Travel - Essence Music Festivel 2013

Photo credits: Essence.com

It's the 19th annual Essence Music Festival that takes place every July 4th weekend in New Orleans (http://www.essence.com/festival). For 19 years Essence magazine has put on a 3 day event which main focus is music, but also includes free conferences during the day. So you would attend the free conferences at the Convention Center during the day and head over to the Superdome at night to listen to all the wonderful entertainers performing for that evening. The EMF has been known to bring out the big names like Beyonce, Ne-Yo, and Trey Songz to name a few. As well as some up and coming folks like Teedra Moses, Raheem Devaughn, and many other. So let me help you plan your trip with these few pointers.

 Eat some great food!!!! Baby, if you have never had food from Louisiana, you are in for a treat. Now, please keep in mind this is going to be a VERY BUSY time in N.O for EMF so be prepared for a wait, but its all worth it. Some places you MUST eat at are:
a. Acme Oyster House (http://www.acmeoyster.com) for some of the best po boys and fresh oysters. 
b. Deanie's Seafood (http://www.deanies.com) ...for all things fried seafood.
c. Bourbon House (www.bourbonhouse.com) restaurant has finer dining, to go along with the price. However, the food is worth it.
d. Mother's (www.mothersrestaurant.net/) for breakfast...I have yet to go because it stays packed during the entire wkend. 
e. Cafe Du Monde (http://www.cafedumonde.com/) for the BEST beignets I have ever had. Don't do like I did the first time I went and ask for a fork...you will get a crazy look. You just pick them up with your hands and eat them.

Some other great and famous places to check out are Emeril's (http://www.emerilsrestaurants.com/emerils-new-orleans) which I would recommend making reservations. A New Orleans local favorite and apart of N.O history, Dookie Chase (http://www.dookychaserestaurant.com) to get you soul food fix.

Ok here are the performers for the remainder of the festival:

Performers at the Superdome;
Saturday 07/06/13- 

Main Stage -  Solange, Trey Songz, Keshia Cole, and Charlie Wilson
CocaCola Superlounge - Faith Evans, Bridget Kelly, and Avery Sunshine
Ford Superlounge - Big Daddy Kane, F. Stokes, and PJ Morton
McDonald's 365 Black Awards Superlounge - Jody Watley and Leela James
Covergirl Superlounge - Bilal, Deep Cotton, Roman GianArther St. Beauty

Sunday 07/07/13-

Main Stage - Beyonce, TGT, and Janelle Monae
CocaCola Superlounge - Rachelle Ferrell and Mia Borders
Ford Superlounge - Mint Condition, Kourtney Heart, and Daley
Mcdonald's 365 Black Awards Superlounger - Tamia and Luke James
Covergirl Superlounge - Marsha Ambrosius and Alice Smith

Sunday morning make sure you head over to the Convention Center for a Gospel performance you do not want to miss!!!
 
Last but not least, get out and take one of many tours. From a gator tour to a voodoo tour. You will learn about some great N.O history as well as some fun facts about the great city. Walk around the city by yourself and soak some scenery while you sip on a world famous daiquiri from one of the many Daiquiri shops.

I hope I have helped make things a little easier for you on your upcoming trip to New Orleans now or in the future. These great tips are good during any time of your year you choose to visit N.O. Until next time, Stay Fabulous!!!!