Black History Month has begun, and Disney is ready to kick off the celebrations!

A few days ago, we shared that Disney is hosting “Celebrate Soulfully” throughout the month of February to honor Black heritage and culture through music, food, and art. Experiences offered include Movies Under the Stars at Disney resorts as well as a new Soul-inspired jazz exhibit in EPCOT! Disney Springs is also celebrating with “Celebrate Soulfully at Disney Springs.” And now we have even MORE details to share!

Movies Under the Stars

Disney resorts’ “Movies Under the Stars” program offers a complimentary way for guests to watch a Disney movie in an outdoor setting. At select resorts, February’s screenings will include films celebrating Black culture, such as The Princess and the Frog.

We’re already warming up our vocal chords to sing “Almost There” and “Down in New Orleans!”

The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure

This brand-new exhibit in EPCOT’s American Adventure pavilion opened on February 1st, and we took you on a tour! It takes guests around the United States to learn about jazz music’s history in key cities like New Orleans, Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles and San Juan, and Puerto Rico. And of course, it’s led by Soul‘s jazz aficionado, Joe Gardner himself!

The exhibit features some incredible curated artifacts from world-renowned jazz musicians. You can see Louis Armstrong’s trumpet, sheet music handwritten by Jelly Roll Morton, and percussion sheet music of Duke Ellington drummer Louie Bellson!

A Play Disney app game is also on its way so guests can learn even more about jazz. And while the opening of this exhibit did coincide with the start of Black History Month, it will be open beyond the month as well! Now let’s check out what’s going on in Disney Springs.

Tour the new Soul exhibit here!  

Celebrate Soulfully at Disney Springs

Let’s start with the food (of course). On February 25th, Chef Deaundra “Dee” Rolle will present “A Taste of the Bahamas” at The Edison. Chef Dee will transport guests to the Caribbean with a three-course meal inspired by her Bahamian heritage.

Over at Amorette’s Patisserie, two new petite cakes debuted based off of Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog and Joe Gardner from Soul. Joe’s is vibrant and features music notes and a keyboard…

…while Tiana’s is modeled after her iconic dress with a yellow and green palette. Both of these cakes are chocolate with raspberry mousse.

There will also be plenty of music to enjoy as you walk around Disney Springs! On Motown Mondays, Jazz Thursdays and Smooth Sundays, notable artists will take to various stages. The line-up includes Motown in Motion, Tonya Staples Duo and Joseph Jevanni. Select Disney Springs locations will also feature a new soundtrack of your favorite Disney tunes — with a jazz-inspired twist!

You can also explore four new art displays inspired by Soul, created by emerging Black artists Bee Harris, Bianca Pastel, Arrington Porter and Cory Van Lew. Each piece represents that artist’s interpretation of the film.

And over at House of Blues, the year-round Southern Vernacular Art exhibit highlights work by over 150 untrained, self-taught and mostly African-American artists. Some prominent artists featured include Mose T., Jimmy Lee Sudduth, Leroy Almon, and Roy Ferdinand.

Several retail locations are spotlighting Black designers, artists, and visionaries:

• Marketplace Co-Op: Bowes Signature Candles was founded by Jamaica native Dave Bowes and sells more than 110 different candle scents. Some of the scents sold in Disney Springs include “Jamaica Me Crazy,” which blends mango, papaya, orange, pineapple, coconut and watermelon.
• Sephora: Sephora is committing to dedicating more in-store space to diverse companies such as Fenty Beauty, Briogeo, Pat McGrath Labs, and Shani Darden Skincare. Additionally, it aims to double the product selection of its new line Bread Beauty Supply, which offers haircare for kinky and coily hair.
• Art of Disney: The Artist Spotlight will feature Floyd Norman, Bruce Smith and Marlon West, talented animators who worked on Disney films such as The Jungle Book, Hercules, and The Princess and the Frog.
• Disney-owned locations: World of Disney will sell Soul and The Princess and the Frog merchandise. At Marketplace Co-Op, you can find The Princess and the Frog items, and Super Hero Headquarters will sell Black Panther gear.

We’re excited to experience all of this for ourselves and see what else Disney has in store for Black History Month! As always, we’ll keep you posted here at DFB with all the latest Disney news and updates, so stay tuned!

Check Out This Soul-Inspired Smoothie!

Are you visiting Disney Springs in February? Let us know in the comments!