new orleans hotelsEssence Fest - July 3-5, 2009| Essence Festival Hotel Guide

“The Ultimate Party Weekend” kicks off Friday, July 3 and continues through Sunday the 5th as the Essence Music Festival returns to New Orleans for its 15th anniversary.

The Louisiana Superdome will be rockin’ for the July 4th Weekend with an eclectic mix of soul, R&B, jazz, hip hop, gospel, native African music and – of course – a tasty New Orleans gumbo of some of our brass-iest brass bands, soulful soul singers and hip hip-hoppers.

This year’s EssenceFest headliners include award-winning, multi-platinum singer, songwriter and actress Beyoncé; up-and-comer Maxwell; and three legendary singers with genres all their own, Al Green, Lionel Richie and Anita Baker.

And, as icing on the cake, Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly will close out the festival as they have done every year since its inception.

The weekend also includes three days of Empowering Seminars, free of charge, at the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center, headlined by power speakers Bill Cosby, CeCe Winans, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Rev. Al Sharpton, Donna Brazile, Roland Martin, Tom Joyner and many other influential personalities in a wide variety of fields.

The performers lined up so far include:

  • Beyoncé
  • Lionel Richie
  • Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly
  • Maxwell
  • Anita Baker
  • Al Green
  • John Legend
  • Robin Thicke
  • Salt-N-Pepa
  • En Vogue
  • Teena Marie
  • Solange
  • Eric Benet
  • Ne-Yo
  • Ledisi
  • Sierra Leone’s Refugee All-Stars
  • Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
  • Rafael Saadiq
  • Zap Mama
  • The Blind Boys of Alabama
  • Lalah Hathaway
  • Janelle Monáe
  • The Brand New Heavies
  • Dan Dyer
  • Keri Hilson
  • Ryan Leslie
  • Melanie Fiona
  • Charlie Wilson . . . and these celebrated New Orleans artists

  • Irvin Mayfield
  • Big Sam’s Funky Nation
  • DJ Soul Sister
  • Little Freddie King
  • Preservation Hall Jazz Band
  • Rebirth Brass Band
  • Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
  • The Knux
  • Jonathan Slocumb

    . . . and more still to be announced . . . ! For full bios of these confirmed performers visit www.essencemusicfestival.com.

    Empowerment and Artistry Showcased Over the years, EssenceFest has been the highlight of New Orleans summer music scene, and one of the city’s top five annual drawing cards. Many of the top-sellers in the African American – and crossover – music scene have performed at the festival, while some of the most successful African American business and religious leaders have inspired audiences with their optimistic, “can-do” seminars and speeches.

    The festival-sponsoring company itself is an outstanding example of African American entrepreneurship. Aimed primary at African American women, Essence magazine has a readership of 8.1 million. Initially focusing on health and beauty related topics, the 38-year-old publication has expanded its scope to become the leading source of cutting-edge information relating to every other area of African-American women's lives.

    EssenceFest 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 temporarily become outdoor markets, with booths featuring art, books, food, business, educational information and more. Also, at the 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.

    Tickets are now on sale and are selling fast: Some choice seats are already sold out. For ticket ordering information, including a seating chart, click here or call TicketMaster at 1-800-488-5252 or locally, 504-522-5555. Some hotels offer special deals for Fest-goers. For more information about EssenceFest go to www.essence.com.

    •  


    Privacy Policy