Day 110: UW Varsity Band

Just as I do every April, I headed down to see the UW Varsity Band Concert at the University of Wisconsin. It's about a two hour drive that we make on a bus with my high school band, and it's always a good time.

So, being the Disney lover I am, I'm always on the look out for Disney portions of the show. There was only one this year, since they did a fairly major Disney section last year (Wisconsin went to the Rose Bowl and that meant Disneyland for everyone!). During a segment called "Toon Tunes," the band performed selections from such cartoons as The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Mighty Mouse and of course...the most important of all...The Mickey Mouse Club. I was videoing at the time, so I couldn't sing or clap along, but I did give my band director a look.

You see, he has this idea in his head that marches are all like the Mickey Mouse Club March...straight eighth notes. I agree, but I'm not too excited about his continuous reference to the song...especially in such an unfavorable light. But I know he's always kidding...and it's made a good joke between us, one that is sure to get interesting if we head to Walt Disney World next summer!

I'll see if I can figure out a video from "Toon Tunes," but here's a picture I just barely got at the concert the other night!

The other thing I found on the trip was during our annual stop to the local mall down in Madison. We always go look though Barnes and Noble, and I just happened to find a few interesting things...including this...

Here's today's Disney History: 1937: Actor George Takei - the voice of FIrst Ancestor in Disney's Mulan and Mulan II - is born in Los Angeles, California. Star Trek fans know him best as Mr. Sulu.

Have a magical day!

Day 99: Annette Funicello

As I'm sure everyone else has heard, yesterday Annette Funicello, one of the original Disney Mouseketeers, died at the age of 70. She, of course, led a wonderful life, and is certainly an inspiration to everyone.

She's my personal favorite Mouseketeer, although I haven't had time recently to go back and watch any of the episodes I have. I decided yesterday that I would spend some time this week watching those old videos...although I'm lucky enough to have them on DVD, so they're not really old at all, but I'll still watch them.

Surely, Annette will be missed, but she will live on in the hearts of all those who love Disney, especially since Walt Disney picked her for the show himself when she was only 13. It's a great example of how Walt saw the talent people had and he helped them achieve their dreams...just like people still do within the Disney company today.

Rest in Peace Annette, you'll always be my favorite Mouseketeer! =)

Here's today's Disney History: 2012: The turnstile clicks for the 100th day in a row for Disney fans Jeff Reitz and Tonya Mickesh; a couple continuing a streak of visiting Disneyland every day in 2012. Annual passholders, they originally got the idea to visit every day in 2012 (all 366 days) when Disneyland announced it would be open for 24 hours on Leap Day.

Have a magical day!