Essence Festival Set to Celebrate Jackson, Black Culture

New Orleans hosts the event this holiday weekend

By CORY LOPEZ

Updated 1:45 PM EST, Fri, Jul 3, 2009

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Hundreds of thousands are expected at the 15th Annual Essence Music Festival this July 4th weekend to celebrate black music culture and remember Michael Jackson.

Chart-topping megastars Ne-Yo, Beyonce, Maxwell and John Legend will take the stage Friday through Sunday. On the festivals final, the old school will be represented when Teena Marie, Al Green, Lionel Richie and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly all take the stage at the Superdome.

Since Jackson's death on June 25th, the festival's producers have considered how to honor the King of Pop's legacy. Even if a formal tribute does not come about, individual performers will likely pay their respects and eulogize the late Jackson on the main stage.

Besides music, Essence has plenty to celebrate with the election of the country's first black president and the festival's 15th anniversary, Michelle Ebanks, president of Essence Communications Inc., told The Associated Press.

The Essence Music Festival, which back in 1995 was created to be a one-time event celebrating the launch of Essence Magazine, is about the past and the future of music. The festival has evolved into a premier showcase of contemporary urban music, and this year's performers will join the ranks of past memorable performances from idols such as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Prince.

Veterans and next generation artists alike will carry on the tradition at Essence, featuring both entertainment and empowerment sessions. Since 1995, the festival has been the nation's largest annual gathering of African American music and culture.

The 2009 Essence festival will include three days of cultural activities and three nights of performances by some of the greatest African-American artists in the music industry. In its fifteen years of operation, Essence has become a massive event, attracting attendees from across the globe to enjoy evening concerts, and seminars and celebrity meet-and-greets.

Tickets have sold faster than usual, and this year is shaping up to be a record crowd, despite the slumping economy and loss of two major sponsors. Essence is on track to break last year's record attendance of 270,000, Ebanks said.

To even further boost attendance ad interest, Essence staffers will take to the Internet more than ever this year. Live video, photo posts and live blogging of the concerts and seminars will be hosted on the magazine's Web site. Attendees can even sign up to receive mobile alerts when artists are set to hit the stage.

And for the first time in at least five years, Essence also is throwing an official after-party after each even of performances. Essence Encore will be take place at Club Metropolitan with celebrity hosts, including musician MC Lyte.