Narnia Fans » Night of Joy

Beginning this Monday (9/26), K-LOVE teams with Disney Night of Joy and Family Christian Stores to send a winner and their guest to London, England to the Royal Premiere of the much-anticipated Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe motion picture!

That winner could be you!

All this week, we’re giving away the K-LOVE Family Christian Stores Prize Pack, including a Night of Joy CD and Narnia Sampler DVD Gift Certificate from Family Christian Stores, The Wisdom of Narnia by C.S. Lewis from Zondervan, and the Focus on the Family Radio Theatre version of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on CD Audio! Listen for your opportunity to win, call in and answer the Narnia Trivia question correctly and your name will be entered into the Grand Prize drawing! We’ll have qualifying winners all week, but only one Grand Prize winner will be chosen on Friday (9/30)…just after 5:00pm Central, 3pm Pacific by K-LOVE’s David Pierce.

About Disney Night of Joy
Night of Joy is a celebration of Christian music in early September at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida. For one uplifting weekend, Christian music lovers from across the country come together for a concert experience that will leave them breathless. The Magic Kingdom® Park is open to individuals or groups for live performances by top Christian music recording artists, enjoyment of select attractions, Disney character greetings, and special games and activities.
Read about our visit to this years Night of Joy here

How do I qualify?
Be listening for the Narnia Trivia question and your cue to call. Then dial 1-800-900-1300. If you’re the correct caller that hour, you will win the K-LOVE Family Christian Stores Prize Pack. Then, you’ll have the opportunity to answer the Narnia Trivia question correctly. If you do, you’ll automatically be entered into the Grand Prize drawing. If not, you’ll still get to keep the Prize Pack!

What’s in a K-LOVE Family Christian Stores Prize Pack?
The prize pack contains a Night of Joy CD and Narnia Sampler DVD Gift Certificate from Family Christian Stores, The Wisdom of Narnia by C.S. Lewis from Zondervan and a Focus on the Family Radio Theatre version of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe CD Audio (hosted by C.S. Lewis’s stepson, Douglas Gresham).

How can I win the Grand Prize?
First, you’ll have to be the correct caller and win a Prize Pack. Secondly, you’ll have to answer the Narnia Trivia question correctly. After that, your name will be automatically entered into the Grand Prize drawing to take place this Friday (9/30). K-LOVE’s David Pierce will announce the winner just after 5:00pm Central, 3:00pm Pacific.

What is the Grand Prize?
The Grand Prize is a trip for two to London for the Royal Movie Premiere of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. The prize includes airfare, lodging, tickets to the Royal Premiere and $500 spending money. You’ll also win an Inspired by Narnia soundtrack artists’ CD Library, Night of Joy 2005 artists’ CD Library and a Night of Joy CD and Narnia Sampler DVD Gift Certificate from Family Christian Stores

Sponsors Information:
K-LOVE Radio is listener supported. Thanks to our promotional partners, we never have to use the financial support of our listeners to pay for any prizes given away on K-LOVE! This time around we are grateful to our friends at Family Christian Stores, Disney Night of Joy, EMI, Zondervan and Focus on the Family for helping us to put together this incredible prize package!

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Walt Disney World’s Night of Joy is a yearly event that’s been running for more than 20 years. I had never heard of it until this year, when music from the Chronicles of Narnia’s Inspirational Soundtrack was to be featured. I was given an opportunity to visit Walt Disney World, a place that I had never been. Having eight tickets, four for each of two days, and three friends in tow, we set up the trip in about three days time.

We flew down on Thursday, out of Detroit, and found our way to the Coronado Springs Resort Hotel. While in Detroit, we went to a TCBY at the airport. One of my friends went up to the counter and asked the guy there if they had any flurries, as he did not see it on the menu. The guy behind the counter was mock-upset at that question and said “We call them shivers here” and really went after my friend about that question. After he got his “shiver,” I said “Mike, let a pro show you how it’s done..” walked up to the counter and said, “So, do you have any flurries here?”

The following morning, we left for the Magic Kingdom, and would up deciding to go to Epcot Center, we went on some rides, including the one in that giant golf ball “Spaceship Earth.”

I only had one ticket for each Night of Joy, so I worked with some incredible people and managed to get ahold of two more tickets for that Friday (Thanks Peggy and Christine and all others that helped out!) and as my friends were talking to Christine, and another gentleman, he had the third ticket they needed to get into the Night of Joy at the Magic Kingdom. He also told them that the movie is just the beginning and they Disney is planning some huge features to be added to the parks next summer. He wasn’t specific about them, but I believe he was talking about the MGM Studios Narnia Exhibit we mentioned earlier.

