#hollywood christmas lights christmas parade performances

[tcm]

Minnelli Magic and The Band Wagon By Constance Cherise

Period piece perfection, attention to detail and an impeccable eye. You simply cannot rival Oscar winner and three-time Golden Globe winner Vincente Minnelli during the height of his career. It was as if the musical Technicolor coming-of-age was waiting for his destined arrival. But, what else would you expect from the former art director of Radio City Music Hall? There, he designed and eventually directed monthly stage shows (Minnelli designed the iconic Parade of Wooden Soldiers costume, still in use for the annual Radio City Christmas Spectacular) before his imminent second coming to Hollywood.

There is a bevy of activity in MGM’s THE BAND WAGON (‘53), which easily turn this entry into a three-page essay. An ideal introduction for a novice, THE BAND WAGON is a visual encapsulation of the glorious movie musical as well as a quintessential vehicle for Minnelli to once again prove his raison d'être. Comprised of a “hundred or more little things,” THE BAND WAGON is a sheer explosion of joy with its ideal cast of characters, visually captivating sets and driving musical orchestrations which move the film along at an even pace, producing the industry standard of “That's Entertainment.” Its jaunty Broadway opening score sounds as if we’re sitting in a vaudeville theatre enjoying a live pit orchestra and on its own, is enough to lift spirits. The plot is simple. A washed-up hoofer attempts a comeback on the Broadway stage. Comedic pandemonium ensues.

No other film probably reflects Minnelli's former Radio City stage experience more than this backstage musical. The rehearsal scene where sections of the stage revolve, lift and lower, stage queues get confused and all goes amusingly wrong, was no doubt a reference to Radio City's elevator hydraulic system. Minnelli’s expertise in stage design is given an appropriate nod with the Proscenium Theatre models that appear on the shelf behind the couch in Jeff Cordova’s yellow reception room. However, this is not Minnelli's only production that offers us an insider's perspective. A film removing the Hollywood gloss, equally as exquisite, even in black and white, is the wickedly fun THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (‘52).

The majority of the main characters were based on some aspect of themselves or real-life people. Characters Lily and Lester Marton were based on screenwriters/lyricists Betty Comden and Adolph Green, who were already industry colleagues with Minnelli, as both also toiled on Broadway before arriving in Hollywood. Fred Astaire honestly felt that Cyd Charisse was too tall for him and his angst was written into the script. Oscar Levant was a true-life hypochondriac.

Of course, humor is not lost wherein the opening scene an auctioneer references Swinging Down to Panama as an amusing referral to the Astaire and Rogers film, FLYING DOWN TO RIO (‘33). Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney’s backyard musicals receive a playful jab when Lester (Oscar Levant) heartily states, "Why can't us kids get together and put on ourselves a show?” Our introduction to Jeff Cordova (Jack Buchanan) through the theatre poster—Jeff Cordova presents, adapted from... Jeff Cordova, starring Jeff Cordova, (pause, pan out and down) directed by Jeff Cordova— is the ideal introduction to the character’s omnipresent ego. Listening to the vocals of “You and the Night and the Music” with its embellished bravado, along with the excess of explosives could cause an individual to start coughing in sympathy. The film is brimming with sophisticated comedy, surely inspired by cocktail-charged, jovial conversations in smoke-filled rooms.

As usual, Minnelli’s sets are vibrant and imaginative. Cordova's home has an elegant Paul Williams aura. Even the doors are glamorous. Each room is painted in various colors to reflect different moods, including the ever-present Minnelli Red. In the theatre, where we are first introduced to Gabrielle (Cyd Charisse), the surreal stage backdrop is dreamy and existential with its combination of calming hues. I always look forward to that simplistically stunning scene. 

Speaking of Charisse, where was costume designer Mary Ann Nyberg all of our lives? It took me some time to realize the intricacies of the black A-line dress Charisse wears when arriving at Cordova’s home, more than likely because I was coveting her green gloves. Fashion fans, please gather. A scalloped black lace top is coupled with a green A-line underskirt bottom that is overlapped with black lace. The entire dress is covered in shimmering green sparkles. It is delicately romantic and ingenious all together, and is the most beautiful costume in the film, until the “New Sun in the Sky” number.

Nyburg hits the bullseye, creating a depiction of the sun manifested in the form of a dress. She then adds a red tulle arm puff. It is perfection until Charisse peels herself from a full-length jacket to reveal her dazzling red dress in the “Girl Hunt” ballet, which she claimed was her favorite costume. Charise performs an iconic dance in a nightclub once again as she did with Gene Kelly in SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (‘52) and once again, those legs! Nyberg isn't done. The final scene finds Nanette Fabray in a blue and black A-line tulle gown and Charisse in a sweetheart neckline, moss green taffeta, fitted, biased cut gown, with so many details this will turn into a run-on sentence.

Many classic musical fans consider “Dancing in the Dark” one of the most romantic scenes put on film. After a contentious working relationship Tony (Astaire) and Gabrielle must learn if they truly can dance together to foster a hit show, which of course they do at night in the park, alone. Naturally, it is also the budding of their love affair. There was one notable scene that ended on the cutting room floor, “Two-Faced Woman,” and I am convinced it was a mistake to remove because its double-sided origami-like set design is exquisitely unique. However, it is easily found online and absolutely worth watching.

A barrage of aesthetically lush scenes appear in Minnelli films, executed so dynamically well you don't consciously realize how much is being absorbed and that is his exact tool of entrapment. A visual assault of the senses that naturally entices into his vortex. Critic Derek Malcolm had it exactly right when he said “The more you look at it, the more perfect it seems. Hollywood doesn't make films like this now because public taste has changed. But it's doubtful if they could anyway.”

It is doubtful that today's Hollywood could conjure the artistry of THE BANDWAGON, as it retains the same timeless light-hearted exuberance over 65 years later. Not only is that exceptional directing, it is pure Minnelli magic.

[nfldunn]

LIKE A GODDAMN SUPERNOVA.   a gunner dunn playlist. ( @rocketfm )

i could never take the place of your man   //   prince     ||     mad at disney   //   salem ilese     ||     moral of the story   //   ashe     ||     take me to church   //   hozier     ||     someone you loved   //   lewis capaldi     ||     if the world was ending   //   jp saxe ft julia michaels     ||     7 years   //   lewis capaldi     ||     high hopes   //   panic! at the disco     ||     i just died in your arms tonight   //   cutting crew     ||     wild summer nights   //   john cafferty     ||     i want to know what love is   //   foreigner     ||     your song   //   elton john ( performed by taron egerton )     ||     the last something that meant anything   //   mayday parade     ||     she’s kinda hot   //   5 seconds of summer     ||     space oddity   //   david bowie     ||     the show must go on   //   queen     ||     love of my life   //   queen     ||     cry little sister   //   gerard mcmann     ||     i’d do anything for love (but i won’t do that)   //   meat loaf     ||     blinded by the light   //   manfred mann’s earth band     ||     come sail away   //   styx     ||     jessie’s girl   //   rick springfield     ||     this christmas (i’ll burn it to the ground)   //   set it off     ||     sarcasm   //   get scared     ||     you’re gonna go far, kid   //   offspring     ||     flesh   //   simon curtis     ||     bruises and bitemarks   //   good with grenades     ||     like lovers do   //   hey violet     ||     you call me a bitch like it’s a bad thing   //   halestorm     ||     despacito   //   luis fonsi ft daddy yankee     ||     i want it all   //   queen     ||     cum on feel the noize   //   quiet riot     ||     hell is for children   //   pat benatar     ||     sweet dreams (are made of this)   //   marilyn manson     ||     take it back   //   beth crowley     ||     my little secret   //   citizen soldier     ||     would anyone care   //   citizen soldier     ||     bullet   //   hollywood undead     ||     you are the only one   //   emily osment     ||     porn star dancing   //   my darkest days     ||     casual sex   //   my darkest days     ||     bad girl   //   avril lavigne ft marilyn manson     ||     bitch came back   //   theory of a deadman     ||     bad girlfriend   //   theory of a deadman     ||     make hate to me   //   citizen soldier

[folsomclass]

4 Magical Reasons to Visit Walt Disney World this Winter

Walt Disney World Resort is one of the most fun and exciting places to vacation year-round, but during the winter months, there is extra pixie dust sprinkled into the park that makes guests’ trips even more magical. In this post, we’re sharing some of the lesser known perks that come along with visiting the parks during this wonderful time of year to help you get the most out of your next trip!

Holly Jolly Decor

From the second you walk through the entrance to any of our four theme parks, you will be greeted with holiday decor at every corner. With wreaths on every light pole, Cinderella’s Castle dazzling in special holiday projections, a 65-ft Christmas tree, and more, guests are immersed in the holiday season throughout the parks. This reigns true to our resorts and restaurants, as well!

Festive Shows & Parades

Throughout each day, there is a wonderful mix of holiday cheer through shows and parades in each park. In Magic Kingdom, various character cavalcades can be enjoyed, and guests will get the chance to wave to their favorite characters, and even Santa Claus himself! When Santa Claus is done at Magic Kingdom, he also appears in a promenade through the World Showcase at Epcot!

Guests visiting Animal Kingdom can see the famous drummers perform a holiday themed show, and those visiting Hollywood Studios can catch a Christmas-themed motorcade traveling down Hollywood and Vine!

Tasty Holiday Treats

A wide variety of tasty treats will be available throughout the resort for guests to enjoy. This year, one of the highlighted specials is the Let it Snow Taco at Pecos Bill Cantina in Magic Kingdom which consists of a sugar cookie shell filled with chocolate and caramel mousse! Another featured item is the Hot Cocoa flight at the ABC Commissary in Hollywood Studios.

Returning holiday specials include the Christmas Churros with Eggnog, Fa La La Funnel Cake, and Holiday Mickey Cinnamon Roll which can be found at various locations across the property. More information specifically about the 2020 Holiday Treat Specials can be found here.

Special Seasonal Activities

Alongside normal attractions, there are other activities planned throughout the parks which are specific to the most wonderful time of the year. A holiday-themed character meet and greet will be available throughout the World Showcase in Epcot and a special scavenger hunt led by Olaf the snowman will be taking place throughout the park as well. This will give guests fun tasks to complete, even when in between attractions or shows!

To learn more about Walt Disney World’s holiday festivities, or to buy tickets to our parks during one of the most magical times of the year, click here! Our cast members are ready to welcome you into the Walt Disney World Resort to enjoy all that our parks have to offer for the holidays. We hope to see ya real soon!

- Ireland Bramhall

[chiseler]

ALL THE WORLD’S A NIGHT CLUB

Clocking in at 58 minutes, Night World (1932) may still hold the record for how much can be packed into an hour of celluloid. This compact tale of one night in the life of a Manhattan hot spot bursts like a Christmas cracker, spewing forth dizzy glamour, drunk humor, risqué antics, weighty melodrama, leg art, poignant tragedy, tap-dancing chorus girls, trigger-happy gangsters, adultery, tender budding love, and wisecracks zinging through the air in a free-for-all.  The pace is so accelerated, the shifts in tone so whiplashing, that it plays like one of those condensed-Shakespeare gags; yet, far from jarring, it all blends like a well-shaken cocktail. You’re not sure what you’re drinking, but it goes down easy.

An opening montage offers an apertif of bright lights, dark streets, flowing booze and floozies on the prowl; and a heavy dose of warning in a murder victim felled by a shot, a dirge-like Salvation Army parade, and a little boy saying his prayers—just to remind us that there is such a thing as innocence. Then we arrive at the entrance of Happy’s Club, a whirlpool of frivolous debauchery run by the affable yet sinister Boris Karloff, who calls everyone “big shot” and spends most of his time seething over his faithless, bitchy wife.

The irony of the club’s name is spelled out by Tim (Clarence Muse), the sage black doorman, who says that the nightly revelers are hungry, but not for food, “maybe they don’t know what for.” Inside, in the bright blur of liquor and women and jazz, they think they’re happy, but when they come out, it’s the same cold, sad world. “That’s real starving.” Despite the demeaning dialect (he says things like “I’se a philosophizer”), Tim is an example of the much greater depth and dignity allowed to racial and ethnic minorities in pre-Code Hollywood. They might be the butt of jokes, but they’re also real people; one thread running through the film is Tim’s anxiety over his wife, who is in the hospital. His continually frustrated efforts to find out how she is, and to get away to be with her, come as reminders of that cold, sad world beyond the nightclub.

It’s not a speakeasy (Happy “just serves white rock and ginger ale and hopes nobody dies on the premises��) but the guests bring plenty of their own ammunition. A fat drunk spends the whole movie looking for someone from Schenectady; a giggling, helium-voiced blonde drives her escort to despair; a flamboyant pansy responds to a chorus-girl’s come-on with a sniffy, “That’s Mister Baby to you.” The wised-up girls are always dishing out smart cracks, telling each other how they told him where to get off. George Raft at his most reptilian boasts about winning 11 G’s off “some ump-chays from Philadelphia.” A bootlegger stops in to warn Happy of the consequences of buying his stuff from the wrong supplier. Mrs. Happy slinks around dripping venom, ducking into closets to smooch the dance director.

At the center of the film is the morosely plastered Michael Rand (Lew Ayres), a poor little rich kid who sits alone, punishing himself with bad liquor because his mother shot his father in another woman’s apartment. He’s redeemed by a good angel, chorus girl Ruth Taylor (Mae Clarke), who takes him under her wing after Happy knocks him cold, a cure for his alcoholic jitters. She puts him to bed under a bear-skin rug, pockets his wallet so he won’t get rolled, reintroduces him to the concept of water (“Here, insult your stomach with this.”) Clarke, for once in a movie where no one drags her by the hair or slaps her with a citrus fruit, is lovely: both her beauty and her acting style have a natural, unaffected warmth that’s rare in an era of platinum hair and penciled-on eyebrows. Her goodness—not innocence—makes the dazzle of naughtiness look like cheap tinsel. She’s the glass of water you thirst for after a lot of lousy booze. She can hoof too—Clarke was dancing in nightclubs at age thirteen—and her figure in rehearsal shorts would wake any man out of a three-day drunk.

“You know, they can make it faster than you can drink it,” Ruth tells the sozzled Rand, who replies, “Yeah, but I bet I’ve got them working nights.” (A line recycled by Dan Duryea in The Great Flammarion.) Adorable, boyish and clean-cut, Lew Ayres makes a surprisingly effective, and affecting, drunk—looking forward to perhaps his best performance, as Hepburn’s wastrel brother in Holiday. Perhaps because he doesn’t overdo it: there’s a delicacy and restraint even as he is credibly woozy and sloshed. As Ned Seton, he’s the most appealing character in Holiday, with his bitter intelligence, sensitivity and mordant humor; but he’s also a man without a spine or a hope. When he tells Hepburn, as his unhappy sister, what it’s like to get drunk, she’s enticed by his account of the glow and hyper-clarity, the exciting game of navigating a world where every action is transformed into a challenge—but she’s disappointed and disgusted by his matter-of-fact admission of the final stage, when you pass out. It’s a weakness, a sloppy self-annihilation that she could never accept.

When you make your film debut kissing Garbo, it would seem there’s nowhere to go but down, and Ayres’s pretty face might have doomed him to cloying juvenile roles, but instead he had a few years of varied and surprisingly dark films, starting with the harrowing All Quiet on the Western Front (1930), which instilled the pacifism for which he would later be reviled. He played a ruthless Walter Winchell-like columnist battling racketeers in Okay, America (1932); a cad who knocks up the family maid in Common Clay (1930); even an unlikely gang boss in Doorway to Hell (1930). In Night World, Ayres has two scenes that stand out as unassimilated lumps of Drama: first his encounter with his late father’s mistress, who offers a persuasive defense of adultery, and then his meeting with his mother (a mink-swathed Hedda Hopper). This latter scene is over-written and out of step with the rest of the movie, but also shocking: you don’t expect in such an otherwise lightweight film to see a young man bitterly disown his neglectful mother, and the mother admit she never loved or wanted her son. Hopper’s hard, self-satisfied face is chilling; so much for Mom and apple pie.

The developing romance between Ruth and Michael, by contrast, doesn’t feel rushed or contrived. So much has happened so fast in the film that by the time he asks her to marry him and sail for Bali the next day, it doesn’t seem like an unrealistically hasty move. In its last five minutes Night World kicks into an even higher gear: after one stabbing moment as Tim learns that his wife has died, gangsters burst in with guns blazing, and the new couple’s first kiss looks likely to be their last as they cower before a twitchy, psychotic Jack La Rue. When their lives are saved by the timely entrance of an Irish cop, they and the movie walk over the bodies of the dead for a last few giddy jokes as they set out for their new lives—in a paddywagon.

Just another night on East 53rd Street.

by Imogen Sara Smith

[livinginlandmarketing]

This year has been challenging to say the least. As live events around the world were canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, we hunkered down to slow the spread.

While we missed crowding into mosh pits and singing at the top of our lungs at concerts, stuffing our faces with popcorn at movie theaters and slapping high fives and raising a plastic cup of beer to cheer at sporting events, event promoters in Southern California got creative. Various companies managed to produce numerous socially-distanced drive-thru and drive-in style events where we were able to safely congregate and catch a buzz of normalcy.

Here are the favorite socially-distanced events of 2020 from Southern California News Group entertainment reporters Kelli Skye Fadroski and Richard Guzman.

