By Andie Hagemann
Honor Black heritage and culture through music, food, art, and much more with the return of Celebrate Soulfully to the Walt Disney World Resort this February! The memorable event, coinciding with Black History Month, is back for the second consecutive year with new and returning experiences for guests to enjoy. And for the first time ever, the Disneyland Resort will debut its own Celebrate Soulfully experiences.
Celebrate Soulfully is one of the many ways Disney Parks is reimagining tomorrow—amplifying underrepresented voices and untold stories.
MUSIC
Black talent will take center stage with live musical performances, at select locations across both resorts, featuring R&B, gospel, and jazz artists. “Celebrate Gospel”—a Disneyland Resort tradition previously held in Stage 17 in Disney California Adventure Park—will be presented inside Disneyland Park for the first time, and will feature award-winning gospel music stars Kierra Sheard (February 19) and Jonathan McReynolds and Mali Music (February 26) for sure-to-be-captivating performances. (Southern California-based community choirs will also be in attendance for both performances.) Meanwhile, catch nightly outdoor concerts throughout February at the Downtown Disney District, and nightly jazz performances at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa.
Over at Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Springs will host live performances featuring Motown favorites, jazz, R&B, and pop music. Plus, performances by the Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe and a viewing of Broadway-style show A Celebration of the Festival of the Lion King at Disney’s Animal Kingdom are sure to excite guests.
FOOD
Grab an order of shrimp and grits plus other creole cuisine favorites at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen at Disneyland Resort’s Downtown Disney District… and feast on new dishes created by Black chefs, inspired by Black stories, at select locations through Walt Disney World Resort. “Cooking with Soul” menu items around the resort will highlight soul food dishes and the immensely talented chefs behind them. Disney’s Animal Kingdom will offer dishes honoring African recipes and historic Black chefs, while the Refreshment Outpost at EPCOT will feature menu items inspired by the flavors of Eastern Africa. Plus, several dining destinations at Disney Springs—including STK, Art Smith’s Homecomin’, and House of Blues—have brunch and happy hour menus available. And satisfy the sweet tooth with treats inspired by Pixar’s Soul and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ The Princess and the Frog at Amorette’s Patisserie and The Ganachery at Disney Springs.
ART
Guests will be immersed in the art and exhibits celebrating the work of Black creatives and visionaries across Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. Since its debut last year, The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure exhibit at The American Adventure at EPCOT, which is now traveling to several museums across the country, has displayed the rich history and evolution of jazz music—expanding to include histories from Kansas City and Harlem. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, guests can take home unique crafts created by African artisans at Mombasa Marketplace, and meet the artists too! In advance of the February 23 debut of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder on Disney+, Disney Springs and Downtown Disney District will proudly display art inspired by Penny Proud and her iconic family. Meanwhile, emerging Black artists Bee Harris, Bianca Pastel, Arrington Porter, and Cory Van Lew will bring their hit murals inspired by Pixar’s Soul to Downtown Disney District following their unveiling last year at Disney Springs. Other Downtown Disney District festivities include a live chalk-art installation by chalk muralist Marcella Swett.
For more information on Celebrate Soulfully, visit DisneyParksBlog.com.
