NEWS: 2016 Eat to the Beat Concert Series Details Announced

Following the release of the details of the Global Marketplace menus for the 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival, we also now have information on the artists who will be performing for the Eat to the Beat Concert Series. The Concert Series allows guests to celebrate all things food and wine while enjoying music and dancing with music from the 80’s and 90’s. Details below.

Each night during the Food and Wine Festival, the American Gardens Theater lights up with a favorite recording artist. This year there are a total of 26 acts, the most yet! Nightly concerts begin September 14 and go through November 14, 2016. There are three nightly showtimes at 5:30 pm, 6:45 pm and 8:00 pm. The concert is part of your Epcot admission. This year, eight new acts join the lineup. The new acts include: Wang Chung, BoDeans, Plain White T’s, Jeffrey Osborne, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Living Colour, Soul Asylum and Delta Rae.

Here is the line up for this year:

• Sept. 14-15 – Wang Chung NEW! “Everybody Have Fun Tonight”
• Sept. 16-18 – STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas “We Built This City”
• Sept. 19-20 – Air Supply “All Out of Love”
• Sept. 21-23 – BoDeans NEW! “Closer to Free”
• Sept. 24-25 – Fuel “Hemorrhage (In My Hands)”
• Sept. 26-28 – Sugar Ray “Fly”
• Sept. 29-30 – Los Lobos “La Bamba”
• Oct. 1-2 – David Cook “Light On”
• Oct. 3-4 – Wilson Phillips “Hold On”
• Oct. 5-6 – Blues Traveler “Run-Around”
• Oct. 7-9 – Plain White T’s NEW! “Hey There Delilah”
• Oct. 10-11 – 38 Special “Hold On Loosely”
• Oct. 12-13 – Jeffrey Osborne NEW! “On the Wings of Love”
• Oct. 14-16 – Tiffany “I Think We’re Alone Now”
• Oct. 17-19 – Dennis DeYoung: The Music of Styx “Lady”
• Oct. 20-21 – Christopher Cross “Sailing”
• Oct. 22-23 – Toad The Wet Sprocket NEW! “Walk on the Ocean”
• Oct. 24-25 – Chaka Khan “I Feel for You”
• Oct. 26-27 – Billy Ocean “Caribbean Queen”
• Oct. 28-29 – Living Colour NEW! “Cult of Personality”
• Oct. 30-Nov. 1 – Hanson “Get the Girl Back”
• Nov. 2-3 – Soul Asylum NEW! “Runaway Train”
• Nov. 4-6 – Delta Rae NEW! “Bottom of the River”
• Nov. 7-9 – Boyz II Men “Motownphilly”
• Nov. 10-11 – Sister Hazel “All For You”
• Nov. 12-14 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy “Go Daddy-O”

Please not that songs listed are for artist recognition only and may not be included in the concert play list. Also, acts are not guaranteed and are subject to change.

RELATED ARTICLE

Top 5 Special Events at Disney World

by Mike and Jamie Sylvester

Every day is a special day at Walt Disney World! But, sometimes Disney pours out a little extra pixie dust and arranges special events that are completely worth the extra ticket admission (if necessary) in our opinion. Count down with us as we list the top 5 special events at Disney World that you’ll want to add to your Disney “must-do list” today!

5 – Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

This annual event at Epcot has become a popular favorite among many Disney fans! The International Flower and Garden Festival is a spring event in which Disney has a chance to show off their impeccable landscaping and gardening skills. Bright colors, sense satisfying aromas, and lush greenery are just about everywhere you turn at Epcot during the festival. While there are a few extra admission costs for tours and events, most all of the Flower and Garden Festival is open to any guest entering Epcot’s gates with a valid theme park ticket! The festival boasts breathtaking gardens, topiary art in the form of several favorite Disney characters, how-to seminars, outdoor kitchens, play areas for the kids, a butterfly garden, and an outdoor concert series with some classic hits. We purposely try to arrange our trips around the spring season so we don’t miss the beauty! Mark your calendars for March 1 – May 29, 2017.

4 – Holidays Around the World at Epcot

Visit the World Showcase at Epcot this holiday season, November 25 – December 30, 2016. Explore how each of the 11 countries celebrate the holiday season with unique traditions that include all of the senses. Taste the delicious holiday cuisines, listen to the seasonal music, and be prepared to take photos of the special costumed performers. The best part in our opinion is the Candlelight Processional! A 50-piece orchestra, mass choir, and a celebrity narrator share the story of Christmas. We have goosebumps just thinking about it! Just like the Flower and Garden Festival above, all guests need is a valid park ticket to enjoy this special event. Don’t miss this opportunity to see Epcot glow under all the shimmering lights!

3 – Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

While we’re talking about the Christmas season, what better way to celebrate then to party with Mickey! Head on over to Magic Kingdom on specific days between November 7 – December 22, 2016 for a Christmas party unlike any you’ve ever experienced. $86 for ages 10+ and $81 for ages 3-9, this event is worth adding to the budget and your Christmas plans. Please note – prices to go up on the popular nights to reach a max of $99 per ticket. Crowds dwindle as Magic Kingdom is open on Christmas Party evenings only to special event ticket holders. The attractions are still open so wait times are typically very short! But most importantly – experience snow on Main Street U.S.A., check out the characters in their holiday best, sing along to your favorite Christmas tunes, catch the parade, and ooh and aah in the glow of fireworks! This year during the Christmas Party, guests will be able to experience Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration which is a live stage show in front of the Cinderella Castle. Buy your special tickets as soon as possible, as this event does tend to sell out.

2 – Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Have you ever wanted to taste your way around the world? Well – we have the special annual event for you! This year, the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is being held September 14 – November 14, 2016. When you enter that World Showcase at Epcot with valid theme park admission, you’ll immediately begin to smell the flavors of the world. Stands and kiosks seem to be just about everywhere with special sampling and plates of uniquely flavored food, plus beer and wine, from several different countries. Why not “Eat to the Beat” while you’re enjoying the amazing food with a concert series led by popular artists! Special demonstrations and seminars are also available such as mixology, culinary, and even cheese seminars. Some of the special seminaries are an extra fee, but there are several experiences included in your park admission. The other costs of course are the food and wine you plan to taste! There are Food and Wine Cards you can purchase so you don’t have to reach for the wallet at every station which acts much like a gift card.

1 – Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Magic Kingdom’s ghosts and goblins come out to party! But, no worries – this party is definitely family friendly and “not-so-scary” for that reason. We rank Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in the number one spot because, well, this Mouse knows how to throw one awesome Halloween Party! Kids especially love trick-or-treating as Magic Kingdom is open to special ticket holders for the party only (just like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party). The dates for the party are select nights between September 2 – October 31, 2016 with the special tickets costs of $72 for ages 10+ and $67 for ages 3-9. Prices to go up on the popular nights – for example Halloween (Oct. 31) is $105 a ticket. The great news is most all of the attractions are open and with crowds much smaller, guests can hop off and on rides easily. What would trick-or-treating be without costume?! Guests of all ages are welcome to wear costumes but keep in mind there are costume guidelines. This year guests will have a chance to enjoy Happy HalloWishes Fireworks where Disney Villains cast spells over the Cinderella Castle. The evil Sanderson Sisters will use their magic in the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular. One of our favorite parts has to be the Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade which has all of the favorite Disney characters in their spooktacular Halloween costumes, along with an appearance from the creepy Headless Horseman. We can’t wait!

What is your favorite special event? We’d love to hear from you!