Andrew McMahon at Drive-In OC

City National Grove of Anaheim

After four months without live concerts in Southern California, Dana Point native Andrew McMahon played three sold-out nights at Drive-In OC in Anaheim in July. For a few hours, the stress of the global pandemic took a backseat and fans danced and sang from their individually marked squares and enjoyed snacks and drinks delivered directly to their spot. It was weird, but it was cool. — Kelli Skye Fadroski

Dodgers Holiday Festival at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, December 2, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Dodgers Holiday Festival 

Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

There was no parade after the best team in baseball won the 2020 World Series. But Dodger fans could celebrate the win and the holidays at this drive-thru event. It opened in late November and has been extended through Jan. 3.  Elves sport Dodger uniforms; cars drive between two walls that replay World Series highlights; there are giant bobbleheads and World Series rings along the path; and it all ends with a giant replica of the 2020 World Series trophy. It may have been only 5 feet tall, but it was bathed in an angelic white light. — Richard Guzman

Scott Cooper lifts Sarah Moser during The Elf on the Shelf’s Magical Journey Drive-Thru Experience at Fairplex Pomona on November 12, 2020. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

The Elf on the Shelf’s Magical Journey Drive-Thru Experience

Fairplex, Pomona

Santa’s sleigh has crash landed in Pomona and his Elf on the Shelf buddies are out trying to conjure enough Christmas spirit to get the big man on his way. The drive-thru event which started in mid-November and runs through Jan. 3 includes brightly lit, oversized props and actors dressed as elves doing cirque-style routines and encouraging guests to express their Christmas spirit (which is measured throughout the experience). KF

Troy Stroh, left and Abraham Flores Work to prepare food for drivers at the Hawaiian Chicken Bowls booth during the Fair Food Drive-Thru event at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, CA, on Friday, September 4, 2020.(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Fair Food Drive-Thrus

Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar; OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa; Angel Stadium, Anaheim

With all of the county fairs shut down this year, the fairgrounds and various fair food vendors pivoted to a drive-thru food experience. Del Mar started hosting events in July, followed by the OC Fair from August through October and then Angel Stadium in November and December. Guests could drive up to various familiar stands and food trucks and snag to-go eats such as jumbo turkey legs, deep-fried Oreos and Snickers bars, Krispy Kreme doughnut burgers, buckets of cotton candy and more.  KF

Happy Place the Drive-Thru had 18 larger-than-life experiences and interactive moments including the world’s first giant piano you play with your car, a rainbow road and a pulsating nightclub in the parking structure of the Westfield Century City Mall in Los Angeles on Friday, November 20, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Happy Place: The Drive Thru                                                                                         

Westfield Century City Mall

Everyone needed to find their happy place this year and this drive-thru event, created by Calabasas resident Jared Paul, opened in late November and runs through Jan. 10. It’s made up of things designed to simply make you smile and forget about everything else. There were unicorns, lots of bright colors, a nightclub, beach scenes and upbeat music, including REM’s ” Shiny Happy People,” on full blast. RG

A drive-thru Halloween attraction included free pumpkins and basket-loads of candy tossed into cars. (Photo by Richard Guzman)

Haunt O’Ween   

Westfield Promenade, Woodland Hills

Kids couldn’t trick or treat this year but throughout most of October they could ride through a Halloween-themed town at this drive-thru event that included a brightly lit pumpkin tunnel and a pumpkin patch where each car received a pumpkin. But the best part was the Town of Haunt O’Ween, which was made up of house facades where scary characters like mummies and ghosts stood by to toss basket loads of candy into cars. RG

Comedian Monty Franklin entertains crowds during the Irvine Improv’s Drive-In Comedy Series at the Irvine Spectrum Center. (Photo by Justin Gill, Levity Live)

Improv’s Drive-In Comedy Shows

Irvine Spectrum, Irvine; SilverLakes Equestrian and Sports Park, Norco

Bringing the intimate in-person experience of a comedy club outside was no easy feat but it still delivered on laughs. In September, Improv finally decided to give drive-in comedy a shot and hosted drive-in style evenings with Brad Williams, Fortune Feimster, Maz Jobrani, Carlos Mencia, Craig Robinson and Felipe Esparza. The Irvine club held its shows atop a parking structure at the Irvine Spectrum and the Ontario club moved its events to SilverLakes Equestrian and Sports Park in Norco. KF

A stilt walker greets visitors to the Night of Lights OC drive-thru experience at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, December 9, 2020. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Night of Lights OC Drive-Thru Experience

OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa

The producers of the annual Winter Fest OC switched up their annual event and created an elaborate drive-thru experience with over 1 million lights, numerous light tunnels, themed lands and several costumed actors spreading holiday cheer. Though this event faced some drama before it officially opened earlier in December, in the end the team was able to create a beautiful experience that complied with all of the COVID-19 safety regulations and the California curfew. It runs through Jan. 10. KF

Jamie Kennedy performs during Magic Asphalt, a bi-weekly comedy show in the parking lot of the Magic Castle in Los Angeles on Sunday, October 11, 2020. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Magic Asphalt: Drive-In Comedy Under the Stars                                                                 

Parking lot at the Magic Castle, Hollywood

This drive-in stand-up comedy series happens in the parking lot of the Magic Castle where flashing headlights and waving LED-lit noisemakers shaped like little hands that made a loud clanking sound replace cheers and claps at this ongoing bi-weekly event, which started in mid-August. People stayed safely in their cars as comedians such as Kevin Nealon, Bill Burr, Jay Pharoah, Michael Rappaport and Jamie Kennedy took the stage. RG

Master magician and apparitionist Aiden Sinclair lead an online ghost hunt at the Queen Mary on Halloween weekend. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Queen Mary Ghost Hunt                                                                                                       

Queen Mary, Long Beach

The storied ship, which has long been rumored to be haunted and now operates as a hotel, is closed due to the pandemic. That means it’s completely empty and the only thing on board are the spirits who haunt the vessel, making it the perfect setting for “The Dark Zone Live: Queen Mary Virtual Haunt and Music Festival.” The event took place on Halloween weekend and included surveillance cameras placed in some of the ship’s most haunted areas that were accessible 24-hours a day. As paranormal researchers walked through the ship, viewers were able to go check on the rooms at all hours of the day and night, and, yes, weird stuff happened. RG

-on December 23, 2020 at 11:47PM by Kelli Skye Fadroski, Richard Guzman

[schmidtchristmasmarket]

Thinking of getting out of town this Christmas? Los Angeles makes a terrific holiday destination. From the studios of Hollywood to the beaches of Venice, everything is decked out with holiday cheer making it the best time of year to enjoy all the sights and sounds. And the weather ain’t too bad either!

If you are thinking of making Los Angeles your holiday destination this year, here are a few attractions you won’t want to miss.

What’s the Weather Like in Los Angeles in Winter?

If you’re headed to L.A. in the winter, you’ll want to know what to pack. Here’s a rundown on what you can expect weather wise.

True to its reputation, Los Angeles has pleasant weather year round. However, temperatures dip during the winter months.

In December, it usually hovers somewhere between the upper 50’s and low 70’s. So a jacket will be in order.

And although it doesn’t rain that often, winter is the rainy season and storms can get pretty intense when they happen. Make sure to bring the appropriate rain attire.

What is There to Do in Los Angeles at Christmas Time?

Here is a rundown on some things you will want to check out when you’re in Los Angeles during the holidays.

Disneyland

You really can’t visit Los Angeles without taking a trip to the happiest place on earth. And Christmastime is a great time to visit.

The park is located in Anaheim, just about 45 minute from Los Angeles. The staff goes all out for the holidays with Christmas decorations that include 300 Christmas trees including a 60 foot tall Christmas tree in Town Square at the end of Main. St. Sleeping Beauty’s Castle gets decked out with snow-topped turrets and over 80,000 lights.

Be sure to check out the Haunted Mansion Holiday, the Christmas version of the It’s A Small World ride, the World of Color Holiday Water Show, the Christmas Parade and the holiday fireworks display.

Knott’s Berry Farm

If you love amusement parks, you might also want to check out Knott’s Berry Farm located just about 20 minutes outside of Los Angeles. During the holidays, it transforms into Knott’s Merry Farm offering holiday shows like the Holiday Ice Show featuring Snoopy and the Peanuts gang and a Christmas Carol.

Knott’s also has a tree lighting ceremony, Santa’s Christmas Cabin, Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen, a Snow and Glow Show and a Christmas Crafts Village.

Universal Studios

Universal Studios combines the fun of an amusement park with the glamor of Hollywood. Visit to enjoy Universal movie themed rides or take a tour of the studios where so many famous television shows and movies are filmed.

Christmas is a great time to visit because the park is infused with the spirit of Grinchmas. During the holiday season, you can find the park decked out with lights, bows and ornaments. There might even be a dusting of snow.

There are themed Christmas trees throughout the park including Seuss themed trees, minion themed trees, ugly Christmas sweater themed trees, Santa hat themed trees and more.

Although the park is mostly closed this year due to COVID, it promises to return next year with even more decorations and fun and a brand new ride called “The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash”.

Rodeo Drive Shopping

You really can’t go to Los Angeles without taking a drive to Beverly Hills. One of the most famous neighborhoods in the world, it’s an experience just to drive through and look at the houses, many of which will be decked out with unbelievable holiday decorations.

While in Beverly Hills, be sure to take a whirl through the shops on Rodeo Drive. Yes, they are quite pricey, but they are something to experience. And if you’re looking to treat yourself, that’s the place to do it.

Hollywood Blvd.

To get a true Los Angeles experience, a stroll down Hollywood Blvd. is a must. There is so much to see in just a few short blocks.

The main drag spans from La Brea to Highland. It’s pretty crowded but be sure to look down to see the many brass stars embedded into the sidewalk, each paying tribute to a different Hollywood star.

The Blvd. will also be lined with people dressed as different superheroes and movie stars and during Christmastime, you will also find a few Christmas characters as well. You can stop and take your picture with these characters but they will want a few dollars in return so get ready to tip.

Along the strip, you will also find the legendary Grauman’ s Chinese Theater and the Hollywood Highland mall.

If you continue up Hollywood to the east, you will find more stars, and some cool shops and restaurants. There are also fun museums like the Hollywood Wax Museum, the Guinness World Records Museum and more.

Hollywood Homes Tour

When you’re in Los Angeles, keep your eyes peeled for star sightings. They are not that unusual in this part of town.

Of course, if you’re not lucky enough to see any celebrities, you can always take a tour of their houses. There are buses that run through ritzy sections of the Hollywood Hills and Beverly Hills with guides that will point out the legendary mansions located along the route.

The Beaches

If you’re visiting Los Angeles during the winter, it may not be ideal weather for lazing on the beach, but it’s still worth it to take a drive to the Venice and Santa Monica beaches.

The Santa Monica pier has an amusement park, great food and an awesome view. A stroll down the Venice boardwalk promises a delightful combination of street vendors, performers and artists.

There is so much to see and do in L.A. and Christmastime is a great time to take it all in. What will you be making a first priority during your holiday visit?

Read more of A Christmas Blog or Shop Now at Schmidt Christmas Market

[laresearchette]

Friday, December 04, 2020 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES?: EARTH AT NIGHT IN COLOR (Apple TV+) MARIAH CAREY’S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS SPECIAL (Apple TV+) STILLWATER (Apple TV+) GODMOTHERED (Disney +) MACGYVER (Global) 8:00pm MAGNUM P.I. (CTV) 9:00pm BLUE BLOODS (CTV) 10:00pm MACHO: THE HECTOR CAMACHO STORY (Crave 3) 11:15pm

WHAT IS NOT PREMIERING IN CANADA TONIGHT THE HOLLYWOOD CHRISTMAS PARADE GREATEST MOMENTS (CW Feed) KID OF THE YEAR (Premiering on December 12 on Nickelodeon Canada at 6:00pm) DISNEY HOLIDAY MAGIC QUEST (TBD - Disney Channel Canada) TOO CLOSE FOR CHRISTMAS (TBD - Lifetime Canada) THE HARDY BOYS (TBD)

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME/CRAVE/NETFLIX CANADA/CBC GEM:

AMAZON PRIME SMALL AXE: RED, WHITE AND BLUE SOUND OF METAL CBC GEM ALONE TOGETHER: PERSONAL STORIES FROM THE PANDEMIC: Selected and funded by the CBC Creative Relief Fund, Canadian documentary filmmakers have captured real moments – from light-hearted to serious – of life in the pandemic.          

• COVID & WHO I AM NOW • INENDI [SHE IS GONE] • KING COVID • LAST NIGHT AT THE STRIP CLUB     • LIFE OF A DOG       • LOCKDOWN BABY (Short Doc, 1x20, directed by Ian Mark Kimanje) • ME, MOM & COVID • PATIENT PEOPLE • SAKHI-PITIYAHTE [BRIGHT LIGHT COMES FORTH FROM IT] • TOMOMI ON THE FARM

THE DETECTORISTS (Season 2) DRIVE DUE SOUTH (Season 2) FUNNY BOY QUIZ WHEN JEWS WERE FUNNY CRAVE TV ALIO’S JOURNEY – THE AMAZING ODYSSEY OF A NEWBORN EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS IMPRACTICAL JOKERS: THE MOVIE THE HUNT MAN ON THE MOON V FOR VENDETTA NETFLIX CANADA BHAAG BEANIE BHAGG BIG MOUTH (Season 4) BOMBAY ROSE CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS MEGA BLISSMAS CHRISTMAS CROSSFIRE KINGS OF JOBURG (Season 1) LEYLA EVERLASTING MANK SELENA: THE SERIES

AILO'S JOURNEY (Crave) 7:30pm:  Ailo, a newborn reindeer, embarks on an incredible odyssey with the help of his mother.

FUNNY BOY (CBC) 8:00pm: A young Tamil boy growing up gay in Sri Lanka during the deadly Tamil-Sinhalese conflict.

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS (City) 8:00pm:  When a New England Christmas decorating competition searches for the town with the most Christmas spirit, the mayors of East and West Riverton go all out to get their towns to the top of the holiday heap.

FRED PENNER: THIS IS MY WORLD (Super Channel Fuse) 8:00pm: Best known for his long-running television series "Fred Penner's Place" and hit song "The Cat Came Back," the popular Canadian music performer uses his engaging personality and public speaking skills to excite audiences of all ages for decades.

AMPLIFY (APTN) 8:30pm: Our Mother’s Voice

FIVE STAR CHRISTMAS (W Network) 9:00pm: After moving back to her hometown, a woman plots with her siblings and grandparents to help her father's new bed and breakfast get a five-star review from an incognito travel critic.

IMPRACTICAL JOKERS: THE MOVIE (Crave) 9:00pm:  Brian, James, Joe and Sal pull hilarious pranks on an unsuspecting public.

[hockeydraw3-blog]

Where To Celebrate Día De Los Muertos In Los Angeles

Dia de los Muertos at Grand Park (Photo by nesoxochi via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)

Nobody throws a Día de los Muertos party like Los Angeles. Celebrate life and honor those who have passed at these Day of the Dead celebrations around Southern California.

SATURDAY, OCT. 27; 7 - 9 p.m. Noche de Ofrenda Grand Park — 200 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. For the sixth year, the park partners with Self Help Graphics & Art and LORE Media & Arts for a night of altars and offerings to honor the dead. View installations created by local artists and community groups, performances by L.A.-based artists, including Quetzal and Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company, and traditional blessings led by the local indigenous community. The night coincides with Grand Park's weekend celebration (Friday through Sunday) of Día de los Muertos, with free guided tours of the artwork, altars and traditions of the holiday. COST: FREE; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, OCT. 27; 7 p.m. Catrinas Unidas LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes — 501 N. Main St., downtown L.A. The fundraiser features music by Mariachi Las Colibri, light bites and dessert from Gloria's Restaurant, wine by Puente de Rus and margaritas by Dragos Cantina. The event also features a lifestyle fair with artisanal merchandise, health screenings, healthy lifestyle products and services, and a panel discussion on the importance of women as civically engaged advocates. Proceeds benefit AltaMed's Women's Health Services & Diabetes Prevention Programs. COST: $125 per ticket; MORE INFO

Dia De Los Muertos celebration at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. (Photo by Marcie/LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)

SATURDAY, OCT. 27; noon - midnight Día de los Muertos Festival Hollywood Forever Cemetery — 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood This year's celebration honors the divine feminine in Coatlicue, the Mexica-Aztec goddess who gave birth to the moon, the stars and Huitzilopochtli, the god of the sun and war. Come dressed in calaca/Day of the Dead apparel and spend the day viewing altars, purchasing arts, crafts and food and enjoying the celebrations. Music by Panteón Rococó, Mexican Institute of Sound, Hello Seahorse!, Y La Bamba and Loli Molina. Children 8 and younger and seniors 65 and older get in for free until 4 p.m. Please plan ahead and carpool or rideshare. COST: $25; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, OCT. 27 - FRIDAY, NOV. 2 Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead Olvera St. — downtown L.A. The festival is a celebration of life, and not one of mourning. Community altars will be on view through Nov. 2, with live entertainment, face painting and kid activities taking place both weeknights and weekends. Each night at 7 p.m., a Novenario Procession through the street leads to a ceremony that incorporates pre-Columbian, Aztec, Mayan and Catholic rituals surrounding death. COST: FREE; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, OCT. 27; 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Dia de Los Muertos 5K Relay Run or Walk Recreation Park — 208 Park Ave., San Fernando You can form a team, run on your own or volunteer at the Blue Shield booth to share health info with the community at-large. After the race, spend the morning enjoying Aztec dances, ballet folklorico, Mariachi Music, art exhibiions and family altars. There will be face painting for kids. COST: FREE; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, OCT. 27; 5 - 8 p.m. Día de los Muertos Family Festival Canoga Park Youth Arts Center — 7222 Remmet Ave., Canoga Park Honor the dead and celebrate life at this family-friendly festival. COST: FREE; MORE INFO

A detailed view of Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead decorated skulls at the Valkenburg Christmas Market, the largest underground Christmas market in Europe, on December 1, 2017 in Valkenburg, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

SUNDAY, OCT. 28; 3 - 9 p.m. San Pedro Día de los Muertos Festival 398 West 6th St., San Pedro Celebrate the Day of the Dead in the South Bay with authentic Mexican fare, art and musical performances by the Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea, locals Kotolan and Salt Petal. The festival debuts a tequila garden and features an ofrenda installation, honoring unsung heroes from Mexican culture including Jose Cuervo founding lady Ana Gonzalez Rubio y de la Torre, painter Maria Izquierdo, Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata and printmaker/illustrator Jose Guadalupe Posada. COST: FREE, but tickets required; MORE INFO

SUNDAY, OCT. 28 Día de los Muertos Celebration Forest Lawn locations in Glendale, Cypress and Covina Hills In addition to the arts, crafts, face painting and altars, each of the locations hosts its own programming and events throughout the day.

Glendale holds screenings of Disney's Coco at noon in English and at 2:15 p.m. in Spanish.

Cypress hosts a music performance by Mariachi Juvenil Herencia Mexicana.

Mariachi Divas perform in Covina Hills from noon to 4 p.m.

