Tag Archives: Aretha Franklin

2012 Essence Music Festival

 Every year over 400,000 people from around the world descend upon New Orleans for the only music festival that offers not only scorching music performances and a party filled atmosphere, but also a full Empowerment Experience and four days of family friendly fun: the Essence Music Festival.  This year, in its 18th year of existence and bigger, better and with a more complete programming line up than ever, the 2012 Essence Musical Festival will celebrate its 18th anniversary this July 5 th, 6th, 7th and 8th in historic New Orleans, LA, with the most lauded names in entertainment and the nation’s most influential speakers, artists, authors, educators and leaders.

This year the Essence Music Festival will conclude their world class musical programming on Sunday, July 8 th, with a special, once in a lifetime ensemble comprised of Chaka Khan and the R&B Divas. Immediately following the legendary Aretha Franklin’s headlining performance, Chaka will return for a sixty-minute encore performance with the R&B Divas, comprised of Faith Evans, Nicci Gilbert, Monifah Carter, Syleenah Johnson and Keke Wyatt . Together these powerful voices will pay tribute to the R&B artists who passed away over this past year.

This closing ensemble is the final addition to talent which already includes a stellar line-up featuring the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, Grammy-Award winning singer D’Angelo, as well as R&B heartthrob Trey Songz, Charlie Wilson, Mary Mary, Mary J. Blige, Fantasia, The Pointer Sisters, Ledisi and more. The official host each night will be Nephew Tommy, comedian and co-host of the long running Steve Harvey Morning Show.

Kicking off on the inaugural day of Thursday, July 5 th, the Festival, long known as a family friendly Festival, will celebrate a full day youth empowerment experience at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, culminating with the first ever youth empowerment concert on the New & Next stage that night at the Louisiana Superdome. Hosted by Wild Wayne and actress Rocsi Diaz, the New & Next stage will feature a roster of rising young stars including the newly added Roshon Fegan in addition to Kaitlyn Nichol, Coco Jones, recording artist and hip-hop royalty Diggy Simmons, R&B pop group The OMG Girlz and New Orleans’ marching band The Roots of Music. These bright young stars are the first-ever generation of performers to represent the New & Next Stage and will be sure to dazzle on July 5th. Sponsored by Verizon, Wal-Mart and community partner Capital One, tickets for the New and Next Stage are available at essencemusicfestival.com.

Forever anchored in Empowerment and not just entertainment, the Essence Empowerment Experience brings together the leaders, innovators, activists, experts, artists, performers and thinkers who are defining the social and political discussions that matter most to attendees all under one roof at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The “Power of Our Voice” is the theme of this year’s 18th annual Essence Music Festival and through this forum Essencewill celebrate the power of Family, Community and Spirit within a unique gathering that is free and open to the public. Inspirational speaker and New Thought spiritual teacher, Iyanla Vanzant, has been newly added to the line up which already includes Steve Harvey, Vanessa Williams, Reverend Al Sharpton, Soledad O’Brien, Alice Randall and Tamar Braxton, amongst many others.

For information about ticket sales, accommodations and the latest news about the Essence Music Festival, visit Essence Music Festival www.essencemusicfestival.com Join the Festival community: follow us on Twitter @essencemusic #EssenceFest and become a fan of 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival on Facebook.

The 2012 Essence Music Festival is “Celebrating The Power of Our Voice”

The 2012 Essence Musical Festival celebrates “The Power of Our Voice” during its 18th anniversary held in New Orleans July 6, 7 and 8. This year’s theme reflects the audiences’ turn to powerful voices—whether through song, the political arena or community organizing—for strength and inspiration during challenging times. The annual Festival promises to deliver a stellar line-up of musical artists as well as leading thinkers, authors, innovators and influencers who will empower and motivate the audience to make a difference in each of their communities The annual weekend of entertainment and empowerment will feature an unprecedented three days of cultural celebrations over the festive Fourth of July holiday weekend in the Crescent City.

“The theme of this year’s Essence Music Festival celebrates our most powerful voices. Whether it’s Aretha Franklin, The Queen of Soul commanding respect or Rep. Maxine Waters demanding better conditions for our community, these powerful voices resonate with our audience like no other,” said Michelle Ebanks, president, Essence Communications Inc. “As we all face a new reality in these critical times, we want to inspire our Festival-goers to leave this year’s Festival even more resilient and motivated so that they can be empowered to create change in their own communities.”

After another record-breaking year in 2011, this year’s line-up promises to be a weekend to remember. Stellar acts leading the list of artists set to perform at the legendary Louisiana Superdome include: Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Fantasia, Stephanie Mills, Charlie Wilson, Keyshia Cole, Ledisi, SWV, Dru Hill, Raheem DeVaughn, Estelle, Goapele, Vivian Green, Kindred the Family Soul, Luke James, Eric Roberson, The Stylistics, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Bridget Kelly, The Original Pinettes Brass Band, The Stooges Brass Band and Khris Royal & Dark Matter.

In addition, Essence will honor iconic singer Aretha Franklin with “The Power Award.” The Queen of Soul previously performed at the Festival in 1995 and 2005.

In addition to the colossal music line-up, the audience can look forward to the annual Essence Empowerment Experience, which is free and open to the public at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Festival-goers will experience three full days of socio-political dialogue, health and wellness discussions and spiritual inspiration led by dynamic motivational speakers. The initial roster of leading authors, speakers and leaders include: Steve Harvey, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rep. Maxine Waters and Dr. Steve Perry . The weekend will culminate on Sunday with a rousing All-star Gospel tribute honoring gospel mega-stars Fred Hammond and Mary Mary.

In an effort to continue to give back to the New Orleans community, Essence will also partner with the City of New Orleans to benefit their initiatives focused on saving our youth.

Now in its 18th year, the ultimate destination for entertainment and inspiration hosted over 422,000 attendees last year. The festival is the nation’s largest annual gathering of African-American music and culture.  For information about ticket sales, accommodations and the latest news visit www.essencemusicfestival.com. Join the Festival community: follow us on Twitter @essencemusic #EssenceFest and become a fan of 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival on Facebook.

 

To Ms. O with love, Oprah’s Surprise Farewell

After 25 years on television Oprah Winfrey is calling it quits, but not before her producers could surprise her with a special night filled with celebrities and thank you’s from fans, friends and her loved ones.

The star studded event included appearances from Will and Jada Smith, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Tyler Perry, Rosie O’Donnell, Queen Latifah, Jerry Seinfeld, Halle Berry, Tom Hanks, Michael Jordan, Maria Shriver, Diane Sawyer, Dakota Fanning, Dr. Oz, Nate Berkus and Dr. Phil.

Musical guests included Beyonce performing her new single “Run The World (Girls)”, Jamie Foxx, Stevie Wonder, Rascal Flatts, Patti LaBelle, Josh Groban, Kristin Chenoweth, Aretha Franklin. Dr. Maya Angelou recited a poem dedicated to Oprah and Alicia Keys accompanied her on the piano.

The Oprah Farewell was taped in one night on Tuesday, May 17th and will air on May 23 and 24th.

Photos by Barry Brecheisen