Glitter&Gumbo.com will be covering the 2017 Essence Festival concerts being held in New Orleans, Louisiana June 29 – July 2 and we can’t wait! Our readers can also look forward to seeing news about the various events and experiences with some of your favorite musicians, actors, leaders and entrepreneurs.
With this being my sixth year overall attending the Essence Festival, each trip brings a fun and different perspective that only gets better with time. It is my honor and privilege to showcase the amazing adventure festival participants will partake in this year.
What is the Essence Music Festival?
Every year around the 4th of July weekend, women and men from across the country flock to the largest festival in the United States. The Essence Music Festival pays tribute to the African-American culture and music, and New Orleans provides the backdrop for a good time filled with delicious food, shopping, concerts, empowerment seminars, and fellowship.
Essence magazine, a Time, Inc. publication, originally developed this event in 1994 as a one-time celebration to honor the 25th anniversary of the publication. Now in its 23rd year of existence, this tradition is still moving strong to celebrate the next generation’s entry into a party with a purpose.
What should I wear?
Depending on your lodging location in New Orleans, there is a lot of walking involved and the heat from the sun will require you to wear sunscreen when needed. In my opinion, flat shoes are a must and heels are temporary. Now, there’s nothing wrong with wearing heels, just know that you may not wear them for very long. Therefore you can wear flat shoes to the event and switch to your heels as you enter the venue.
Ladies should bring clothing that will allow them to move comfortably and look cute at the same time, while men can dress cool and fly. I like to look effortlessly chic during the day and glam it up at night. There will be times when a suit and tie or semi-formal attire can be worn but at the discretion of your choosing or specific to what an event entails.
Transportation/Lodging
If you live in or near the New Orleans area or know someone who does, lodging and transportation shouldn’t be a major question for you. The proximity of the festival allows you to walk wherever you need to go. There are times when an Uber may come in handy but only if it is absolutely necessary.
For those participants attending from out-of-town, it is better to book a hotel within the New Orleans area that is near downtown or the convention center. There are many hotels available, but as the time draws near, rooms will eventually sell out. Visit Essence Hotels to book a room at a discounted rate. If the price range is a bit out of your budget, there are rooms available at a lower rate in cities on the outskirts of New Orleans.
Some choose to drive to New Orleans and others prefer to fly from their current location. If you like to fly, currently Southwest Airlines has flights to New Orleans priced as low as $42 one-way. I’m not sure how long this rate will last. This is the least expensive flight I have seen from my destination thus far.
Essence Concerts
Some of the greatest award winning musicians and singers will be in attendance to deliver their musical genius to a packed audience. The Mercedes-Benz Superdome will host major concerts on the main stage, and behind the scenes music experiences in the Superlounges. I encourage everyone to visit at least one Superlounge to feel the magic up-close and fade into the spirit of crowd participation. It is often in the Superlounge where an artist will share their most personal life stories with the audience. This experience reminds me of a neighborhood house party with friends.
Visit Essence Lineup to view the artists that will grace the various stages in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and the Speakers that will pour forth their wisdom at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. You can also purchase tickets for the concerts at the link above. The Convention Center events are absolutely free to enjoy for participants young and seasoned.
What am I looking forward to?
Mary J. Blige is back and she is one of my all-time favorite performers. After enduring a public heartbreak, Mary is bound to put her all into this epic concert event. And when I found out Master P, Silk The Shocker, Mia X, and Mystical will be performing this year I nearly fainted. As a Master P fan from back-in-the-day, this moment will solidify the evolution of my youth.
Every year I make an effort to include Empowerment Speaker Carla Harris within my Essence Festival schedule. One word to describe her is phenomenal. She truly opened my spirit to thinking differently when it comes to your career. I am also excited to hear from Congresswoman Maxine Waters as she is sure to detail her experiences and plan of action for the new Presidency we have encountered.
Although there is a lot more to discuss, you can visit 2017 Essence Festival for more information. Leave a comment or send me an email if you need more tips. Enjoy!