COST: FREE; MORE INFO

SUNDAY, OCT. 28; 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Día de los Muertos Art Festival Downey Theatre — 8435 Firestone Blvd., Downey The celebration of Mexican arts and culture features live music and dancing — including ballet folklorico and Aztec dancers — on three stages. There are also altar contests, car art, an art show featuring works by local artists, a sculpture alley, food trucks and a beer and wine garden. COST: FREE; MORE INFO

SUNDAY, OCT. 28; 1:30 - 5 p.m. Coco Warner Grand Theatre — 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro Catch the heartbreaking 2017 animated film. Aspiring musician Miguel, facing his family's ancestral ban on music, enters the Land of the Dead to find his great-great-grandfather. Reservations are required at Eventbrite. COST: FREE; MORE INFO

Hollywood Forever Cemetery's Day of the Dead Festival (Photo by Bob Kent via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 31; 6 - 7 p.m. Mariachi de Uclatlán Fowler Museum — 308 Charles E. Young Drive East, Westwood This performance by Mariachi de Uclatlán, one of the first academic mariachi groups in the world, features well-loved mariachi standards as well as some new tunes, including Mexican songs of resistance and activism to go along the with the museum's current exhibition, "South of No North: Gato Negro Ediciones." COST: FREE; MORE INFO

An image from the 2017 animated movie Coco. (Courtesy of Pixar)

THURSDAY, NOV. 1; 6 p.m. Coco Under The Stars Downey Theatre — 8435 Firestone Blvd., Downey The pre-party starts at 6 p.m. with specials from local businesses and an information fair. At dusk, watch the award-winning animated film Coco, about Miguel, a boy who yearns to become a musician, like his idol Ernesto de la Cruz, but must fight his family's ban on music. In the process, he finds himself in the Land of the Dead, where he takes an extraordinary journey to unearth his family's history. COST: FREE; MORE INFO

THURSDAY, NOV. 1; 5-8 p.m. Día De Los Muertos celebration Sun Valley Youth Arts Center — 8642 Sunland Blvd., Sun Valley Expect a family-friendly evening of art workshops, student art exhibits, refreshments and entertainment. You can participate by placing an image of a loved one who has passed on the community altar. The evening concludes with a ritual dance by Danza Temachtia Quetzacoatl. COST: FREE; MORE INFO

Dia de los Muertos celebrants at Self Help Graphics in Boyle Heights. (Via Self Help Graphics' website)

FRIDAY, NOV. 2; 5-10 p.m. 45th Annual Día De Los Muertos celebration Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez High School — 1200 Plaza del Sol, Boyle Heights Come dressed in your best Calaca attire to one of the oldest and most popular Día de los Muertos events in Los Angeles. It includes a traditional ceremonial blessing, food and craft vendors, face-painting, children's workshops and an exhibition, "How We Remember and How We Survive," on view at Self Help from through Dec. 21. COST: FREE; MORE INFO

FRIDAY, NOV. 2; 5 - 11 p.m. 5th Annual Día de los Muertos Art Festival 433 Pine Ave. — Long Beach Downtown Long Beach will transform into a grand celebration and street extravaganza with colorful costumes, dance, food, arts, crafts and music from around the Latin community. COST: FREE; MORE INFO

A woman gets her hair done before a Dia de los Muertos parade marking in the Mexican fan house in Moscow on June 29, 2018 during the Russia 2018 World Cup. (Photo by MAXIM ZMEYEV/AFP/Getty Images)

FRIDAY, NOV. 2 - SUNDAY, NOV. 4 Day of the Dead Weekend Old Pasadena — 41 Hugus Alley, Pasadena During the three-day event, dozens of Pasadena businesses will create altars that you can check out on a self-guided Tour of Altars. The weekend also includes a community altar, face painting and a salsa dance party with live music. COST: FREE; MORE INFO

FRIDAY, NOV. 2; 3-6 p.m. Día de los Muertos Celebration Forest Lawn — 51990 Jackson St., Coachella On Nov. 2, All Souls Day, there'll be arts, crafts, face painting and altars as well as other programming throughout the day. COST: FREE; MORE INFO

People in costume attend Hollywood Forever Cemetery's 19th annual Dia De Los Muertos event on October 27, 2018. (Photo by Chris Delmas /AFP/Getty Images)

SATURDAY, NOV. 3; 1-10 p.m. Noche de Altares 4th and Birch, Santa Ana Night of the Altars encourages participants to build altars in memory of deceased loved ones or to bring awareness to a social issue. The night includes cultural performances, live music, face-painting and free art workshops for kid and wares from local artists. You can also take photos with La Catrina, the modern-day icon of Día de los Muertos created by Mexican artist Jose Guadalupe Posada. COST: FREE; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, NOV. 3; 2 - 11 p.m. Day of the Dead 2018 Los Angeles State Historic Park — 847 14th St., Santa Monica HARD curates a festival featuring French duo Justice, South African avant-garde rap duo Die Antwoord and Australian electro stars Knife Party. Stage Two features emerging and established house music acts like Repopulate Mars frontman Lee Foss back-to-back with Felix Da Housecat, a live set from keyboard wunderkind Rodriguez and DIRTYBIRD's own Shiba San, J.Phlip, Dateless and OMNOM. The festival is 21+. COST: $70-180; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, NOV. 3 - SUNDAY, NOV. 4 Dia de los Muertos MUsic and Arts Festival Pacoima City Hall - 13520 Van Nuys Blvd., Pacoima The entertainment lineup features a diverse mix of sounds including cumbia, tejano, latin banda, funk, R&B, mariachi and Spanish rock. There will also be a catrina contest, face painting, and arts and crafts activities for attendees of all ages. Festivities happen from noon to 9 p.m. pm Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. COST: FREE; MORE INFO

Indigenous women pray near the grave of Francisco Aliaga at La Llamita cemetery in La Paz, Bolivia during All Souls Day on November 2, 2017. (Photo credit should read AIZAR RALDES/AFP/Getty Images)

SUNDAY, NOV. 4; 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 7th Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration Woodlawn Cemetery — 847 14th St., Santa Monica The family-friendly event urges visitors to honor the cycle of life and remember their ancestors. It includes altars, musicians, dancers, marigold offerings, a slide show honoring lost loved ones, food trucks and a communal memory wall. Free parking and bike valet. COST: FREE; MORE INFO

SUNDAY, NOV. 4; 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 18th Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration Downtown Canoga Park — Sherman Way & Canoga Ave., Canoga Park Pay tribute to loved ones who have died at a festival with live entertainment, vendors, international foods, calaveras, art exhibits, altar displays, a children's art pavilion and a classic car show. COST: FREE; MORE INFO

SUNDAY, NOV. 4; 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Día de los Muertos Celebration Bowers Museum — 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, Check out decorated sugar skulls, papel picado (paper cutouts) and calavera puppets and masks. Aztec Dances of the Dead provides live entertainment along with a mariachi band and a folklorico dance troupe. You'll be able to munch on pan de muerto and sip Mexican hot chocolate while viewing a special ofrenda, where you can add your own note of love. COST: FREE; MORE INFO

BONUS: Marigolds are traditionally used to decorate altars for Día de los Muertos. You can find them in the Flower District, located in the L.A. Fashion District in downtown L.A. California Flower Mall - 825 S. San Pedro St. Includes over 40 flower vendors. Free to the general public. Mon. - Sat., 4:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Sun. 5 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Southern California Flower Growers & Los Angeles Flower Market of the American Florists Exchange - 754 & 755 Wall St. More than 500,000 square feet combined of fresh cut flowers, potted plants and floral accessories. Admission fee for the public is $2 on weekdays and $1 on weekends. Mon., Wed. & Fri. - 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Tue. & Thu. - 6 a.m. - 11 a.m. Sat. - 6 a.m. - 12 p.m.

You made it! Congrats, you read the entire story, you gorgeous human. This story was made possible by generous people like you. Independent, local journalism costs $$$$$. And now that LAist is part of KPCC, we rely on that support. So if you aren't already, be one of us! Help us help you live your best life in Southern California. Donate now.

Source: http://www.laist.com/2018/10/31/dia_de_los_muertos_los_angeles_day_of_the_dead.php

[theparkertingle]

College

Run Freedom Run, Urinetown (audio)

Chateau D'If, The Count of Monte Cristo (audio, video)

Act 1 Finale, The Count of Monte Cristo (video)

Goodbyes, The Count of Monte Cristo (video)

Lily’s Eyes, The Secret Garden (video)

Rock of Ages

2009 Tony Performance (video)

High Enough (video)

Every Rose Has Its Thorns (video)

Don’t Stop Believing, Rock of Ages Closing (video)

O’Holy Night, Rock of Ages Cast (audio)

West Side Story

Something’s Coming (broadway/hollywood bowl)

Maria (broadway/hollywood bowl)

Tonight (hollywood bowl)

One Hand, One Heart (hollywood bowl)

Heathers

Heather’s reading (video)

Freeze Your Brain (audio)

Our Love is God (audio)

Seventeen (audio)

I Can’t Do This Alone (audio)

Newsies

Newsies (broadway, papermill (message me), live hd event)

Preview footage (video)

I Never Planned On You (original lyrics audio)

The World Will Know (recording studio)

Santa Fe (broadway, bonus track version, la, orlando, michigan, Diaster!) 

Then I Saw You (papermill, second link)

Something To Believe In (broadway)

2012 Tony’s Performance (video)

Barnes & Nobles Concert (audio)

Santa Fe/Seize the Day (good morning america, the view)

Bonnie and Clyde

Bonnie and Clyde (broadway)

Preview footage (video)

How ‘Bout a Dance/This World Will Remember Us (florida news station)

This World Will Remember Me (broadway)

When I Drive (Joe’s pub)

This World Will Remember Us (frank & friends concert

What was Good Enough For You (frank & friends concert)

Bonnie (london, la, broadwayspotted master class)

Finding Neverland

Finding Neverland (cambridge)

Act 1: part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4

Act 2: part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4

Circus of Your Mind (cambridge)

Death Note

Where is the Justice? (audio)

Hurricane (audio)

Stalemate (audio)

Playing His Game (audio)

Smash

They Just Keep Moving the Line (54 below)

Cut, Print, Moving On (video)

High and Dry (54 below)

Under Pressure (54 below)

Hitlist

Hitlist (audio)

Hitlist Miscast Medley (54 below)

Broadway Here I Come (la, tv, 54 below, london)

Rewrite This Story (54 below, tv)

If I Had You (54 below)

I Heard Your Voice in a Dream (54 below, tv, la)

Don’t Let Me Know (54 below, tv)

Caught in a Storm (54 below)

Calling Out my Name (54 below)

Heart Shaped Wreckage (54 below, la, tv)

The Love I Meant To Say (tv)

The Goodbye Song (54 below, tv)

The Last Five Years

Shiksa Goddess (audio)

Moving Too Fast (audio, hollywood, abs news)

The Schmuel Song (audio)

The Next Ten Minutes (audio)

A Miracle Would Happen / When You Come Home To Me (audio)

If I Didn’t Believe in You (audio)

Nobody Needs to Know (audio)

Goodbye Until Tomorrow (audio)

Breaking Character Concert / Other (solo) Concerts

Anthem, Chess (hollywood)

Moving Too Fast, The Last Five Years (hollywood)

Broadway Here I Come (hollywood)

Heart Shaped Wreckage (hollywood)

I Heard Your Voice in a Dream (hollywood)

Heaven (hollywood)

Maybe I’m Amazed, Joyful Noise (hollywood)

I’m Not Good Enough, Jeremy Jordan original (hollywood) 

Revelation, Jeremy Jordan original (hollywood)

Losing My Mind, Follies (hollywood, 54 below)

Santa Fe, Newsies (hollywood)

Somewhere Over the Rainbow (hollywood, 54 below, london)

Bonnie, Bonnie and Clyde (hollywood)

Let It Go, Frozen (hollywood)

Chipotle, Avenue Q-esque (hollywood)

Under Water, Jeremy Jordan original (p1, p2)

I’m Not, Jeremy Jordan original (london)

Memories of Losing You, Jeremy Jordan original (london)

Take Me or Leave Me, Rent (london, london video)

Jeremy and Ben’s Medley (video, audio)

Smiles/I’ll Be Seeing You (london)

New Shoes (london)

Parade In Concert

Parade (message me for full bootleg)

Act 1: p1, p2, p3, p4, p5

This Is Not Over Yet (rehearsal)

All the Wasted Time (audio)

Miscast

Let Me Be Your Star, Smash (2013)

Who Will Love Me As I Am?, Side Show (2013)

Let It Go, Frozen (2014)

Cell Block Tango, Chicago (2015)

Don’t Rain on My Parade, Funny Girl (2015)

Sondheim 

A Bed and a Chair (video)

Another Hundred People, Company (video)

Giants in the Sky, Into The Woods (audio)

Opening Doors, Merrily We Roll Along (video)

Miscellaneous Musical

Ten Minutes Ago/The Next Ten Minutes, Cinderella/The Last Five Years (video, video)

Come What May, Moulin Rouge (54 below)

I’ll Never Pass This Way Again, Civil War (frank & friends)

Sarah, Civil War (frank & friends)

The Ultimate Disney Princess Power Ballad Medley (disney magic)

Disney Medley (trevor project)

Why, God, Why?, Miss Saigon (audio)

Anything You Can Do, Annie Get Your Gun (audio)

Somewhere Over the Rainbow/Home, The Wizard of Oz/Home (seth speaks, 54 below)

One Day More, Les Mis (carnegie hall)

The Story Goes On, Baby (beverley hilton)

The Wheel, Tuck Everlasting (video)

Everything is Coming Up Roses, Gypsy (feinstein’s at the nikko)

Rocky City, See Rock City and Over Destinations (audio)

Out of the Bay, Unlock’d (audio)

Dolgaya River, Brother Russia (audio)

Lost in the Wilderness, Children of Eden (audio)

Out There, The Hunchback of Notre Dame (audio)

Miscellaneous Composers

The Answer, Joe Iconis (54 below)

Runaway With Me, Kerrigan-Lowdermilk (kerrigan-lowdermilk live

Dare To Dream, Michael Mott (with Laura Osnes, with Adrienne Warren)

Try, Michael Mott (54 below, where the sky ends concert)

Rise or Fall, Michael Mott (54 below)

Lucky, Michael Mott (where the sky ends concert)

Fleet Weak, Carner & Gregor (an evening of carner & gregor)

Wall Lovin’, Carner & Gregor (an evening of carner & gregor)

Snapshot In My Memory, Carner & Gregor (video)

Stay Awhile, Carner & Gregor (2009, 2010, 2010, 2014)

Tie Me Up, Carner & Gregor (54 below)

Traffic Island Song, Carner & Gregor (video)

So Many Windows, Carner & Gregor (audio)

No Turning Back Now, Drew Gaspirini (live, recorded)

I Am Yours, Jonathan Reid Gealt (video)

Here For You, Jonathan Reid Gealt (studio version)

If the World Looked Like You, Will Reynolds (laurie beechman theater)

This Year, Will Reynolds (bright lights concert series)

Greenwood Tree Suite, Will Reynolds (the songs of will reynolds)

Just Ahead, Will Reynods (the songs of will reynolds)

The Violet Hour, Eric Price and Will Reynolds (54 below)

Rooftops, Caleb Hoyer (laurie beechman theater)

Drift, Kooman & Dimon (video)

Get Up and Go, Joey Contreras (audio)

Prepared, Georgia Stitt (54 below)

She, Georgia Stitt (54 below)

Carry Me Up, Andrew Satomayor (laurie beechman theater)

Please Don’t Let Me Go, Scott Alan (audio)

Other

I’ve Told You Now, Sam Smith (54 below)

It’s All Coming Back to Me Now, Celine Dion (54 below)

Beauty and the Beast, Celine Dion (54 below)

Total Eclipse of the Heart, U2 (54 below)

Some Boys, Death Cab for Cutie (54 below)

This Will Be Our Year/The Way I Feel Inside, The Zombies (54 below)

I’ll Be Home for Christmas (54 below)

Creeptastic, the Skivvies (54 below)

More Than Anyone, Gavin DeGraw (audio)

Was I A Trooper Mom?  (today)

Love is a Many Splendid Thing/Mona Lisa/Atcheson, Topeka & Santa Fe/ All the Way/Moon River (pasadena symphony)

Breathe Again (feinstein’s at the nikko)

Gonna Be Alright, Laura Molina (music video)

The National Anthem (2011, 2014)

Put a Little Love in Your Heart, Jackie DeShannon (the flash)

Hark, Hark, the Lark, The Greenwood Tree (audio)

Who is Slyvia? The Greenwood Tree (audio)

Tangled

 I Will Make You Have Faith in Me (d23) 

[vacationsoup]

New Post has been published on https://vacationsoup.com/disney-world-holiday-season/

Disney World Holiday Season 2019

November 8th sees the unwrapping of 2019 Disney World Holiday Season.There will be very merry festivities across theme parks, resorts and Disney Springs.

This year marks the debut of all-new seasonal offerings throughout Disney’s Animal Kingdom and a spectacular new holiday-themed fireworks show at Magic Kingdom Park.

It all adds up the most fun this side of the North Pole. Special live entertainment, characters in festive garb, seasonal décor, holiday treats, specialty eats, miles of garlands and decorations. Oh, and a shimmering castle to lift holiday spirits.

While Santa and his elves are busy preparing for the holidays, savvy guests are already planning holiday vacations.

Disney World 2019 Holiday Season

Animal Kingdom Joins in Holiday Fun

The 2019 Disney World Holiday Season brings Animal Kingdom festive new entertainment and holiday décor in every land.

Daytime and nighttime, guests will experience the majesty of nature and holiday magic.

Here is some of what’s in store:

Discovery Island: By day, stylized, life-sized animal puppets mingle with villagers who make the island their home. As day becomes night, rooftop luminaries in animal shapes and bird lanterns throughout Discovery Island will bring a warm glow to the village.

Tree of Life: As the sun sets, a series of wintry tales emerging from within the Tree of Life, backed by a familiar and heartwarming holiday musical score. Between awakening moments, the Tree of Life will shimmer and sparkle throughout the night, alive with the magic of nature and the spirit of the holidays.

Dinoland, U.S.A: Rock out with the DJ-led “Holiday Hoopla Dance Party with Chip ‘n Dale”. Lots of interactive fun and games. Throughout the land, characters gathered for “Donald’s Dino-Bash!” will get in the holiday spirit with colorful costumes.

Diwali, the Holiday Festival of Lights in India, has inspired the residents of Anandapur in Glowing flowers, lanterns. Even more will illuminate the main square leading to the waterfront stage, home to authentic and colorful cultural performances.

Harambe in Africa will welcome guests with a unique holiday presentation, fusing Western traditions with the colors and texture of authentic African celebrations; colorful costuming and new music flavors each performance.

Tusker House diners get their merry on as Safari Donald Duck and his pals spread holiday cheer.

Pandora – The World of Avatar will offer out-of-this-world Christmastime fun. Ex-pats living and working on the moon of Pandora roll out seasonal fun. There will be a display at Pongu Pongu of kitschy holiday décor, pairing vintage pieces from Earth with items handcrafted from materials indigenous to Pandora.

A Christmas tree will tower over the park entrance. Decorated with traditional ornaments and hidden animals, the tree is a prelude to the holiday magic that awaits inside the park.

New Holiday Fireworks Show at Magic Kingdom

The skies above Magic Kingdom Park will sparkle to life during the 2019 Disney World Holiday Season.

Visions of fireworks dance in the air during an all-new nighttime show: Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks.

Hosted by Minnie Mouse, the holiday extravaganza brings visitors together in a celebration of heartfelt moments and the magic of Christmas. The show will be presented during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which takes place select dates Nov. 8-Dec. 22, and nightly Dec. 23-29.

The 2019 Disney World Holiday Season will also see Magic Kingdom transformed into an enchanting wonderland. Dazzling decorations, holiday treats, a shimmering ice castle and more.

Popular Events Returning to Disney World Holiday Season:

With glittery Cinderella Castle as its centerpiece, Magic Kingdom shines its brightest during the holidays. You'll be swept into a magical scene of seasonal music, characters in their festive finery. Plus fireworks bursting above. During A Frozen Holiday Wish stage show, Queen Elsa magically transforms Cinderella Castle with glistening ice.

Holiday Fireworks Dessert Parties are a sweet way to enjoy the new holiday fireworks. Offered nightly, each festive party includes seasonal treats and dazzling views of the new fireworks spectacular.

Each of the 23 nights of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will feature performances of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas and Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration stage show. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party dates: Nov. 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24; Dec. 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22.

Epcot Candlelight Processional Begins Nov. 29 as Highlight of Holiday Festival

Joyous Yuletide traditions from across the globe are at the heart of the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays.

From Nov. 29, 2019, through Dec. 30, 2019, merry-makers will be immersed in a vast world of holiday decorations and entertainment.

There will be themed merchandise, festive cuisine and costumed storytellers in many of the 11 World Showcase nations.

Candlelight Processional is Epcot’s grandest holiday tradition. The retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator backed by a 50-piece orchestra and massed choir. Performances run three times nightly. Narrators this year include Whoopi Goldberg, Pat Sajak, Steven Curtis Chapman and Edward James Olmos.

Holiday Kitchens sprinkled throughout World Showcase will serve up tasty treats inspired by treasured holiday recipes from across the globe.

World Showcase pavilions come alive with the sights and sounds of special entertainment celebrating each country’s holiday heritage.

Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree Scavenger Hunt: Scout World Showcase locations looking for the famous chipmunks and their ornaments. Completed maps are returned for a special festive surprise, courtesy of the chipmunk duo.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet guests at The American Adventure pavilion.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Glitters with Special Holiday Entertainment

Holiday adventures begin at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as new attractions and lands turn this theme park into one big holiday gift.

Add seasonal shows, enchanting “snowfalls,” décor and more, and it’s easy to see how holidays here become extraordinary.

