The Art of Disney Exhibit Opening in New Orleans

Just in time for Walt Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, a new exhibit will be opening in New Orleans, displaying original art from the Walt Disney Studio.  The New Orleans Museum of Art will display images from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and the highly anticipated, The Princess and the Frog.  According to the Dailycomet.com, the “Disney exhibit, called “Dreams Come True: Art of the Classic Fairy Tales from the Walt Disney Studio,” will remain at NOMA through March 14. In all, the exhibit includes more than 600 original artworks that brought legendary fairy tales to the screen.”

Site Update

Apologies to all for the lack of updates.  I’m working hard to graduate and obviously that takes precedence over this blog.  However, I’ll be updating when I can and appreciate your patience. 

On another, more site friendly note: has everyone noticed all the Princess and the Frog merchandise that’s become available lately?  I am so excited for the new film!

Archenemy: The Looking Glass War’s Conclusion

Back in 2006, I was strolling the aisles at Books-A-Million.  Always in search for a new read, my eyes caught sight of Frank Beddor’s The Looking Glass Wars.  Beddor’’s novel was the first in a trilogy, set to retell Lewis Carrol’s Alice in Wonderland.  I was enchanted and loved the way Beddor incorporated Lewis Carroll, his characters and concepts into a fantastic retelling.  Beloved characters moprhed, developing brand new identities:  Alice is Alyss, Princess of Wonderland who works on developing her most important power: the use of her Imagination.  The Mad Hatter is now Hatter Madigan, the personal bodyguard to the Queen of Hearts, Alyss’ mother.  The White Rabbit is Bibwit Harte, Alyss’ albino tutor and the Red Queen is Alyss’ devious aunt, Redd.  The book was exciting, imaginative and a true adventure.  Any lover of retellings would enjoy the novel and be happy to know the conclusion of the trilogy has finally arrived.  Much like that trip in 2006, I found myself in a Barnes and Noble a few days ago and found Archenemy front and center in the “Featured” section. 

I haven’t had a chance to read the book just yet, what with graduation approaching, but I did find a blurb on The Looking Glass Wars website.

“The war for Wonderland has become a war for Imagination!  King Arch has declared himself King of Wonderland as Alyss searches wildly for the solution to the metaphysical disaster that has engulfed her Queendom. The power of Imagination has been lost!  Alyss’s search for answers takes her to London where Arch’s assassins threaten Alice Liddell and her family. But after coming to her adopted family’s assistance, Alyss discovers herself trapped in a conundrum of evaporating puddles. The shimmering portals that exist to transport her home through the Pool of Tears are disappearing! What is happening in Wonderland? Deep within the Valley of Mushrooms the Caterpillar Oracles issue this prophecy: “Action shall be taken to ensure the safety of the Heart Crystal. For Everqueen.” But who is Everqueen?

As the metamorphosis of Wonderland unfolds, enemies become allies, bitter rivals face-off, and Queen Alyss and Redd Heart must confront their pasts in this thrilling, no-holds-barred conclusion to the New York Times best-selling series. Minus the power of Imagination it’s all about the artillery with King Arch, Redd Heart and Queen Alyss’s armies battling for control of Wonderland using AD52’s, crystal shooters, spikejack tumblers and orb cannons. Imagine that!”

I have high hopes for this novel, especially if it’s as good as the last two (The Looking Glass Wars, Seeing Redd).  If you’re a fan of retellings, Alice in Wonderland or just an amazing tale, go check our Frank Beddor’s newest title, Archenemy.

Words of Wisdom…by Jack Zipes

“Myths and fairy tales seem to know something that we do not know.  They also appear to hold our attention, to keep us in their sway, to enchant our lives.  We keep returning to them for answers. We use them in diverse ways as private sacred myths or as public commercial advertisements to sell something.

Over the centuries we have transformed the ancient myths and folk tales and made them into the fabric of our lives.  Consciously and unconsciously we weave the narratives of myth and folklore into our daily existence.”

-Jack Zipes

Words of Wisdom…by Bruno Bettelheim

I love quotes.  In fact, I happen to be an avid collector.  So, every now and again, I plan on dropping a fairy tale oriented  quote for your enjoyment and my own.  Enjoy!

