The Madonnari Masters Street Painting Festival, outside World of Disney at Downtown Disney Marketplace, showcased nearly one hundred talented artists creating temporary paintings on pavement. Considering the heat of this November, this was simply remarkable. Renowned Orlando artist Ron Hawkins chalk drew a 10x12-foot street painting sketch of a bald eagle over the American flag. A nearby children’s chalk art area let kids join the fun.

Outside Once Upon a Toy, the creative new toy store at the Marketplace created by Hasbro and Walt Disney Imagineering, the toy manufacturer sponsored an interactive area where children and families can create mini-masterpieces in Play-Doh and Lite-Brite. Artist and children’s book illustrator Christine Benjamin was on hand creating whimsical works of art from Play-Doh.

Cast and crew from the acclaimed Cirque du Soleil® production La Nouba at the West Side brought the wonder and mystery of the critically acclaimed production out of the Cirque du Soleil Theater at intervals throughout the weekend, with displays of artwork by La Nouba performers and demonstrations of the show’s acrobatic artistry.
  

High school and college jazz ensembles performed daily on the West End and Hub stages at Pleasure Island during the Disney Magic Music Days Jazz Jam. Even renown recording artist Ed Calle joined the teenagers for a session or two!
  

A taste of the unique dining experiences at Downtown Disney was offered at several locations including House of Blues, Bongos Cuban Café, Planet Hollywood, the Levy Brothers’ Portobello Yacht Club & Fulton’s Crab House, Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop, and Rainforest Café.
  

House of Blues hosted an expanded version of its annual “Where the Art Meets the Soul�? Folk Art Festival, a West Side showcase for the unique talents of self-taught artists that is in its fourth year behind the shacks that make up the restaurant and concert hall. This year's event welcomed the acclaimed artist, Purvis Young of Miami, who painted the striking designs outside the House of Blues club at Downtown Disney West Side. Much of the work resonated with thoughts and impressions of an America Post-September 11. The work was unique, thought provoking and deeply inspirational. The popular folk artist Ab the Flagman manipulated scraps of old doors and chairs, antique figurines and other found objects to create three-dimensional American flags
 

The Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop at the Marketplace once again presented a colorful look at the art of chocolate, featuring chocolate-themed works made by middle school and high school students.