Posts Tagged ‘Events’

Paul Ngeny, 31, of Auburn, Calif., Sets Record by Winning Fifth Annual Disneyland Half Marathon

Paul Ngeny, 31, of Auburn, Calif., led a record field of more than 14,000 registered runners Sunday at the fifth annual Disneyland Half Marathon, crossing the finish line first with a time of 1:07:24, beating the fastest Disneyland Half Marathon time by 41 seconds.

“The course was very nice and comfortable,” Ngeny said. “I liked running through the parks and all the music. I could keep on going for a hundred miles.”

Finishing just behind Ngeny was Eric Marenburg, 27, of San Diego, Calif., with a time of 1:12:10. Kevin Broady, 48, of Brea, Calif., finished third with a time of 1:12:43.

Rachel Booth, 29, of Mountain View, Calif., claimed the title of 2010 women’s champion with a time of 1:15:19, beating the fastest women’s finisher time in the history of the Disneyland Half Marathon by 00:04:04. Booth, who performed better than she expected, finished just 18 seconds off of an Olympic trial qualifier time. “It was great. Magical,” Booth said. “It’s in Disneyland and it’s just a happy day. Always enjoyable. Everyone was so loud and cheering.”

The women’s second-place finisher was Theresa Lowry, 36, of San Diego, Calif., with a time of 1:19:05. Susan Loken, 47, of Phoenix, AZ, took third place with a time of 1:19:13.

Other notable finishers of the 2010 Disneyland Half Marathon are Jon Megeff, 47, of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., who won the men’s Master’s Division (age 40+) with a time of 1:16:57, Merryt Jackman, 41, of San Diego, Calif., who topped the women’s Master’s Division (1:28:16) and Scott Parson, 51 of San Jose, Calif.,(00:56:45), and Sandi Rush, 49, of Oceanside, Calif., (1:17:06), winners of the men’s and women’s wheelchair divisions.

The fifth anniversary of “The Happiest Race on Earth” welcomed its largest registration field as more than 14,000 runners from every U.S. state and 16 countries made the magical 13.1 mile journey. The course traveled through the two Disneyland Resort theme parks – Disneyland and Disney California Adventure – and along Anaheim streets, passing landmarks such as the Honda Center and running on the field of Angel Stadium of Anaheim, while Disney characters and festive entertainment inspired runners along the way.

Participants who completed the half marathon received a special edition medal featuring Sleeping Beauty Castle circled by a vibrant number “5” and running Mickey Mouse. Nearly 570 Legacy runners – those who completed all five Disneyland Half Marathons – received a special medal lanyard.

The third annual Coast to Coast Race Challenge medal was presented to approximately 2,350 runners who completed the Walt Disney World Marathon or Half Marathon or Disney’s Princess Half Marathon this year at Walt Disney World Resort and then also completed Sunday’s Disneyland Half Marathon. The Coast to Coast medal showcases the iconic “Partners Statue” of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse.

The 2011 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend is scheduled for Sept. 2-4, 2011. Registration for next year’s Disneyland Half Marathon is scheduled to open Jan. 2, 2011

ABC’s ‘Detroit 1-8-7′ to Open New York Television Festival; Michael Imperioli to Offer Q&A Session

The New York Television Festival (NYTVF) today announced the Primetime lineup for its sixth annual Festival, offering audiences a sneak peek at the networks’ most highly anticipated fall premieres on ABC, BBC America, FOX, IFC and NBC. This year’s Festival is highlighted by the red carpet premieres of ABC’s “Detroit 1-8-7” with Michael Imperioli, IFC’s “The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret” with David Cross, and “Running Wilde” with Will Arnett. The Primetime line up also features special screenings of NBC’s “Short Cuts” hosted by Greg Giraldo and BBC America’s US premiere of the mini-series “Luther.”

“In our fifth installment of the NYTVF Primetime Event Series, we’re thrilled to welcome these new programs and the world-class talent behind them,” said NYTVF founder Terence Gray. “NYTVF audiences are passionate about television and the opportunity to bring TV royalty like Michael Imperioli, David Cross and Will Arnett to the Festival is exciting and inspiring for artists and fans alike.”

ABC will open this year’s Festival with the red-carpet premiere of “Detroit 1-8-7.” Series star Michael Imperioli and Executive Producers David Zabel and Jason Richman will also participate in a Q&A following the screening.

