MouseVent Celebrates Disney Magic For a Second Year
MouseVent, an unofficial fan-run audio advent calendar, kicks of 24 days of Christmas magic December 1st, 2011.
MouseVent, an audio Advent calendar, will begin it’s second year of spreading holiday greetings from the Disney fan community for 24 days beginning December 1, 2011. The project is created for the Disney fan community, by the Disney fan community to spread Christmas cheer.
Organizer Alan Hooper wanted to bring the Disney community worldwide for a type of Christmas party. “At a time of festivities I often wondered if it would be possible to bring a wide range of podcasters, musicians and authors together into one place. Individually everyone does a great job in their own field, but it is in only a few small circles that the podcasters join together or help each other out. I set out to create a project that brought established / professional Disney podcasters to the same table as novice brand new ones,” says Hooper. “Last year we saw podcasters rip up their format to create a theatrical production to be different. And Disney employed musician create submissions direct for the MouseVent Project. MouseVent isn’t a commercial venture, everyone that takes part in it receives no financial gain or do I. Again this was to create an even playing field for everyone. Everyone who takes part donates their time and effort and in return receives an acknowledgement in the project. This is another aspect of the project that pushed me along, to find where the Disney Fan community linked together.”
MouseVent a project is created from audio by 24 contributors compiled and published by Alan Hooper. Hooper has worked on developing Disney related fan sites for over a decade. Disney-Links.com, Hiddendlrp.com and HiddenWDW.com are just some of his projects. Hooper’s connection with podcasting came 2 years ago when at a Disney Fan convention in the UK. Hooper says, “I got talking with a couple of fellow Disney fans that did a podcast. After a few hours of chatting we decided to give it a go. Together Chris, Steve and myself host Your MouseCast, a Disney Podcast from a British view point. Then October 27th, 2011 came and I had this idea for an audio advent calendar. Luckily last year was a success and everyone joined in.”
The Calendar is available online at www.mousevent.com. Each day, starting December 1st, will display information and details about each days contributor. Disney aficionados can also subscribe via iTunes by searching for ‘MouseVent2011’. If you device doesn’t sync with iTunes you can also subscribe via our RSS feed at http://mousevent2011.podbean.com/feed/ and via Stitcher Smart Radio (Stitcher streams audio to mobile devices) check out their app.
JASON SEGEL (Gary/Written By/Executive Producer) first gained wide attention for his role as Jason in Judd Apatow’s hit comedy “Knocked Up.” He subsequently wrote the screenplay for, and starred as Peter, in director Nicholas Stoller’s “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” He also served as co-producer and received a writing credit on that film’s sequel “Get Him to the Greek.”
Segel’s other feature film acting credits include “Bad Teacher,” “Gulliver’s Travels” and “I Love You, Man.” In addition, he provided the voice for Vector in the animated hit “Despicable Me.”
He will soon be seen in “Jeff Who Lives at Home,” as well as “The Five-Year Engagement” (for which he and Nicholas Stoller also wrote the screenplay), opposite Emily Blunt.
On television, Segel currently stars as Marshall, opposite Alyson Hannigan, Josh Radnor and Neil Patrick Harris, on the hit CBS comedy series “How I Met Your Mother.” He had a recurring role as Eric on the FOX series “Undeclared,” produced by Judd Apatow. He also portrayed Nick Andopolis, a lanky, fun-loving freak dreaming of stardom as a rock-and-roll drummer on Apatow’s Emmy® Award-nominated NBC series “Freaks and Geeks.”
Segel was born and raised in Los Angeles, where he continues to reside.
A CONVERSATION WITH JASON SEGEL…
Why did you want to help bring the Muppets back to the big screen?
It started when I was a kid—the Muppets were my first comic influence and I was in love with puppetry. I just thought it was an amazing art form. “We ended ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ with a lavish puppet musical and The Jim Henson Company designed the puppets. Something started growing in my belly and Nick and I came up with this idea and pitched it to Disney. Disney liked the idea so we wrote the script.
Our whole goal was to make sure that if we were going to do a new Muppet movie that it live up to the expectations of how everyone feels about the Muppets. Whenever I tell anyone, the response is always two-fold: “Oh my God, that’s awesome.” And then, “You better not mess it up.”
Describe your character, Gary.
Gary is from Smalltown, USA. He’s very naïve, sweet and innocent, and he’s very much in love with his girlfriend Mary. He’s torn between his brother and growing into a new phase of maturation where it’s time to be with his girlfriend. He’s lived with his brother forever so that is his big struggle.
What is Disney’s “The Muppets” about?
