"Essence" Music Festival Expands to Four Days

Photo by Patrick HoelckEssence Music Festival is expanding its schedule.  The showcase has traditionally taken place over three days, but this year will go on for four days, starting with an all-day youth empowerment event on Thursday, July 5, at New Orleans' Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

That night, Diggy Simmons, The OMG Girlz and New Orleans marching band The Roots of Music will perform on the New & Next stage at the Louisiana Superdome, as part of the EMF's first ever youth empowerment concert.  Over the next few days, headliners like Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, D'Angelo, Charlie Wilson and Trey Songz will command the mic.

Mary Mary, Fantasia, Kirk Franklin, SWV and Estelle are also included in the jam-packed lineup.

Tickets for the Essence Music Festival are on sale now.  The showcase will take place from July 5-8.

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