Anyone who has fallen in love with a Disney animated film knows one of the great joys of the studio’s work is getting lost in the astounding worlds that have been created. Now, fans of Disney can wander through many of their favorite worlds in a much more literal sense, thanks to Disney Animation: Immersive Experience.
“This year is Disney’s 100th anniversary, so we wanted to do something that really honored all the animators,” explained J. Miles Dale, an Oscar-winning producer and creative director of the experience. “What we created is a little bit educational, a little bit entertaining, and provides access to things most wouldn’t be able to see. It all combines to give that magical experience people have come to expect from Disney.”
Created in partnership with Walt Disney Animation Studios and Lighthouse Immersive Studios, the Disney Animation: Immersive Experience is on display at Lighthouse ArtSpace, 3900 Elati St. in Denver.
As Dale explains it, a trip to the famous Disney archives provided a wealth of inspiration for the creative team as they put the exhibit together. Seeing the early pencil sketches of seminal moments like Cinderella’s dress transformation was awe inspiring for the team.
“It was important for us to show how these characters and worlds were created. When you see how it was made and who made it, you appreciate the animation more,” he said. “I love hearing kids who are inspired to be animator after seeing the exhibit. They feel the magic and see some of themselves in these characters.”
According to provided information, additional exhibit features include interactive features within the projection show that move with visitors, and custom bracelets that light up in sync with the projections and specific movements. There’s also the Gazillion Bubbles effect, where 500,000 cubic feet of galleries are filled with bubbles.
The cumulative effect is to give visitors an experience like visiting one of Disney’s famous parks — one filled with wonder and escape.
“In a way, watching a movie is a passive experience, but this is very active. You are in the movies, immersed by them,” Dale said. “The totality of the experience makes it multigenerational. I can’t really think of anything my mother, me, my kids and their kids could all go to together like this.”
Visit lighthouseimmersive.com/disney/Denver for details and tickets.
Sadeqa Johnson brings ‘The House of Eve’ to Tattered Cover
Sadeqa Johnson’s newest book, “The House of Eve,” is a moving testament to an important truth — the more things change, the more they stay the same. An examination of racism and women’s rights in the pre-Roe era, Johnson blends both wit and powerful humanity to remind all of us how much work there still is to do.
In support of the book — which was selected as Hello Sunshine/Reese Witherspoon’s February book club pick — Johnson will be stopping by at the Tattered Cover Colfax, 2526 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver, at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25. She’ll be speaking with L. Alison Heller, a lawyer and author.
The event is free and no registration is required. Find the details at www.tatteredcover.com/event.
BIFF celebrates power of story in 19th season
The 19th annual Boulder International Film Festival is back for another season of brilliant filmmaking, a chef competition and much more.
Running from Thursday, March 2 through Sunday, March 5, the festival will be screening 66 films from 20 countries, with 45 filmmakers and subjects in attendance. According to provided information, the event will also feature the return of the popular Adventure Film Pavilion, the CineCHEF food competition and a live recording of The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast with Scott Feinberg.
For those who can’t attend the screenings held at the Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., some of the films will be able to watch as part of the BIFF at Home! virtual program, running from Monday, March 6 to Sunday, March 19.
Find the full schedule, ticket options and more at biff1.com.
Clarke’s Concert of the Week — White Reaper at Summit Music Hall
My original pick here was going to be Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band at Ball Arena, but since tickets sold out pretty much instantaneously (at exorbitant prices, no less), let’s instead turn our attention to another great rock band that’ll be in town - Kentucky’s White Reaper. The group specializes in the kind of indie guitar rock that has unfortunately gone out of style in the last decade or so. Thankfully, their latest album, “Asking for a Ride,” keeps that sonic palette going strong.
In support of the album, White Reaper will be performing at Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St. in Denver, at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 2. They’ll be joined by openers Militarie Gun and Mamalarky. Get tickets at www.livenation.com.
Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.
