Deb's Digest

As you walk down Main Street U.S.A. you may be drawn to smells of popcorn and hot dogs coming from Casey's Corner. Many find Casey's a great place for a tasty "snack". But as you round the corner a delightful surprise is waiting for you - Jim the Ragtime Pianist!

Jim has been tickling the ivories since the 1970s. He'll entertain you with a wide variety of Disney tunes, as well as some corny jokes and banter if you engage him.

Jim is one of the "hidden treasures" of the Magic Kingdom.

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Grab a coke, hot dog or popcorn, take a seat and enjoy!

Joyful! returns to Epcot for the 2010 Holiday Season.

This blog is from a 2009 performance!

New to Epcot's Holidays Around the World in 2009 is D'Vine Voices who perform four times daily on the Future World Fountain Stage. D’Vine Voices is comprised of 16 artists and musicians (12 vocalists, 4 musicians - drums, bass, 2 keyboard). Some are native Central Floridians; others are transplants from across the USA and the world. Today, they all call Central Florida home. Not all members performed together before, but they came together as D'vine Voices for this engagement.

Do not miss this energetic inspirational group! They are sure to have you clapping, humming and dancing as their performance unfolds.

The versatile ensemble, led by DaVonda Simmons, was inspired by choir rehearsals at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Eatonville. They combine the sounds of Jazz, R&B and urban music into holiday song!

Each 25 minute show is a bit different and their repertoire includes arrangements of standards such as “Hark! The Herald Angels”, “Silent Night”, and “Go Tell It on the Mountain”, contemporary holiday gospel songs such as "Joyful, Joyful" and "Season of Joy", and secular holiday favorites such as "This Christmas" and "That's What Christmas Means to Me".

Some of these talented singers may look familiar to you as they have performed in Central Florida and at Walt Disney World in the past:

DaVonda Simmons (Founder/Director) – Ms. Simmons has been seen in Orlando at Downtown Disney’s Pleasure Island Jazz Company, Sea World, The Blue Zoo, City Jazz at Universal Studios, and the Blue Martini in Tampa, Florida.

Meka King – Meka has also performed at several Central Florida Theme Parks: Walt Disney World (Lion King), Universal Studios Florida (Blues Brothers), Sea World (Miracles) and Cirque Du Soleil (La Nouba).

Van Dobbins III has performed as “Nakawa” in Disney’s Festival of the Lion at Disney World.

Robert Wawoe is also employed by the Walt Disney Company as cast member, and has performed with American VYBE, Tarzan Rocks, Tomorrowland Countdown, Mainstreet Philharmonic and Epcot’s Mo’Rockin.

Each country in World Showcase has its own themed entertainment and the American Adventure is one of my favorites.

The Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps usually plays outside the American Adventure pavillion Tuesdays - Saturdays. Be sure to check the Epcot times guide for exact days and times.

The show is about 15 minutes and features the colonial sounds of flutes and drums. Two of the songs you may hear them play are "God Bless America" and "Yankee Doodle Dandy".

The Fife and Drum Corps marches in from the left of the American Adventure pavilion (Liberty Inn side).

They position themselves between the American Gardens Theatre and the American Pavillion for the show.

There are 2 drummers, 2 flutists and the 5th member of the unit is the flag bearer.

Based on the information I found, the Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corp opened with Epcot Center and the American Adventure.

Video is taken with Flip Mino HD Camcorder! It is small, lightweight and easy to use.

The JAMMItors have been playing Epcot's Future World well, as long as I can remember. At least since the 1990s!

On a recent trip, I got to enjoy their special brand of music for the entire set. Here are some photographs followed by a (beta test) video of one of their songs. Enjoy

See my October 2008 blog of the JAMMin' Chefs

According to DisneyWorld.com: "Feel the beat of the JAMMitors, the percussion-playing clean-up crew that really cleans up! Using regular trashcans, dustpans, hardhats, flyswatters and more, this trio of custodians are actually percussionists who bang, clap, clip and clomp to your heart's delight. The JAMMitors show runs approximately 8 minutes and, in addition to percussion, features syncronized choreography that adds to the jammin' good time. "

What can you share about when the JAMMitors started playing in Epcot?

As I meandered around Future World during my recent trip, I heard a commotion and turned around to see what it was. My initial thoughts were that it must be the JAMMitors!

They've been entertaining guests in Epcot for many years. Hmm. I 'm not sure when they began in Epcot. Does anyone know?

Here's an early photo of them that I still have on the website on the Epcot Entertainment Page:

But, I digress. So as I turned around, it wasn't the JAMMitors, but it must have been relatives of theirs known as the JAMMin Chefs (I think that's the right title). They were making special appearances during Epcot's Food and Wine Festival.

They were having a grand time making music on a variety of pots, pans, and boxes. They also entertained the crowd with a variety of "corny" jokes. All in all good fun and just another one of Epcot's great Live Entertainment acts!!!

The JAMMitors have their own page on the Walt Disney World website.