Sunset Seasons Greetings is projected onto the Hollywood Tower Hotel. Boasting laser effects and “snow,” the experience also includes stories, songs and cheer courtesy of favorite Disney friends.

Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Includes iconic music, fireworks, special effects and state-of-the-art projections to create a one-of-a-kind holiday experience. Add a sweet touch with the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Holiday Dessert Party.

Holiday touches and festive décor throughout the park will include seasonal fun inside Toy Story Land. Plus a joyous greeting from Santa or Santa Goofy.

As a curtain-closer, Olaf delivers a special holiday finale in For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along.

Stop at the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and live your own Star Wars adventure. Find the perfect holiday gift from a galaxy far, far away. (Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and its experiences are subject to capacity.)

Disney Springs Delivers Season’s Greetings

Perfect for this special time of year, Disney Springs is where guests can make a holiday list and check it twice.

Breeze among dozens of trendy brand-name stores and a large and varied collection of Disney merchandise.

Indulge the holiday hungries at great dining spots that will also serve up seasonal cheer.

Live entertainment will include the spectacle of toy soldier stilt walkers, carolers and Living Statues in holiday attire.

Holiday decorations set the colorful stage for Disney Springs festivities, which run Nov. 8, 2019, through Jan. 5, 2020:

Christmas Tree Trail is home to custom-decorated holiday trees, each dedicated to a popular Disney theme featuring favorite Disney characters.

At Santa’s Chalet, a jolly Santa Claus welcomes guests. From Dec. 25 to 31, Santa Goofy takes over after Ol’ Saint Nick returns to the North Pole.

Join in Stitch’s Holiday Gift Hunt and discover where the mischievous Experiment 626 is hiding.

Disney Resorts Deck the Halls

Resort hotels across Walt Disney World are decked out for the holidays. Seasonal décor and massive Christmas trees usher in the festive spirit. Check out our Christmas Resort Hop Tour.

A life-size holiday gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is the place to pick up Christmas treats, including (of course!) tasty gingerbread.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort boasts a life-size, edible carousel as a holiday tradition.

A holiday village with a miniature train takes center stage at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.

Have you got plans to visit during the 2019 Disney World Holiday Season? We'd love to welcome you.

[oliveratlanta]

101 things to love about Atlanta

A love letter to a city of many nicknames—just don’t call it Hotlanta

Unlike other American metropolises, it’s sometimes hard to determine exactly what Atlanta is, especially for outsiders or so many newcomers. Is it a business-friendly, big-hearted, mild-weather region that’s six times more populated than it was 50 years ago? Yes, Atlanta is that. A cradle for some of the most influential music—particularly hip-hop and rap—of the past three decades? Yep, that too. A burgeoning foodie wonderland? A southeastern mecca for the production of television and Hollywood blockbusters? A pastiche of gloriously unique, provincial villages masquerading as official neighborhoods? A cultural frontrunner and cautionary tale? Global magnet of opportunity? Still kind of a mess—but lovably so?

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and that’s right, y’all.

So maybe that’s what’s special about Atlanta: It’s not yet finished, and never one-note. Rather, it’s a Brunswick stew of varying allures. It’s amorphous, restless, unwed to the past, intoxicated by its own prospects. Very little is sacred here but change, and instigators are more than welcome. Atlanta doesn’t know what it is yet, or exactly where it’s going, but it’s having a damn good time getting there. Let’s celebrate what’s great here, right now.

1. Inclusivity. The economic and cultural heart of the Deep South isn’t just accustomed to being diverse, it’s proud of it. See virtually any public gathering place intown for proof that humanity can peacefully coexist—and that Atlanta still has better things to do than hate.

2. Sky-high architecture. From the emerald towers of Sandy Springs’s King and Queen to the Georgia Pacific Tower’s illuminated stairsteps, the skyline is among America’s most underappreciated, especially at night. It’s not contiguous yet, with large gaps between poky clusters from most angles, but it’s distinctive and bold. And oh how it glows.

3. Easy-breezy climes. Sure, summer’s hotter’n’ Hades. But there’s Christmas shopping in flip-flops (sometimes), T-shirt weekends in January (occasionally), and bloomy early February (without fail).

4. After Hours at Waffle House: The 20-minute wait at 3:17 a.m. is plenty of time for random singing with other scatterbrained, post-bar strangers in line.

5. The prevalence of nature. Cicadas. And barn owls. Talking. At night. Among the giant urban oaks, in July.

6. Festival-a-palooza. Neighborhoods across the city have unbridled, borderline incomprehensible enthusiasm for getting together. Random gatherings invented on Facebook (looking at you, Lanta Gras) have ballooned into huge annual traditions with street closures and parades.

7. Bezos who? Amazon didn’t choose Atlanta, and Atlanta cared for five minutes.

8. It’s almost never hard to find a seat on public transit.

9. Kid-friendly. Little children growing up in Atlanta tend to think it’s amazing. That’s an impression bolstered by innumerable playgrounds and ubiquitous King of Pops, those delectable, homegrown frozen staples.

10. Random celebrity encounters. Like that time when André 3000 was shopping alone at the DeKalb Farmers Market, sans entourage, near the seafood section, all cool in his army jacket despite the July swelter and crush of onlookers, not too busy or highfalutin to shake everybody’s hand.

11. Yes, $100,000-something condos are prevalent—still—in desirable places across Atlanta. Many aren’t shoeboxes, either. And some count incredible views, particularly of central Midtown or downtown’s oldest streets.

12. Tech hub. Because Georgia Tech is a factory of coveted IT brainpower that’s more essential to the city’s business climate each year.

13. Westside escape. With its bridges, creekside vistas, and smooth, snaking pavement, the Proctor Creek Greenway trail is already otherworldly, in the best, most bucolic way. And it’s just a fraction of what it stands to be in coming years.

14. Long live the Clermont. A few years ago, neighbors were preparing to fight to save a local strip club from its new owners. It was a false alarm—the new owners view the Clermont as an asset. But that’s Atlanta.

15. Where it’s greater. With its transit connectivity, celebrated food scene, walkability, and perennial ranking as Georgia’s best place to live, Decatur gets it.

16. World’s busiest hub. With flights seemingly every minute from early morning until the wee night-time hours, the Atlanta airport is a stressful but handy launchpad of convenience, with a ridiculous wealth of nonstop flights to basically everywhere (hello, Dubai and Johannesburg). We’ll forgive a MARTA train derailment, that famous power outage, and perpetual TSA clogs.

17. Expats welcome. Because almost nobody on your street is actually from Atlanta, and that’s so normal it usually doesn’t even register. A common greeting for new neighbors: “So, where ya from?”

18. Can’t-miss Cascade. Especially in autumn, SW ATL’s Cascade Springs Nature Preserve offers ITP serenity to the fullest. Meander through 120 acres of trails, climb Civil War-era ruins, hop across a waterfall’s rocks. It’ll make even the most overstressed office dweller feel something akin to childhood awe.

19. Walkability. It’s getting vastly… better, in many places, from densifying EAV to the growing shopping avenues of central Buckhead. It’s happening, albeit slowly.

20. But... Atlanta’s still a major city where driving conveniences are largely possible, and lugging groceries on trains and such isn’t always an everyday hassle. Rush hours, however, are always plural, and Saturday traffic is, unfortunately, no joke anymore.

21. Trees of green. Friends flying in for the first time might say, “All I saw were trees—and then we landed.” A high compliment.

Curbed Atlanta

Atlanta’s canopy with the Buckhead business district at left, and Midtown/downtown at right.

22. Playspace. The restored, climbable treasure that is Noguchi Playscapes, the famed landscape architect’s work in Piedmont Park, was the only U.S. playground he completed in his lifetime.

23. Bungalows. The quintessential intown homes. Built to last, forever in vogue, and usually affixed with that most Atlanta of residential features: the generous porch.

24. Bearings Bike Shop. The community-focused nonprofit is teaching kids the value of hard work, the joy of exercise, and the viability of traversing a car-crazed city on two wheels.

25. Late-night stalwart. MJQ is a longstanding and culturally important club that welcomes anybody and everybody down into the rollicking, subterranean bowels of a former blues club. Chicago House in one room, a Whitney Houston singalong in the next.

26. Adios, Bravos. The pro baseball team left town for the monied ’burbs—and might very well have done Atlanta a favor (unless you operated front-yard parking lots). Nearby Georgia Avenue’s rebirth could show how large-scale adaptive reuse, married with new construction, can be a smartly executed replacement for storefront vacancies and so much stadium asphalt. Changes of this magnitude don’t come without gentrification fears, of course. But rows of beautiful, vacant old buildings—which could’ve doubled as a post-apocalyptic Main Street before, but are under renovation now—were doing Atlanta no favors.

27. The mother of all porch parties. Three cheers for the grassroots explosion of Oakhurst Porchfest. Founded in 2015, the autumn musical extravaganza counts 200-plus acts now, performing wherever volunteers offer their porches as stages. It’s community unification through music at its finest.

28. High Museum. The Southeast’s preeminent showcase for contemporary and classical art, housed in buildings designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Meier, is free for locals on the second Sunday of each month. How’s that for accessibility?

29. Viewrific, Part I. The approach from Douglasville on Interstate 20, over that hill, in fading evening light, the Land of Oz.

30. One of television’s best shows needed no other name than our city’s.

31. Georgia Aquarium’s bucket-list essential. For about the price of a car tire, you can swim with whale sharks downtown. And if you’re lucky, they’ll inadvertently bump you, with all the gentle power of a city bus in slow motion.

32. Curated graffiti. Running along the northern borders of Cabbagetown and Reynoldstown, Wylie Street is an ever-changing urban museum of eye-popping street murals, with a dash of biting social commentary.

33. Atlanta is where misfit street characters become local legends. Here’s looking at you, Baton Bob. And where art thou, Bicycle Shorts Man?

34. The Dungeon house in Lakewood Heights. Birthplace of OutKast, it was recently purchased by Big Boi. Hootie Hoo!

35. The Atlanta Beltline. Despite affordability challenges directly caused by the now-famous Beltline, the popular segments are socially magical, unifying things—Atlanta’s boardwalk, the Little Peachtree—and it’s barely reached adolescence at this point. Maybe one day, instead of sprawl and traffic, a mention of Atlanta anywhere in the world will conjure images of this mythical green loop. All dreamed up by a local college kid.

36. Sylvan Hills. The historic nabe between downtown and the airport is the prettiest neighborhood that half of Atlanta’s never heard of.

37. Scooter culture. Having spawned across the city in a year, the vehicles can be annoying, unsightly, and even dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists. But the two-wheel zeitgeist beats all those lawbreaking riders driving alone in 4,000-pound street cloggers, right?

38. Raising the bar. Rooftop restaurants and bars have multiplied tenfold (roughly) in recent years, highlighted by Ponce City Market’s vintage amusement park in the sky and Hotel Clermont’s unpretentious new hang. About time.

39. Our iconic downtown library is by Marcel Breuer, someone cooler than Carnegie.

40. Path Force. The Beltline’s roving, specialized, applaudable police squad is consistently effective. Despite millions of visitors to the trails, the number of annual crime incidents can sometimes be counted on one hand.

41. John Portman. The late architect’s simple idea born in downtown Atlanta—the inner high-rise atrium, designed to cheaply cool low-income buildings—revolutionized hotel design around the world.

42. A growing legacy of rather badass sports statues. There’s Hank Aaron swinging through his record homer, shredded Evander Holyfield (currently MIA), sculptural Olympics remnants, Dominique Wilkins in mid-dunk, and that incredible Falcons sculpture.

43. Viewrific, Part II. The downtown skyline from that stoplight, facing west, where Freedom Parkway meets Boulevard. It’s the famed Jackson Street Bridge vantage point, immortalized in The Walking Dead Season 1 poster, panned out.

44. Park potential. Bellwood Quarry’s green space initiative could finally bring that side of town the Piedmont Park it deserves.

45. Commercial survivors. Poncey-Highland throwback DVD rental spot Videodrome and dive-bar stalwart Righteous Room are here to stay forever! Probably.

46. Road trips galore. From Atlanta, there’s a wealth of geographically and culturally diverse long-weekend options in all directions. Asheville, Savannah, the Gulf Coast, Charleston, Blue Ridge, Jekyll Island, Nashville, Charlotte, and the list goes on. Leave at lunch on Friday and reach them all by happy hour.

47. Church Bar on Edgewood. Before it was a tourist destination, the beloved Edgewood Avenue watering hole was just an unholy alliance of irreverent art, ping-pong, sangria, and a male former church deacon named Sister Louisa.

48. Atlanta United. In just its third year now, the club has scored a Major League Soccer championship and global headlines that declare this city, for once, an exemplar of fandom.

49. They don’t make ’em like Whittier Mill Village anymore. The semi-secret old cotton mill community includes 1800s homes, beautiful ruins, and Buckhead schools.

50. We took Snowpocalypse jokes—and are still taking them—in stride. Two inches of daytime snow paralyzed a major city, but hey, we made the front page of the New York Times! And inspired the creation of an SNL Weekend Update character called Buford Calloway, a “survivor.”

51. Lemony pepper wings. Order dry, with a little tub of hot sauce on the side. Graze the wing across blue cheese, and then dunk in the sauce. Bite big. And behold caloric Eden.

52. Bank of America Plaza. The world’s largest cigarette just happens to be the Southeast’s tallest building—and the ATL’s Eiffel Tower. (Sorry, Big Chicken.)

53. Purposeful art. With poignant murals, impressive permanent pieces, and a civil rights installation series where historical events actually happened, the Beltline’s Westside Trail artwork is stepping up the game. Ditto for the Eastside’s series, and William Massey’s awe-inspiring pieces made of garbage found on streets.

54. Viewrific, Part III. Sure, the ginormous chiseled Confederates are awkward at best, and embarrassing at worst. But evenings and sunrises atop Stone Mountain are religious experiences (literally, every Easter, with church services). Up there, find unparalleled vistas of so much rippling green, cast pink, with the glint of skyscrapers in the middle distance.

55. Adair Park. Blight and disinvestment didn’t diminish the beautiful old bones of this historic place.

56. The Atlanta Tech Village in Buckhead is the real deal. A tech hub that’s spawned big local companies—and a lot of cushy salaries.

57. Car-free lifestyles no longer seem crazy. Alternate transportation commuters are becoming more prevalent by the year—and proving that living without a car (gasp!) is possible in Atlanta. (See: the saddlebags and backpacks accessorizing business attire along the Freedom Park PATH Trail during weekday rush hours.)

58. No shortage of swingin’ highrise pools. It’s like a subculture unto itself, from late April to September.

59. We have the Southeast’s largest burial ground, and it’s beautiful. More than 100,000 people have been laid to eternal rest across Westview Cemetery’s 600 acres, which is centered around a gorgeously ornate mausoleum and chapel.

60. Lest we forget Oakland Cemetery. Atlanta’s oldest public green space is a historical, durable, accessible intown treasure that really knows how to party. For proof, see the long-running, multistage Tunes From the Tombs festival.

61. The National Center for Civil and Human Rights is > the NASCAR Museum that Atlanta “lost” to Charlotte.

62. Pittsburgh Yards. This southside Beltline redevelopment is centered on the creation of jobs in underserved places—instead of $3,000 apartments and $13.50 bespoke kale bowls—and it could be a game changer.

63. Buckhead’s tallest building, the Sovereign tower, still stands out, architecturally. And it could soon have a big blue modernist sibling.

64. Venturing OTP won’t actually kill you. Resurrected and richly historic downtowns are in abundance in the Atlanta suburbs. Like, everywhere. Find a half-dozen worthwhile day-trip destinations in Gwinnett alone.

65. The Atlanta splash pad, a social oasis and absolute godsend. And even better: More splash pads are in the works, from Vine City (definitely) to Chosewood Park (probably) and Kirkwood (maybe). About damn time, say toddlers across Atlanta.

66. Queer culture is thriving. That’s epitomized by Atlanta Pride, which is more massive than ever after almost 50 years (and now family-friendly, for better or worse).

67. English Avenue’s Mattie Freeland Park. Founded and controlled by neighbors, the tiny green space is a shining example of small but vital civic strides in historically troubled places.

68. The Chattahoochee River. A revived and unspoiled (if underused) resource for every season.

69. Insert here: A non-cheesy, non-obvious, pithy ode to the Varsity, that legendary fast-food drive-in—still the world’s largest after 90 years. Don’t mention “What’ll ya have?” Ah, never mind.

70. Music Midtown. For all its faults (overcrowding, lawn damage, neighbor inconvenience, lineups geared toward teens), the reborn multistage extravaganza is a dynamic and diverse musical showcase every September. Walk barefoot across lush Bermuda and dance like only 75,000 people are watching.

71. Ted Turner’s legacy. The media maverick and early Atlanta believer has been called an inspiration by people as disparate as Ted Koppel and Killer Mike.

72. The reinvigorated cyclorama. Once bedraggled, the restored cyclorama—one of America’s largest historical artifacts—is now in good hands, presented in a state-of-the-art showcase at the Atlanta History Center. That’s where it’ll be until infants of today are septuagenarians. At least.

73. Almost every Atlantan has some tale about the cast or production of The Hunger Games, The Walking Dead, Stranger Things, Baby Driver, etc. And hundreds of us have rented our homes for movie and TV shoots. Cha-ching.

74. Atlanta Streets Alive. The occasional street-closure sensation (with attendance routinely north of 120,000) illustrates a dream scenario, in terms of biking/pedestrian infrastructure and how cities of the future could yield to people over automobiles.

75. Inspiring architecture—seriously. In a few too-rare cases, large-scale design is getting quite interesting. Find several forthcoming examples on Howell Mill Road alone. And approach the Jenga-d facade of Midtown’s new lilli tower from any angle at twilight.

76. The Beltline’s Northside Trail. It’s a tucked-away, leafy, unsung jewel—with a rail bridge underpass that could stand as a top Beltline highlight forever.

77. Relaxed ganja laws in the City of Atlanta. Anyone caught with a bag of pot in the city can face—worst case—a $75 fine now. But even that’s left to the officer’s discretion. And judging by the pungent wafts from innumerable cars and so many porches, the memo on that was widely read among intowners.

78. The Goat Farm! Westside ruins turned artist hive. Now don’t let redevelopment gut its inimitable soul!

79. Where the expressions “Y’all!” and “Yo!” coexist harmoniously—and sometimes come from the same mouth.

80. Inman Park Festival. A late-April tradition for almost half a century, this fest is Atlanta’s greatest neighborhood showcase. It’s proof that even prestigious places need not take themselves too seriously.

81. These directions make sense in Atlanta-ese: “Head up the Connector, around the Grady Curve, beyond the Brookwood Split, past Spaghetti Junction, barely OTP, and then…”

82. Record shops keep it spinning. From the hippest gritty neighborhoods to the far-flung ’burbs, ATL vinyl is alive and well.

83. The original Lantern Parade. A luminous Atlanta Beltline tradition—now 70,000 strong—unlike any other.

84. Moonlight drives. The city’s nonsensical roadway design actually makes for more interesting (if impractical) drives, once you know where the hell you’re going. For a test run, take Ponce from the Majestic Diner to Decatur, late at night, windows down.

85. Because the Atlanta Hawks stayed put, right in the city’s heart. And now they’re trending like the team of the future.

86. Ansley Park. With its dizzying array of residential masterworks and unique country-club-under-skyscrapers vibe, this is aspirational living done right. Leafy and hilly at every turn, the neighborhood’s bounty of walkable green space options is almost unfair.