“We’re excited to be opening the Festival again this year with ‘Detroit 1-8-7,’ following the great success we had last year with ‘Modern Family,’” said Michael Benson, Executive Vice President, Marketing, ABC Entertainment Group.  “It’s a terrific event and the perfect platform to launch this new series.”

ABC’s “Detroit 1-8-7,” shot entirely in Detroit, Michigan, is a gritty cop drama that follows the men and women of one of Detroit’s finest Homicide units. Starring Michael Imperioli (“The Sopranos,” “Life on Mars”), James McDaniel (“NYPD Blue”), Aisha Hinds (“True Blood”), D.J. Cotrona (“Windfall”), Jon Michael Hill (Broadway’s Superior Donuts), Shaun Majumder (“24,” Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle), Natalie Martinez (Death Race) and Erin Cummings (“Mad Men”), the series centers on the damaged but driven Detective Louis Fitch (Imperioli) and the passionate team who know that behind every crime are real people with real problems.  Experience the crisis and revelation, heartbreak and heroism that characterize these inner city cops when “Detroit 1-8-7” premieres Tuesday, September 21 at 10/9c on ABC.

David Zabel (“ER”), Jason Richman (Swing Vote), Kevin Hooks (“Prison Break”), David Hoberman (The Proposal) and Todd Lieberman (The Proposal) are executive producers. “Detroit 1-8-7” is a production of ABC Studios.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the event, click here.

Guidemaps Available for 2010 ‘Night of Joy’ Event at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World has made guidemaps available for its annual Night of Joy event which takes place at Magic Kingdom this year on Friday, September 10 and Saturday, September 11.

The guidemaps feature listings of available attractions, dining and shopping experiences as well as the schedule for each night and the various stage locations as well as other goings-on those evenings.

Click the following links for their respective guidemaps in PDF format: Friday, September 10 and Saturday, September 11

D23 Members Invited to ‘Belle’s Tea Party’ with Paige O’Hara at San Diego Disney Store Opening

On Monday, September 13, D23 is inviting its members and their guests in the San Diego area to join the voice of Belle herself, Paige O’Hara, for a private tour of the new Imagination Park Disney Store model at the Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego to be followed by a mid-morning tea party.

Available for the purchase at the event will be the new limited edition Beauty and the Beast gold-trimmed Mrs. Potts teapot set ($124.50) which has a run of 1600 pieces worldwide.

The tickets are free and will be available online on a first come, first serve basis beginning September 7 at 10 am PT. For more information and to reserve tickets when they become available, click here.

Photo Gallery: ‘Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue’ Premiere

The very special outdoor ‘picnic-in-the-park’ premiere of Disney’s Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue was screened for more than 1,000 families in the local Los Angeles area this past weekend. The event featured a dozen of L.A.’s most popular food trucks, including ‘Top Chef’ alum Brian Hill’s gourmet food truck, along with a bevy of activity stations for the kids – including face painting, Tink tattoos, coloring stations and Radio Disney, who emceed the event. All fairy attendees received Tinker Bell blankets, Tinker Bell glow sticks, Fairy wings and enjoyed many Fairy activities.

Tinker Bell, Rosetta, Iridessa and Fawn were there live to greet all of their fairy friends. They were joined by film talent Mae Whitman (voice of Tinker Bell), Raven-Symone, Michael Sheen, Pamela Adlon, Rob Paulsen, Dominika Paleta, director Brad Raymond & producer Helen Kalafatic as well as Jason Earles (Hannah Montana), Billy Bush, Gilles Marini (Brothers & Sisters), Chris Cornell (Soundgarden), Mark Feuerstein (Royal Pains), Ariel Winter (Modern Family), Rick Fox (Ugly Betty), Zendaya Coleman (Shake It Up!), Roshon Fegan (Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam) and Landon Pigg.

Tinker Bell, the world’s favorite fairy, will be spreading her magic for audiences of all ages, as the worlds of fairies and humans converge for the very first time in Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue. An all-new original full-length CG animated film featuring breathtaking animation, spectacular music and an all-star cast of voice talents debuts September 21st on Blu-ray Combo Pack (includes Blu-ray and bonus DVD of the film and movie download) and DVD. Now available for pre-order on Amazon.com.

[View with PicLens]

Photos and video courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

Duffy the Disney Bear Preview for Disneyland Annual Passholders to Take Place September 19

On Sunday, September 19, Annual Passholders at the Disneyland Resort and their guests will have the opportunity to be among the first to hear about Duffy, his origins and his journey from Tokyo DisneySea to Disney California Adventure as well as the magical date that he will become available to meet and greet guests at the Disneyland Resort this fall.

