ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2011 KICKS OFF TODAY (781 hits)
NEW ORLEANS--In its 17th season, the Essence Music Fest is still dressed to impress.
Patrons who file into the Louisiana Superdome tonight will bear witness to what, on paper at least, looks to be as entertaining an opening-night roster as Essence has ever presented.
Contemporary R&B leading man Usher, who filled the New Orleans Arena on his own in December, headlines tonight. Preceding him are reborn Gap Band frontman "Uncle" Charlie Wilson, slimmed-down, Cinderella story/Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, live-wire "American Idol" alumna Fantasia, and reconstituted crooner ensemble Boyz II Men.
And that's just one stage, on one night.
Saturday's highlight is the return of Kanye West, who, despite various ill-advised pronouncements and actions, has amassed one of the most consistent and acclaimed catalogs in recent hip-hop history.
He follows nouveau soul sister Jill Scott and much-loved veterans Chaka Khan and El Debarge.
In 2010, Mary J. Blige tore up the Dome during her penultimate set on the final night. Earth Wind & Fire, following her to close out Essence for the first time, paled in comparison.
Not surprisingly, Blige was promoted to the closing slot this year. Joining her on Sunday are the high-steppin' New Edition and two stars of more recent vintage, Trey Songz and Kem.
The main stage, of course, is only part of the Essence equation. The best food, and some of the best music, is served up in the four superlounges within the Dome concourses. The superlounges present a mix of beloved veterans, up-and-comers and homegrown New Orleans talent.
Among the acts to watch tonight: Unpredictable soul sister Macy Gray, singer-songwriter Dwele, and a pair of soul queens: Mavis Staples of Chicago and Irma Thomas of New Orleans.
On Saturday, Stephanie Mills will take the superlounge audience "Home." The ever-dapper Morris Day will step out with the Time, and Naughty By Nature will be down with "O.P.P."
Come Sunday, New Orleans local R&B artist and teenage talent Kourtney Heart will demonstrate why she's generated so much buzz in the larger world of R&B. George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic will peddle space-funk, and New Orleans-born contemporary gospel duo Trin-i-tee 5:7 will take part in a gospel showcase presented by Mathew "Beyonce's Dad" Knowles.
Today through Sunday, the free, daytime "Essence Empowerment Experience" seminars in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center present a range of discussions, performances and product placement. Among those you're likely to spot are the vocalist Ledisi and actor Idris Elba.
Today's Empowerment Experience theme is "Transforming Your Life." Featured speakers include Steve Harvey -- attendees will have a chance to audition for "Family Feud, " which Harvey hosts -- Iyanla Vanzant and author Terry McMillan.
On Saturday, the focus is on "Transforming Your Community." Scheduled speakers and moderators include the Rev. Al Sharpton, CNN's Soledad O'Brien, Tavis Smiley and Dr. Cornel West. A panel about the portrayal of women in the media includes reality TV stars NeNe Leakes, Cynthia Bailey, Shaunie O'Neal, Evelyn Lozada and Tami Roman.
The Experience concludes Sunday with "Transforming Your Soul, " with CeCe Winans, Tyrone Foster & the Arc Singers, Bishop Lester Love, Kelly Price, Fred Hammond and Marvin Sapp.
The Essence Music Festival began in 1995 as a one-off celebration of Essence Magazine's 25th anniversary. The success of that initial festival translated into an annual event. Essence has been staged in the Superdome every year except 2006, when it was moved to Houston because the Dome's Hurricane Katrina damage had not been fully repaired.
This year's Essence audience will be the first to benefit from the Superdome's latest, $85 million renovation. The renovation began in earnest after the end of the Saints' 2010 season, timed to be completed by Essence.
Essence itself underwent a makeover in 2008 when newly appointed Essence Communications president Michelle Ebanks hired a new producer to build the festival. Rehage Entertainment remade the main stage as a dazzling LED display, among other upgrades.
In November, the company's founder, Stephen Rehage, was booked with simple rape. He resigned as the Essence Fest's producer, even as he maintained his innocence.
Last week, district attorney Leon Cannizzaro refused to charge Rehage, citing insufficient evidence.
What that exoneration means for Rehage's involvement with Essence remains unclear. Officially, this year's festival is "executive produced" by Essence Festivals LLC, an in-house division of Essence Communications. An Essence publicist declined to elaborate further on the production team.
What matters more to most fans is whether the show runs on time, the bathroom lines move quickly, and the headliners live up to the hype.