87. Those wondrous, weird accumulations of snow. About six times per decade, there’s a legit, if short-lived, snowfall. Added bonus: The city’s streets and parks are perfectly angled for sledding, for those rare Atlantans who actually own sleds or don’t mind embarrassing themselves on greased cookie sheets.

88. Midtown’s unyielding boom. Crane-watching (and counting) has become a pastime in Midtown. It’s the epicenter of intown’s metamorphosis, where soul-sucking surface parking lots go to die.

Curbed Atlanta

Midtown in summertime, as seen over Piedmont Park.

89. The “Atlanta’s Population Now” sign on Peachtree Road. Long a source of pride and bewilderment for this once modestly sized Southern town, the electronic metro population counter in front of the Darlington Apartments is climbing ever closer to 7 million. Fun fact: It was installed by a young billboard mogul named Ted Turner in the 1960s, when the metro’s population was about 1.1 million.

90. The potential of South Downtown. For far too long, Atlanta’s oldest, most captivatingly vintage streets have been forsaken by most investors, residents, visitors, and anyone else not headed to Magic City, a Falcons game, or the Gold Dome. Whether the trifecta of ambitious plans for the Gulch, Underground Atlanta, and Newport’s extensive portfolio can spring the district to greatness remains to be seen.

91. Castleberry Hill. Atlanta’s epicenter of authentic loft living and bohemian art galleries is also cool enough for a 2 Chainz restaurant.

92. The food. It ain’t all pulled pork, buttermilk chicken, and Frosty Oranges ’round here anymore. From Buford Highway’s international fare to Decatur’s award-winning menus and classic eateries like Busy Bee Cafe, you could live in Atlanta a decade and not sample all its eclectic deliciousness. “This year cemented the Capital City of the South’s status as a culinary force,” wrote Zagat in 2017, declaring the ATL the nation’s ninth “most exciting” food city.

93. Pre-dogwood hoopla. A sunny March weekend in Piedmont Park is like a city festival organized by the citizenry, with plenty of flying frisbees and open-container good vibes.

94. Palm trees. So what if they’re not native to Atlanta? Neither are you (probably). Some varieties really thrive here, punctuating front yards and restaurant landscapes in these subtropical climes.

95. The Fabulous Fox. It’s the site of Prince’s final concert and, when the wrecking ball loomed, legendary 1970s preservation efforts led by bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd. The glittering Fox Theatre is an Atlanta showplace like no other.

96. Viewrific, Finale. Southbound on Peachtree Road, just past Jesus Junction, that downhill vantage point captures something like a scene from the movie Metropolis, only framed by towering pines.

97. Pollen preparedness. A real downside of Atlanta’s otherwise glorious, floral springs are the swirling particles so thick they turn black cars yellow. Or streets into yellow-tinged rivers when it rains. Luckily, ATLiens aren’t fazed, popping non-drowsy Claritin, minding pollen counts on the news, or—in some cases—strapping on SARS-style masks.

98. Local beer. Suddenly, it’s everywhere! A hundred varieties not named SweetWater.

99. That being said… a frosty glass, a SweetWater 420 on draft, a Saturday afternoon in May, counting passersby from a lively patio bar, and somebody, somewhere, just started strumming an acoustic guitar.

100. We’re not “Marthasville,” thank God. (One of this settlement’s original names.)

101. Still welcoming after all these damn carpetbaggers.

source https://atlanta.curbed.com/2019/5/29/18629884/reasons-to-love-atlanta

[sleepykittypaws]

2018 TV Holiday Premieres

Updated: December 30, 2018

ABC

Mickey’s 90th Spectacular (two-hour celebration of Mickey Mouse’s 90th birthday featuring music and appearances by Skylar Astin Kelsea Ballerini, Miles Brown, Anna Camp, Josh Gad, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Sage Steele, Luis Fonsi and Tori Kelly. Original Mouseketeers Bob Burgess and Sharon Baird will also appear) - Nov. 4

Mary Poppins Returns: Behind the Magic (Behind the scenes look at the upcoming feature film sequel starring Emily Blunt) - Nov. 22

I’m Coming Home (stars Kristen Chenoweth, Tiffany Haddish and Tyler Perry return to their hometowns for a documentary-style special produced by Whoopi Goldberg) - Nov. 22

The Great Christmas Light Fight (season 6 of the limited-run reality competition featuring outrageous holiday displays judged by Carter Oosterhouse and Taniya Nayak) - weekly starting Nov. 26

The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration (musical celebration from the Disney parks hosted by Jordan Fisher and Sarah Hyland, featuring Gwen Stefani, Meghan Trainor and Andrea Bocelli) - Nov. 29 

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Holiday Special (holiday fashion show featuring top models and musical acts Bebe Rexha, The Chainsmokers, Halsey, Kelsea Ballerini, Rita Ora, Shawn Mendes and The Struts) - Dec. 2

The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition (season 4 of the American version of the popular cooking contest, The Great British Baking Show, focused on holiday treats; hosted by Emma Bunton and Anthony Adams, with judges Sherry Yard and Paul Hollywood) - weekly starting Dec. 6

Dancing with the Stars: Holiday Special (special holiday-themed season finale of the series) - Dec. 9

CMA Country Christmas (annual musical celebration of the season, featuring Country artists performing original music and Christmas classics, hosted by Reba McEntire and featuring Tony Bennett, Dan+Shay, Brad Paisley and Martina McBride. Filmed in front a live audience in Nashville) - Dec. 10

The Year in Memoriam 2018 (Robin Roberts and Jimmy Kimmel pay tribute to the legendary stars and icons the world lost this year) - Dec. 17

The Year: 2018 (two-hour special looking at the most iconic moments of 2018, hosted by Robin Roberts) - Dec. 23

Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade (annual holiday parade/musical showcase taped in Disney World, Disneyland and other worldwide Disney Parks) - Dec. 25

Dick Clark’s Primetime New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest (47th annual Times Square New Year’s countdown) - Dec. 31 

NBC

A Saturday Night Live Thanksgiving (look back at 44 years of SNL Thanksgivings) - Nov. 21

Macy’s 92nd Thanksgiving Day Parade (official parade coverage, LIVE)  - Nov. 22 (also available on the NBC app and Verizon’s YouTube Channel)

The National Dog Show (annual pet competition hosted by John O’Hurley ) - Nov. 22

86th annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center (annual New York City tree lighting featuring musical performances, LIVE) - Nov. 28

A Legendary Christmas with John and Chrissy (musical special featuring real-life husband-and-wife John Legend and Chrissy Teigen) - Nov. 28 ***Review***

LEGO Jurassic World: The Secret Exhibit (original animated special set before first Jurassic World movie; A trio of dinosaurs needs to be moved to a new super-secret exhibit.) - Nov. 29 (Trailer) **Review**

Deal or No Deal: Happy Howie Days (a special $1 million dollar holiday offering of the game show which last aired 10 years ago) - Dec. 3

Saturday Night Live: Best of Christmas (holiday retrospective from the late-night sketch series) - Dec. 4

Penatonix: A Not So Silent Night (third holiday special with the a cappella group, featuring special guests Kelly Clarkson, the Backstreet Boys, Marren Morris, and Penn & Teller; filmed in Las Vegas) - Dec. 10

Darci Lynne: My Hometown Christmas (one-hour musical special starring the 13-year-old winner of 2017′s America’s Got Talent, singing and celebrating the season in her Oklahoma City hometown) - Dec. 11

Ho Ho Hollywood Game Night: Holiday Edition (one-hour holiday-themed game special) - Dec. 11

Ellen’s Game of Games Holiday Spectacular (holiday edition of game show hosted by Ellen Degeneres) - Dec. 12

Little Big Holiday Special (one-off return of the Steve Harvey-hosted series with holiday fan favorites) - Dec. 12

America’s Got Talent: Holiday (holiday edition of the popular series) - Dec. 17

Timeless: The Miracle of Christmas (the two-season NBC series gets a holiday-themed, wrap-up movie, starring the original cast, including Abigail Spencer, Matt Lanter and Malcolm Barrett; according to the release, “ride through the past, present and future, with a healthy dose of Christmas spirit”) - Dec. 20 **Review**

Christmas Eve Mass (from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, conducted by Pope Francis) - Dec. 24

NBC News Special: A Toast to 2018 (year-end review hosted by Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb) - Dec. 31

NBC New Year’s Eve (live from Times Square hosted by Carson Daly and Chrissie Teigen with special guest Leslie Jones) - Dec. 31

130th Annual Tournament of Roses Parade (LIVE parade coverage) - Jan. 1

CBS

The Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS (unofficial parade coverage of the Macy’s parade hosted by Kevin Frazier and Keltie Knight, LIVE) - Nov. 22

Garth: Live at Notre Dame (LIVE concert with country singer Garth Brooks, broadcast from South Bend, Ind.) - Dec. 6

A Home for the Holidays: The 20th Anniversary (20th annual special celebrating foster children and their caregivers) - Dec. 21

The 41st Annual Kennedy Center Honors (celebration recognizing groundbreaking work in entertainment, featuring this year’s honorees: Cher, Reba McEntire, composers Philip Glass and Wayne Shorter, and Hamilton co-creators Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail, Andy Blankenbuehler and Alex Lacamoire) - Dec. 26

FOX

MasterChef Junior: Celebrity Showdown (Thanksgiving-special battle with celebs and their kids, with money going to charity) - Nov. 22

FOX’s New Year’s Eve with Steve Harvey: Live from Times Square (New Year’s eve countdown special featuring special guests and musical performances from Sting, Robin Thicke, Florence + the Machine, Jason Aldean, Juanes and Why Don't We) - Dec. 31

CW

87th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade (tape-delayed presentation of the annual holiday parade, featuring Grand Marshal Nancy O’Dell, filmed Nov. 25 in Hollywood) - Dec. 14

iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2018 (holiday concert special featuring Shawn Mendes and Cardi B) - Dec. 16

Greatest Holiday Commercial Countdown 2018 (ET’s Kevin Frazier and Keltie Knight host this holiday countdown of the top 12 holiday commercials) - Dec. 18

Greatest Holiday Video Countdown (hosted by the Holderness family, taking a look at viral holiday video clips) - Dec. 18

Masters of Illusion: Christmas Magic (holiday special featuring well known magicians) - Dec. 23

Popstars Best of 2018 (musical special looking back at the year’s biggest pop hits, hosted by Elizabeth Stanton) - Dec. 28

PBS

Hanukkah: A Festival of Delights (documentary featuring American Jewish families from a variety of backgrounds along with actors William Shatner and Lainie Kazan, all sharing their personal Hanukkah experiences, plus archival film and images) - Nov. 25

Let’s Go Luna: Christmas Around the World (Christmas special of the preschool series) - Dec. 10

15th Annual Christmas with the Morman Tabernacle Choir (holiday concert with the famed choir, featuring Sutton Foster and Hugh Bonneville) - Dec. 17

Lidia Celebrates America: A Heartland Holiday Feast (chef Lidia Bastianich undertakes a cross-country journey to find traditional American holiday cuisine) - Dec. 18

Happy Holidays with the Boston Pops (one-hour music special showcasing the best of the New England holiday season) - Dec. 22

Call the Midwife Christmas Special (special holiday episode of the series, airing same day as in the UK) - Dec. 25

Nova: Apollo 8 (in-depth look at the Christmas Eve mission that circled the moon and perhaps saved NASA, featuring exclusive interviews with astronauts Frank Borman, James Lovell and William Anders) - Dec. 26

Great Performances: Leonard Bernstein Centennial Celebration at Tanglewood (celebrate the legendary composer with the Boston Symphony Orchestra) - Dec. 28

ACL Hall of Fame New Year’s Eve 2018 (celebrate the induction of new Austin City Limits Hall of Famers: Ray Charles, Los Lobos and Marcia Ball, with performances by Boz Scaggs and Norah Jones; Hosted by Chris Isaak) - Dec. 29

Live from Lincoln Center: New York Philharmonic New Year’s Eve (LIVE concert performance to ring in the New Year) - Dec. 31 

Hallmark Channel

Hallmark Channel’s Christmas: First Look (Lacey Chabert gives a sneak peek at Hallmark’s 2018 Christmas movie line-up) - Jul. 21 (Watch Online)

Christmas: A Second Look Preview Special (Kellie Pickler hosts a follow-up preview to both the Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas and Hallmark Movies and Mysteries’ Miracles of Christmas 2018 line-up) - Sep. 29 (Watch Online)

2018 Countdown to Christmas Preview Special (preview of the 22 new movies set to air during Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas, hosted by Kellie Pickler) - Oct. 20 (Watch Online)

Christmas at Pemberley Manor (holiday movie starring Jessica Lowndes and Michael Rady, an event planner crosses paths with a surly billionaire while organizing a small town Christmas festival) - Oct. 27 (On Location)

Christmas Joy (movie starring Danielle Panabaker and Matt Long, based on the book by Nancy Naigle; a marketer reluctantly returns to run the family farm for her ailing aunt, then she and her one-time crush must organize the town’s cookie crawl) - Nov. 3 (Preview) (On Location) **Review**

Road to Christmas (holiday movie starring Jessy Schram and Chad Michael Murray; An assistant is charged with making sure her employer’s adult sons make it home for Christmas, but a blizzard interferes with travel plans) - Nov. 4 (Preview) (On Location) **Review**

It’s Christmas, Eve (movie starring and featuring three original songs by LeAnn Rimes: It's Christmas, Eve, The Gift of Your Love and You and Me and Christmas; also starring Tyler Hines. A school superintendent sent to cut costs at her hometown High School meets a handsome, single music teacher, who is desperate to raise enough money to protect his program) - Nov. 10 (soundtrack available Oct 12, featuring, The Gift of Your Love and You and Me and Christmas and It’s Christmas, Eve) (Preview) (On Location)

Christmas in Love (holiday movie starring Mary-Margaret Humes, Daniel Lissing and Brooke D’Orsay; A daughter tries to protect her family bakery, famous for its Kringle Christmas cookies, from a corporate takeover ) - Nov. 11 (Preview) (On Location)

Christmas at Graceland (movie starring country singer Kellie Pickler and Wes Brown, directed by Eric Close and set in Memphis and featuring both Elvis Presley’s music and his iconic Tennessee estate; Chicago exec returns to Memphis hometown at holidays on business and reunites with an old flame who rekindles her musical dreams) - Nov. 17 (On Location) (NOTE: Special world premiere at Graceland, Nov. 15)

Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa (movie sequel to 2017′s Christmas in Evergreen starring Jill Wagner, Mark Deklin, Holly Robinson-Peete, Andrew Francis, Barbara Niven, Rukyia Bernard and Ashley Williams; When she finds out Evergreen’s quaint General Store has been closed, a woman enlists the help of townspeople, and a little Christmas magic, to save it and a mysterious 25-year-old letter to Santa.) - Nov. 18 (Preview) Review

Reunited at Christmas (holiday movie starring Mike Faiola and Nikki DeLoach as a novelist struggling with writer’s block who returns with her boyfriend to her late grandmother’s house for the holidays and rediscovers the true meaning of Christmas.) - Nov. 21

Christmas at the Palace (holiday movie starring Brittany Bristow, Andrew Cooper and Merritt Patterson; A former figure skating champ is hired by a European monarch to coach his daughter for a Christmas skating pageant and finds himself falling in love at the holidays, but is she ready to be royalty?) - Nov. 22

Pride, Prejudice and Mistletoe (holiday movie starring Lacey Chabert and Brendan Penny, based on the book by Melissa de la Cruz; Christmas-themed, modern update of the Jane Austen classic, but with a role reversal that casts Chabert as Darcy, returning to her hometown to plan a holiday event with a rival restaurant owner and restore her relationship with her father) - Nov. 23

Christmas Everlasting (Hallmark Hall of Fame movie directed by Ron Oliver, who also helmed 2017′s The Christmas Train, based on the book The Second Sister by Marie Bostwick, starring Tatyana Ali, Dennis Haysbert, Patti LaBelle and Dondre T Whitfield; A corporate lawyer returns home after her sister passes away to settle her estate, not knowing her will stipulates she must live there for 30 days. While back in a place she never thought she’d return to, she discovers what she’s been missing.) - Nov. 24

A Shoe Addict’s Christmas (holiday movie starring Candace Cameron Bure, Jean Smart and Luke Macfarlane, based on the book by Nicole Harbison; in this modern take on A Christmas Carol, a holiday hater is locked in the department store she works in on Christmas Eve and visited by her guardian angel in the shoe department, before getting a glimpse of Christmases past, present and future.) - Nov. 25 *Review*

Mingle All the Way (holiday romance starring Brant Daugherty, Lindsay Wagner and Jen Lilley; In an effort to prove to her family that her app matching compatible couples for events, without romance, works, she uses it herself. When she’s matched with someone she’s already had disastrous encounters with, she’s forced to save face and make it work.) - Dec. 1 Review

A Majestic Christmas (holiday movie starring Jerrika Hinton and Christian Vincent; an architect returns to turn her hometown theater into a modern multiplex, much to her chagrin, as she tries to convince the theater’s owner that the playhouse, and the town’s Christmas traditions, are worth preserving.) - Dec. 2 (Preview)

Amy Grant’s Tennessee Christmas (holiday musical special, featuring musical experiences and holiday reminisces with singer Amy Grant) - Dec. 3

Meet the Peetes Christmas Special (special featuring Holly Robinson Peete and family) - Dec. 3 (Preview)

Homegrown Christmas (holiday movie starring Victor Webster, Lori Loughlin and Kate Isaac, who plays a CEO who returns to her hometown at the holidays to regroup after being forced to step down. There, she reconnects with her high school sweetheart when they’re forced to plan a dance together for the local high school.) - Dec. 8

Welcome to Christmas (movie based on the book The Trouble with Christmas by Debbie Mason, starring Jennifer Finnigan and Eric Mabius as a small town sheriff desperate to convince a resort developer to save their community by turning it into a Christmas vacation destination)- Dec. 9

Entertaining Christmas (holiday movie starring Brendan Fehr and Jodie Sweetin as a  daughter striving to impress her perfectionist cooking and crafting expert mother, and prove she’s worthy of taking over the family business, by creating the perfect Christmas for a young girl whose father is deployed) - Dec. 15

A Gingerbread Romance (holiday movie starring Tia Mowry-Hardrict and Duane Henry; an architect pairs with a local baker, and single dad, to build life-size gingerbread houses in hopes of getting a promotion) - Dec. 16 **Review**

Candace Cameron Bure’s Christmas Across America (holiday special, produced and hosted by Candace Cameron Bure, featuring Christmas celebrations from across the U.S.) - Dec. 17

Jingle Around the Clock (holiday movie starring Brooke Nevin and Michael Cassidy, a young advertising exec must ditch her holiday college reunion to work on a new Christmas campaign with a partner who doesn’t share her vision.) - Dec. 22

Christmas Made to Order (holiday movie starring Alexa PenaVega and Jonathan Bennett; an architect hires an event planner to help his family Christmas go off without a hitch.) - Dec. 23

When Calls the Heart: The Greatest Christmas Blessing (4th holiday movie based on the television series, starring Lori Loughlin, Erin Krakow, Jack Wagner, Pascale Hutton, Kavan Smith and Paul Greene; A group of orphans become stranded in Hope Valley for the holidays with two mysterious sisters) - Dec. 25

A Midnight Kiss (holiday movie starring Carlos PenaVega and Adelaide Kane; a family of party planners has only one week to prepare for the biggest New Year’s Eve event of their lives, but when her brother breaks his leg and her parents have to leave, their daughter is forced to enlist outside assistance to get the job done.) - Dec. 29

