, to correct a mistake of his youth. A hero out of his own time. Lightyear is a celebration of the movies and sci-fi epics in general, but it’s also inspired by the dark side of nostalgia and the dangers of living in the past. As a director, Lightyear is the movie I’ve always wanted to make, and as a filmgoer, it’s the movie I’ve always wanted to see.”
The Voice Cast:
Susman: “As just about everyone on the planet knows, Chris Evans is our Buzz Lightyear. When casting Buzz, it was important to differentiate our hero Buzz from the toy that is made based on his character and represented in the Toy Story movies…so then we needed a new voice for Buzz. He needed to have a nice, rich sound, able to be both dramatic and comedic, and most importantly, he needed to be heroic without coming off as arrogant or dense. That’s a tall order, and we immediately knew we had to ask Chris.
“The emotional anchor for act one is Buzz’s best friend, and the commander of the mission, Alicia Hawthorne. Both commanding and compassionate–a straight-shooter who cares about living a good life. Watch two minutes of Uzo Aduba do that as Shirley Chisholm in Mrs. America and you see all of that. She is really an amazing talent, and we are so fortunate to have her on the team.”
“Izzy Hawthorne, Alicia’s granddaughter, has a striking resemblance to her grandmother until she’s put into a tough spot. She has spunk. She definitely has the courage, but she’s untrained and unproven, and not sure that she can live up to the family name. Keke Palmer brought just the energy and the heart that we were looking for for this role.
“Mo is a feather in the wind, never quite able to commit to one direction. Taika Waititi is able to bring a likeability to that kind of character when they can often be annoying. His improvisational skills really brought a depth and warmth to Mo.
“Darby is the classic tough curmudgeon with a record. She’s handy, inventive, and extremely salty. Voiced by Dale Soules, she is a great addition to the team.
MacLane: “For Lightyear, the cute thing is, of course, Sox the cat. He’s Buzz’s robotic companion animal designed to be a constant during Buzz’s journey through time…There’s a whole bunch that we can’t tell you about, but…what we can tell you is that he is a scene-stealer, and he is performed by Pixar’s own Peter Sohn. Peter of course directed The Good Dinosaur, and you may remember him as the voice of Emile in Ratatouille and Squish from Monsters University. Pete’s natural warmth, charm, and humor make him the first and best choice for this character.”
Susman on other featured voice cast:
General Cal Burnside: “Isiah Whitlock Jr., who is the master of playing the tough guy–the one that’s not clearly on the side of the protagonist, but not clearly on the side of the bad guys either. He’s really perfect for this role.”
The voice of the spaceship’s onboard computer, IVAN, which means Internal Voice Activated Navigator: “Mary McDonald-Lewis has done a lot in her career, but if you think you recognize that voice, it may be because she is the voice of OnStar, your car’s onboard computer. We just kinda get a kick out of that.”
The Music
Michael Giacchino at the 2015 premiere of TOMORROWLAND
Susman: “Lightyear is a sci-fi action-adventure movie and it needs to have a bombastic sci-fi score. Michael Giacchino has been a friend and colleague for many years now. That’s not the only reason he was our first and only choice for Lightyear. Between Star Trek and Rogue One, he has clearly proven his sci-fi chops. And honestly, he is so much fun to work with that you can hear that fun in his music. After all, isn’t that really why people go to see the movies, especially the sci-fi action epics? Go and have fun.”
To give you a hint of the science-fiction goodness of Lightyear, here’s the new official trailer:
Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear will open in theaters on June 17, 2022.
There’s something fun for everyone at Knott’s Berry Farm this summer, with original adventures that can’t be found anywhere else. Starting with the exciting return of Ghost Town Alive! with an all-new storyline, the nighttime block party liveliness of Knott’s Summer Nights and Knott’s Soak City Waterpark reopening its gates for another wet and wild summer. There’s only one place to experience fun all day and night and that place is Knott’s Berry Farm.
Ghost Town Alive!
Your favorite town of Calico comes to life once again with the return of the award-winning, interactive Ghost Town Alive! Two years have passed without a celebration and the citizens are determined to make this year’s return a great one. Guests are invited to become the star of this summer’s new action-packed storyline in the streets of Ghost Town. Each guest has the power to unlock secret missions with characters, influence the day’s events, and take on mind-challenging puzzles in this immersive version of the Old West. Ghost Town Alive! will offer new adventures, roles and characters this summer on select days starting May 20.