There will be two sessions available, approximately 45 minutes long, with one at 11:30 am PT and one at 2 pm PT. The presentations will be held at Stage 17 at Disney California Adventure. Any type of recording device is explicitly prohibited from entering the venue. Cellphones will be allowed but they must be turned off and stored away.

Registration is required to attend either session and has limited availability. Registration will open on September 7 at 8 am PT on a first-come, first-serve basis and will be available here.

Disney/ABC Television Group to Present Ninth Actors Showcase in New York

As part of its overall initiative to find and develop actors from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds or with disabilities, the Disney/ABC Television Group Casting Project will hold its next New York Actors Showcase on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23.  Ten promising actors will have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills to an audience of industry and network professionals during 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. performances at the Kirk Theatre, 410 West 42nd Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues.

This latest showcase, the ninth to be held in New York, is spearheaded by Executive Vice President, Casting, Keli Lee; Vice President, Casting, Ayo Davis; Executive Director, Casting, Randi Chugerman; Executive Director, Primetime Casting, Marci Phillips; Manager, Casting, Karen Noble; Showcase Coordinators John Ort and Peachy Pascual; and the New York and Los Angeles casting offices. The event is produced in partnership with AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists), SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and Actors’ Equity.

“Advancing opportunities for culturally and ethnically diverse performers, as well as actors with disabilities, is a top priority at Disney/ABC,” Ms. Lee said. “Once again, on the New York stage, we are proud to introduce industry and network professionals to an outstanding group of diverse rising stars.”

The ten actors were selected from more than 7500 candidates who submitted in New York. Many candidates entered the competition through AFTRA, SAG, Actors’ Equity, the Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts, or theatre companies and other organizations representing New York’s diverse theatrical community.

Featured actors are Catherine Ann Callahan of Long Island, New York; Kenneth Franklin of Woodhaven, Michigan; Jee Young Han of Walnut, California; Junior Mendez of Weston, Florida; Ayesha Ngaujah of Winchester, Virginia; Nosheen Phoenix of London, the United Kingdom; Miguel Pinzon of Weston, Florida; Veronica Reyes of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; Joseph Soeder of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Rob Yang of Chicago, Illinois.

Casting directors, talent agents, managers and other industry and network professionals are invited to attend the series of one-act vignettes to be performed by the 10 actors. Showcase directors are Ted Sluberski and Joe Ward. The showcase is closed to the general public.

The Disney/ABC Television Group’s commitment to discovering and nurturing diverse talent is exemplified through many different programs, including the Casting Project, the Disney ABC Writing Fellowship, Disney ABC Creative Development Program, the Disney ABC/DGA Directing Fellowship, ABC Studios Production Associates Program and The Emma Bowen Minority Internship Program.

D23 Members Invited to Free ‘Secretariat’ Screening at Walt Disney Studios on September 13

D23 members and up to 3 guests each are invited to a free screening of the upcoming Walt Disney Studios epic Secretariat on September 13, 2010 , nearly a month before its official October 8 release. The screening will take place at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California.

The beautiful and emotional film tells the story of housewife and mother Penny Chenery (Diane Lane), who agrees to take over her ailing father’s Virginia-based Meadow Stables, despite her lack of horse-racing knowledge. Against all odds, Chenery — with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich) — manages to navigate the male-dominated business, ultimately fostering the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years and what may be the greatest racehorse of all time.

The film strives for authenticity, and Penny Chenery, now 87, was an important resource during the making of the film. Secretariat is directed by director Randall Wallace, whose directorial credits include We Were Soldiers, and is the Oscar®- and Golden Globe®-nominated screenwriter of Braveheart.

Tickets are free and required and will be available online beginning Tuesday, August 31 at 12 PM PT. For more information and to reserve your tickets when available, click here.

For more information on the film and to see additional stills and the trailer, follow this bookmark.

Disneyland Half Marathon Celebrates Fifth Consecutive Sellout; 2011 Registration Opens January 3

A record field of more than 14,000 registered participants will take to the streets of Disneyland Resort and the city of Anaheim for the fifth anniversary of “The Happiest Race on Earth” – the Disneyland Half Marathon.  In addition to the 13.1-mile half marathon, the weekend features activities for the entire family, including a Health & Fitness Expo, Disneyland Fabulous 5K presented by the Los Angeles Times, and Kids’ Races.

