Napa Valley Museum Announces Opening Of TOOT & WHISTLE

Toot & Whistle: In this multimedia presentation, learn about Disney animator Ward Kimball - the only employee Walt Disney called a "genius" - and his incredible railroad hobby. Kimball supervised the creation of iconic Disney characters including Jiminy Cricket in Pinocchio, the crows in Dumbo, the mice and Lucifer in Cinderella, and The Cheshire Cat,

Mad Hatter, and March Hare in Alice in Wonderland. You'll see rare video and still images of Ward's remarkable train collection as we explore how railroading influenced him and vice versa. We'll highlight the incredible Grizzly Flats Railroad that Ward and Betty Kimball built in the 1930's and discover how it is being preserved for future generations today. Finally, we'll reveal how Kimball was directly responsible for rekindling Walt Disney's love of railroading, and how this led to Disneyland and the modern theme park experience. Presented by Michael Campbell, a Disney historian, public speaker and curator of our current exhibition, Walt Disney's Trains, with special guest Ken Mitchroney, a director, animator, best selling author and leader of the Emma Nevada and Chloe locomotive restorations projects. February 23 from 2-3 PM: In the History Gallery - Free with Museum Admission: Toot & Whistle - Ward Kimball's Trains

Link: https://napavalleymuseum.org/exhibition/toot-whistle-ward-kimballs-trains/

An Evening of Disney Jazz: "Everybody wants to be a cat....," a jazz hepcat, that is! Celebrate our Walt Disney's Trains exhibition with an evening of extraordinary music. The superb pianist Mike Greensill, with bass player Carla Kaufman, will have us swingin' in the Main Gallery to jazzy Disney classics (plus train-themed tunes too). Includes admission to Walt Disney's Trains, the audio tour, plus wine and light bites.

The evening features jazz versions of beloved songs from the Disney catalogue, from "When You Wish Upon A Star" to "Someday My Prince Will Come" and "Everybody Wants To Be A Cat". Mike will also explore the world of train songs; from Peggy Lee's "Waiting' For The Train To Come In" to "The Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe."

Includes Museum Admission and Audio Tour ($20 value). Non-members $30; Members $15. March 1 from 5 to 7 pm: An Evening of Disney Jazz with The Mike Greensill Duo. Tix: $15-30 Link: https://napavalleymuseum.org/exhibition/evening-disney-jazz-mike-greensill-duo/

Direct Eventbrite Ticket link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-of-disney-jazz-with-the-mike-greensill-duo-tickets-55330177049

This family-friendly exhibition, organized with San Francisco's Walt Disney Family Museum, explores the influence that railroad trains had on Walt Disney's life and workThe exhibition includes a wide variety of artifacts, firsthand accounts, archival videos, images of Walt and his trains, and one-of-a kind items, including Walt Disney's own Carolwood gondola railroad car, an illuminated model of Disneyland's Main Street U.S.A, and a custom model train created in partnership with the Napa Valley Wine Train by the Napa Valley Model Railroad Historical Society. Guest curator Michael Campbell, President Emeritus of the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society, constructed the exhibition to reflect Walt's railroad journey from his early years to the creation of Disneyland and beyond, and reminds us that, over a century later, Walt's railroading influence remains a vibrant and relevant force. Admission to the exhibit, regularly $20 for adults/$15 seniors, is included with a paid ticket to our "Splurge-Worthy Whiskies" tasting.

The Napa Valley Museum Yountville is located at 55 Presidents Circle in Yountville, and is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 to 4 pm. The Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the cultural fabric of our community through exhibitions, collections, educational programs and creative activities that promote knowledge and understanding of art, nature and history. For more information, call 707.944.0500, email info@napavalleymuseum.org, or visit our website at www.napavalleymuseum.org.