Summertime Entertainment
Venture into Fiesta Village to be charmed by the colorful and light-hearted showing of Alegre! by the Bob Baker Marionettes, a Southern California treasure since 1963. The entertainment continues with sounds from South of the Border as the Mariachi Angelitas present a lively show filled with rich history and tradition. While in Boardwalk, tune into the coolest station on the dial as our resident K-NOT Radio DJs are back to keep you up to date on all the happenings!
A trip to Knott’s isn’t complete without checking out the shenanigans of Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies in the Wagon Camp. Grab a seat for the most toe tappin’ and downright funniest band of musicians this side of the Calico Mine. Also in Ghost Town is Miss Cameo Kate’s Western Burle-Q Revue at the legendary Bird Cage Theatre. Miss Cameo Kate returns to the World-Famous Birdcage Saloon, bringing with her a vibrant travelin’ troupe of singers, dancers and tuneful musicians who perform a daily rip-roarin’ western musical can-can revue.
Knott’s Summer Nights
The summer adventure continues long after the sun goes down, with a nighttime summer party that will liven up the evening. Knott’s Summer Nights offers a variety of live music, classic summer eats and games for the whole family to enjoy. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of top 40’s bands that rotate throughout the event at the Calico Mine Stage.
Those in attendance can also choose between bopping to the beats of the Boardwalk DJs around Charleston Circle Fountain or jamming out to an array of bands, including the genres of Latin, Reggae and Zydeco all performing at Calico Park Stage. Classic backyard games and festoon lighting will set the stage for guests to enjoy their summer nights at Knott’s. The Party Planning Crew of Summer Nights encourages good ol’ fashion fun and games that keep the party going all night.
A summer night party is not complete without an abundance of food and drinks, and no theme park does food quite like Knott’s. The Knott’s culinary team creates tasty twists to classic summer dishes, from Crab Cake Sliders and Korean BBQ Burgers to Vegan Lettuce Wraps– not to mention Peach and Pineapple Shaved Ice. Guests can experience their favorite summer food in a whole new way at Knott’s Summer Nights.
A great way to indulge in all the new food items is by purchasing a tasting card priced at $50 (or $45 for season pass holders). The tasting card will offer six tastings from a selection of over two dozen seasonal-inspired dishes and drinks. With a hub of live music, unique summer food offerings, Instagram-able photo opportunities, interactive experiences and family-friendly games, Knott’s Summer Nights will be an event to remember.
Knott’s Soak City Waterpark
Summertime at Knott’s calls for a visit to Knott’s Soak City Waterpark. With its longest season yet, the waterpark opens starting May 21 through September 18. Guests can catch a ride down 23 different speed, tube, and body slides or take a relaxing trip down one of the longest lazy rivers in the country. The 15-acre water park has something for each member of the family, an interactive kid’s area, and for those more adventurous, The Wedge, a rip-roaring raft ride.
Ghost Town Alive! and Knott’s Summer Nights is included with admission to Knott’s Berry Farm or with a special Knott’s Hotel Summer Package. Plan a stay at Knott’s Hotel with packages that include overnight accommodations steps from the park, a tasting card, parking and more. Additional costs apply for food tasting experiences within the event.
Knott’s Berry Farm Info:
The best way to enjoy all the fun offered day and night throughout Knott’s summertime and the other Seasons of Fun is with a 2022 Season Pass. Get unlimited visits, food and merchandise discounts, plus so much more! For more information about summertime at Knott’s and Knott’s Season Passes, please visit knotts.com.
The historic merry-go-round at Griffith Park has been a local treasure since 1937 (photo by Greg Aragon)
I’ve been going to Griffith Park in Los Angeles my whole life. From its world famous Zoo and Observatory, to hiking trails, parks and picnic areas, and the legendary Greek Theater, the place is a wonderland of outdoor activities. The family and I recently visited Griffith Park to experience a couple more of its attractions: the historic Merry-Go-Round and the miniature train ride.
Our getaway began when we exited the 5 Freeway near Glendale and entered the 4,200-acre park. Once inside we meandered through winding, hilly roads looking for our destination. A couple miles in, we found our parking lot and followed the sounds of old waltz music to the captivating carousel, spinning beneath a large blue and white roof reminiscent of an old circus tent.
Built in 1926 by the Spillman Engineering Company and brought to Griffith Park in 1937, the merry-go-round boasts 68 horses. Each horse is finely carved with jewel-encrusted bridles, detailed draped blankets and decorated with sunflowers and lion heads. A Stinson 165 Military Band Organ, reputed to be the largest band organ accompanying a carousel on the West Coast, plays over 1500 selections of marches and waltz music.
