Essence Music Festival In New Orleans
By Sheri McKee
New Orleans, LA -Once again Essence Magazine brings the Essence Music Festival to New Orleans, featuring a star-studded roster of performers along with their popular educational empowerment seminars and marketplace. This year the festival will be taking place on July 4, 5, & 6, at the Louisiana Superdome and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, with different parties and events in support of the Essence Music Festival taking place at various venues throughout the New Orleans area.
Some of the national artists scheduled to perform in the Superdome this year include Chris Brown, Rihanna, Kayne West, Chris Rock, Keyshia Cole, Morris Day and The Time, Jill Scott, Mary J. Blige, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Musiq Soulchild, and LL Cool J. Each night will be hosted by the multi talented Jonathan Solcumb, best known for creating wholesome entertainment by combining clean comedy with a message of faith and hope.
Once again Essence Magazine brings the Essence Music Festival to New Orleans, featuring a star-studded roster of performers along with their popular educational empowerment seminars and marketplace.
New Orleans artists will also be highlighted at the Essence Music Festival this year, by putting a local spin on the festivities going down in the popular Superlounge. Some local artists scheduled to perform in the Essence Superlounge include Grammy Award winning Terence Blanchard, Irma Thomas, Rebirth Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins Band, Funky Meters, Big Sam’s Funky Nation featuring New Orleans Funk and Soul Explosion, The Preservation Jazz Hall Band’s Gospel Rival, Irvin Mayfield Jazz Orchestra, and more.
Although music is a huge part of the festival, many patrons enjoy other Essence Festival activities that are FREE and open-to-the-public at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. This part of the festival at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center showcases the Essence Boutique, as well as the Essence Marketplace featuring New Orleans cuisine, a book fair with author signings, celebrity meet-and-greets, sponsor exhibits, non-profit community organization exhibits, and the very popular Essence Empowerment Seminars. Some topics this year include Leading Ladies Talk About The Representation of Black Women In The Media, Education: Addressing Failing Schools and the Achievement Gap, AIDS: The War on Women, State of the Black Family, and Election 2008: "My Message to Black America."
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For more information about the Essence Music Festival and for a complete schedule of artists, including day and times, visit www.essence.com 