At this time, I went to a reception where I met Leigh Ann, from EMI CMG, and Scott from EMI and David from Narniaweb, and many other people involved in many parts of the Music that is on the Narnia Inspired soundtrack, including promoters from Family Christian Stores and others that helped put the weekend together…if I could remember everyone’s names, I’d list them all, but since I’m terrible with names, I’ll just tell you that everyone was extremely nice and fun to talk to. I even did some entertaining with my impressions of Donald Duck, Gollum and Kermit the Frog.

After that, it was time to hit the shows.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th

Castle Forecourt Stage:
Audio Adrenaline – 7:30 p.m.
Steven Curtis Chapman – 9:25 p.m.
Mercy Me – 11:20 p.m.

Galaxy Palace Theater:
Marc Schultz – 7:30 p.m.
Vicky Beeching – 9:15 p.m.
Nicole C. Mullen – 10:35 p.m. & 11:45 p.m.

Splash Stage:
Matthew West – 7:30 p.m. & 8:45 p.m.
Casting Crowns – 10:20 p.m. & 11:35 p.m.

Cosmic Ray’s:
Witherspoon – 8:30 p.m.
Big Daddy Weave – 9:45 p.m. & 11:00 p.m.

If you know the artists, you can see how hard it would be to choose where to go and what artists to check out. I’ve seen Audio Adrenaline more than a few times, but I’d never seen Mark Schultz. My friends all went to check that show out, so I went there, and found them towards the end of the incredible performance.

We then found our way to the Castle Stage, for Steven Curtis Chapman. He always puts on a great show. One big thing to point out, is that they performed the Narnia-inspired song “Remembering You” for the first time with the band, on stage, without so much as a rehearsal. They performed it very well, despite that fact. There were cheers all around when he mentioned that it was for the Chronicles of Narnia.

Next we went over to the Splash Stage to check out some Casting Crowns. We passed by the Narnia booth that featured Buena Vista’s Narnia game on 4 playable Xbox consoles. An excellent looking game.

The next day, we went straight to MGM Studios, where we saw many shows and rode many rides, including the Indiana Jones Stunt show, Star Wars’ Star Tours, Muppets 3D, and a Vehicle Stunt show.

We were walking down an area and there happened to be Donald Duck, taking pictures with people, so I handed my camera off to a friend, and got in the short line.. walking up to him, I did an impression and said “How you doin’?” and I heard a voice come from out of nowhere, saying “So, you can do the voice, huh?” That sure took me by surprise. I was under the impression that they weren’t allowed to talk, but there weren’t any kids around, so I guess it was okay at that time.

After a few other things, we went over the the Magic Kingdom for the second night, which I bought the extra three tickets to, for my friends.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10th

Castle Forecourt Stage:
tobyMac – 7:30 p.m
Donnie McClurkin – 9:25 p.m.
Newsboys – 11:20 p.m.

Galaxy Palace Theater:
Stellar Kart – 7:30 p.m.
Superchick – 8:40 p.m.
CeCe Winans – 10:35 p.m. & 11:45 p.m.

Splash Stage:
Kutless – 7:30 p.m. & 8:45 p.m.
Tree63 – 10:20 p.m. & 11:35 p.m.

Cosmic Ray’s:
Kellogg’s Choir & Kierra “Kiki” Sheard – 8:30 p.m.
Further Seems Forever – 9:45 p.m. & 11:00 p.m.

This night, we started with Kutless, went on the Pirates of the Caribbean, and then watched Tree63. Kutless didn’t play their Narnia track “More Than It Seems,” but they rocked. The performance of the evening though, belongs to the Newsboys. They take the stage with such confidence and so relaxed, that they just put on a great show. It seems so effortless, and rightly so, as they’ve been around for many years and have so many great songs.

The next morning, we flew back to Detroit, and I drove us all back to Grand Rapids, and then a few of us left for Muskegon to get to Mass before our retreat planning meeting. It was a pretty great weekend, and very tiring, but well worth it.

Grand Prize: A private screening of Walt Disney Pictures’ and Walden Media’s THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA – THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE for winner and up to 250 of winner’s guests at a movie theatre in winner’s locality of residence on a date selected by Sponsor, in its sole discretion, between November 28, and December 8, 2005.

Entries are due by September 8th.

Get the Entry Form and Official Rules

Normally at WDW’s “Night of Joy” Christian music events, it’s the performers who are on stage at WDW’s who are doing all the promoting. Who spend their time between songs talking up their new CDs and/or upcoming tour schedule.

