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PEOPLE & ARTS Tuesday 2 July 2019
Essence Fest marks 25 years of celebrating black culture

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The a special performance by
Essence Festival, which Anthony Hamilton.
draws thousands to New ___
Orleans during the fourth H.E.R.
of July week, is celebrating The Grammy winning sing-
25 years of bringing African er-songwriter returns to the
American women of all festival this year but moves
ages together for thought- to the main stage instead of
proving conversation and the Superlounges — smaller
performances from top venues set up in the Super-
musical acts. dome's cavernous halls.
Launched to mark the "I'm so excited," she said.
25th anniversary of black- "It's just honestly crazy but
owned Essence magazine, dope too because last
the festival has become a year, people were telling
yearly celebration to high- me I should have been on
light excellence in business, the main stage and now I
fashion, entertainment, am."
and, of course, music. H.E.R., whose real name is
It is a destination vacation Gabriella Wilson, said she's
for African American wom- looking forward to being
en, which was showcased on stage the same night
in the 2017 hit movie "Girls as icons Blige and first lady
Trip." The movie —which Michelle Obama. She's also
starred Regina Hall, Queen eager to sample New Or-
Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, leans' famous cuisine.
and Tiffany Haddish in a "Essence is one of the plac-
breakout role — centered es you go if you want (to)
on four longtime friends see all the beautiful black
who reunited at Essence. In this April 14, 2019 file photo, H.E.R. performs at the Coachella Music & Arts Festival at the Empire people from all over the
The festival is July 5-7 and Polo Club in Indio, Calif. world. It's black excellence
has two parts: daytime ac- Associated Press at its finest, literally. And
tivities and panel discus- having it in New Orleans
sions mainly held at the the quarter-century mark. health care and entre- erly has an almost cult-like is the best place because
convention center and "It's been nothing but huge preneurship. He said the following with devoted the food is crazy good!"
nighttime music and con- since Day 1," she said. "Peo- festival has become the fans who sing along with She hopes her perfor-
certs at the Superdome. ple from all over the world "central meeting place for him. During a Maze perfor- mance is an opportunity to
The Associated Press spoke and all walks of life flock to black people, black wom- mance, fans can be seen expose those who may not
to some performers and this big, black event. Every- en specifically." dancing in the aisles, many be familiar with her music.
thought leaders who've one's coming to see what's "It's a celebration of who wearing white clothing as ___
made frequent appear- going on, to come to New we are and the diversity Beverly often does. DONNIE McCLURKIN
ances and to a relatively Orleans, to eat. The food of us in terms of our talents He says he's always amazed Before the thousands of
new performer who is mov- down there is crazy good and our gifts. It's the perfect to see how fans react. festival-goers head home
ing up to the main stage and there's a party every mix of entertainment and "They don't have to do that, Sunday, many of them
this year about what they other night. There's lots of information," he said. but it shows they're still into gather at the convention
like about the festival and entrepreneurship around, Sharpton recalled when us and to still be in that po- center for a gospel service
why they return. there's gospel, there's ev- the magazine's co-found- sition to do that, I'm moved to connect spiritually.
___ erything. It's just phenom- er, Edward Lewis, started and pleased by it. To be McClurkin, a pastor and
MARY J. BLIGE enal." the project: "When I was on back this year is like getting singer, has performed and
The Grammy Award-win- Blige received BET's Life- that first leadership panel with your family again," he hosted the service multiple
ning songstress is no strang- time Achievement Award at the first festival I thought, said. times and says he's looking
er to the festival, having in June. this was just a one-time Beverly's run at the festival forward to this year's event.
closed the show many ___ thing." ended in 2010 when a new "It's really devoted to us as
times in the past. REV. AL SHARPTON But since then, the festival producer decided to end African Americans, not just
She's scheduled to take the Sharpton has attended has grown from a few ex- the long tradition of Maze women, but to the black
main stage Saturday at the and participated in every hibitions to a destination as the closer. Many fans experience," McClurkin
Superdome. festival since its inception for Fortune 500 compa- were disappointed despite said. "At this point, it's got to
This year, though, is extra in 1994. And, as a result, he nies, top lecturers, business the great talent tapped to be one of most sought after
special, she said. The festi- said he stays on his toes. minds and CEOs, Sharpton close such as Beyonce, Lio- tickets in the world."
val marks 25 years and so "Everywhere I go, people said. nel Richie, Aretha Franklin The "We Fall Down" singer
does her album, "My Life." tell me 'I will see you at Es- ___ and Earth, Wind and Fire. said he's awed by the fes-
It's a milestone that "feels sence,'" he said. "That forc- MAZE, FEATURING FRANKIE In 2015, Beverly returned for tival's "diversity and appre-
great." es me to think of a new BEVERLY an appearance that co- ciation for ethnic accom-
"It's one of the most impor- speech every year." This year the festival is pay- incided with the festival's plishment" and that the
tant albums of my career. Sharpton generally ap- ing tribute to one of its long- recognition of the 10-year event is also a platform for
It's when I started a relation- pears during the daytime time stars: Maze, featuring anniversary of Hurricane gospel performers.
ship with my fans," she said. activities at the conven- Frankie Beverly. Katrina. "It exposes us to people
"I could tour on that album tion center. Festivalgoers For 15 years, Beverly and On this year's final night, who may not have known
for the rest of my life and can attend any number Maze closed the Essence the festival is scheduled to us before and gives us an
not make another song." of panel discussions or pre- Festival, often turning the pay tribute to Beverly for his opportunity to minister to
Blige said she never doubt- sentations on issues such as Superdome floor into a lifetime contribution to mu- people from all walks of
ed the festival would reach politics, economic wealth, sea of dancing fans. Bev- sic. The tribute will feature life," McClurkin said.q