Kids love riding on the big wooden horses (photo by Greg Aragon)
The roughly 4-minute merry-go-round ride is a fun and memorable ride back in time to the days before modern theme parks and roller coasters. Rumor has it that the carousel gave Walt Disney inspiration to create Disneyland, after frequenting it with his kids in the early 1950s.
To ride, we bought a couple of $2 tickets at the old ticket booth and then stepped onto the historic platform to search for a horse to saddle-up. We quickly found one – a beautiful brown, wooden stallion, with intricate carvings and blue, yellow and red jewels inlaid. Like all 68 of the spinning horses, ours bobbed up and down while the carousel spun around and blasted carnival music.
The merry-go-round inspired the creation of Disneyland (photo by Greg Aragon)
Besides the horses, the merry-go-round also offers bench seats for people who want to sit and watch their kids ride. But for smaller kids it is better for parents to stand next to them and help them hold on because the ride does spin fast and things could get scary.
After riding wooden horses we drove to the Griffith Park & Southern Railroad, a miniature train that has served the public in Griffith Park since 1948. Youngsters of all ages enjoy the experience of riding the Freedom Train or the Colonel Griffith. The railroad was also featured in the classic Steve Martin movie, “The Jerk,” where Martin briefly worked as the train conductor.
The Griffith Park Southern Railroad meanders more than a mile, taking riders past pony rides, a lush green meadow, an old Western town, and a Native American village. The choo choo also goes under several bridges, including a 60-ft-long wood and steel box girder bridge through thick vegetation, through an 80-foot-long tunnel, and past several attractions, and at times offers views of the 5 Freeway and other sections of Griffith Park. On our ride we even saw a large coyote walking through the brush.
The Griffith Park Railroad takes kids and adults on a memorable ride through lush vegetation and old west towns (photo by Greg Aragon)
The miniature railroad trains are 1/4th and 1/3rd scale models of actual locomotives and the passenger cars carry nearly 500,000 passengers each year. Weather permitting, it operates 364 days a year, closing on Christmas Day only. The Griffith Park & Southern track is about one mile long.
During the Christmas season, the track is lined with snow-covered decorations featuring Santa Claus and his village, Christmas trees, elves, reindeers and more. The ride starts and begins next to the Griffith Park Pony rides, which I plan to experience on my next visit. After riding the train, we bought snow cones at a concession stand next to the railroad.
The trains are 1/4th and 1/3rd scale models of actual locomotives (photo by Greg Aragon)
After riding the rails, we explored some more of Griffith Park. With over 4,210 acres of both natural chaparral-covered terrain and landscaped parkland and picnic areas, Griffith Park is one of the largest municipal parks with urban wilderness areas in the United States. Situated in the eastern Santa Monica Mountain range, the Park’s elevations range from 384 to 1,625 feet above sea level.
Griffith Park is one of the largest municipal parks with urban wilderness areas in the United States (photo caption)
With an arid climate, the park’s plant communities vary from coastal sage scrub, oak and walnut woodlands to riparian vegetation with trees in the Park’s deep canyons. The California native plants represented in Griffith Park include California species of oak, walnut, lilac, mountain mahogany, sages, toyon, and sumac. There are also small quantities of threatened species of manzanita and berberis.
Griffith Park Info:
The Griffith Park & Southern Railroad is located at 4400 Crystal Springs Drive (Near Los Feliz & Riverside) Los Angeles, CA 90027. For more information on current hours and prices, call 323 664-6903. The Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round is located at 4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027. For more information on the Carousel, the railroad and Griffith Park in general, visit: www.laparks.org/griffithpark/
A new trailer and poster are now available for Marvel Studios’ “Thor: Love and Thunder,” offering long-awaited clues to what’s in store for the God of Thunder.
The film finds Thor (Chris Hemsworth) on a journey unlike anything he’s ever faced – a quest for inner peace. But his retirement is interrupted by a galactic killer known as Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), who seeks the extinction of the gods.
To combat the threat, Thor enlists the help of King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Korg (Taika Waititi) and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who – to Thor’s surprise – inexplicably wields his magical hammer, Mjolnir, as the Mighty Thor.
Together, they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late.
About Marvel:
Directed by Waititi (“Thor: Ragnarok,” “Jojo Rabbit”) and produced by Kevin Feige and Brad Winderbaum, “Thor: Love and Thunder” opens in theaters July 8, 2022.
