The 13th Annual 2007 Essence Music Festival Presented by Coca-Cola Celebrated the Fourth of July Weekend in New Orleans

The 13th Annual 2007 Essence Music Festival Presented by Coca-Cola Celebrated the Fourth of July Weekend in New Orleans

More than 200,000 Festival-goers attended the 'Coming Home' Celebration of the renowned 'Party With a Purpose' at the Louisiana Superdome featuring star-studded concert performances by Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, Steve Harvey, Ludacris, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Ne-Yo, The O'Jays with Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill, Lionel Richie, Ciara, and Robin Thicke

Plus Special Appearances by 2008 Presidential Candidates Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton

NEW ORLEANS, July 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 13th annual 2007 Essence Music Festival presented by Coca-Cola celebrated its homecoming to New Orleans on July 5, 6, and 7; with over 200,000 Festival-goers attending the evening concerts and daytime activities. This year's "party with a purpose," the largest yearly gathering of African-American musical talent in the world, partnered with the Children's Defense Fund to support the Freedom Schools of New Orleans.

The three-day Festival kicked off Thursday, July 5, with star-studded evening concert performances featuring The O'Jays with Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill; Isley Brothers Featuring Ron Isley; Ludacris; Ciara; and the McDonald's Gospel Tribute: Smokie Norful and Vanessa Bell Armstrong. Another stellar lineup of artists appeared on Friday, July 6, including: Beyonce; Chris Brown; Steve Harvey; and Robin Thicke. Closing out the Festival on Saturday, July 7 was: Maze featuring Frankie Beverly; Mary J. Blige; Lionel Richie; Ne-Yo; Kelly Rowland and many others.

"Our homecoming celebration to New Orleans was tremendously successful," says Michelle Ebanks, President, Essence Communications Inc. "The spirit and energy in the city during the Festival reminded us all why New Orleans is the natural home for the Essence Music Festival."

The ESSENCE Cares Empowerment Seminars at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center served as a spiritual oasis for hundreds of Festival-goers seeking inspiration and motivation. Celebrities and national and community leaders came together to share insight, offer hope and support the Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools, and a portion of every concert ticket sale went to the Freedom Schools of New Orleans.

Hosted by Susan L. Taylor, the theme of this year's Essence Empowerment Seminars was "Claiming our city...Claiming Ourselves" through restoration, love, and power. Participants included: Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Barack Obama, Marian Wright Edelman, Tyler Perry, Dr. Cornel West, Common, Hill Harper, Common, Lyfe Jennings, Doug E. Fresh, Louisiana State Senator Diana Bajoie, Serita Jakes, U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu, Michael Eric Dyson, and others.

The 2007 Essence Music Festival was presented by Coca-Cola, and major sponsors included: Budweiser, McDonald's, Chevrolet, Sony, U.S. Army, Verizon and Wal-Mart. In addition, HBO, L'Oreal Paris, Southwest Airlines, TBS, Vaseline, and VH1 Soul were official sponsors. Coca-Cola, Budweiser, McDonald's and Chevrolet each hosted a Superlounge during the Festival.

The Coca-Cola Presents the 2007 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 37 years, continues to be the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women.

Source: Essence Communications Inc.

CONTACT: Dana Baxter, +1-212-522-1634, dbaxter@essence.com, or Sheila
Harris, +1-212-522-1089, sharris@essence.com, or Ra'Chelle Rogers,
+1-212-522-2724, rrogers@essence.com, all of Essence Communications Inc.

Web site:

http://www.essence.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photos are available for your story. Please call Ra'Chelle Rogers for images.

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