The movie starts out with me and my brother Walter, whose wildest fantasy is to meet the Muppets. My goal is to take a vacation to L.A. with my girlfriend Mary. So we all come to L.A. and while taking a tour of Muppet Studios, which are now decrepit, we find out that they’re going to be torn down to drill for oil. So we have to find Kermit, reunite the Muppets— who are now disbanded because of professional rivalries—and put on a show to raise enough money to save the studio.
Can you share more about Walter?
Walter the character—it’s funny, that’s his actual name as well—weird coincidence—Walter is naive, sweet, innocent, wide-eyed, he’s very much like Kermit before Kermit became famous. But he just wants to belong. He’s looking for a family, really. The Muppets are the only people he’s ever seen who were like him, so his quest is to become one of the Muppets.
Describe some of the other characters in Disney’s “The Muppets.”
Mary is a bit of a tomboy—she teaches shop and fixes cars. But her big dream is to marry Gary—me—which, you know, who doesn’t have that dream? Amy Adams is super sweet and super innocent and with credits like “Enchanted,” she was just perfect for this role. She just really gets the joke and she’s willing to play. We really lucked out.
Kermit’s the every man. He’s like Atticus Finch. He just wants to be an upright citizen and be kind. It’s all about laughter and love and doing what’s right.
Fozzie is a lot like me. Fozzie has never said a bad thing about anyone and his jokes aren’t that good, but he’s going to keep on trying.
Gonzo’s a wild card. He’s the loose cannon of the group, but like all of the Muppets, he’s incredibly nice.
Miss Piggy is the ultimate diva.
Animal is the part of all of us that is unhinged. Animal is like our Id. He’s like Caliban from “The Tempest.”
Rowlf’s really cool, sweet and mellow. The entire Electric Mayhem band is like New Orleans: they’ve got a little Cajun to all of them, they’re super nice and a little funky.
How did you feel about singing and dancing with the Muppets?
In the finale of the movie, there are 200 extras, 100 dancers and 50 Muppets. It was very surreal and it happened to take place on my birthday. I walked out from my trailer thinking I was coming to film and everyone sang “Happy Birthday,” including the Muppets. I kept thinking, “I’ve tricked everyone. Somehow I’ve made this weird childhood dream come true.” It was the craziest thing ever.
What makes the Muppets so special in your eyes?
Modern comedy makes jokes at other people’s expense. The Muppets never make fun of anybody. They’re all about being good and nice and trying to make the world a better place. It’s easy to get a laugh out of making fun of somebody, but the Muppets never relied on that.
ABOUT THE MOVIE
On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, the world’s biggest Muppet fan, his brother Gary (Jason Segel) and Gary’s girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams) from Smalltown, USA, discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze Muppet Studios and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets’ former stomping grounds. To stage a telethon and raise the $10 million needed to save the studio, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit reunite the Muppets, who have all gone their separate ways: Fozzie now performs with a Reno casino tribute band called the Moopets, Miss Piggy is a plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, Animal is in a Santa Barbara clinic for anger management, and Gonzo is a high-powered plumbing magnate. With a screenplay written by Jason Segel & Nicholas Stoller, the film is directed by James Bobin. Featuring signature celebrity cameos, Disney’s “The Muppets” hits the big screen Nov. 23, 2011. The film is rated PG by the MPAA.
Don’t forget to check out MUPPET MONTH on Sorcerer Radio as well as upcoming reviews from The Muppets coming soon!
Last Saturday, Disney VoluntEARS celebrated National Family Volunteer Day by helping assemble 26,341 food boxes at the Orange County Food Bank for local seniors in need this holiday season.
That is 421 tons of food – a record for both the amount of food and the most food boxes assembled at the Orange County Food Bank in one day!
Created six years ago in partnership with the Disneyland Resort, the event has grown into one of the largest National Family Volunteer Day events in the country, inspiring employees from companies across Orange County to volunteer with their families.
More than 1,200 volunteers participated this year, including Disneyland Resort cast member Mary Cobb and her family, who are hard at work in this photo!
Source Disney Parks Blog
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Walt Disney World pastry chefs use a classic gingerbread recipe from Austria to create their gingerbread delights. The GF Gingerbread House is so large, you can purchase the Bake Shop’s mini gingerbread houses, ornaments and cookies from the merchandise shop set up right inside the house. This snack-filled gift shop usually operates from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. from mid-November through December 31st.
Picture this…the GF Gingerbread House is whipped up every year from scratch using 800 pounds of flour, 600 pounds of powdered sugar, 1,050 pounds of honey, and 180 pounds of apricot glaze. It takes about 400 hours to bake everything, and by everything, I mean the upwards of 10,000 pieces it takes to complete the mouth-watering 16-foot-tall piece of culinary architecture.