But — starting next month — it’ll be the Mouse who’ll be preaching to the faithful. As tens of thousands of church-goers descend on the Magic Kingdom on September 9th & 10th to listen to the best in Christian Pop, Rock and Gospel, the Walt Disney Company plans to use this golden opportunity to do some serious promoting of the studio’s upcoming holiday release, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”

And Mickey will really be beating the “Narnia” promotional drum during this year’s “Night of Joy” weekend. How so? Well, some of the top Christian Music artists who scheduled to be appearing at NOJ will be performing songs from a soon-to-be-released album that features music that was inspired by this Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media production. Chief among these will be Five-time Grammy Award Winner Steven Curtis Chapman (who will be singing “Remembering You”), TobyMac and Kutless.

Then there will be “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” info stations set up around the Magic Kingdom. Where “Night of Joy” attendees can watch the film’s trailer as well as learn about the production of this motion picture.

Then — at 12:30 a.m. — as NOJ comes to a close, each attendee will be handed a goodie bag as they exit the theme park. And inside each bag will be a souvenir CD which features songs by selected “Night of Joy” performers … along with a bonus track: “The Chronicles of Narnia Audio Magazine.”

Add to this that each of the chaperones that attend this year’s “Night of Joy” event will be gifted a special “Chronicles of Narnia” DVD. Which they’ll then be encouraged to show to the children at their churches once they get home … And you can see that the Walt Disney Company is planning on mounting a full court press in its effort to get the faithful to come out & see this film.

Christian music’s reigning artist of the year, its hottest act and its most-often honored performer will join together with more than a dozen other Christian recording artists — plus the winners of two Christian music talent searches — at the 23rd annual Night of Joy, Sept. 9 and Sept. 10 in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.

During two evenings of music and theme park fun, a total of 21 acts will present concerts at stages throughout the Magic Kingdom. Night of Joy begins at 7:30 p.m. (after regular park hours) and continues until 12:30 a.m.

MercyMe, the 2004 GMA Music Awards’ Dove-Award Artist of the Year, tops a talent-laden lineup that also features Mark Hall and Casting Crowns, who are individually and collectively nominated for more than a dozen Dove Awards, including “Artist of the Year,” in 2005. Completing the triumvirate is Steven Curtis Chapman, a five-time Grammy Award winner whose 47 Doves make him Christian music’s most decorated performer.

But the artists with award-winning resumes don’t stop there. The lineup also features tobyMac, Cece Winans, newsboys, Audio Adrenaline, Nicole C. Mullen and Donnie McClurkin. Among them, they’ve earned 11 Grammy Awards and more than 60 Dove Awards.

Six other acts are among the nominees for Gospel Music Awards in 2005: Mark Schultz, Tree 63, Matthew West, Big Daddy Weave, Kutless and Further Seems Forever. This year’s GMA Music Awards will be presented by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) on April 13 in Nashville.

Rounding out the lineup of recording artists will be Superchic[k], stellar kart and Vicky Beeching.

Exciting News

Night of Joy 2005 will feature exciting new elements as part of the event:

As an exclusive for Night of Joy guests, some of the top Christian Music artists performing at the event will debut live performances of music inspired from Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media’s upcoming blockbuster release of “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.”

Walt Disney World and the GMA will collaborate on two events this year. Walt Disney World Entertainment will provide judges for the GMA’s 31st Annual “Music in the Rockies” event (July 31 – Aug. 6, 2005); and one of the over-all winners from the Rockies event’s annual Spotlight talent competition will come to perform at Night of Joy.

Night of Joy 2005 will also be a stage for the winner of another national Christian music talent search. Kellogg’s Gospel Sing Off 2005 is a competition for youth church Gospel choirs — groups with members’ ages 10 to 20 — from selected cities. Groups will perform during the Sing Off 2005 tour during July, with the winners being announced in August. Teen Gospel sensation Kierra “KiKi” Sheard, national spokewoman for the Gospel Sing Off, will also perform with the winner at Night of Joy.

Something for everyone

As in previous years, the Night of Joy lineup for 2005 is musically diverse, with pop, rock, urban, Gospel and praise and worship. Ten acts will perform each evening.

Tickets go on sale March 25. Single-night tickets are $37.95 plus tax (in advance) and $42.95 plus tax (at the gate, if available). Two-night tickets are $61.95.

Walt Disney World Resort has presented Night of Joy annually since 1983. More than 100 Christian music artists have performed before a combined audience of more than 800,000 people in the Magic Kingdom.

For more information or to purchase tickets for Night of Joy at Walt Disney World, guests can call 407-W-DISNEY or go online to check out http://www.disneyworld.com/nightofjoy .

Just the Facts

* What: Night of Joy at Walt Disney World

* Dates: Friday, Sept. 9, and Saturday, Sept 10.

