The Essence Festival runs July 4 to 7 in New Orleans, with speakers at the convention center and musical acts at the Superdome. It also fills up clubs and other venues around town at night. Nola.com and Times-Picayune music writer Alison Fensterstock gave WWNO some notes on what she’s looking forward to at this year’s Essence.
Family Reunion Day is Thursday, July 4. Woldenberg Park at the French Quarter riverfront hosts a free day of music, a first in the history of Essence Festival. Brass-A-Holics, Cupid and Stooges Brass Band are among the Louisiana local favorites on stage. A kid-friendly atmosphere sets it apart from the late nights at the Superdome.
Fensterstock keeps up on Essence looks and news with the @Essence feeds, especially on Instagram. While her tastes run toward comfort for fest-wear, she really loves the “shoe parade” every day: the cavalcade of fantastically dressed women walking up and down Poydras St. in flip-flops, carrying their platforms and stiletto heels to change into later.
Back to the music: PJ Morton, New Orleans native and member of Maroon5, has a solo album out. He’s at a superlounge Saturday night at the dome.
Luke James, the R&B singer and New Orleans native, is opening for Beyoncé on the current Mrs. Carter tour. He’ll be at a superlounge at the Superdome Sunday night.
Mia Borders brings her anticipated album “Quarter Life Crisis” to a superlounge spot Sunday, too.
And don’t forget headliner Beyoncé on Sunday night. Fensterstock notes the performer is “in fighting shape” for her current tour.
Alison Fensterstock’s full coverage of Essence Festival 2013 is at Nola.com.
