We’ve now managed to taste most of the artful dishes at the Food Studios around World Showcase Promenade (and highly recommend the wild mushroom risotto with aged Parmesan, truffle shavings and Zinfandel reduction at Masterpiece Kitchen), but the ever-changing visual and performance art brings us back for yet another weekend at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts.
Top of the list for this Friday to Monday is a seat for the Disney on Broadway Concert Series at America Gardens Theatre. Disney Theatrical stars Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White will be performing songs from “The Lion King,” “Aida,” “Aladdin” and “The Little Mermaid.” Included with park admission, their concerts alone are worth a return visit.
But we’re also excited to see Disney Legend Marty Sklar, the guy who ran Walt Disney Imagineering for decades, presenting the art of Herb Ryman (the man whom Walt Disney asked to sketch the original drawings for Disneyland park) and Mary Blair (best known for her character designs for the “it’s a small world” attraction). Marty worked with them both, and has fascinating tales to share. Marty joined the company at Disneyland in 1956, so his tales are especially captivating to Disney fans. The complimentary seminar is at 4:30 p.m. Sunday; his Saturday seminar is sold out.
There are 18 seminars throughout the weekend, some complimentary, some with a fee. We’re taking note of the complimentary Handwritten Typography on Friday; Glass Blowing & Glass Art at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, and Food Styling 101 (learn how to make your Instagram photos shine!) at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Two others catching our eye are Olive Oil 101 at 11 a.m. Sunday ($39), and Venetian Mask Making at 11 a.m. Monday – you get to take home your own papier mâché art while learning the history behind mask making ($39).
