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| Essence Music Festival | |
|---|---|
 En Vogue performing on the main stage at the Essence Music Festival | |
| Genre | R&B • Soul • Funk • Gospel • Blues • Hip-Hop • Jazz • Reggae • New Jack Swing |
| Dates | 4 July weekend |
| Location(s) | Caesars Superdome New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Years active | 1995–2019, 2021 (virtual)– |
| Attendance | 500,000 |
| Website | Essence.com |
The ESSENCE Festival of Culture is the largest African-American culture and music event in the US.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] The annual music festival started in 1995 in New Orleans, Louisiana to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Essence magazine. The festival features artists simultaneously performing on a main stage as well as four standing-room only stages.
In 2006 it was held in Houston, Texas, due to Hurricane Katrina's effect on New Orleans, and the 2020 festival was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A spinoff iteration of the festival was held in Durban, South Africa in 2016. In 2013, Solomon Group became the producer of Essence Festival,[8] and MSNBC broadcast the event live.[1][9] MSNBC returned for the 2014 festival.[10] Much of the 2017 film Girls Trip was filmed on location during the 2016 festival, casting over 5,000 extras.[11] In 2022 The Walt Disney Company served as the exclusive entertainment sponsor.[12]
- ^ a b "MSNBC at Essence Festival: a view from Studio Square | MSNBC". Tv.msnbc.com. 2013-10-13. Retrieved 2015-11-23.
- ^ "Street closures possible downtown during Essence Fest, city officials say". Nbcnews.com. Archived from the original on 5 July 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ^ "MSNBC to Broadcast Live from 2013 ESSENCE FESTIVAL". Tv.broadwayworld.com. 2015-11-17. Retrieved 2015-11-23.
- ^ "Essence Music Festival with Mary J. Blige". The New York Times. Retrieved 2015-11-23.
- ^ "Essence, MSNBC Team For 2013 Fourth Of July Weekend Festi | Shadow and Act". Blogs.indiewire.com. 2013-05-20. Retrieved 2015-11-23.
- ^ "On the Concert Stage Bet Festival Offers a Broad Brand Experience". The New York Times. Retrieved 2015-11-23.
- ^ "2007 Essence Music Festival 'Coming Home' to New Orleans July 5, 6, 7". Crt.state.la.us. Archived from the original on 2010-12-04. Retrieved 2007-04-17.
- ^ "Essence This Time: A Festival Evolving". NPR.org. Retrieved 2017-08-04.
- ^ Whitaker, Morgan. "Steve Harvey talks success and manhood at Essence Fest". MSNBC. Retrieved 2015-11-23.
- ^ "Growing Hope at the ESSENCE Festival™". MSNBC. Retrieved 2015-11-23.
- ^ "Casting for 'Girls Trip' During Essence Fest". Central Casting. 2018-07-02. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
- ^ Osbourne, Aussie. "Walt Disney To Be Exclusive Entertainment Sponsor Of 2022 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture". Aussie Osbourne. Aussie Osbourne. Retrieved 3 June 2022.