* Times: 7:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.

* Details: 21 Contemporary Christian music acts at the Magic Kingdom.

Sept. 9: Steven Curtis Chapman, MercyMe, Casting Crowns, Audio Adrenaline, Mark Schultz, Nicole C. Mullen, Big Daddy Weave, Matthew West, Vicky Beeching and a contest winner from the Gospel Music Association’s “Music in the Rockies” event.

Sept. 10: newsboys, tobyMac, Donnie McClurkin, Cece Winans, Kutless, Tree 63, Superchic[k], Further Seems Forever, stellar kart, Kierra “KiKi” Sheard and a contest winner from the Kellogg’s Gospel Sing Off 2005.

* Ticket Prices: Single-night tickets are $37.95 plus tax (in advance) and $42.95 plus tax (at the gate, if available). Two-night tickets are $61.95.

* On Sale Date: Tickets go on sale March 25.

* For More Information: For more information or to purchase tickets for Night of Joy at Walt Disney World, guests can call 407-W-DISNEY or go online to check out http://www.disneyworld.com/nightofjoy

In a marriage of modern mythmakers, the Walt Disney Co. is marketing a film based on C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia. And in doing so, Disney will take a page from Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, based on Lewis’ novel for children and Christian allegory, will be released Dec. 9.

For Disney, the Christian marketing campaign represents a sharp break with corporate policy. Apart from Disney World’s annual Night of Joy concerts, the film is the company’s first undertaking with the religious community. For some evangelical leaders, it represents the effective end of their Disney boycott.

The entertainment giant, which bills itself as a “Magic Kingdom,” has carefully avoided religion for most of its history. Yet Disney has launched a 10-month campaign aimed at evangelical Christians to build support for Narnia, a $100 million, live-action and computer-generated animated feature it is co-producing with Walden Media.

Disney has hired several Christian marketing groups to handle the film, including Motive Marketing, which ran the historic, grass-roots efforts for The Passion. That film has grossed $611 million worldwide and is now in re-release. “From a marketing point of view, it could be a marriage made in heaven — if the movie is any good,” says Adele Reinhartz, professor of religion at Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada.

Dr. Armand Nicholi, who for decades has taught a Harvard seminar on C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud, agrees. The entertainment world realizes there’s a big audience “that embraces a spiritual world view,” he says. How well these groups interact “will determine how successful this marriage is.”

Paul Lauer, founder of Motive Marketing, declined to comment on his campaign for Narnia, apart from confirming that his firm is handling it.

“Disney, as the consummate corporate animal, is looking at Paul as the guy who delivered the audience of The Passion,” says Barbara Nicolosi, of Act One, a program designed to bring Christian writers and executives into the entertainment industry.

Another Christian firm, Grace Hill Media, also has been hired, and several groups have joined the marketing effort. For instance, the Christian Web site hollywoodjesus.com launched a special feature on its site last week devoted to The Chronicles of Narnia.

For its part, Disney is trying to play down the Christian marketing approach, noting that it will reach out to the science-fiction and fantasy communities, as well.

“We don’t want to cater to one fan base over the other, or at the expense of another,” says Dennis Rice, Disney’s senior vice president for public relations.

A familiar sacrifice

Since it was published in the 1950s, Lewis’ Narnia series has sold 85 million copies worldwide. Disney’s animated features have been international staples for nearly 75 years.

In the Narnia story, a lion named Aslan is a Christ-like figure who offers himself as a sacrifice to save another character. He is tortured and killed, and then resurrected to transform Narnia into a heaven on Earth.

So far, small groups of Christian leaders and opinion makers from Western states have been invited to Disney’s Burbank studios for briefings and screenings of sequences from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Ted Baehr, founder of the Christian-oriented Movie Guide, called the presentation a “wonderful dog-and-pony show. I think they’re going to do a great job marketing to the church.”

Baehr is author of the forthcoming overview of Lewis’ work, Narnia Beckons: C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe — and Beyond, which is being published by an arm of the Southern Baptist Convention.

There is reason for skepticism about how Lewis, who is beloved by Christians for his religious commitment and his influential collection of essays, Mere Christianity, will be treated in popular culture.

In 2001, HarperCollins, the U.S. publishers of the Narnia books, issued an internal memo — revealed by the New York Times — in which executives urged colleagues to downplay the books’ religious dimensions to market them to a mainstream audience.

Any efforts to de-emphasize the religious aspects of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe film are bound to backfire with Christians, according to Take One’s Nicolosi.

“Disney and [co-producer] Walden Media are aware that there’s a proprietary sense about the Chronicles of Narnia,” she says. “C.S. Lewis is our guy. They better not take that away from us.”