California Wine Festival, Southern California’s premier wine festival event producer, announces its return to the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort for two days of seaside tasting events on Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21. Guests will be able to sample pours from winemaking regions across California, paired with gourmet appetizers from many of North San Diego County’s top restaurants while experiencing lifestyle exhibitors, live entertainment and expansive ocean vistas.
Overlooking the glittering Pacific Ocean at the newly-renovated Park Hyatt Aviara Resort’s The Gardens, Friday evening kicks off with a Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting, an intimate experience for wine connoisseurs. A sparkling wine reception begins the evening of sampling hard-to-find reserve wines and offers tasting room exclusives and limited-production wines hailing from vineyards based in California’s most distinguished wine producing regions. Park Hyatt Aviara Resort’s Ponto Lago restaurant will serve delicious hot and cold appetizers to pair with the world-class wines.
Throughout Friday evening, guests will have the ability to participate in a silent auction, bidding on coveted items such as exotic wines, tasting tours and dining certificates. Proceeds from this auction will benefit Golden Rule Charity, an organization dedicated to helping people in the hospitality industry during unexpected hardships.
“It’s exciting to be back at Park Hyatt Aviara after their stunning makeover! The resort provides the perfect setting for enjoying world-renowned wines and small bites underneath the California sunshine,” says Emily Kaufmann, Executive Director, California Wine Festival.
The quintessential wine tasting experience continues with a Beachside Wine Festival taking place at Park Hyatt Aviara Resort’s Heron Lawn on Saturday, May 21st. The sun-drenched afternoon event will advance culinary education and exploration through intimate conversations and tastings with culinary and wine talent hailing from California’s world-famous wineries and local restaurants.
Attendees will have access to hundreds of premium California wines and regional craft brews. Delectable wines can be paired with artisanal cheeses, breads, olive oil, fresh-cut fruit, shellfish, salads, decadent chocolate, cakes and more. The Pavilion will feature a selection of reserve-level wines as well as craft brews along with special seating just a stone’s throw away from the resort’s award-winning golf course overlooking the Batiquitos Lagoon nature preserve.
The sumptuous festival shines a light on rare and reserve vintages, as well as popular samples from California’s best vineyards based in Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Temecula and beyond. Notable wineries attending include: Adobe Road Winery, Alexander Valley Vineyards, Austin Hope Winery, Bernardus Winery, Carol Shelton Wines, Coursey Graves, Cuvaison Estate Wines, Doffo Winery, Dry Creek Vineyard, Family Wineries District, Goldschmidt Vineyards, HALL Napa Valley, Just Enough Wines, Lloyd Cellars, Navarro Vineyards, New Zealand Wine Navigator, Pasmosa, Rescue Dog Wines, Russian River Vineyards, Safu Sake Company, Sojourn Cellars and Wilson Creek Winery.
Elite restaurants from North San Diego County and beyond will serve exquisite appetizers to accompany the festival’s world-class wine selections and include: Butterfly Brittles, Goufrais Southern California, Mahogany Smoked Meats, SB Craft Jerky, Seven Barrels Olive Oils and Aged Italian Balsamic, Ponto Lago, Señor Grubby’s, and The Miller’s Table.
Icelandic Glacial returns as “Official Water Sponsor” and Lloyd Cellars is the “Official Stage Sponsor.” Further sponsors will include Andy Gump, Bright Cellars, Ketel One Botanicals, Leaf Filter and Ruff n Tuff Turf.
Select sponsors will be hosting interactive activations which guests will be able to partake in during the Beachside Wine Festival. Guests will be able to become acquainted with the new 2022 Toyota Mirai while creating their very own fully-customizable insulated wine tumbler. They can also stop by the Celebrity Cruises booth to sample Jackson Family Wines and discover new destinations and itineraries that they can explore, as well as enter to win an Alaska cruise for two. Alternatively, in gratitude for the winemakers and winery owners working at the event, “Gold” sponsor, Shopify will be hosting a “Winemaker Oasis” where they can find respite throughout the day to grab food and water.
Live entertainment will provide the perfect ambiance to a relaxing weekend enjoying coastal California views. Friday’s Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting will feature live entertainment from Kalina & Kiana, a songwriting pop duo that has opened for Justin Bieber and The Bangles. Saturday’s Beachside Wine Festival will feature Upstream, SoCal’s premier live reggae, calypso, soca and steel drum band.
