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The 16th annual Essence Music Festival is in full swing.
On July 1, Essence Communications, Inc. President Michelle Ebanks joined New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu and festival sponsors like Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Tide, Coors and Wal-Mart to announce some of this year's festival highlights.
The press conference, held at the Mahalia Jackson Theatre in Louis Armstrong Park, gave an insider's perspective on all of the good that the largest gathering of African Americans in the country brings to the Big Easy, especially in light of the continuous rebuilding efforts since Hurricane Katrina's devastation in 2005.
"It is has grown to be the largest R&B and pop music festival in the country," Ebanks told BV Newswire.
"Last year was our 15th anniversary and over 400,000 people attended the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, and we were equally very excited that our attendees spent $190 million over the four-day weekend. That's a huge boost to the economy and the city of New Orleans, and we are are very proud of that contribution to the city."As previously reported, Janet Jackson, Jill Scott, Alicia Keys and Mary J. Blige are a few of the headlining acts taking over the Superdome this Fourth of July weekend. But during the day, the Essence Empowerment Seminars are designed to get the people of New Orleans out and about and educated for free.
"The festival is multifaceted and truly a cultural celebration unlike any other in the United States," Ebanks continued. "During the day, we take over 500,000 square feet and that's where we bring in our national leaders, our ministers, our celebrities and authors to come in and have thought-provoking and inspiring conversations. We have a day committed to love and relationships with Steve Harvey. Saturday is our first-ever education summit featuring Dr. Bill Cosby, Bishop T.D. Jakes and Steven Perry, and Sunday is an all-star gospel celebration honoring Kirk Franklin. And it is all free and open to the public."
With that type of lineup, this year is sure to to be another record-breaking year for Essence.
Stay abreast of all the Essence Music Festival happenings on Black Voices.
Comments: (5)
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By: "DimePiece" on 7/02/2010 8:05AM
No I haven't attended any Essence Music Festival but hopefully, next year I will be able to? What a GOOD LINE UP the Festival has this year! I'm sure the music is going to be good and the seminars are going to be educational and inspiring. I hope that everybody has a good time! Can't wait to see the pics, videos, and read the revues!
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By: Dreamprinzess on 7/02/2010 1:55PM
I've attended the Essence Fest almost every year since it's inception. It's exhilarating to see hundreds of thousands, of our black sisters and brothers networking, having fun, enjoying music, seminars, food, books, crafts, and most of all, each other.
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By: lynne on 7/04/2010 3:35PM
I have attended the essence music festival every year for the last 15years except for this one. I love myself some frankie beverly and maze and when i heard that they was not going to close out the show,I had to pass this year and also the economy is bad as well for people to be spending money like that when most of us should be saving. The acts are okay but to say the most some of the better acts are in the lounge instead of on the main stage...To many one or two hit wonders for me. If there is a EMF next year please bring maze back and limited the one hit wonders.
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By: New Orleans Resident on 7/04/2010 10:30PM
Why was Frankie Beverly NOT the closing act of the Fest this year in New Orleans, LA?
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By: Arlen Duplessis on 7/05/2010 10:42AM
Will the Essence Festival return to New Orleans next year. Thanks-A-Million
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