2019 Winterfest Preview Special (preview special of the Winterfest movies set to air in January 2019) - Dec. 29

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Miracles of Christmas Preview Special (preview of the 15 new movies set to air during Hallmark Movie & Mysteries’ Miracles of Christmas hosted by Candace Cameron-Bure) - Oct. 14 (Watch Online)

Marrying Father Christmas (movie starring Erin Krakow, Niall Matter and Wendie Malick; sequel to 2017′s Engaging Father Christmas and 2016′s Finding Father Christmas, based on the book series by Robin Jones Gunn) - Nov. 4 (First Look)

A Veteran’s Christmas (holiday movie starring Eloise Mumford and Sean Faris; a decorated solider separated from her service dog returns home from Afghanistan and finds herself stranded in the town of Rivers Crossing for the holiday.) - Nov. 11 (Preview) (First Look) **Review**

Return to Christmas Creek (holiday movie starring Steven Weber, Tori Anderson, Stephen Huszar and Kari Matchett; after her app is rejected by Silicone Valley a young woman returns to her family’s hometown and, along with her childhood best friend, works to reunite her father with his pilot brother, who flies over the town each Christmas Eve dressed as Santa delivering toys to needy children) - Nov. 17 ***Review***

A Godwink Christmas (movie starring Kimberly Sustad, Paul Campbell and Kathie Lee Gifford, based on the book by SQuire Rushnell; an antiques dealer reluctantly gets engaged to her longtime boyfriend at Christmas, but her aunt invites her to Nantucket after sensing her reluctance) - Nov. 18 (First Look)

Last Vermont Christmas (holiday movie starring Justin Bruening, Catherine Corcoran and Erin Cahill; Parents decide to sell the family home—to their daughter’s high school sweetheart—telling their grown children at the holidays that this will be their last Christmas in Vermont.) - Nov. 19

Hope at Christmas (holiday movie based on the book by Nancy Naigle, starring Scottie Thompson and Ryan Paevey, who plays a school teacher that dreams of being a writer, with a holiday job as the local Santa, determined to make a little girl’s Christmas dreams come true) - Nov. 20

Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane (movie starring Alicia Witt, Mary McDonough, Laura Leighton and Colin Ferguson, based on McDonough’s novel, House on Honeysuckle Lane; siblings return home for one last Christmas before selling their family home after their parents’ passing, but a discovery changes everything) - Nov. 24 **Review**

Christmas Wonderland (holiday movie starring Kelly Hu, Emily Osment and Ryan Rottman; an overworked gallery owner returns to her hometown due to a family emergency to watch her niece and nephew, where she reunites with her high school boyfriend, now a teacher, and helps him plan the school’s annual Christmas Snow Ball) - Dec. 1

Once Upon a Christmas Miracle (holiday movie starring Lolita Davidovich, Aimee Teegarden and Brett Dalton, based on the true story of Heather Krueger and Christopher Dempsey; A dying woman receives a liver transplant from a kind stranger and, over three Christmases, they fall in love.) - Dec. 2

Memories of Christmas (holiday movie starring Mark Taylor and Christina Milian as Noelle, who returns to her late mother’s house for the holidays, and reluctantly regains her passion for Christmas through her mother’s love of the holiday and a handsome holiday decorator) - Dec. 8 *Review*

Time for Me To Come Home for Christmas (holiday movie based on the song by Blake Shelton and book by Shelton’s mother, Dorothy Shackleford, and Travis Thrasher, starring Josh Henderson and Megan Park; a country star and a small-town business woman returning to Oklahoma for Christmas are stymied by a snowstorm and decide to drive to their destination together, learning how much they have in common along the way.) - Dec. 9

Northern Lights of Christmas (holiday movie starring Ashley Williams and Corey Sevier, based on the book Sleigh Bell Sweethearts by Teri Wilson; when an aspiring pilot inherits a reindeer farm she finds herself overwhelmed until a mysterious stranger shows up to help at the holidays.) - Dec. 15

Small Town Christmas (holiday movie starring Kris Polaha and Ashley Newbrough; a first-time novelist’s book tour to promote her surprise best-seller takes her to the hometown of an old colleague who broke her heart and unwittingly helped inspire her novel.) - Dec. 16

A Christmas for the Books (holiday movie starring Chelsea Kane and Drew Seeley a life guru with a best-selling book all about finding love finds herself single at the holidays. When she’s asked to host a major holiday gala she’s got to find someone who will pretend to be her boyfriend, or risk being exposed as a fraud) - Dec. 20

Christmas at Grand Valley (holiday movie starring Danica McKellar, Brennan Elliott and Dan Lauria; A burned out Chicago art dealer wants to spend a quiet Christmas relaxing and rejuvenating in her favorite town, where she meets up a single dad and his kids who are reviewing the hotel they’re all staying in) - Dec. 21

Christmas Bells Are Ringing (holiday movie starring Emilie Ullerup and Josh Kelly; a photographer returns to Cape Cod to celebrate her father’s Christmas Eve wedding and finds an inspiring winter wonderland through the eyes of a local) - Dec. 22

Happy and Friends Yule Log (visual “Yule Log” featuring Happy the Dog and other cute canine and feline friends) - Dec. 24-25

Lifetime

It’s a Wonderful Lifetime Preview Special (holiday preview special hosted by Melissa Joan Hart) - Nov. 17 (Watch Online)

My Christmas Inn (holiday movie starring Tia Mowry-Hardrict, Rob Mayes, Jackee Harry, Tim Reid and Erin Gray, shot on location in Utah; A San Fran ad exec inherits a small-town Alaska inn at the holidays and falls in love with the town, and a handsome architect she meets there) - Nov. 21 (Preview) **Review**

A Christmas Arrangement (holiday movie starring Nicky Whelan, Miles Fisher, Julie McNiven, Leslie Easterbrook, and Daphne Zuniga; when a flower shop owner enters a holiday floral show that features a $5,000 grand prize, she finds a worthy rival, and love blossoms) - Nov. 21

The Christmas Contract (holiday movie starring One Tree Hill alums Hilarie Burton, Robert Buckley, Danneel Ackles and Antwon Tanner with an original song from Tyler Hilton; also starring Jordan Ladd, Cheryl Ladd, Bruce Boxleitner and Jason London; A women not wanting to face her newly-coupled ex during a hometown Christmas celebration, so she hires her best friend’s brother to pretend to be her boyfriend) - Nov. 22 (Preview) ***Review***

'Tis the Season: A One Tree Hill Cast Reunion (holiday special featuring the cast of One Tree Hill plus special guests) - Nov. 22

Poinsettias for Christmas (holiday movie starring Bethany Joy Lenz, Sharon Lawrence, John Schneider, Lauren London and Marcus Rosner; Daughter comes home to help on her family’s poinsettia farm as a disaster looms as the plants aren’t ready for the holiday.) - Nov. 23 (Preview) ***Review***

Every Other Holiday (holiday movie starring Schulyer Fisk, David Clayton Rogers, Dee Wallace and Abby James Witherspoon; Daughters scheme to reunite their estranged parents by getting the whole family to spend Christmas together at a family farmhouse) - Nov. 23 ****Review****

Every Day is Christmas (holiday movie starring Toni Braxton, Towanda Braxton, Gloria Reuben and Michael Jai White; Modern take on A Christmas Carol where a humbug money manager sees her past, present and future collide.) - Nov. 24 (Preview)

Christmas Harmony (holiday movie starring Kelley Jakle, Chandra Wilson, Adam Mayfield and Sally Struthers; When her pop star boyfriend breaks up with her at Christmas, a young woman returns to her hometown at the holidays and rediscovers her own dreams.) - Nov. 24

Jingle Belle (movie starring Tatyana Ali, Cornelius Smith Jr, Loretta Devine, Valarie Pettiford, Keshia Knight Pulliam and Tempestt Bledsoe; high school sweethearts once known for their flawless Christmas duet are reunited to work on the pageant they once starred in) - Nov. 25 (Preview)

Christmas Perfection (movie starring Caitlin Thompson, James Henri-Thomas and Robbie Silverman; A Christmas control freak finds herself transported into a magical Christmas village where she learns “the perfect Christmas” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be) - Nov. 25

A Very Nutty Christmas (starring Melissa Joan Hart, Barry Watson, Marissa Winokur, Conchata Ferrell and Rizwan Manji; Hart plays a workaholic baker who’s just been dumped and decides to “give up on Christmas” when a magic nutcracker comes to life; filmed on location in Conn.) - Nov. 30 (Preview) ****Review****

A Twist of Christmas (holiday movie starring Brendon Zub, Vanessa Lachey, Rick Fox and Christian Convery; Single parents accidentally switch their kids Christmas gifts and must work together to fix the mix-up or the holiday will be ruined.) - Dec. 1 *Review*

The Christmas Pact (holiday movie starring Kyla Pratt, Jarod Joseph, Kadeem Hardison and Jasmine Guy; Childhood besties have kept their Christmas pact intact since they planted a tree together at age 8, but now life is getting in the way of their annual traditions.) - Dec. 2 (Preview)

Christmas Lost and Found (holiday movie starring Tiya Sircar, Ed Ruttle and Diane Ladd; A big city event planner is guilted into spending the holidays with her grandmother, but when she accidentally trashes the heirloom family ornaments, she ends up finding out what the season really means.) - Dec. 7 ***Review***

Santa’s Boots (holiday movie starring Megan Hilty, Fiona Vroom, Marc-Anthony Massiah, Noah Mills, June Squibb and Patricia Isaac; A young women returns home for Christmas to find her family’s store on brink of bankruptcy. To help out she fills in as one of Santa’s helpers where she meets a charming store St. Nick, who mysteriously disappears just before the holiday, leaving behind just his boot.) - Dec. 8 **Review**

A Christmas in Tennessee (holiday movie starring Rachel Boston, Andrew Walker, Patricia Richardson and Caroline Rhea; When a developer tries to turn their town, including the family-owned bakery, into a ski resort, the mom-daughter baking duo set out to stop him with a little Christmas magic.) - Dec. 9 ***Review***

Christmas Around the Corner (holiday movie directed by Megan Follows, starring Alexandra Breckenridge, Jamie Spilchuk and Jane Alexander; A woman escaping her city life during Christmas discovers her Vermont holiday rental requires her to run an attached bookshop, where she unexpectedly falls in love) - Dec. 14

Christmas Pen Pals (holiday movie starring Michael Gross, Sarah Drew and Niall Matter; Creator of a dating app heads home for the holidays following a devastating breakup where she runs into her high school love while running the town’s Christmas Cupid pen pal program.) - Dec. 15

Hometown Christmas (holiday movie starring Beverley Mitchell, Stephen Colletti, Erin Cahill, Melissa Gilbert and Danny Boaz; High school sweethearts return to their hometown and find their parents have fallen in love, filmed on location in Louisiana) - Dec. 16

Freeform

The Truth About Christmas (holiday movie starring Kali Hawk, Damon Dayoub and Ali Ghandour; a political consultant famed for her spin finds herself unable to lie after a run in with a toy store Santa on the way to meet her mayoral candidate boyfriend’s family for the first time) - Nov. 25 (Trailer) ****Review****

Life-Size 2: A Christmas Eve (movie starring Tyra Banks, Francia Raisa and Gavin Stenhouse, Christmas-themed sequel to the 2000 Wonderful World of Disney film) - Dec. 2 (Teaser, Trailer)

Pop Up Santa Special (viewers are surprised with special Christmas gifts by Freeform’s “Pop Up Santa”) - Dec. 3

Disney Fairy Tale Weddings: Holiday Magic 2 (second special featuring Christmas weddings at Disney parks hosted Stephen “tWitch” Boss and Allison Holker and featuring a performance by Martina McBride) - Dec. 8

No Sleep ‘Til Christmas (holiday movie starring real life husband and wife Dave and Odette Annable as a pair of insomniacs who come to depend on one another even though one of them is engaged to someone else; also starring Sheryl Lee Ralph) - Dec. 10 (Trailer) Review

ION

A Wedding for Christmas (starring Vivica A. Fox and Cristine Prosperi; an assistant for a top wedding planner returns to her hometown to plan her sister’s Christmas wedding, only to run into her childhood sweetheart) - Nov. 25

Christmas Cupid’s Arrow (starring Elisabeth Harnois and Jonathan Togo; After Holly’s younger sister announce she’s pregnant, the college professor signs up for a dating service, determined to find a mate, but maybe the guy she’s looking for is fellow faculty member, and single dad, David, who she’s planning the winter formal with) - Dec. 2

Rent-an-Elf (holiday movie starring Kim Shaw and Sean Patrick Thomas; Type-A Ava runs a full-service holiday planning company called Rent-an-Elf, but finds herself wanting to share the Christmas she plans for a single dad and his son, until his ex-wife returns for the holidays) - Dec. 8

A Snow White Christmas (starring Carolyn Hennesy and Liam McNeill; stuck with her evil stepmother for the holidays, Bianca Snow tries to make the best of it, bonding with the decorator, much to her stepmother’s chagrin, who tries to hypnotize Bianca into forgetting about her inheritance) - Dec. 9 (Trailer)

Country Christmas Album (starring Hannah Barefoot and Evan Gamble; a country singer tries to save her career by reluctantly agreeing to make a Christmas album with a former teen heartthrob) - Dec. 15

A Christmas in Royal Fashion (starring Cindy Busby and Diarmaid Murtagh; a PR assistant is put in charge of a charity Christmas fashion show sponsored by the royal family of Edgewater, when the prince confuses her for her boss and falls for her, the assistant is too scared to tell him the truth) - Dec. 16

UP

Beverly Hills Christmas II (a.ka. This Is Our Christmas; sequel to 2015′s Beverly Hills Christmas starring Margaret O’Brien, Ronn Moss and Kira Reed Lorsch; when a Beverly Hills family suffers financial hardship at the holidays, they’re in need of a true Christmas miracle) - Nov. 3

The Christmas Switch (holiday movie starring Jackie Seiden, Ashley Wood, Oana Gregory; Two moms swap bodies and have to figure out how to switch back before Christmas) - Nov. 4

Chandler Christmas Getaway (movie starring Malinda Williams, GregAllen Williams, DeEtta West and Victoria Rowell, fifth in the series that began with 2013′s Marry Me for Christmas; The Chandler family heads to a cabin for Christmas) - Nov. 11

Christmas on the Coast (movie starring Julie Ann Emery and Burgess Jenkins about a New York novelist known for holiday romances who spends the holidays in a resort locale, and finds herself with her own Christmas romance) - Nov. 18 (Twitter, Trailer)  (available on DVD Nov. 6)

Christmas Catch (movie starring Yanic Trusedale, Genelle Williams and Emily Alatalo; a detective goes undercover over the holidays and might just be falling for the man she’s sent to watch) - Dec. 2

Christmas with a Prince (holiday movie starring Kaitlyn Leeb, Nick Hounslow and Charles Shaughnessy; a doctor finds herself taking care of a handsome, spoiled prince after he breaks his leg skiing; also available on DVD) - Dec. 9 (Trailer)

Christmas on Holly Lane (holiday movie starring Karen Holness, Jamie M Callica and Giles Panton; lifelong friends come together to save a house they cherish at the holidays) - Dec. 16

Hometown Holiday (holiday movie starring Kevin McGarry, Sarah Troyer and Stephen Huszar; a record exec goes to a country holiday wedding in hopes of signing a social media celeb, but falls for a small town girl instead, also available on DVD) - Dec. 23  (Trailer)

TV One

A Special Night of Rickey Smile for Real (the comedian hosts a special holiday comedy and cooking extravaganza) - Nov. 20

Merry Wish-Mas (movie starring real-life husband and wife Tamela and David Mann, as former high school sweethearts reunited for the holidays amidst family drama) - Dec. 2 (Clip)

Living by Design Holiday Special (brother and sister Jake and Jazz Smollett bring viewers into their home for a spectacular Christmas dinner)- Dec. 9

Coins for Christmas (movie starring Essence Atkins, Stephen Bishop, TC Carson and Kelly Price, as herself; the story of a single mother, struggling to make ends meet after the IRS freezes her bank account. Doing odd jobs to survive, she ends up working for a pro football player two weeks before Christmas, and the two change each other’s lives.) - Dec. 16 (Clip)

INSP

Christmas on the Coast (movie starring Julie Ann Emery and Burgess Jenkins about a New York novelist known for holiday romances who spends the holidays in a resort locale, and finds herself with her own Christmas romance) - Nov. 25 (Twitter, Trailer)  (available on DVD Nov. 6)

BYU TV

Shoelaces for Christmas (movie based on the book by Craig S Buehner, starring Bailey Chase, Mia Topalian and Austin Grant; A selfish teen learns the true meaning of service after receiving devastating news at the holiday) - Dec. 2

Christmas Under the Stars (concert featuring Train and The Band Perry) - Dec. 16

15th Annual Christmas with the Morman Tabernacle Choir (holiday concert with the famed choir, featuring Sutton Foster and Hugh Bonneville) - Dec. 20

Disney Channel/Disney Jr.

Snow Place Like Home (holiday special based on the Elena of Avalor series) - Nov. 24 (Disney Jr.)

A Very Muppet Babies Christmas (holiday special based on the series) - Nov. 30 ***Review***

Ducktales Last Christmas! (special holiday episode of the rebooted series, featuring the voices of Danny Pudi, Bobby Moynihan, Ben Schwartz and David Tennant; Scrooge avoids the pressures of the holidays by traveling back in time with a trio of fun-loving ghosts to crash history's greatest Christmas parties.) - Nov. 30 (Trailer)

Disney Parks Presents a 25 Days of Christmas Holiday Party (holiday season kickoff special featuring music from Gwen Stefani, Brett Eldredge and Asher Angel) - Dec. 1 (available on DisneyNOW app starting Nov. 23)

Doc McStuffins Christmas Special (special holiday episode of the Disney Jr. series; Doc and the toys travel back in time to the North Pole to save Christmas) - Dec. 2 (Disney Jr.) (Trailer)

Nancy and the Nice List (animated special based on the Fancy Nancy series; When Nancy struggles to make Santa's Nice List, she learns the true meaning of Christmas.) - Dec. 14 (Disney Jr.)

