SANTA CLARITA ANNEXES FIRST THREE MOVIE RANCH PROPERTIES INTO MOVIE RANCH OVERLAY ZONE

The City of Santa Clarita welcomed its first three movie ranch properties into the Movie Ranch Overlay Zone (MOZ), including: Sable Movie Ranch, Rancho Maria and A Rancho Deluxe. Of the 692 acres included in the annexation, 540 acres are dedicated movie ranch properties.

Santa Clarita, Calif. – With the approval of the South Sand Canyon annexation on Tuesday, April 16, 2013, the City of Santa Clarita welcomed its first three movie ranch properties into the Movie Ranch Overlay Zone (MOZ), including: Sable Movie Ranch, Rancho Maria and A Rancho Deluxe.  Of the 692 acres included in the annexation, 540 acres are dedicated movie ranch properties.

The City created the Movie Ranch Overlay Zone as a way to support existing production and film businesses while attracting new production and film companies.  Filming on these properties will benefit from reduced cost permits and expedited permit processing time.

“Filming is one of Santa Clarita’s top industries because it continues to employ thousands of residents and generates millions of dollars for our local businesses,” said Mayor Bob Kellar. “The Movie Ranch Overlay Zone is one more incentive to increase filming within Santa Clarita, thereby increasing the economic benefit to our community.”

Of the cities located in the 30-Mile Zone, Santa Clarita is the first to create this zoning designation.  The MOZ reinforces confidence in the pro-filming emphasis of the City, guaranteeing Santa Clarita’s commitment and stability to the film industry.  It also provides an incentive for film productions to relocate to Santa Clarita and creates additional film-related jobs.

Santa Clarita is one of the most filmed Southern California film communities in the 30-Mile Zone because of its film-friendly practices and policies, as well as its film infrastructure, which includes nearly 10 movie ranches in the area.

The City of Santa Clarita works to balance the needs of film production with those of its residents and businesses.  This includes implementing consistent and fair filming practices, which are the foundation of the City’s filming ordinance and the new Movie Ranch Overlay Zone.  The MOZ was approved by the City Council on November 8, 2011 and officially went into effect on December 8, 2011.

Saddle up for Santa Clarita’s 20th Annual Cowboy Festival

Santa Clarita, Calif. – Dust off those boots and kick up your heels for the 20th Annual Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival, presented by Logix Federal Credit Union, on Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21, 2013 at Melody Ranch ™ Motion Pictures Studio.Recently awarded the “2013 Best Cowboy Music Gathering” by True West Magazine, the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival is the perfect Southern California destination to enjoy live Western music, poetry, entertainment, authentic Cowboy treats like the famous Dutch oven cobbler, activities for all ages, shopping and more.
“Each year the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival attracts more than 10,000 visitors from all over the world. This one-of-a-kind event delivers a weekend full of show-stopping music and poetry, tasty treats, and Western attractions that visitors of all ages will enjoy,” commented Mayor Bob Kellar.crowd.pngMelody Ranch Motion Pictures Studios opens to the public during the Cowboy Festival in Santa Clarita. Photo by John VincentTo celebrate 20 years of Cowboy fun, the Festival has brought back many beloved performers, including: Riders in the Sky, Baxter Black, Hot Club Cowtown, Sons of the San Joaquin, Don Edwards, The Saddle Cats, Ginny Mac and Sourdough Slim. Newcomers Kristyn Harris and The Haunted Windchimes will also appear in the 2013 lineup.

This year’s Festival will also feature a mix of attractions, including: panning for gold and leather working for children, trick ropers, the best in Western designer fashions, and living history exhibits. Additionally, guests will be able to walk the streets of the historic Melody Ranch ™ Motion Picture Studio, which has served as the backdrop for hundreds of films and television shows since 1915, including Quentin Tarantino’s academy award-winning film, Django Unchained.

A one day pass to the Cowboy Festival is $20.00 for adults and $10.00 for children 12 and under. Two day passes are available as well at $30.00 for adults and $15.00 for children. The City also offers a limited number of “Friends of the Festival” packages for $150.00, which includes preferred seating at the Melody Ranch Theater for all shows, VIP shuttle service to and from Melody Ranch™ Motion Picture Studio and all weekend access to the VIP Bunkhouse at the Ranch.

For more information on the 2013 Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival including tickets, events times, and other partnering events, visit CowboyFestival.org or call the Box Office at (661) 250-3735.