Want to learn some neat tips for creating your own holiday gingerbread masterpiece? Grand Floridian Gingerbread House decorating demos are held Monday through Saturday right out in front of the victorian Gingerbread House. You’ll need to bring your Disney Rewards Visa, because with all these sweet-treat options, you probably won’t walk away empty handed. You’ll want to bring your camera as well.
Thanks for stopping by for a photographical Disney ride!
Do you have any fabulous Disney vacation pictures you’d like to share? Drop by and share your photos on facebook at Mouze Kateerz. Take a virtual Disney vacation twice a day in photographs. Or shoot me an email of your favorite Disney location at [email protected]
Ultra Sabers biggest sale of the year has begun! Tons of sabers on sale & lots of options on sale. Lots of customers were asking for our sound option to go on sale, well, you asked and we listened! This is the first and only time Obsidian installs will go on sale this year, so don’t miss out. Check out the prices on AV switch installs as well. Now is definitely the time to equip yourself with a decked out Ultra Saber! Sale ends November 27.
They people at Ultra Sabers make some incredible sabers, perfect for display, costuming or martial art demos! Use this LINK and please let them know that Jedi Mouseketeer sent you!
With the holidays officially upon us, the world will be asking the same question – how are Will and Kate going to spend their first royal Christmas? Families can get a peek at a princess’ royal Christmas celebrations with Disney Publishing’s newest app – Disney Princess: A Royal Christmas!
Featuring rich, original artwork and an innovative, easy-to-read design, kids and parents will explore how three Disney Princesses each celebrate Christmas in their own special way, from beachside gatherings to New Orleans feasts. Cinderella throws a festive party, but there’s a very merry mix-up when her Fairy Godmother adds a touch of magic to the event. Ariel surprises her family and friends with a Christmas-morning treasure hunt. And Tiana hosts a yuletide celebration and meets a jolly, unexpected visitor.
Disney Princess: A Royal Christmas features include:
Three original Disney Princess stories: “A Very Merry Mix-up,” “The Holiday Treasure Hunt,” and “A Magical Holiday Feast”
Beautiful full-color artwork and tap-and-play animation
Two reading modes—Follow Along and Read and Explore
New interactive reading format that allows children to read and explore seamlessly
Professional narration and original Disney Princess music and sound effects
Feature activity includes an app-wide ornament hunt and a tree decorating celebration!
P.S. For the Thanksgiving holiday (through Mon. 11/28), save $2.00 off of ALL of Disney’s popular Storybook Deluxe apps – that’s up to 50% off!: http://www.disneybookapps.com/thanksgiving-app-sale.html
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Gazillion Entertainment, the group behind the Marvel Super Hero Squad Online, announced today that they would be releasing new prepaid game cards in retailers nationwide. The cards can be used to redeem gold and other awards throughout the game. As a special bonus, they’re Black Friday deal that coincides with the release will give any user with the cards with 50% more gold when redeemed, as well as a “Unleashed” booster pack that will give you new cards to use throughout the game. This is a great deal for families whose children love playing this online game series. Game cards can be bought at Target, Best Buy, and Safeway stores nationwide.
The next time you stop by the Contemporary Resort to grab a Black Forest Cupcake from the Contempo Cafe, walk straight out the back doors and head down the stairs. This fabulous Mickey Mouse topiary is located just behind the Contemporary Resort, a great work of Disney art you just might normally overlook.
Topiary gardening, where living plants are fashioned into decorative forms, has been practiced for centuries. Throughout Walt Disney World, topiary can be found in shapes ranging from trees pruned in geometric designs to the classic Disney characters.
Picture this…in Walt Disney World, there are 1,700 species of plants, representing flora from the United States and 50 countries around the world.
If you are a fan of Disney landscaping and the ancient art of topiary gardening, this spring you should head over to The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. This is a special event filled with Disney character topiaries, a colorful array of flowers, gardens, live music and special presentations. The next festival will be held from March 7 to May 20, 2012. You’ll definitely want to bring your camera.
Thanks for stopping by for a photographical Disney ride!
Do you have any fabulous Disney vacation pictures you’d like to share? Drop by and share your photos on facebook at Mouze Kateerz. Take a virtual Disney vacation twice a day in photographs. Or shoot me an email of your favorite Disney location at [email protected]
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Food, family and friendship are some of the themes explored in the critically-acclaimed film THE HELP arriving on Blu-ray and DVD on 12/6/11.
Give thanks with these delicious Southern-style holiday recipes from THE HELP’s food stylist Lee Ann Fleming in celebration of the upcoming release!
THE HELP BLU-RAY & DVD – SOUTHERN STYLE HOLIDAY RECIPES* All recipes were created by THE HELP food stylist Lee Ann Fleming.
