Today, I’m attending the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans for the first time. I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to pack my bags and head down to the Big Easy for a weekend of music, fun, food and fellowship.
I’ve always been a fan of Essence magazine and have only heard great things about the annual festival, so it was only a matter of time before I made my way. Plus, after my recent visit to New Orleans last fall, I fell in love with the ambiance, culture and of course, the delicious cajun cuisine.
After eyeing the nightly concert lineups and speakers booked for the 3-day event, I am beyond excited to head to the Crescent City this Fourth of July weekend. Below, check out several reasons why I’m looking forward to attending my first Essence Music Festival.
Networking opportunities. Essence Festival is synonymous with black girl magic, so it goes without saying that the event will present plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow boss babes, entrepreneurs and professionals from various industries.
Mouthwatering dishes. From crawfish étouffée to scrumptious beignets, New Orleans is known for their delicious food. Being here during the festival provides countless moments to get a good meal.
Beauty Carnivale. Being a beauty buff, I can’t wait to get the latest makeup tips and tricks from fellow bloggers and editors at the festival’s first-ever beauty carnivale at the expo.
Getting inside scoop. Tons of actresses, singers and pop culture luminaries will convene in New Orleans this weekend for the festival. Hopefully, I’ll be able to snag a few exclusive interviews and get the scoop on some of our favorite stars’ upcoming projects and more.
Top-notch performances. They say music is the soundtrack of our lives. That’s why I’m so excited to take a trip down memory lane with a few of my favorite artists from the 90s and early 2000s. What teen growing up in the 90s didn’t love Xscape’s R&B hits? The quartet’s recent reunion has been music to the ears of R&B fans around the country and Essence Festival attendees are lucky to hear them live on Saturday. They’ll join a roster of other talented artists including India.Arie, Diana Ross, Solange, Master P and Chance the Rapper.
Will you be in New Orleans for the Essence Festival this weekend? If not, have you ever attended in the past?
All good reason. One year I’m going.