NEW ORLEANS (AP) - From hitting its 15-year milestone to the historic inauguration of the country's first black president, organizers say the Essence Music Festival has plenty to celebrate this year.
Headliners for the festival, which is billed as one of the nation's largest annual events celebrating black music and culture, will include Beyonce, John Legend, Teena Marie, Al Green and dozens of others.
But this year will be about a lot more than music. Michelle Ebanks, president of Essence Communications, says the festival, slated for July 3-5 in New Orleans, will include special events surrounding the Essence Festival's 15th anniversary and the recent inauguration of President Barack Obama.
There will be a tribute to Bishop T.D. Jakes, the Dallas pastor who gave the inauguration day sermon at St. John's Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., just before Obama took the oath for the nation's highest office.
The format for this year's festival will be the same as in years
past: ticketed musical performances are slated for the Louisiana Superdome at night and free empowerment seminars will be held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center during the day.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
