Has anyone heard anything about this year's Essence Festival? Who's playing, where, that sort thing. There are five of us thinking about going and we need to know if we'll like the bands and players.

Thanks.

It's staying in New Orleans, that much has been announced... so far though, there hasn't been any word on who's playing, or will be leading seminars.

The Festival fills the hotels in the Quarter, so if you're planning on attending JOeb, you'll want to start looking into rooms. Look through our accommodations listings... you can even book your room here -

http://www.tripsmarter.com/neworlean...ions/index.htm

As soon as the musical lineup is announced, we'll post it here...

The festival is at the Super Dome mostly. We want to be as close to in the middle of the Super Dome and the French Quarter as we can be. Any suggestion on a hotel?

Thanks.

Hey JOeb... you ought to try the Queen & Crescent. It's almost exactly mid-way between the Superdome and the French Quarter and right in the midst of the Garden District.

The Queen & Crescent is one of the "Boutique Hotels of New Orleans" listed at the top of the page. Either click thru to their website, or hit the "book it" button to check on availablity and book a room.

http://www.tripsmarter.com/neworlean...ions/index.htm

Heard of a few performers going to be there. Alicia Keys and Mary J. Blige are the two that caught my eye. cool, cool, cool!

Thanks everyone for the advice and information. We finally selected the Hotel Monteleone. Hope we made a good call. I hadn't heard about the performers who have been announced, thanks interested.

Is anyone staying at the Hotel Monteleone during Essence Festival? Did we make a mistake taking a room there? It's right in the Quarter so we thought it was a good place to be. Anyone?

Hey JOeb, the Monteleone Hotel is one of the nicest hotels in the quarter. I have stayed there numerous times and have NEVER been disappointed.

Thank you becah. We'd heard that it was a good hotel from some friends. They didn't stay there though. They had just visited family who were staying there. It's good to hear we haven't thrown our money at something we won't enjoy.

In case any one is interested, I found out some information on the performers at Essence this year. Luther Vandross, Mary J. Blige, Maze, Alicia Keys ;) and Brian McKnight. I'm sure there are more performers though.

Thanks everyone for the help! We're really stoked about this now! Can't wait.

You're going to be in a great location during Essence fest JOeb. The Superdome is just a short cab ride away and you'll be right in the Quarter. I would not recommend walking to the supedome though. Try to get out of the Quarter some while you are in NOLA. The Warehouse District and Central Business have alot going on too.

Yes, I've heard the same thing from friends SmokinJoe. They said that a cab to the Superdome isn't expensive and the alternative is. Guess that means I'll take a cab. At least the ride won't be long! Have you been to Essence Fest before?

Does anyone know about the daytime Seminars? Or how to find out? I am very excited about going. I am staying at the Marriot on Canal. Hope to meet alot of people from all over. I hope it is an environment that will produce mingling and not just going to the events sticking exclusively with the peeps you came with!

Can't speak from experience, but the buzz has been that they're a mix of formal lectures and a more informal, chat-like environment. The range of seminars last year was pretty impressive, although I haven't heard alot on this year's.

We're getting info on Essence Festival all the time, so try us again. We'll have the answers soon!

Nope, I've never been JOeb. But I've been to NOLA enough to have an idea of where everything's at. And with Essence Festival at the 'dome and the CC you're right in the middle of all the action.

More names have been added to the Essence Festival lineup - Babyface, Brian McKnight, Tom Joyner, A.J. Jamal and Bishop T.D. Jakes (as part of the Empowerment Seminar).

Everything's pointing to a large and cool Essence Festival this year!