DANCING WITH THE STARS - "Finale" - This season's remaining four couples will dance and compete in their final two rounds of dances in the live season finale where one will win the coveted Mirrorball Trophy, MONDAY, NOV. 22 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EST), on ABC. (ABC/Eric McCandless)
DANIELLA KARAGACH, IMAN SHUMPERT
After an impressive 30 seasons on ABC, “Dancing with the Stars” is moving to a new home on Disney+. The hit series received a two-season pickup and will premiere exclusively in the U.S. and Canada this Fall, making “Dancing with the Stars” the first live series to debut on the streaming service.
“’Dancing with the Stars’ has entertained fans for 16 years on ABC, and we are excited to bring this beloved show exclusively to Disney+ as the platform’s first-ever live series,” said Kareem Daniel, chairman, Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution. “The show’s broad appeal, as well as the overwhelming popularity of its Disney-themed competition nights, make Disney+ the perfect home for ‘Dancing with the Stars’ while continuing to expand our demographic reach.”
“’Dancing with the Stars’ has been a beloved staple on ABC for 30 seasons and brought so much joy to millions of viewers,” said Dana Walden, Chairman of Entertainment, Walt Disney Television. “As we’re significantly expanding our unscripted slate at ABC, this is a great opportunity to introduce this show to a whole new generation of fans on Disney+. We’re so grateful to our incredible partners at BBC Studios and look forward to continuing our relationship with them on this spectacular series, which will continue to be overseen by Rob Mills and the talented Walt Disney Television Alternative team.”
“The fact that our iconic global format ‘Dancing with the Stars’ will now set the record as the first live series on Disney+ represents a major growth opportunity and a bold next step forward in the evolution of the franchise. This unprecedented move, combined with our two-season pick-up, is a testament to the proven power of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and a resounding vote of confidence from our great, supportive partners at Disney, showing how much they value and believe in the brand,” said Valerie Bruce, General Manager, BBC Studios, Los Angeles Productions.
Photo by: (ABC/Eric McCandless) DANIELLA KARAGACH, IMAN SHUMPERT
Produced in front of a live audience by BBC Studios’ Los Angeles production arm, the show pairs celebrities with trained ballroom dancers to compete in themed choreographed dance routines. “Dancing with the Stars” first premiered on ABC in 2005 and has grown into an international phenomena and source of constant watercooler conversation. During its Fall 2021 run, ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” ranked among the Top 5 unscripted series with Adults 18-49.
“Dancing with the Stars”
The series joins the vast collection of diverse content and rich storytelling across The Disney Bundle, including Disney+ Originals (“Turning Red,” “The Mandalorian,” Marvel Studios’ “Loki” and “Olivia Rodrigo: driving home 2 u” (a SOUR film), Hulu Originals (“The Kardashians,” “The Girl from Plainville,” FX’s “Under the Banner of Heaven,” “Candy,” “Conversations with Friends,” as well as the highly anticipated return of last summer’s breakout hit “Only Murders in the Building”); and live sports events including NHL, UFC and The Masters, daily studio shows like “Stephen A’s World” and “SportsNation” and can’t-miss originals such as “Man in the Arena: Tom Brady.”
Photo by: (ABC/Eric McCandless) JOJO SIWA, JENNA JOHNSON
The Disney Bundle is the best streaming option for the whole family that offers the highest quality movies, television shows and sports for a competitive cost.
As part of the 20th anniversary celebration of the KINGDOM HEARTS franchise, SQUARE ENIX® and Disney announced that KINGDOM HEARTS IV, the newest installment in the beloved RPG series, is in early development, and also revealed a brand-new mobile game, KINGDOM HEARTS Missing-Link.
In the announcement trailer, Sora makes a triumphant return with an updated look at the beginning of an epic new storyline titled the “Lost Master Arc.” Beginning with Sora facing off in a boss battle against a giant enemy, players are introduced to the Quadratum, a large, expansive city set in a gorgeous, realistic world unlike anything ever seen before in the KINGDOM HEARTS series. Fans will be excited to see the return of Sora’s well-known companions Donald and Goofy, in addition to the first appearance of Strelitzia, a mysterious new character who appears before Sora in this strange new setting.
Fans can also look forward to KINGDOM HEARTS Missing-Link, an all-new game for iOS and Android devices, which allows players to embark on adventures from the realm of Scala ad Caelum into the real world. Players will be able to engage in exhilarating battles against the Heartless and discover a new, original story. A closed beta test is planned for 2022.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate the series’ 20th anniversary with the announcement of two new KINGDOM HEARTS titles,” said KINGDOM HEARTS series Brand Manager, Ichiro Hazama. “We’d like to thank the fans for all of their support over the years, and we can’t wait for them to experience all that’s to come for Sora.”