“Each fairy tale is a magic mirror which reflects some aspects of our inner world, and of the steps required by our evolution from immaturity to maturity.  For those who immerse themselves in what the fairy tale has to communicate, it becomes a deep, quiet pool which at first seems to reflect our own image; but behind it we soon discover the inner turmoils of our soul – its depth, and ways to gain peace within ourselves and with the world, which is the reward of our struggles.”  -Bruno Bettelheim, The Uses of Enchantment

New dark and feminist fairy tale reads

 In the new novella collection, Never After, Laurell K. Hamilton, Marjorie M. Liu, Yasmine Galenorn, and Sharon Shinn pen their own “feminist” fairy tale.  I’ve read Ms. Hamilton before and while I’m not impressed with her writing skill, I have found in her short story collections like Cravings, Bite and Strange Candy much more enjoyable than her Anita Blake series.  According to reviewer Elena Nola, Hamilton’s tale “Can He Bake a Cherry Pie” doesn’t disappoint and follows the fairy-tale formula.  Three other tales are included and Nola said:

“Overall this was a strong collection.  None of the stories were bad, and none of them were at such a startling disjunct from the others that they cannot be compared.  I think that the determinations of stronger/weaker stories would vary for each reader based on his/her preferences in terms of setting, style, and character types.  If you are a fan of any of these authors, I would recommend picking this volume up.  The stories might not be exactly what you’re used to from any of them, but they are certainly enjoyable—and you may just find yourself discovering a new favorite writer.  I would also recommend this collection to anyone looking for a set of sweet love stories who doesn’t mind a fairy-tale level of fantasy and who doesn’t need a high level of eroticism or a dashing hero to save the day.  These girls know how to save themselves (and sometimes their men), and watching them do so makes for a delightful afternoon in another world.”

Another book to keep a look for is  There Once Lived a Woman Who Tried to Kill Her Neighbor’s Baby: Scary Fairy Tales.  The book contains 19 short stories by the Russian author, Ludmilla Petrushevskaya.  According to Kim Hedges of the Star Tribune, are tales are dark “even by Russian standards.”  For those who’ve had to sit through a semester of Russian lit in the snowy winter, I can tell you ”dreary” is the word that comes to mind.   However, if you can handle or thrive upon this type of lit, There Once Lived is the book for you.  Hedges said:

“Despite all this, the experience of reading “There Once Lived” is actually, somehow, not all that depressing. Petrushevskaya’s casual manner of storytelling has a way of making the eerie and impossible seem plausible. Just as some people tell stories as though regular, straightforward life on Earth is the norm, Petrushevskaya tells stories as though nothing but a kind of shady, dreamlike area between life and death is the norm — a norm that makes lines like the declaration of the narrator at the very end of “The Fountain House” especially striking: “It was in a dream, though, that it happened, and dreams don’t count.”‘

Fairy tale fashions to premiere at Dubai Fashion Week

Fairy tale lovers and fashionistas will be thrilled to hear the Emirati label Kanzi will premiere their new collection Monday evening at Dubai Fashion Week.  The collections should conjure up a healthy dose of “once upon a time” and “happily ever after” thoughts with bright colors, beautiful fabrics and an eye for detail.  Emirates Business article said: 

“A line of abayas, jalabiyas and evening wear, the collection was designed with immaculate tailoring, whimsical shapes, stunning beading and embroidery, and each individual piece is lovingly and painstakingly handcrafted, says Kanzi’s Raghda Taryam.

The name, “Fairytales”, comes from the thoughts and images conjured up when the collection is seen in entirety.

The collection seeks to explore in detail the concept of dreams, with each piece set to appear like a floating, stunningly crafted experiment that merges unique shapes and forms.”

Kanzi’s fashions may be stunning but for some, they may be financially out of reach.  For those of you who are looking for inspiration or something within your budget, check these pics and their links out.

"Cinderella" inspired look.

For more fairy tale inspired looks, check out Mermaid in a Manhole: Fairytale Fashion.

Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings reveals Giselle’s gown, with several other stunning selections.

Lolliblog features “High Fashion to Weddings” with works from Tim Walker.

Etsy also has several charming fairy tale accessories to complete your look.  Enjoy!

Disney creates fairy tale magic for Russia

Pixie dust is traveling far these days, all the way to Russia.  According to a post on the Financial Times website, the Walt Disney company just released their first Russian film based on a Russian fairy tale and produced by the local talent. Book of Masters is the result of Disney reaching international audiences, as well as expanding and strengthening their brand.  According to the article, other Disney media has done very well on the Russian market. 