SPINACH-STUFFED SQUASH
4 yellow crookneck squash
Melted butter
Salt and pepper
Grated Parmesan cheese
Spinach stuffing:
½ cup chopped onion
½ cup butter
2 (10 oz.) packages frozen chopped spinach, cooked and drained
1 tsp. salt
1 cup sour cream
2 tsp. red wine vinegar
Bread crumbs
Cook whole squash in boiling, salted water for about 10 minutes until tender. Very carefully cut into halves and scoop out the seeds. Sprinkle each shell with butter, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese.
Spinach Stuffing: Sauté onions in butter until tender. Add spinach, salt, sour cream, and vinegar and blend well. Stuff each squash shell with spinach mixture. Sprinkle each with Additional Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. Dot with butter. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until thoroughly heated to serve.
SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE
3 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes
1 cup sugar
cup melted butter
2 eggs beaten
1 Tbsp. vanilla
½ cup raisins (optional)
Mix well and pour into a butter casserole
Topping:
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup melted butter
Mix topping with fork and sprinkle crumbs on top of casserole 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
CHEESECAKE PECAN PIE
1 (15 oz.) pkg. refrigerated
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
4 large eggs, divided
¾ cup sugar, divided
2 tsp. vanilla, divided
¼ tsp. salt
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup light corn syrup
Unfold and stack 2 piecrust; together gently roll or press together and fit into a 9 inch pie plate according to directions; fold edges under and crimp. Beat cream cheese, 1 egg, ∏ cup sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla and salt at medium see with a mixer until smooth. Pour into piecrust – Sprinkle with pecans. Stir together corn syrup, 3 eggs, remaining π cup sugar, and remaining 1 tsp. vanilla and put mixture over pecans. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes until set.
MAMAW’S HOMEMADE ROLLS
1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 cup boiling water
2 eggs
2 pkg. dry yeast
1 cup dry yeast
1 cup lukewarm water
6 cups sifted flour
Soak yeast in the lukewarm water. Pour boiling water over the shortening, sugar, and slat. Allow this mixture to cool to lukewarm. Add yeast to this mixture. Then add eggs and flour. Stir and mix well. Cover and store in the refrigerator overnight (or at least 3-4 hours). The mixture will keep a week in the refrigerator. Remove the portion you wish to use and knead on a floured board. Roll thin and cut with a biscuit cutter. Dip half in melted butter and fold over for pocket rolls. Place in a greased pan and allow to rise 2-3 hours. Bake at 425 degrees for 12-15 minutes. This recipe can easily be cut in half.
MRS. WALTERS’ FRUIT SALAD
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
1 can pineapple chunks, drained
1 can flaked coconut
1 small jar red maraschino cherries, drained
1 (8 oz.) carton sour cream
Mix and refrigerate.
*Save the drained juice from oranges and pineapples.
Add to orange juice to enhance your morning beverage.
THE HELP BLU-RAY & DVD Film Clip – “Put Mama in a Chair”
Minnie (Octavia Spencer) and Aibileen (Viola Davis) joke together about their employers in the privacy of the kitchen.
THE HELP is available on Blu-ray and DVD on December 6, 2011.
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Where is it? Le Cellier,Canada in Epcot at Disneyworld.
What is it?Le Cellier Mushroom Filet Mignon served with Wild Mushroom Risotto and finished with a White Truffle Butter Sauce.
Why you want it? Tender mouth watering steak and creamy risotto, what more could you ask for?
Thanks to Jamie B. for sharing this picture with us!
If you have a Disney Food Confession email [email protected] or let us know in the comment section below. He is accepting Food ideas or Photos if you have them!
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Not only is it “The Happiest Place on Earth,” it’s also arguably one of the most photographed places in the history of the world. Some people save for years to vacation in sunny Orlando. Those that haven’t been speak in terms of when they’ll go, holding out hope that one day they’ll stand at the doors of the Magic Kingdom. Giddy vacationers who do make it to “The Mouse House” can’t wait to share their memories with friends and family. When you leave, you long to return. When you return, you long to stay, if for just a wee bit longer.
How do you hold on to The Magic? How do you re-live that stir in your heart from miles and miles away? How do you re-feel that spark of vacation electricity when months or years have passed?
Photographs.
Eudora Welty said, “A good snapshot stops the moment from running away.” Each week on Chip & Co., I’m going to bring you photographs from all over The Happiest Place on Earth. My quest is to stop the moment and capture The Magic. There’s a camera slung over my shoulder held up by a Mickey Mouse camera strap. Come along with me on a pictorial journey through Walt Disney World, from the most popular attractions and gift shops, sampling the most delicious snacks, stopping occasionally by the quietest, most out-of-the-way Disney locations off the beaten Main Street path.
There I am with a camera. Come take a photographical ride with me, relive the memories, remember The Magic…
If you have a Disney Food Confession email [email protected] or let us know in the comment section below. He is accepting Food ideas or Photos if you have them!
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