Concerts announced for Epcot's Food & Wine Fest

Several Grammy-winning bands highlight the lineup of popular music acts during this year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept. 25 to Nov. 8.

The Eat to the Beat! concert series will bring 17 acts – showcasing everything from rock to jazz, funk to pop – to the America Gardens Theatre stage during the 45-day festival. The lineup includes five performers playing the festival for the first time: Richard Marx, Better Than Ezra, Vanessa Carlton, John Waite and Billy Ocean.

Concerts, which are included with Epcot admission, begin at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. daily. The lineup (subject to change) includes:

Sept. 25 to 27 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (“You & Me & The Bottle Makes 3 Tonight (Baby)”)
Sept. 28 to 29 – Richard Marx (“Hold On to the Nights”)
Sept. 30 to Oct. 3 – Starship starring Mickey Thomas (“We Built This City”)
Oct. 4 to 6 – En Vogue (“Free Your Mind”)
Oct. 7 to 8 – Better Than Ezra (“Good”)
Oct. 9 to 11 – Sister Hazel (“All for You”)
Oct. 12 to 13 – Kool & The Gang (“Celebration”)
Oct. 14 to 16 – Spyro Gyra (“Morning Dance”)
Oct. 17 to 18 – Jon Secada (“Just Another Day”)
Oct. 19 to 20 – Sister Sledge (“We Are Family”)
Oct. 21 to 22 – Vanessa Carlton (“A Thousand Miles”)
Oct. 23 to 25 – Taylor Dayne (“Tell It to My Heart”)
Oct. 26 to 28 – Boyz II Men (“Motownphilly”)
Oct. 29 to 31 – John Waite (“Missing You”)
Nov. 1 to 2 – Night Ranger (“Sister Christian”)
Nov. 3 to 5 – Billy Ocean (“Caribbean Queen”)
Nov. 6 to 8 – Los Lobos (“La Bamba”)

Guests nibbling and sipping their way around World Showcase can see performers from many countries weave music, dance, acrobatics, comedy and other acts into the festivities.
A sampling of World Showcase entertainment includes:
• High-energy Celtic music of Off Kilter (Canada)
• The Arabic rhythms of Mo’Rockin (Morocco)
• Perfect harmony of Voices of Liberty (American Adventure rotunda)
• Infectious beat of internationally acclaimed Mariachi Cobre (Mexico)
• Retro British hits by The British Invasion (United Kingdom)
• Jaw-dropping stunts by Dragon Legend Acrobats (China)
• Hilarious antics of World Showcase Players (Italy and United Kingdom)

“IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” lights up World Showcase with lasers, music and fireworks, ending each festival evening.