A NEW PLACE TO MEET THE DISNEY PRINCESSES! FANTASY FAIRE MAKES REGAL DEBUT AT DISNEYLAND PARK

Enchanted Village Features Royal Hall for Princess Greetings,

Royal Theatre for Interactive Storytelling
’Mickey and the Magical Map’ Live Show Also Opens in 2013;
Sofia the First and Doc McStuffins Join ‘Disney Junior – Live on Stage!’3_13_DL_000702-640x465.jpg
ANAHEIM, Calif. (March 5, 2013) – For many guests at Disneyland Park, the encounter with a Disney Princess and her story is an essential part of any visit. Beginning March 12, 2013, Disney Princesses will await these guests at the new Fantasy Faire, a storybook world that extends Fantasyland and brings its timeless tales to life in fun and surprising ways.Fantasy Faire creates an enchanting, immersive environment for guests who treasure magical fairy tales. Designed in the charming, old world style familiar to lovers of Fantasyland, this regal village fair is located on the west side of the “Hub” or Central Plaza, expanding Fantasyland beyond its current boundaries and into a location (the former Carnation Plaza Gardens) near the forecourt of Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Visitors walk a beautiful pathway leading into the corridors of the Royal Hall, where Princesses await them. Along the way, guests encounter whimsical design touches, including Geppetto’s cat Figaro dozing (and occasionally waking) on a window sill, and “Clopin’s Music Box,” a fascinating, interactive mechanical toy representing the Feast of Fools from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

Guests may also explore a charming village square highlighted by Tangled Tower, a magical sculpture inspired by the story of Rapunzel. After dark, Rapunzel’s hair, twisting around the tower sculpture, comes to life with twinkling lights.

“I hope when guests walk into Fantasy Faire they’ll be amazed by the amount of detail we put into it,” said Michel Den Dulk, Creative Director, Fantasy Faire, Walt Disney Imagineering. “There are really nice details like Clopin and Figaro and the Tangled Tower, and I think our guests will feel that this is a great new location at Disneyland.”

A highlight of the Fantasy Faire experience is the Royal Theatre, where guests will be treated to two different shows: the tales of Rapunzel (“Tangled”) and Belle (“Beauty and the Beast”) as presented by Mr. Smythe and Mr. Jones, a pair of vaudeville-style Renaissance storytellers. The princess heroine, Rapunzel or Belle, joins in the fun and remains with the audience to greet guests following the conclusion of the story.

Fairytale Treasures, a shop found inside Fantasy Faire, offers all kinds of Princess dresses, accessories and gifts. For guest refreshment, Maurice, Belle’s inventor father, has transformed an old gypsy wagon into a colorful food cart, Maurice’s Treats, serving bread twists – cheddar cheese garlic and strawberry almond cream flavors – along with a signature beverage, the Boysen Apple Freeze.

The addition of Fantasy Faire is one of the highlights of the guest experience for Spring-Summer 2013 at the Disneyland Resort. Also coming to Disneyland in time for summer is “Mickey and the Magical Map,” a new, live show presented in the Fantasyland Theatre. And at Disney California Adventure Park, new characters Sofia the First and Doc McStuffins join the show “Disney Junior – Live on Stage!” beginning March 22.

New ‘Mickey and the Magical Map’
“Mickey and the Magical Map” presents Mickey Mouse in his timeless role as the sorcerer’s apprentice. Sorcerer Yen Sid sets his Mapmakers to work and this ensemble cast of male and female performers paints a wondrous map – capable of taking dreamers to any place imaginable and so large it spans the entire stage of Fantasyland Theatre.

Apprentice Mickey lets his curiosity get the better of him and stumbles upon the map’s magical powers. Mickey’s youthful mischief takes him, along with the audience, on a fantastic journey of imagination in the company of the Mapmakers, who help bring his adventures to life.

The journey, presented through amazing theatrical wizardry, colorful visuals and wonderful music, includes encounters with such classic Disney characters as Pocahontas, Mulan, King Louie from “The Jungle Book,” Tiana from “The Princess and the Frog” and others. “Mickey and the Magical Map” is designed for Disneyland guests of all ages and represents Disney storytelling at its most thrilling.

Sofia the First and Doc McStuffins Join ‘Disney Junior – Live on Stage!’
Fans of the Disney Junior television hits “Sofia the First” and “Doc McStuffins” will enjoy interacting with these characters at “Disney Junior – Live on Stage!” They join the gang from “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” and “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” in a show that invites preschoolers to sing, dance and play with enchanting puppets, fanciful scenery and lively music.

Sofia the First, Disney’s first little girl princess, and other characters in the show share ideas with guests, encouraging them to become part of the stories. Sofia is known for showing every little princess-in-training how to sparkle – inside and out. Doc McStuffins cares for and nurtures toys in need. When the Doc is in, she really knows her stuff, consulting her Big Book of Boo Boos to help diagnose and mend her toy friends.

“Disney Junior – Live on Stage!” is presented several times a day at Disney California Adventure Park.

Fantasy Faire, “Mickey and the Magical Map” and the new stories at “Disney Junior – Live on Stage!” add to the excitement at the Disneyland Resort, a world-class, family vacation destination where guests continue to enjoy Cars Land and Buena Vista Street at the newly expanded Disney California Adventure.

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About the Disneyland Resort
The Disneyland Resort features two spectacular theme parks – Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and Disney California Adventure Park – plus three hotels and the Downtown Disney District, comprised of unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences. The Resort’s hotels are the luxurious, 948-room Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, which also features 50 two-bedroom equivalent DVC units; the magical, newly renovated, 969-room Disneyland Hotel – both AAA Four Diamond properties – and the 481-room Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel with its “day-at-the-beach” fun. For information on attractions and vacations at Disneyland Resort, visitwww.disneyland.com, call (866) 43-DISNEY or contact local travel agents.