Fantasia/2000 New Year's Eve Gala

Fantasia/2000 New Year's Eve Gala

Disney to Ring in the New Millennium With Magical Fantasia/2000 Black-Tie Gala at Pasadena Civic Auditorium

The Event
The stage is set for one of the most memorable New Year's Eve celebrations of the century as final preparations are being made for the Fantasia/2000 Gala at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and Exhibition Hall, it was announced today, December 8th, by Roy Edward Disney, vice chairman of The Walt Disney Company and head of Walt Disney Feature Animation, and Richard Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group.

Highlighting the evening will be the unveiling of Disney's magnificent new animated feature Fantasia/2000, which will be accompanied live by the 120-piece Philharmonia Orchestra of London under the direction of conductor Derrick Inouye.

The evening also includes live entertainment by legendary band Chicago and the swing sensation, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. An elaborate Disney-produced countdown to the millennium will cap off the gala evening and usher in the new century.

The 2000-guest black-tie affair begins with an Epicurean feast specially created and prepared by the celebrated chef Joachim Splichal and Patina Catering. Following dinner, gala festivities will kick off with a special screening of Fantasia/2000 with live orchestral accompaniment in the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.

After the film, the party shifts into high gear with dancing and music, featuring live performances by Chicago and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. The evening will conclude with a spectacular midnight countdown complete with pyrotechnics and confetti to ring in the New Year.

Tickets still available
For additional information about the event or to make reservations, call (818) 238-1095. Tickets for the event are $2000 each. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit the California Institute of the Arts.

An Once-In-A-Millennium Event
Commenting on the announcement, Roy Edward Disney said: `Fantasia/2000 is the culmination of all the hard work and devotion that's gone into bringing Walt's fondest wish into reality. What better way to recognize the vision of one man who began building on a dream in the 20th century than by sharing the magic with everyone as we enter the new millennium. This is truly the celebration of a lifetime."

Cook added: ``No other work of art has captured the imaginations of so many the world over. We're pulling out all the stops to make this a once-in-a-millennium event. Seeing and hearing Fantasia/2000 with live orchestral accompaniment is exciting enough and when you add in all these other entertainment elements, you have the makings of a truly spectacular evening. This is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and entertaining millennium parties anywhere and an event that movie and music lovers won't want to miss.'"

General Release
Fantasia will be released to general public on January 1, 1999. It will be shown at IMAX theaters around the world including one built special for it by Disney in Los Angeles. The film is expected to be released to non-IMAX theaters later in 2000.

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-- Posted December 9, 1999