“Sora is an original Disney video game hero like no other, beloved by our team, and fans across the world. We’ve been honored to work with Tetsuya Nomura and his team for two decades to introduce these original stories of discovery, courage, and friendship,” said Nana Gadd, Director, Walt Disney Games. “This glimpse into Sora’s next adventure is just the beginning – we can’t wait to show more when the time is right.”
Additionally, the KINGDOM HEARTS team announced that the highly anticipated final chapter of KINGDOM HEARTS DARK ROAD will be released in August 2022 as a free update to the KINGDOM HEARTS Union χ Dark Road app.
KINGDOM HEARTS 20th Anniversary Event
The event was held in Tokyo, Japan where together with fans, celebrated the past 20 years of the beloved franchise and provided a first look at what’s to come next. The event also featured a live music performance, a showcase of stained-glass artworks and on-stage appearances from Series Director, Tetsuya Nomura, series’ composer, Yoko Shimomura, and other development members. Fans can enjoy photos from the event on the official social channels and look forward to a recording of the event which will be shared at a later date.
Also, there is a variety of anniversary themed merchandise available for Pre-Order through the official SQUARE ENIX Store. For more information, visit: https://sqex.link/5n9x
Disney+ has released a new trailer for the upcoming original movie “Sneakerella,” premiering May 13 on the streaming service. From the studio behind the mega-hit “Descendants,” “High School Musical,” and “ZOMBIES” franchises, this pop/hip-hop musical is set in the vibrant street-sneaker subculture of New York City and puts a contemporary twist on the “Cinderella” fairy tale.
El, an aspiring sneaker designer from Queens, works as a stock boy in a shoe store and hides his artistic talent. Sparks fly after a chance encounter with Kira King, the daughter of sneaker royalty and a Manhattan Princess Charming of sorts. With a nudge from his best friend and a touch of magic, El finds the courage to lace up and dream big.
Triple threats Chosen Jacobs and Lexi Underwood respectively star as El and Kira alongside a multi-talented, diverse ensemble cast including John Salley, Devyn Nekoda, Juan Chioran, Bryan Terrell Clark, Kolton Stewart, Robyn Alomar, Yvonne Senat Jones and Hayward Leach.
“Sneakerella” is a Disney+ original movie from Disney Branded Television, directed and co-executive produced by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum. Jane Startz and Rachel Watanabe-Batton serve as executive producers. The teleplay was written by David Light & Joseph Raso, Tamara Chestna and Mindy Stern & George Gore II and is based on a story by Stern & Gore and Light & Raso. Chestna also serves as co-executive producer.
Disney Info:
“Sneakerella” begins streaming May 13, 2022, exclusively on Disney+.
WonderCon 2022 made its triumphant return this past weekend, bringing exciting updates, fun surprises, and most importantly, a chance for fans of all ages to return to an in person experience.
That experience, as many convention-goers and hardcore cosplayers know, is second to none and brings a thrill that has been sorely missed over the past couple of years and before you ask, no that thrill doesn’t come from the overpriced coffee or slice of pizza you’ll get from the food court, but instead, comes from getting a chance to suit up once again in your favorite cosplay whip.
In perfect WonderCon fashion, the cosplay scene in Anaheim this past weekend was full of fantastic builds, classic character designs, and some more unique takes on your favorite comic characters.
For those who want to relive the excitement of being back on the convention floor, or for those who want to vicariously live through those who had a chance to celebrate WonderCon’s return, we got you covered!
Here’s a quick look at some of the truly spectacular cosplays we came across while wandering the halll of WonderCon 2022!
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WonderCon 2022 Cosplay Roundup
WonderCon 2022 Masquerade!
The Mandalorian was the dominant series on display at the 2022 WonderCon Masquerade. Multiple costumes took the stage, with over 20 talented cosplayers vying for a series of prizes, including Best in Show, and fun categories such as “Most Round”.
With so much variety, judges had their work cutout for them to select the night’s winners. From Deadpool, to Wicked, to Beauty and the Beast, and Westworld, every avenue of cosplay creation was on full display. Now that in person events are back, who knows what we will see next!
You can check out our full overview of WonderCon weekend by clicking here!
Disney Legend, author and Cal State Fullerton alumna Martha Blanding will speak at a CSUF commencement ceremony for the College of Humanities and Social...