“Still, the release of Book of Masters will aid Disney’s ability to cross-sell and promote its businesses. Its television programming is available in Russia and its Beauty and the Beast musical has been watched by more than 400,000 people in Moscow.

The group has rapidly expanded its Russian operations, from an office of four staff five years ago to more than 150 people now. Its publishing unit has sold 6.7m books this year, while 13 magazines are produced in Russia under the Disney banner with a combined circulation of 1.2m copies.

Disney has also expanded its consumer products business, using local retailers and licencees, instead of only importing goods from elsewhere. “Whereas before we used to be in the import business [in Russia], now we’re helping to develop the market itself,” says Andy Bird, chairman of Walt Disney International.”

The Walt Disney Company created its reputation on taking risks, breaking creative boundries and after each failure, getting back up to do it again even better the next time.  If anyone can breech the international market, Disney can.

“Happily Ever After” isn’t alway best: The danger in sanitizing fairy tales

There’s a new, disturbing trend amongst fairy tales.  Apparently, the BBC felt “Humpty Dumpty” was too harsh for children so they opted to change the last line in the nursery rhyme to “made Humpty happy again.”  The article goes into more detail but the gist is sanitizing fairy tales is not only becoming more common, it’s potentially harmful for children.  Scholar Max Luthi once said, “It would be wrong to purge out fairy tales of all cruelty and all frightening characters for the sake of children.  All these things are not, after all, portrayed realistically in the fairy tale, but figuratively, and thus the evil figures are not perceived as living people but as symbols of evil” (Once Upon a Time 114).

Both Luthi and renowned child psychologist Bruno Bettelheim, both who are noted for their studies with fairy tales, find sanitizing fairy tales would hinder children instead of helping them prosper.  By facing the dilemmas within fairy tales, children can learn to cope with their own issues.  Or so the argument goes.  In fairness, it’s a very valid point – the world can be a frightening place and if everything is sugar-coated and simplified, how our children supposed to prosper?  There’s such a thing as protecting your children and another for blocking them off from the world.

Disney is oftentimes criticized for having dumbed down fairy tales but I”m going to have to disagree.  As a child, I cowered in the theater as Ursula (The Little Mermaid) took control of the sea and grew to gigantic proportions.  Cruella de Vil (101 Dalmatians) wanted to kill dalmatian puppies – she even mentions bashing in their heads.  Jafar (Aladdin) and Judge Claude Frollo (The Hunchback of Notre Dame) lusted after the heroine and Shere Khan (The Jungle Book) wanted to eat the hero.  Think about it – Disney versions are safe for kids but their villains can still be wicked, intimidating, and downright cruel.  Their schemes are selfish, maniacal and typically, murderous.  Disney may be safe but it’s definitely not sanitized.  Not like this case, where the story of “Rapunzel” is dumbed down so that the witch is a kindly old woman and Rapunzel merely wants to go to the fair.  Please.  Storytellers and parents may want to consider what they want to teach their children before they start censoring, sanitizing and all-out gutting these beloved stories.

For additional reading, check out David Barnett’s article .

Fairy Tale’s for Adults at Bettendorf Public Library

The Brother’s Grimm fairy tales will be told as they were originally intended at the Bettendorf Public Library, according to their press release.  If anyone gets to attend, I’d love to know your thoughts.  

“Grimm”s Grimmest: The Darker Side of Traditional Fairy Tales” will be at the Bettendorf Public Library on Saturday, October 24, from 3:00 – 4:00 PM. These tales will be presented as they were intended, for adults. These are NOT fairy tales for children; we welcome high school students and adults.

Presenting is Judith Heineman, professional storyteller, holds an MA in English from the College of the City of New York. She is the founder of the Chicago Storytelling Guild, a co-founder of the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival, and producer of Tellabration, an adult storytelling festival. Also presenting is Daniel Marcotte, who holds a BM in Voice Performance from Illinois Wesleyan and an MA in Musicology and Certificate in Early Music from Florida State University. He is currently the Music Director of the Bristol Renaissance Faire and teacher of voice and music theory.

This is a Global Gathering Germany program, sponsored by the Bettendorf Public Library Foundation. More information can be found at www.bettendorflibrary.com/globalgathering or by calling the Library at 563-344-4175.”