HEY MUSIC LOVERS!
Here is more information on the Essence Musical Festival brought to you by Vincent Art in the French Quarter. When you visit Essence Fest, stop by Vincent Art in the French Quarter and say hi to the owner Rob Lombardi. We represent the best New Orleans artists and exclusive art works. We know New Orleans and would be glad to recommend the best local favorites instead of the typical tourist traps.
This is an awesome Festival that has so much going on! Here is a break-down:
Late additions to the Main Stage lineup include Usher, Jennifer Hudson, Chaka Kahn, New Edition and Kem. Here is a complete lineup of the stars who have confirmed for this year’s Main Stage performances:
Friday, July 1
* Usher *Charlie Wilson *Jennifer Hudson *Boyz II Men *Fantasia
Saturday, July 2
*Kanye West *Jill Scott *Chaka Kahn *El Debarge
Sunday, July 3
*Mary J. Blige *Trey Songz *New Edition *Kem
Individual bios of the Mainstage performers can be found here for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
“Super Lounge” acts confirmed so far include:
Friday, July 1
*Irma Thomas *Alexander O’Neal & Cherrelle *Dwele *Macy Gray *Tank
*Mavis Staples *Mint Condition *Soul Rebels Brass Band *Noel Gourdin *Miguel
Saturday, July 2
*Charmaine Neville *Naughty By Nature *Stephanie Mills *Eric Benet *Morris Day & The Time *Shamarr Allen *Timothy Bloom *To Be Continued Brass Band
Sunday, July 3
*Rebirth Brass Band George *Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic *Hal Linton *Hot 8 Brass Band *Kelly Price *Kourtney Heart *MC Lyte *Doug E. Fresh *Vanessa Bell Armstrong *Trin-I-Tee 5:7 *Brian Courtney Wilson *Loose Ends
Individual bios of the Super Lounge performers can be found here for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Essence R&B Star
New at this year’s Essence Music Festival will be a featured performance by the winner of the Essence R&B Star contest hosted by R&B singing star and producer, Perri “Pebbles” Reid. Contestants from all over the U.S. are competing in three cities, Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York, with the winner receiving a record and management deal, in addition to a Superdome mainstage appearance at EssenceFest.
Community Outreach Expo
Essence Music Festival Community Outreach & Non-Profits is dedicated to the support and strengthening of local, state and national community-based and non-profit organizations. Community.
EMF Community Outreach exhibits will take place at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center from the hours of 9:30 am to 6:00pm on July 1, 2 and 3.
Empowerment Seminars
For three days at the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center some of the top names in business, entertainment, politics, religion and other fields will be discussing their stories and their formulas for success. These seminars are both inspirational and practical, aimed at helping young African American entrepreneurs gain a foothold on their career paths and guidance in that direction. Here are the names of some of those who have confirmed attendance:
*Cynthia Bailey * Tom Burrell *Juanita Bynum *Mayor Mitch Landrieu
*Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne *Deitrick Haddon *Steve Harvey
*Jeff Henderson *Tayari Jones *Ne Ne Leakes *Lester Love *Evelyn Lozada
*Terry McMillian *Soledad O’Brien *Shaunie O’Neal *Lamman Rucker
*Marvin Sapp *Al Sharpton *Kierra Sheard *Tavis Smiley *Tami Roman
*Cornel West *CeCe Winans *Iyanla Vanzant
The seminars are free and open to the public. Check the festival website and click on “Empowerment Line-up” for more details on specific times and days for the individual speakers.
A Cultural Showcase
Essence Fest also gives African American artists, writers, craftsmen, culinary artists, businesspeople and others a chance to show and sell their wares. Streets in the Central Business District, especially around the Superdome, temporarily become outdoor markets, with booths featuring art, books, food, business, educational information and more.
Also, at the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center, the Essence Marketplace features a distinctive exhibit of quality fine art and fine crafts reflective of the rich cultural heritage developed throughout the African Diaspora. This includes decorative, functional, wearable and collectible art items such as clothing, jewelry, paintings, sculpture, dolls, beadwork, quilts, clay/ceramics, metal art, and much more, plus artist demonstrations.
You’ll want to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to take home some colorful, authentic African art, clothing, jewelry and more, all at bargain prices.
About Essence Magazine
Essence, the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African American women, made the decision to put their name on a festival of contemporary black music and culture, held annually at the Louisiana Superdome over the July 4th weekend. Between 1994, when it began, and 2005, the Essence Music Festival was never held anywhere but in New Orleans. A flattering testimonial to the continued astounding success of the fest here. In 2006, it was forced to relocate to Houston because of repairs going on at the ‘Dome, but it returned in triumph to its prior successful level in New Orleans in 2007 and has been here ever since.