Celebrate Soulfully Debuts at Disneyland Resort, Featuring ‘Celebrate Gospel’ on Feb. 19 and 26
Originally published at Disney Parks News
Celebrate Soulfully has begun here at the Disneyland Resort!
With an invitation for you to join us at the Happiest Place on Earth with music, food, art, and new experiences that pay tribute to Black heritage and culture.
We are kicking off Celebrate Soulfully in February to coincide with Black History Month. We look forward to sharing additional ways to Celebrate Soulfully with you throughout the year. Including more at the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival beginning March 4, “Tale of the Lion King” in Disneyland park this spring, and other offerings in the future!
For now, here are highlights of what you can look forward to in Feb. at the Disneyland Resort!
Live Musical Performances
As part of Celebrate Soulfully, Disneyland Resort presents “Celebrate Gospel” on Feb. 19 and Feb. 26 at Disneyland park.
“Celebrate Gospel” features Kierra Sheard. A Stellar Award-winning singer, songwriter, fashion designer, actor, and author, on Feb. 19. In addition, Gospel group Sacred Groove presents a joyous gospel experience mixing beloved classics with Acappella upbeat modern hymns.
Then Feb. 26 features contemporary Gospel artists Jonathan McReynolds and Mali Music. He won a GRAMMY Award in 2021 for their song “Movin’ On,” plus the vocal group The Singers of Soul. An acclaimed Gospel choir whose united sound aims to spread love, hope, and joy through the power of music.
Community choirs are also part of the show on each of these Saturdays, with music from 3 p.m.to 7 p.m. on the Fantasyland Theater stage.
Nearby, families can take part in crafts. Enjoy snacks from Troubadour Tavern and share their thoughts on a gratitude wall.
Throughout Feb., Downtown Disney District showcases live nightly entertainment featuring R&B, reggae, funk, Motown, jazz, and Doo-Wop. Plus Saturday afternoon Gospel performances. The groups include Island Reggae, Del Atkins and the LYFE Band, Midnight Hour, Philly Phonics, Forward Motion, StandardMel & Friends, Urban Music Society, and LALA Brass. Check the daily schedule at Disneyland.com for that evening’s concert group. You can also listen to a jazz pianist nightly at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen!
Also this month, you can enjoy jazz by The Mood Indigo Group nightly in the lobby at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
Arts and Goods by Black Creatives
The Downtown Disney District is spotlighting Black artisans and offerings that celebrate Black culture:
- A live chalk-art installation comes to life each week. As Disney cast member and chalk muralist Marcella Swett reveals a new artistic creation near the Downtown Disney LIVE! stage. Swett is a senior production artisan with Disney Live Entertainment. She is an award-winning visual artist and native Southern Californian whose career has spanned more than three decades.
- Art inspired by Disney and Pixar’s “Soul,” created by emerging Black artists Bee Harris, Bianca Pastel, Arrington Porter, and Cory Van Lew, is on display near the Downtown Disney LIVE! stage.
- In anticipation of “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder” series on Disney+, art displays. Inspired by Penny Proud and her family is coming soon to Downtown Disney District.
- The new Post 21 cart brings a collection of modern merchandise from Black-owned businesses, curated by a Los Angeles-based mother and daughter duo. On Feb. 27, Post 21 will have a book signing with twins Channing and Chelsea Moreland, authors of “B is for Black Girl.”
- At WonderGround Gallery, discover artwork and collectibles inspired by the films “Soul,” “Princess and the Frog,” “The Lion King” and more. Artists Joey Chou and Fenway Fan will be signing their newest “Soul” artwork from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Feb. 26.
- Pelé Soccer is debuting a new sweatshirt design featuring an iconic image of Pelé and a call to “empower the culture.”
- Lovepop honors Black History Month with special “We Are Black History” and “Black is Beautiful” cards.
The Food!
While listening to jazz at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, savor a special menu. Enhanced with wines, beer, and spirits from Black-owned businesses at Hearthstone Lounge through Feb. Sip wines by the glass from the McBride Sisters Collection or the Brown Estate Napa Valley. Enjoy craft beer from Crowns & Hops Brewing Co. or a cocktail made with Uncle Nearest 1884 Tennessee whiskey. The appetizer menu is served from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. nightly. It features crispy chicken wings with habanero maple syrup glaze, Cajun shrimp flatbread, and loaded sweet potato fries with crispy bacon, corn relish, barbecue sauce, spicy aioli, and parsley.
Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney District celebrates creole cuisine featuring Louisiana crawfish spring rolls, NOLA BBQ shrimp & grits, and sweet peach tea.
With so much to experience, we invite you to join us as we Celebrate Soulfully here at the Disneyland Resort!
Celebrate Soulfully is also taking place at Walt Disney World Resort, and to learn about their offerings, see the recent Disney Parks Blog story for more details!
In order to enter a theme park, guests (ages 3 and older) will need both a valid ticket and a theme park reservation for the same day and the same park you wish to visit.
Visit Disneyland.com/updates for important information to know before visiting the Disneyland Resort including updates on wearing face coverings.