Nickelodeon

The Loudest Thanksgiving (holiday special of the animated series) - Nov. 12

Spacebob Merrypants (new holiday special episode of SpongeBob Squarepants) - Nov. 25

WGN

Uncle Dan’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (LIVE coverage of Chicago’s Thanksgiving Day parade) - Nov. 22

CNN

New Year’s Eve Live (LIVE coverage of the events in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, hosted by Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen) - Dec. 31

TBS

Elf Pets: Santa’s St. Bernards Save Christmas (original animated special featuring the Elf on the Shelf, also available on DVD) - Nov. 17 (Trailer)

Full Frontal Presents Christmas on I.C.E. (commercial-free comedy special benefiting KIND, an organization dedicated to helping migrant children in detention; special guests include Adam Rippon) - Dec. 19 (Trailer, Clip)

BET

Throwback Holiday (holiday movie starring Jennifer Freeman, Robert Ri'chard and Rhyon Nicole Brown.; A harried mom in a shaky marriage wishes her way back to high school for a life do-over at the holidays) - Dec. 16 (Trailer)

BET Her

One Crazy Christmas (holiday movie starring Carl Payne, Terri Abney, Junie Hoang, Anton Peeples, Kiana Dancie and Tammy Townsend; filmed on location in Houston) - Nov. 17

VH1

RuPaul’s Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular (one-off holiday special of the RuPaul-hosted series featuring all-star cast members in a holiday competition to be crowned the “Christmas Queen”) - Dec. 7 (Trailer)

TLC

The 12 Pops of Christmas (holiday-themed special with Dr. Pimple Popper, dermatologist Dr. Lee) - Dec. 13

Ovation

2018 National Christmas Tree Lighting (live musical performances and the official lighting of the National Christmas tree, in front of the White House, LIVE) - Dec. 2 (will also air on REELZ)

Food Network

Ultimate Thanksgiving Challenge (three episode cooking competition, hosted by Giada De Laurentiis) - starting Nov. 4

Holiday Baking Championship (holiday baking contest series hosted by Host Jesse Palmer, along with judges Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman, and Lorraine Pascale) - starting Nov. 5

Christmas Cookie Challenge (cookie baking contest series hosted by Eddie Jackson, with judge Roe Drummond) - starting Nov. 5

Giada's Holiday Handbook (Giada De Laurentiis shares tips and tricks for pulling of holiday parties) - Nov. 11

Worst Cooks in America: Thanksgiving Redemption (special cooking challenge) - Nov. 11

Barefoot Contessa: Cook Like a Pro Thanksgiving Special (special primetime episode of the series with guests Jennifer Garner and Nigella Lawson helping Ina Garten cook their favorite Thanksgiving side dishes) - Nov. 17

Macy’s Thanksgiving Cake Spectacular (parade themed cake contest, hosted by Martha Stewart) - Nov. 18

Holiday Wars (three teams of cake bakers compete to create the most outstanding Christmas cake possible, hosted by Jonathan Bennett with judges Shinmin Li and Jason Smith) - Nov. 25

Holiday Gingerbread Showdown (four episode series featuring master Gingerbread makers competing against one another to create holiday delights, hosted by Marcela Valladolid with judges Kerry Vincent, Molly Yeh and Adam Young) - Nov. 25

Crazy Christmas Cakes (five cake artists from across the country bake elaborate holiday cakes) - Dec. 1

Gingerbread Giants 2 (special episode following five competitors at the annual National Gingerbread House Competition in Asheville, N.C.) - Dec. 23

Holiday Baking Championship: Homecoming (6 past Holiday Baking Championship winners return to the kitchen for a one-off competition to prove who is the best of the best holiday bakers ) - Dec. 24

Cooking Channel

Holiday Cookie Builds (limited episode holiday reality show featuring Salt Lake City gingerbread masters Brenda Nibley and Alisha Nuttall) - starting Nov. 9

SyFy

Santa Jaws (movie starring Reid Miller, Courtney Lauren Cumming and Jim Klock; comic book author’s Christmas killer shark somehow comes to life and begins menacing his friends at the holidays) - Aug. 14

Discovery ID

The Thanksgiving Ambush (true crime special, featuring the story of an Oklahoma couple ambushed in their garage two days before Thanksgiving) - Nov. 22

Animal Planet

AKC National Championship Dog Show  (dog show with hosts Mario Lopez and Shawn Johnson) - Jan. 1

POP

Schitt's Creek Holiday Special (special one-off holiday episode of the series starring Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara) - Dec. 19

Bravo

WWHL: O Come OG Faithful (Watch What Happens Live holiday episode featuring original Housewives Vicki Gunvalson, NeNe Leakes, Ramona Singer, Bethenny Frankel, Teresa Giudice and Kyle Richards to deck the halls and spill some tea ) - Dec. 20

TruTV

Impractical Jokers: Staten Island Holiday Spectacular and After Party (starring Joe Gatto, James "Murr" Murray, Brian "Q" Quinn and Sal Vulcano, a two-hour special taped live at Staten Island's St.George Theater, benefiting Toys for Tots) - Dec. 6

HGTV

House Hunters: Home for the Holidays (limited-run series featuring Christmas-loving home buyers looking for a new home to spend the holidays in) - weekly starting Nov. 27

White House Christmas 2018 (look at the decorations and design that adorn the White House for the holidays) - Dec. 9

HGTV Dream Home 2019 (look at the latest HGTV Dream Home which will be given away in a sweepstakes, in Whitefish, Montana) - Jan. 1

BBC America

Dr. Who: Who Year’s Day (stand alone episode of the long-running series, currently starring Jodie Whittaker; As the New Year begins the Doctor must save planet Earth from a terrifying evil.) - Jan. 1

BBC One

Zog (animated special based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, starring Tracey Ullman and Kit Harington) - Dec. 25 UK (US airdate TBA)

RTEjr

Hopscotch and the Christmas Tree (original animated special, based on the book of the same title) - Dec. 24, Ireland (US airdate TBA) (Trailer)

Discovery Family

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic “Best Gift Ever” (the pony friends are on an adventure to find the best gift ever for each of them ) - Oct. 27 (Trailer)

Oxygen

Homocide for the Holidays (season three of the true crime series that features Christmas crimes) - weekly starting Dec. 9

CMT

Dolly & Friends: Making of a Soundtrack (documentary special on the making of Dolly Parton’s latest album, the soundtrack for the movie Dumplin’) - Nov. 29

Get TV

The Soul and Spirit of Christmas (original music special featuring CeCe Winans, BeBe Winans, Koryn Hawthorn and Take 6) - Nov. 23

Me TV 

Pastor Greg’s Reboot: Hope for Christmas (Christmas movie shot in upstate New York, a reboot of the 2004 film starring Kevin Sizemore; a veteran turned pastor get stuck in an elevator with non-believers at the holidays ) - Dec. 2 on WBBZ (all others check local listings, airdate may vary and may not be available on all affiliates)

Hulu

Into the Dark: Flesh & Blood (Blumhouse-produced horror anthology with each monthly movie taking place on a different holiday; On Thanksgiving, teenager Kimberly tries to move on from her mom’s unsolved murder to cure her agoraphobia, but begins to suspect she’s in danger from her seemingly doting father.) -  Nov. 7

Pixi Saves Christmas (2018 animated special from Spain) - Dec. 1

Into the Dark: Pooka (Blumhouse-produced horror anthology with each episode taking place on a different holiday; When a struggling actor agrees to dress up as a cartoon character at the holidays, he finds himself developing a distinctly different personality when he’s wearing the suit. ) -  Dec. 7

Into the Dark: New Year, New You (Blumhose produced horror anthology with each episode taking place on a different holiday; As an Instagram “influencer” looks to make her mark outside social media, a New Year’s weekend with her girl group turns dark) - available now 

A Very Terry Christmas: Get Cozy With Terry Crews (Terry Crews paints a Christmas tree in front of a fire) - available now

Netflix

The Land of Steady Habits (dark comedy/drama starring Connie Britton, Charlie Tahan, Ben Mendelsohn and Edie Falco; Sick of his job in finance a man leaves his wife and Westport, Conn. enclave in search of a more “real” life at the holidays) - available now (Trailer)

Christmas with a View (holiday movie starring Vivica A Fox, Kaitlyn Leeb, Patrick Duffy and Scott Cavalheiro; a fancy new head chef makes a splash at a ski resort, but not everyone is excited about his arrival; based on a Harlequin novel) - available now (Trailer)

The Holiday Calendar (original holiday movie starring Kat Graham, Quincy Brown and Ron Cephas Jones, about a magical advent calendar that seems to predict the future) - Nov. 2 (Trailer) **Review**

The Princess Switch (original holiday movie; Christmas-set take on The Prince and the Pauper, starring Vanessa Hudgens and Sam Palladino) - Nov. 16 (Trailer) ***Review***

Puppy Star Christmas (children’s holiday film in the continuing Pup Stars franchise, starring David DeLuise, Makenzie Moss and Denisse Ojeda; the just-married dogs are spending their first Christmas with their new pups and planning a very special Christmas treat.)  - Nov. 20 (Trailer) (NOTE: also available via DVD on Nov. 22)

The Christmas Chronicles (original movie produced by Chris Columbus, starring Kurt Russell, Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Judah Lewis; family holiday comedy about two brothers who, while trying to prove if Santa is real, crash his sleigh in Chicago, and must get the big guy back on track or Christmas is cancelled) - Nov. 22 (Trailer) ***Review***

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic “Best Gift Ever” (the pony friends are on an adventure to find the best gift ever for each of them) - Nov. 25  (Trailer)

Angela’s Christmas (animated special based on the children’s book by Frank McCourt) - Nov. 30 (Trailer) **Review**

A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding (original holiday movie; wedding-themed sequel to 2017′s A Christmas Prince, starring Ben Lamb and Rose McIver) - Nov. 30 (Teaser, Trailer)

Great British Baking Show: Holidays (two-episode Christmas special of The Great British Bake Off, which aired in the UK in 2016, but has never been seen before in the U.S.) - Nov. 30 ***Review***

Natale A Cinque Stelle (a.k.a. Five Star Christmas; Italian Christmas comedy starring Massimo Gini; when the Italian P.M. secretly meets up with his mistress during a Budapest Christmas trip, things quickly go awry.) - Dec. 7 (Trailer)

Free Rein: The Twelve Neighs of Christmas (original special one-off holiday episode of the teen series; Bright Fields prepares for its Mistletoe Ball) - Dec. 7

Nailed It! Holiday! (original one-off, holiday baking-themed special episode of the series) - Dec. 7 (Trailer) *Review*

Super Monsters and the Wish Star (original animated special based on the series) - Dec. 7

Neo Yokio Pink Christmas (original animated special created by Ezra Koenig and starring Jaden Smith and Jamie Foxx) - Dec. 7 (Twitter preview, Trailer)

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: A Midwinter’s Tale (original special holiday stand-alone episode of the series featuring Sabrina and her coven telling ghost stories around the fire for the Winter Solistice) - Dec. 13 (Trailer)

Prince of Peoria: A Christmas Moose Miracle (original special holiday one-off episode of the tween series; A snowstorm threatens the Festival of Lights) - Dec. 14

Aggretsuko: We Wish You a Metal Christmas (original holiday special of the Japanese anime-style series) - Dec. 20 (Trailer)

Watership Down (original animated mini-series of the classic Richard Adams novel, featuring the voices of James McAvoy, Nicholas Hoult, Ben Kingsley and John Boyega; a BBC co-production) - Dec. 25

Netflix New Year’s Eve Countdowns (19, new, original countdowns based on kids and tween Netflix shows that can be watched anytime. New countdowns based on: Alexa and Katie, Prince of Peoria, Pinky Malinky, Motown Magic, Larva Island, Beat Bugs, Skylanders Academy, Super Monsters, True and the Rainbow Kingdom, Tales of Arcadia, All Hail King Julien, Boss Baby, Spirit Riding Free and Fuller House) - Dec. 26 (Trailer)

Taylor Swift reputation Stadium Tour (original concert film featuring the last stop of Swift’s latest tour) - Dec. 31 (Trailer)

Amazon Prime

Bigfoot (animated movie directed be Evan Tramel; An evil Yeti steals Santa’s naughty list and uses it to banish Santa from the North Pole) - available now

Clara’s Ultimate Christmas (family movie where a young vlogger documents her “ultimate Christmas” but everything goes awry when her dad has to leave for a business trip and her dog runs away right before Christmas Eve) - available now (Trailer)

Crawford the Cat’s Christmas (animated special aimed at preschoolers, directed by Russ Harris) - available now (Trailer)

Dead by Christmas (holiday slasher film starring Holly Bonney; Reunited for the holidays, a group of friends raised together in a troubled Louisiana orphanage are stalked by a killer from Christmas past) - available now (Trailer)

Discarding Santa (”found footage” mockumentary about a Kentucky town that outlawed Santa) - available now (Trailer)

Madness Farewell (black comedy about a suicidal comedian in Los Angeles who, unable to do the deed herself, hires a hit man; starring Charlene DeGuzman ) - available now (Trailer)

A Raunchy Christmas Story (very R-rated “comedy” in the Cinemax-after-dark vein) - available now

Straight no Chaser: Live in New York Holiday Edition (a cappella group’s Christmas concert, filmed live in New York City) - available now

A Unicorn Christmas (animated special featuring the voices of Alicia Condrey, Aisha Ricketts and Yasmin Palmer) - available now

Pete the Cat: A Very Groovy Christmas (animated holiday special, based on the book series; Pete and the gang try to find the Christmas Cat to get cool gifts) - Nov. 20 (Trailer)

Arty’s Holiday Masterpiece (animated holiday special, based on the Creative Galaxy series; Arty makes a Christmas ornament for his family, but it comes to life and runs away) - Nov. 20

Max’s Christmas (animated special based on the Max and Ruby storybook) - Dec. 1

YouTube

Ken Jeong Cracks Christmas (original special featuring the comedian and celebrity friends on the ultimate quest to uncover the pop-culture myths behind the world's most celebrated holiday.) - Dec. 12 on the Buzzfeed YouTube Channel (Trailer)

Nick Offerman’s Yule Log (Nick Offerman silently drinks whisky in front a fire) - available now on Lagavulin’s My Whisky Official YouTube Channel (age restricted due to depiction of alcohol); Ten Hour Version

A Very Terry Christmas: Get Cozy With Terry Crews (Terry Crews paints a Christmas tree in front of a fire) - available now on America’s Got Talent YouTube Channel

MUSEO (Spanish language movie starring Gael Garcia Bernal, Leonardo Ortizgris and Alfredo Castro; the true story of small-time, seemingly inept crooks who stole priceless Mayan artifacts from Mexico's National Anthropology Museum on Christmas Eve 1985) - TBA (Trailer)

Holiday Spectacular (family movie from Brat Studios, starring Annie LeBlanc and Mackenzie Ziegler; the story of an estranged family that is brought back together for the holiday season at the mall) - Dec. 21 on the Brat YouTube channel (Trailer)

Sony Crackle

A Prayer for Mr. T: The SuperMansion Thanksgiving Special (adult, stop-motion animation special holiday episode of the streaming series, featuring the voices of Chris Pine and Bryan Cranston; The annual Thanksgiving turkey competition between Titanium Rex and Dr. Devizo goes awry when Rex’s turkey transforms into a nightmarish bird monster.) - Nov. 15

Britbox

Upstart Crow Christmas Special (U.S. premiere of the special Christmas episode of the series) - Dec. 7

Would I Lie to You Christmas Specials (U.S. premieres of the special Christmas episode of the game show) - Dec. 7

QI Christmas Specials (U.S. premiere of the special Christmas episodes of the game show) - Dec. 7

The Snow Queen (U.S. premiere of the 2005 BBC animated movie based on the classic tale, starring Patrick Stewart) - Dec. 7 

Mr. Stink (U.S. premiere of the 2012 BBC movie starring Hugh Bonneville, based on the popular children’s book) - Dec. 7

Mary Berry’s Absolute Favorites (holiday special featuring The Great British Bake Off’s Mary Berry) - Dec. 12

Clash of the Santas (US debut of the 2008 BBC movie) - Dec. 15

The Lights Before Christmas: Luminous London (Britbox original, “slow TV” holiday-themed special) - Dec. 19

Swingin’ Christmas (Michael Parkinson presents the John Wilson Orchestra with special guests, including Seth McFarlane) - Dec. 22

Hold the Sunset Christmas Special (U.S. premiere of the special Christmas episode of the series) - Dec. 23

Mock the Week Christmas Special (U.S. premiere of the 2018 special Christmas episode of the comedy news show) - Dec. 24

Click & Collect (2018 BBC movie starring Stephen Merchant and Asim Chaudhry as neighbors making a cross country journey to get the perfect toy for Christmas) - Dec. 24

Carols from Kings (LIVE coverage of the celebration of Christmas from The Chapel of King’s College Cambridge) - Dec. 24

The Queen’s Christmas Message 2018 (annual holiday message delivered by Queen Elizabeth II to her subjects via the BBC) - Dec. 25

Emmerdale Christmas Special (U.S. premiere of the 2018 Christmas episode of the British soap) - Dec. 25

Casualty Christmas Special (U.S. premiere of the 2018 Christmas episode of the British soap) - Dec. 25

Holby City Christmas Special (U.S. premiere of the 2018 Christmas episode of the British soap) - Dec. 25

EastEnders Christmas Special (U.S. premiere of the 2018 Christmas episode of the long-running British soap) - Dec. 25

Coronation Street Christmas Special (U.S. premiere of the 2018 Christmas episode of the long-running British soap) - Dec. 25

The Last Leg New Year’s Special, LIVE (aired at same time as in UK) - Jan. 1

Shudder

The Dinners of Death (Joe Bob Briggs Thanksgiving meal-themed marathon which he calls, “the best deadly-dinner movies in history”) - Nov. 22

A Very Joe Bob Christmas (Job Bob Briggs-hosted Christmas horror movie marathon) - Dec. 21

Funny or Die

The 2019 Rose Parade Hosted by Cord and Tish (Live coverage of the Rose Parade with commentary by Cord Hosenbeck and Tish Cattigan, a.k.a. Will Ferrell and Molly Shannon) - Jan. 1

On Demand/Digital/DVD

Sick for Toys (horror movie starring Camille Montgomery, Jon Paul Burkhart and Justin Xavier; Sad sack nice guy accepts a Christmas dinner invitation from a beautiful woman only to find out she and her brother are not what they seem) - Sep 4 (Twitter, Trailer)

Battle of the Bulge: Wunderland (war movie starring Steven Luke, Tom Berenger and Mikeal Burgin; true story of the Christmas 1944 battle that was amongst the WWII’s deadliest offensives, available via digital and DVD) - Oct 2 (Trailer)

The Least of These: A Christmas Story (starring Tayla Lynn and Emma Faith; a homeless single mother is befriended by a feisty waitress and a store Santa in this tale of holiday love and forgiveness, shot on location in Fayetteville, Ark.; available via digital and DVD) - Oct. 22 (Trailer) 

Christmas Break-In (A blizzard strands nine-year-old at school at the start of Christmas break. When bad guys kidnap the school janitor, it’s up to the kid to save him; starring Danny Glover, Denise Richards and Cameron Seely, filmed on location in Minnesota; available via DVD) - Nov. 1 (interview)

A Christmas Village (A cynical cookbook author facing a scandal helps a single father reinvigorate his struggling Christmas theme park in hopes of getting some good PR; starring Madeline Leon and Neil Paterson; available via iTunes) - Nov. 1 (Trailer)

Best Thanksgiving Ever (starring Jay Seals, Eric Roberts and Heather Adair; Raunchy Thanksgiving-themed sex comedy supposedly based on a true holiday; this one has been floating around festival circuit for a while, but this is first time it’s widely avaiable via iTunes) - Nov. 6, Rated R (Redband Trailer)

Christmas Manger (movie starring Andrea Logan White, Steve Young and Tara Reid; A widower and his estranged foster daughter are forced to spend the holidays together after an injury leaves him unable to live alone. Can faith reunite them?; Available via DVD) - Nov. 6

Lez Bomb (movie written by and starring Jenna Laurenzo, with Kevin Pollack, Bruce Dern, Cloris Leachman and Steve Guttenberg; comedy about a lesbian determined to come out to her quirky family over Thanksgiving, but a series of mishaps may foil her plans; available via digital and blu-ray) - Nov. 9 (digital) / Jan. 8 (blu-ray) (Trailer)

Mrs. Claus (holiday horror slasher film starring Brinke Stevens, Helene Udy and Kaylee Williams) - Nov. 13 (Trailer)

A Christmas Carol (Scottish version of the classic tale, where Scrooge is a billionaire obsessed with profits, starring Stuart Brennan; available on iTunes) - Nov. 16 (Trailer)

Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer (starring Josh Hutcherson, Morena Baccarin, John Cleese, Samantha Bee and Martin Short; international animated film about a miniature horse who dreams of being one of Santa’s reindeer; available via digital) - Dec. 1, Rated PG (Trailer, Twitter) ****Review****

Holly Star (written, directed and starring Michael Nickles, with Katlyn Carlson and Brian Muller; A broke puppeteer returns home for the holidays and gets caught up in a treasure hunt with her paintball-obsessed best friend, her tango-dancing grandmother and a childhood sweetheart. Shot on location in Portland, Maine; available via DVD/digital) - Dec. 4, Rated PG (Trailer)

All the Creatures Were Stirring (holiday horror movie starring Constance Wu, Amanda Fuller and Jonathan Kite; a couple wander into a movie theatre on a Christmas Eve date to be greeted by a series of bizarre holiday tales of woe; available via digital and DVD) - Dec. 4 (digital) / Dec. 7 (DVD) (Trailer)

Smallfoot (starring Channing Tatum, Zendaya, Gina Rodriguez, James Corden and Danny Devito; animated Yeti adventure where the mythical beasts discover humans actually exist; available via DVD and digital) - Dec. 4 (digital) /Dec. 11 (DVD/blu-ray), rated PG (Trailer, Website, Twitter) ****Review****

I’ll Be Next Door for Christmas (crowd-funded movie starring Nicole Sullivan, Atticus Shaffer, Juliette Angelo and Kirrilee Berger; 16-year-old embarrassed by her Christmas-crazy family, tries to trick her long distance boyfriend by hosting a calmer Christmas celebration in the empty house next door; available via digital) - Dec. 4, Rated PG (Website, Trailer, Clip)

Little Women (modern-set take on the classic Louisa May Alcott novel, starring Lea Thompson; available via DVD and digital) - Dec. 18, rated PG-13 (Trailer)

[mrdaps]

Today is the 30th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios!  The park has undergone some changes over the years and continues to change.  But, it has always paid tribute to the grand Hollywood and the magic of movies!

