Essence Fest
The top singers of soul, rhythm and blues, pop, hip hop, jazz and nearly every other genre will be converging on New Orleans from July 4-6 during the 2008 Essence Music Festival in the Louisiana Superdome.
Featured artists confirmed so far, by date, include:
Friday, July 4
- Kanye West
- Rihanna
- Chris Brown
Saturday, July 5
Sunday, July 6
- Chris Rock
- Morris Day and the Time
- Mary J. Blige
- Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly
Dates to be announced are Musiq Soulchild and Keyshia Cole
“Super Lounge” acts include:
- Big Sam’s Funky Nation featuring New Orleans Funk & Soul Explosion
- Grandmaster Flash
- Gil Scott Heron
- Lyfe Jennings
- Ledisi
- Chrisette Michele
- The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra featuring Irvin Mayfield
- The Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s Gospel Revival
- ReBirth Brass Band
- Solange Knowles
In addition to being a music festival, EssenceFest also features a series of “Empowerment Seminars” aimed at fostering pride in the African American culture, heritage and contributions to mainstream American life. Among the guest speakers and lecturers are
- Tyler Perry and other cast members from “House of Payne”
- Bill Cosby and Dr. Alvin Poussaint
- Soledad O’Brien
- Pastors Paul and Debra Morton
- Dr. Juanita Bynum
These speakers will be at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center free of charge on each of the festival’s three days.
Essence Marketplace, a unique selection of art, clothing, jewelry, paintings, mixed media art, clay/ceramic sculpture, handmade dolls, beadwork, quilts, and more will be presented at the Morial Convention Center. Nearly 80 artists and artisans will be exhibiting and selling their work. There will also be food, book fairs, author signings, celebrity meet-and-greets, sponsor exhibits and the Essence Boutique. It will be open July 4, 5, and 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
To reserve tickets for EssenceFest visit www.TicketMaster.com, call 1-800-488-5252 or visit any Ticketmaster outlet. For more information on the festival log in to www.essence.com.
by Dean Shapiro |
