12th Annual Coca-Cola Presents the 2006 Essence Music Festival

12th Annual Coca-Cola Presents the 2006 Essence Music Festival

Brings Together the Country's Largest Gathering of African-Americans to Celebrate Black Music and Launch a New Initiative: Essence Cares! A call to Action to Secure Our Youth

NEW YORK, June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The 12th Annual Coca-Cola Presents the 2006 Essence Music Festival taking place this Fourth of July weekend (July 1, 2 and 3) in Houston, TX, will convene the country's largest gathering of African-Americans to celebrate Black music and launch Essence Cares!, a national initiative to secure the future of Black youth. Known as the "Party with a Purpose," the Coca-Cola Presents the 2006 Essence Music Festival features performances by the largest assembly of Black musical talent in the world, augmented by community-oriented Essence Empowerment Seminars led by the country's most prominent African-American leaders.

The Coca-Cola Presents the 2006 Essence Music Festival will feature: Queen of Hip-Hop Mary J. Blige and the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire, who will kick off the musical extravaganza on July 1 alongside LL Cool J, comedienne Mo'Nique and Gospel singer extraordinaire Yolanda Adams. Another stellar lineup of artists will appear on July 2 including: Jamie Foxx; Chris Brown; New Edition and Bobby Brown Reunion; Doug E. Fresh & The Pioneers of Hip-Hop featuring Slick Rick, Sugar Hill Gang, MC Lyte, Biz Markie, Whodini and Dana Dane. Closing out the Festival on July 3 will be: Cedric the Entertainer; Charlie Wilson; Keyshia Cole; Maze featuring Frankie Beverly; Toni Braxton; and many others. Some of the Essence Empowerment Seminar participants include Angela Davis, The Reverend Jesse Jackson, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Danny Glover, The Reverend Al Sharpton, New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin, Marian Wright Edelman, Nas, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Honorable Louis Farrakhan.

SATELLITE FEEDS:

Sunday, July 2, 2006 Sunday Feed: Mary J. Blige; Earth Wind & Fire; LL Cool J; Mo'Nique; Yolanda Adams

Time: 4:00 - 4:15 A.M. (ET)
C-Band Space Time Galaxy 3C/C-08 (95 degree W)
Downlink Frequency: 3860 MHz (V)

Monday, July 3, 2006 Monday Feed: Doug E. Fresh & the Pioneers of Hip-Hop: (Slick Rick; The Sugar Hill Gang; MC Lyte; Biz Markie; Whodini and Dana Dane); New Edition and Bobby Brown Reunion; Jamie Foxx; Steve Harvey; Jaheim; Chris Brown

Time: 4:00 - 4:15 A.M. (ET)
C-Band Space Time Galaxy 3C/C-08 (95 degree W)
Downlink Frequency: 3860 MHz (V)

Time: 2:00 - 2:15 P.M. (ET)
C-Band Space Time Galaxy 3C/C-08 (95 degree W)
Downlink Frequency: 3860 MHz (V)

Tuesday, July 4, 2006 Tuesday Feed: Maze featuring Frankie Beverly; Toni Braxton; Cedric "The Entertainer"; Charlie Wilson; Keyshia Cole. In addition, this feed will include a wrap-up of the entire Coca-Cola Presents the 2006 Essence Music Festival.

Time: 4:00 - 4:15 A.M. (ET)
C-Band Space Time Galaxy 3C/C-08 (95 degree W)
Downlink Frequency: 3860 MHz (V)

Time: 2:00 - 2:15 P.M. (ET)
C-Band Space Time Galaxy 3C/C-08 (95 degree W)
Downlink Frequency: 3860 MHz (V)

NEWS: The "Party with a Purpose" Features the Biggest Assembly of Black Musical Talent in the World and Empowerment Seminars with the Nation's Most Prominent African-American Leaders

FORMAT: News Package With Extra Soundbites and B-roll.

SOUNDBITES & B-ROLL MAY INCLUDE: Daytime Participants include Danny Glover, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Nas, The Reverend Jesse Jackson, The Reverend Al Sharpton, Angela Davis, Marian Wright Edelman, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. Nighttime Performances to Feature Mary J. Blige, Jamie Foxx, LL Cool J, New Edition and Bobby Brown Reunion, Chris Brown, Keyshia Cole, Toni Braxton, Cedric "The Entertainer," Mo'Nique, Earth, Wind & Fire, Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly, Yolanda Adams and More

VIDEO PROVIDED BY: Essence Communications Inc.

The Coca-Cola Company is the Festival's presenting sponsor for the ninth consecutive year. The Coca-Cola Presents the 2006 Essence Music Festival's major sponsors are Budweiser/Bud Light, Kraft Foods, Chevrolet, McDonald's and Verizon Communications. In addition, Level, Southwest Airlines, U.S. Army and Wells Fargo will serve as official sponsors for the Festival. The Coca-Cola Presents the 2006 Essence Music Festival is produced by Essence Festivals LLC in association with Festival Productions of New Orleans. Essence Festivals LLC is a division of Essence Communications Inc. (ECI). ECI is also the publisher of ESSENCE magazine. ESSENCE, after 36 years, continues to be the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women.

Source: Essence Communications Inc.

CONTACT: Sheila Harris, ESSENCE, +1-917-941-1947, sharris@essence.com;
or Rhonda Evans, ESSENCE, +1-917-923-5041

-------
Profile: intent