The Disney’s Hollywood Studios Anniversary Ceremony

Walt Disney World paid tribute to the opening day with a parade showcasing stars of various popular attractions around the park, which was streamed on Disney Parks Blog.  It started with a stunt performance from the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular.  One of the first Indy’s to perform in the theater drove a truck from which the stunt men and women jumped from!  Following were various animation stars like Ariel and Eric, Belle and Beast, and Mickey and Minnie.  Toy Story Land stars were the next group to follow with a Green Army Men band and cars featuring Woody, Jessie, and Buzz.  Last was the residents of Black Spire Outpost to signify Galaxy’s Edge coming to the park.  Stormtroopers came on stage to break up the crew.

The vice president of the park, Phil Holmes, came on the stage to share a story of when he first worked at the park, which was at the very beginning.  Maribeth Bisienere, the head of Walt Disney World Parks, shared some of the attractions and experiences to look forward to at the park.  Included are Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, the Skyliner to link the park to several resorts and Epcot, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.  Some big news came at the end of the ceremony, but I’ll save that for later. Although, you can click here if you’d like to jump to the big news of the anniversary day.

The Past

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has greatly evolved into a Disney park.  Wasn’t it always a Disney park?  Yes and no.  It opened as Disney MGM Studios and over the years has had some very interesting licensed characters as part of the experiences.  At the start, it was a working studio with guests being able to take a backstage tour through working sets and soundstages.  But, guests could get in on the magic of movies with props (as you can see me next to a prop of Jessica Rabbit in the photo) and even be part of a special effects shot (again me in the photo with my brother on a fake battleship).  The Great Movie Ride had guests in the middle of the action with iconic movies of the past.  Superstar Television let guests co-star with some of their favorite television show stars…via green screen and some editing.  My favorite was the Magic of Disney Animation.  I’ve been a big Disney animation fan since I could first pick up a pencil.  To see the animated movies be made was a dream come true as a young kid.  The park was all about putting guests into the magic of Hollywood.

At the long-gone Prop Warehouse of the Backlot Tour of Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Disney MGM Studios at the time)

Part of the special effects portion of the Backlot Tour of Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Over the years experiences grew.  There was the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids playground which let families go back to the backyard of the famous Disney film.  The Muppets made a few appearances before landing in Muppet Vision 3D.  Star Tours was the first Star Wars attraction at the park which has now grown from that to Launch Bay and the upcoming Galaxy’s Edge.

Gone, but not forgotten is the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights which lit up the backlot during the holiday season to amazing synchronized to music Christmas light displays.  Another is the Lights, Motors, Action show that let guests in on how those great movie car chase scenes are done.  Some of the perhaps forgotten but infamous lineups of oddities are things like the Power Rangers making daily appearances and the divisive Sorcerer’s Hat that took over the main plaza.

Looking Forward

Like it was pointed out in the ceremony, the park has had a lot of changes.  Many of the original experiences have gone to make way for attractions that let guests relive favorite movies and shows.  Toy Story Land has been a great addition in making families feel like they are able to play with Woody, Buzz and the Toy Story gang through several rides.  Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is another of those terrific additions where a Cars star teaches guests how to race.  Galaxy’s Edge is the most anticipated addition this fall which will be a hugely immersive Star Wars experience like never before.

Today also brought a new projection show that will be on the Chinese Theater.  “Wonderful World of Animation” will pay tribute to Disney animation films.  It will feature parts from all of the animated features, and will even bring in the new ones as it continues to be shown!

“Wonderful World of Animation” is a new nighttime projection show debuting at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., May 1, 2019. This new cinematic experience uses state-of-the-art, projection-mapping technology to take guests on a magical journey through more than 90 years of Disney animation. (David Roark, photographer)

With all these changes Maribeth Bisienere announced that something else needed to change.  A new logo debuted in the anniversary ceremony!  This new logo is a great reflection of the history of Hollywood and will be able to showcase the iconic Disney stars of today.  The logo will be appearing on the gateway arch that has housed the past logos.  It was a great way to signify the state of the park now and into the future!

On its 30th anniversary, May 1, 2019, Disney’s Hollywood Studios revealed a new logo for the theme park at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Disney)

Growing Up With the Park

I’ve been able to see the park change and grow over the years.  Like I pointed out before, I was able to experience some of the long-gone attractions.  I’m grateful I was able to since this was the first park I was able to keep track of from construction to completion.  I watched the grand opening on TV eagerly anticipating when I could see the amazing park Imagineers made.  It holds one of my all-time favorite attractions: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.  To me, it has shown off what Disney can do in experiences.  I still feel like I’m in the middle of a Twilight Zone episode with no way of knowing what is around the corner!  Rock N’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith has been another huge highlight of the park with an incredible way of doing a roller coaster that also immerses guests into an amazing story.  Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, and Fantasmic have all been terrific shows that I enjoy over and over again.  Though it’s been hard to do some things in the park the last couple of years with construction, it’s all been in anticipation for what the park will be by the end of the year!  So, I’m glad that there are some elements to symbolize the change like the logo reflecting a chic character driven park.  I know it will keep growing as I keep maturing too, and that has made it a special park to me over the years.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios 30th Anniversary – The Celebration Looking Back and Looking Forward Today is the 30th anniversary of Disney's Hollywood Studios!  The park has undergone some changes over the years and continues to change. 

[livinginlandmarketing]

This year has been challenging to say the least. As live events around the world were canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, we hunkered down to slow the spread.

While we missed crowding into mosh pits and singing at the top of our lungs at concerts, stuffing our faces with popcorn at movie theaters and slapping high fives and raising a plastic cup of beer to cheer at sporting events, event promoters in Southern California got creative. Various companies managed to produce numerous socially-distanced drive-thru and drive-in style events where we were able to safely congregate and catch a buzz of normalcy.

Here are the favorite socially-distanced events of 2020 from Southern California News Group entertainment reporters Kelli Skye Fadroski and Richard Guzman.

Andrew McMahon at Drive-In OC

City National Grove of Anaheim

After four months without live concerts in Southern California, Dana Point native Andrew McMahon played three sold-out nights at Drive-In OC in Anaheim in July. For a few hours, the stress of the global pandemic took a backseat and fans danced and sang from their individually marked squares and enjoyed snacks and drinks delivered directly to their spot. It was weird, but it was cool. — Kelli Skye Fadroski

Dodgers Holiday Festival at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, December 2, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Dodgers Holiday Festival 

Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

There was no parade after the best team in baseball won the 2020 World Series. But Dodger fans could celebrate the win and the holidays at this drive-thru event. It opened in late November and has been extended through Jan. 3.  Elves sport Dodger uniforms; cars drive between two walls that replay World Series highlights; there are giant bobbleheads and World Series rings along the path; and it all ends with a giant replica of the 2020 World Series trophy. It may have been only 5 feet tall, but it was bathed in an angelic white light. — Richard Guzman

Scott Cooper lifts Sarah Moser during The Elf on the Shelf’s Magical Journey Drive-Thru Experience at Fairplex Pomona on November 12, 2020. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

The Elf on the Shelf’s Magical Journey Drive-Thru Experience

Fairplex, Pomona

Santa’s sleigh has crash landed in Pomona and his Elf on the Shelf buddies are out trying to conjure enough Christmas spirit to get the big man on his way. The drive-thru event which started in mid-November and runs through Jan. 3 includes brightly lit, oversized props and actors dressed as elves doing cirque-style routines and encouraging guests to express their Christmas spirit (which is measured throughout the experience). KF

Troy Stroh, left and Abraham Flores Work to prepare food for drivers at the Hawaiian Chicken Bowls booth during the Fair Food Drive-Thru event at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, CA, on Friday, September 4, 2020.(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Fair Food Drive-Thrus

Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar; OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa; Angel Stadium, Anaheim

With all of the county fairs shut down this year, the fairgrounds and various fair food vendors pivoted to a drive-thru food experience. Del Mar started hosting events in July, followed by the OC Fair from August through October and then Angel Stadium in November and December. Guests could drive up to various familiar stands and food trucks and snag to-go eats such as jumbo turkey legs, deep-fried Oreos and Snickers bars, Krispy Kreme doughnut burgers, buckets of cotton candy and more.  KF

Happy Place the Drive-Thru had 18 larger-than-life experiences and interactive moments including the world’s first giant piano you play with your car, a rainbow road and a pulsating nightclub in the parking structure of the Westfield Century City Mall in Los Angeles on Friday, November 20, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Happy Place: The Drive Thru                                                                                         

Westfield Century City Mall

Everyone needed to find their happy place this year and this drive-thru event, created by Calabasas resident Jared Paul, opened in late November and runs through Jan. 10. It’s made up of things designed to simply make you smile and forget about everything else. There were unicorns, lots of bright colors, a nightclub, beach scenes and upbeat music, including REM’s ” Shiny Happy People,” on full blast. RG

A drive-thru Halloween attraction included free pumpkins and basket-loads of candy tossed into cars. (Photo by Richard Guzman)

Haunt O’Ween   

Westfield Promenade, Woodland Hills

Kids couldn’t trick or treat this year but throughout most of October they could ride through a Halloween-themed town at this drive-thru event that included a brightly lit pumpkin tunnel and a pumpkin patch where each car received a pumpkin. But the best part was the Town of Haunt O’Ween, which was made up of house facades where scary characters like mummies and ghosts stood by to toss basket loads of candy into cars. RG

Comedian Monty Franklin entertains crowds during the Irvine Improv’s Drive-In Comedy Series at the Irvine Spectrum Center. (Photo by Justin Gill, Levity Live)

Improv’s Drive-In Comedy Shows

Irvine Spectrum, Irvine; SilverLakes Equestrian and Sports Park, Norco

Bringing the intimate in-person experience of a comedy club outside was no easy feat but it still delivered on laughs. In September, Improv finally decided to give drive-in comedy a shot and hosted drive-in style evenings with Brad Williams, Fortune Feimster, Maz Jobrani, Carlos Mencia, Craig Robinson and Felipe Esparza. The Irvine club held its shows atop a parking structure at the Irvine Spectrum and the Ontario club moved its events to SilverLakes Equestrian and Sports Park in Norco. KF

A stilt walker greets visitors to the Night of Lights OC drive-thru experience at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, December 9, 2020. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Night of Lights OC Drive-Thru Experience

OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa

The producers of the annual Winter Fest OC switched up their annual event and created an elaborate drive-thru experience with over 1 million lights, numerous light tunnels, themed lands and several costumed actors spreading holiday cheer. Though this event faced some drama before it officially opened earlier in December, in the end the team was able to create a beautiful experience that complied with all of the COVID-19 safety regulations and the California curfew. It runs through Jan. 10. KF

Jamie Kennedy performs during Magic Asphalt, a bi-weekly comedy show in the parking lot of the Magic Castle in Los Angeles on Sunday, October 11, 2020. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Magic Asphalt: Drive-In Comedy Under the Stars                                                                 

Parking lot at the Magic Castle, Hollywood

This drive-in stand-up comedy series happens in the parking lot of the Magic Castle where flashing headlights and waving LED-lit noisemakers shaped like little hands that made a loud clanking sound replace cheers and claps at this ongoing bi-weekly event, which started in mid-August. People stayed safely in their cars as comedians such as Kevin Nealon, Bill Burr, Jay Pharoah, Michael Rappaport and Jamie Kennedy took the stage. RG

Master magician and apparitionist Aiden Sinclair lead an online ghost hunt at the Queen Mary on Halloween weekend. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Queen Mary Ghost Hunt              ��                                                                                        

Queen Mary, Long Beach

The storied ship, which has long been rumored to be haunted and now operates as a hotel, is closed due to the pandemic. That means it’s completely empty and the only thing on board are the spirits who haunt the vessel, making it the perfect setting for “The Dark Zone Live: Queen Mary Virtual Haunt and Music Festival.” The event took place on Halloween weekend and included surveillance cameras placed in some of the ship’s most haunted areas that were accessible 24-hours a day. As paranormal researchers walked through the ship, viewers were able to go check on the rooms at all hours of the day and night, and, yes, weird stuff happened. RG

-on December 23, 2020 at 11:47PM by Kelli Skye Fadroski, Richard Guzman

[twotravelinglanes-blog]

When you wish upon a star

Two Traveling Lanes

When you wish upon a star

"When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are. Anything your heart desires will come to you." How many of you of a certain age can hum that tune without thinking back to your childhood? Chances are, you grew up with "The Wonderful World of Disney" every Sunday night on the TV. It's aired almost without fail on broadcast TV weekly since 1954. The name changed occasionally, as did the types of movies and cartoons Disney aired, but that haunting theme song from Pinocchio was a regular in most opening scenes.

Disney is for more than kids. Daughter Julie and I go as often as we can.

The newest addition to Walt Disney World is Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios The song instantly transports me back to my family's white farmhouse in western Kentucky, where all seven of us kids would gather around the TV set and that haunting Disney melody while Mom cooked supper (yes, that's what we call dinner in the South) in the kitchen nearby. It was a bittersweet time. Sweet, because we got to see our favorite mousketeers and state-of-the-art Disney movies; sad, because the Sunday night blues were a reality, even for elementary school kids in the 1960s. Disney without children? Oh, the horror! When people -- mostly men, it seems -- ask why I still enjoy going to see the Mouse in Orlando every month or so sans children, I hearken back to those distant glimmers of childhood. My memories of Mickey, Minnie and the gang were a magical part of childhood, a fantasy I relived when my own children were born and I was re-introduced to the magic all over again. When I visit Disney World and hear that music and see the action characters I loved as a child, it reawakens an ancient part of my soul that otherwise would have been long lost to deadlines, health worries and laundry. Whether he's viewed in high definition or grainy black-and-white newsreels, Mickey has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. And when you grow up on a rural Kentucky farm, the magic he instills lasts a lifetime. Some might argue Disney is even better without kids. If you've ever dragged a 2-year-old on a hot, day-long adventure outdoors, you probably remember the temper tantrums and frequent meltdowns. When's the last time that happened to an adult friend of yours? If you answered "recently," you might wanna find a new friend circle. Perhaps that's why I see people 20 years my senior still lolling about the theme parks, gathered at spots where they play old 1950s-era cartoons and display vintage memorabilia. If you're lucky, you never outgrow the kid in you, even if it manifests only at Disney.

Teresa and daughter Julie love all things Mickey More to Disney than kiddie rides Though you may not be interested in roller coasters or sitting through the 20th viewing of "It's a Small World," there are plenty of places to enjoy Walt Disney World as a grownup without children in tow. Here are my favorites, in no particular order: Shows and musicals.  Just watching a few live shows each time you visit the parks more than pays for your ticket, considering the cost of stage shows elsewhere. We caught Hollywood Studios' Fantasmic! performance recently and found it an awe-inspiring mix of fireworks, music and live action featuring nearly every Disney character in the story book.

Few things in life spark as much joy as seeing this sign. We caught part of a nightly Star Wars spectacular at the same park, and Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage remains one of my favorites at Hollywood Studios. Festival of the Lion King is a roarin' good time at Animal Kingdom. These just skim the surface. A quick glance on the Disney app shows dozens of daily stage shows at the four parks.

Cinderella's Castle is gorgeous at Christmas time Parades and fireworks: Every park stages a nightly grand finale of sorts, whether it's the Electrical Water Pageant at Magic Kingdom or the IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot. I don't usually stake out a spot for hours like some guests, but do try to snare a spot 15 minutes or so before the show to ensure I can see more than a tree limb. Magic Kingdom also has a nightly fireworks show at 8 p.m. that can be seen from everywhere. Concerts: Disney spares no expense in bringing big-name acts to its parks, usually Epcot. That's the park that features seasonal specials like the International Flower & Garden Festival, Food & Wine Festival and Arts Festival. Looking at the upcoming lineup for March through June 2019, we'll get to see Journey former lead singer Steve Augeri, the Marshall Tucker Band, Night Ranger, Ambrosia, Rick Springfield, Air Supply and Christopher Cross, to name a few. At the annual arts festival in February, Broadway singers perform in sunny Orlando while snow blankets New York.

You'll see giraffes and more on the Kilimanjari Safari tour at Animal Kingdom Animals: One of my favorite attractions at any of the parks is Kilimanjaro Safaris, where you ride in an open-air Jeep of sorts through land with free roaming lions, giraffes, elephants, zebras and more. Disney has created a 110-acre wildlife reserve that's home to 34 species living in picturesque open plains, shady forests and rocky wetlands. I've taken the 18-minute tour several times and each time I see a different animal up close. I'd like to go back after dark to see the savanna animals in a whole new light. Night travel was once off limits to visitors, but Disney recently installed lighting to mimic the setting sun and rising moon, giving you a rare glimpse into animals' nocturnal behavior. Epcot's World Showcase: You can travel around the world to 11 countries with a short stroll around the World Showcase Lagoon. You'll think you're actually in China, Norway and Italy with the attention to detail Disney has put into recreating these countries at home. Eat some Mexican cuisine before

We enjoyed an authentic Belgian waffle and other international cuisine at Epcot's Food & Wine Festival cruising down the Rio Grande. Watch a 360-degree, Circle Vision movie of China and Canada, or watch a live stage show about the American experience. Epcot also ventures to space and undersea with its rides and large aquariums filled with sharks, sea turtles and thousands of tropical fish. I could go on and on, and I usually do, but you get the picture.

This big-horned animal walked right by our safari vehicle Disney has waaaay more to love than just the time-honored Dumbo ride and swirling teacups. It has plenty for people of all ages, and that's probably why it's the No. 1 tourist destination in the world year after year. After all, toddlers don't make vacation plans. Adults do. Read the full article