Springtime is almost here – and that can only mean one thing…

Epcot’s 22nd Annual International Flower & Garden Festival!

The Village People. How can you resist doing the "Y.M.C.A" in Epcot?

The Village People. How can you resist doing the “Y.M.C.A” in Epcot?

This is one of my favorite times to visit Epcot. I love the beautiful flowers that gracefully adorn the park, the character topiaries that bring ordinary bushes to life, and most of all, I *really* love the concert series. In previous years, it was known as the “Flower Power” concert series and included fabulous acts that were popular in, well, the “Flower Power” days (think early ’60’s & ’70’s). Groovy garden happenings went on every weekend with acts like Paul Revere & the Raiders, Chubby Checker, Davy Jones(before his death in 2012) and Herman’s Hermits. The concerts were a great ending to a fabulous day, something I really enjoyed and looked forward to every year.

I do not consider myself a foodie, which is probably why you do not see a lot of Disney food posted here (if you are a foodie and interested in contributing, let me know!), but I do consider myself a “concert junkie.” I love my music! There are many videos from both concert series on my personal YouTube channel.

As I saw the press release for the concert series, I was excited to see who was returning when, and what new acts were available. I sat down to fill my calendar and prepare that release into a post for you to read, I realized….. they are almost ALL new acts. Ok, deep breath, I can handle that. The usual acts have been around for a while, and change can be good. I have been called a conservative traditionalist when it comes to Disney and change. And then, I realized the biggest change of all….

It’s not the “Flower Power” concert series anymore.

(insert sad face here)

Before you think I am forever old or completely antiquated, I loved that name. It was cute. But then again, I am a girl. So, please, just humor me as I mourn this.

I am excited, though, for the line-up they do have! Not all of the acts were removed from previous years. The Guess Who returns, and Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone will close out the festival this year. Acts from the “Eat to the Beat” concert series during Food & Wine Festival, such as Gin Blossoms, Taylor Dayne and Jon Secada, have been brought to Flower & Garden. This does give me pause to wonder what changes may happen to “Eat to the Beat” this year. If this can be considered a prayer to the Disney powers that be…PLEASE leave Night Ranger in the line up for Fall.

The Orchestra starring former members of ELO  "Garden Rocks" Concert Series

The Orchestra starring former members of ELO

As a self proclaimed junkie, I highly recommend you try to see the following acts: ALL OF THEM. Seriously. These are all great acts that I am looking forward to dancing in the aisles to (or back by the fountain in front of The American Adventure). You just can’t go wrong with great weather, beautiful surroundings and great music! If you are local and not limited on when you can attend, see them all! Don’t forget about the new Discover Disney ticket offer if you need tickets. If you like rock, be sure to see Starship and The Orchestra starring former members of ELO. I even met Parthenon Huxley from ELO – such a nice guy! Total fan girl moment.

Here is the press release with the acts and dates. Who will you be going to see? Share it with me – I love talking about music! Be sure to see last week’s article about the festival and what’s new!


LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Eleven pop bands with hits spanning several decades will play the Garden Rocks Concert Series at the 22nd Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 4-May 17, 2015. The Garden Rocks Concert Series debuts in 2015 to span a broader range of decades and popular artists.

Pablo Cruise and Little River Band will rock Epcot audiences for the first time. Jon Secada, Taylor Dayne and En Vogue, fan favorites who’ve played the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, will make their Flower & Garden Festival debuts. And 1990s chart toppers Gin Blossoms, also new to this spring festival, kick off the concert series March 6-8.

Guests can dance each festival weekend to classic tunes at the park’s America Gardens Theatre. An eclectic mix of festival fan favorites includes the Village People, who debuted at the festival in 2013 and, with a nod to the 1960s, Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone will rock the house May 15-17.

Performances are at America Gardens Theatre at 5:30, 6:45 and 8:00 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival and are included with Epcot admission. Here is this year’s lineup (subject to change without notice):

March 6-8: Gin Blossoms “Hey Jealousy” (New to this festival)

March 13-15: NEW! Pablo Cruise “Love Will Find a Way”

March 20-22: En Vogue “Free Your Mind” (New to this festival)

March 27-29: Starship “We Built This City”

April 3-5: The Orchestra starring former members of ELO “Evil Woman”

April 10-12: Village People “Y.M.C.A.”

April 17-19: Jon Secada “Just Another Day” (New to this festival)

April 24-26: The Guess Who “These Eyes”

May 1-3: Taylor Dayne “Tell It to My Heart” (New to this festival)

May 8-10: NEW! Little River Band “Lady”

May 15-17: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone “I’m Henry the VIII, I Am”

 

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