Today’s blog post profiles a Central Florida original – Francesca Battistelli.
Francesca grew up in the area and we gladly claim her as our own, even though she and her family live in Nashville now.
2013 will be Francesca’s fourth time playing Night of Joy – and her first time playing on the Cinderella Castle stage. Last year, Francesca’s record label (Word Records) and management team (Proper Management) surprised her with a gold record for her first album “My Paper Heart” – the first Contemporary Christian debut record to reach that honor since “Casting Crowns” debuted in 2003.
Like any working mother, Francesca juggles a rigorous work schedule – touring and recording – with a husband and two children. While working on her new album – due out later this year – Francesca released a deluxe version of the last record, “A Hundred More Years,” with a new single “Strangely Dim” – paying homage to the early American hymn “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.” We talked with Francesca in Nashville during a busy day of fan events at the KLOVE Fan Awards. She told about bringing her family to the park for Night of Joy and offered some advice for fans.
2013 marks the 31st year for Disney’s Night of Joy, two nights where the best in Contemporary Christian music meets the fun and fantasy of Magic Kingdom Park. In addition to their favorite Christian artists, guests can enjoy beloved Magic Kingdom Park attractions like Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – along with New Fantasyland, the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom Park history.
The complete line-up includes:
- Friday, September 6: Mercy Me, Steven Curtis Chapman & Michael W. Smith, Skillet, Mandisa, Audio Adrenaline, For King and Country, Moriah Peters, We As Human and City Harbor
- Saturday, September 7: TobyMac, Francesca Battistelli, Newsboys, Matthew West, Group 1 Crew, Building 429, Plumb and Jamie Grace
One-day tickets to Disney’s Night of Joy are $55 plus tax in advance and $65 plus tax the night of the show (if available). Two-night tickets are $99 plus tax (advance purchase only) and group discounts are also available.
To purchase tickets or for more information about the event, visit www.nightofjoy.com.