In true Disney fashion, the fifth anniversary of the race weekend will be celebrated in several ways. Athletes who complete the half marathon will be rewarded with a commemorative edition finisher medal featuring Sleeping Beauty Castle circled by a vibrant number “5” and running Mickey Mouse.  Nearly 570 “Legacy Runners” – those who will be running in their fifth Disneyland half marathon – also will receive special recognition throughout the race weekend.

Participants from 16 countries and all 50 U.S. states are set to compete in weekend races. More than 14,000 are registered for the half marathon Sept. 5, and 5,000 are registered in the Family 5K and Kids’ Races, Sept. 4.  Participants and the general public can also visit the Disneyland Health & Fitness Expo at the Disneyland Hotel.  The expo features the latest in official Disneyland Half Marathon merchandise and more than 90 vendors of fitness apparel, footwear, sunglasses, high-tech gadgets and nutritional products.

The Disneyland Half Marathon features a course unlike any other in the world.  Passing through the two Disneyland Resort theme parks – Disneyland and Disney California Adventure – and the streets of Anaheim, participants will experience a race full of inspiration that only Disney can provide, including live entertainers and Disney characters at the start line and along the route. The road race has become popular for its flat loop course and mild climate – ideal for personal best times. Hosted by the Disneyland Resort and the City of Anaheim, it reached registration capacity – for the fifth consecutive year – in late spring.

“We are so proud to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Disneyland Half Marathon,” said Disneyland Resort President George A. Kalogridis.  “This unique event has become a tradition of fun and memories for thousands of athletes and their families.  We share the success of this event with the city of Anaheim.  Since 2006, we have jointly brought more than 80,000 participants from around the world to the Anaheim resort area.”

Throughout the race, runners will pass Disneyland icons such as Sleeping Beauty Castle and the Matterhorn, Anaheim landmarks such as the Anaheim Convention Center and Honda Center, and will see themselves on the jumbo screen running on the field inside Angel Stadium of Anaheim before finally crossing the finish line next to the Disneyland Hotel.

An estimated 2,350 runners are eligible to earn a special medal for the third annual Disney’s Coast to Coast Race Challenge.  To be eligible, runners must have completed the Walt Disney World Marathon or Half Marathon or Disney’s Princess Half Marathon this year at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla., in addition to completing the 2010 Disneyland Half Marathon. The Coast to Coast medal showcases the iconic statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse (known as the Partners Statue).

The next Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend will take place Sept. 2-4, 2011.  Registration is scheduled to open Jan. 3, 2011, for the 2011 Disneyland Half Marathon.

ABC’s ‘The View’ Celebrates 3000th Show with Special Commemorative Cupcake from Crumbs

On August 11, 1997, television viewers were introduced to a new and diverse menu of talk, entertainment and lifestyle programming each weekday, as ABC Daytime launched “The View.” The show, originally billed as “ABC Daytime’s lively and informative new talk show,” has flourished into one of the most popular and most talked-about programs, and celebrates its “3000th Show,” live, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 (11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, ET).

CRUMBS Bake Shop has created the official “3000th Show” signature size cupcake that will be sold at all CRUMBS locations, as well as online (www.crumbs.com), beginning September 23 to coincide with its on-air debut during the “3000th Show.”

Nothing is off limits during this one-hour celebration reflecting upon the show’s inception and featuring a spectacular on-air video retrospective set to include memorable moments, unforgettable guests, show “firsts,” all the past and present co-hosts, “surprise guests” and one big ticket audience giveaway. In the days and weeks leading up this momentous occasion, viewers will be treated to segments going back to 1997 (the year “The View” premiered) for a fun, informative and educational peek at the hottest topics, fashions and trends of that year, as well as unique video packages highlighting the show’s “worst” moments and segments (anyone recall the “Pizza Dance”?), according to show producers and staff, and a moving “In Memoriam” tribute.

“The View” features Daytime Emmy Award-winning hosts Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd. It’s the original forum in which real women discuss everyday issues, share their opinions and engage in colorful conversations. As mothers (and one grandmother) of varying ages and backgrounds, the hosts of “The View” share a common bond: motherhood. Quick to express their thoughts and experiences with parenting, often clashing and sometimes agreeing on their individual approaches to rearing kids in this ever-changing world, they gift their audience with an assortment of their own “Pearls of Parenting Wisdom.”