NEW YORK, NY (Essence Communications Inc.) - The 12th Annual Coca-Cola Presents the Essence
Music Festival taking place this Fourth of July weekend (July 1st, 2nd and 3rd) in Houston, TX, will convene the country's largest annual gathering of African-Americans to celebrate
Black music and launch Essence Cares!, a national initiative to secure the future of
Black youth. Known as the "Party with a Purpose", the Coca-Cola Presents the 2006 Essence
Music Festival features performances by the largest assembly of
Black musical talent in the world, augmented by community-oriented Essence Empowerment Seminars led by the country's most prominent African-American leaders.
Celebrities, national and community leaders are joining forces on-site to launch Essence Cares! A Call to Action to Secure our Youth. With an emphasis on mentoring, the initiative will galvanize attendees to enlist millions of African-Americans to support one of the national organizations in partnership with ESSENCE: The Children's Defense Fund, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the National Urban League, Operation Hope and M.A.D.D.A.D.S.
"The tradition of music, art, heritage, culture and community continues in Houston with a fantastic Fourth of July celebration that is truly a bigger party with a deeper purpose," said ESSENCE President Michelle Ebanks. "With the support of our dedicated partners and sponsors, the Coca-Cola Presents the 2006 Essence Music Festival is well positioned to make Essence Cares! the country's leading initiative in support of our at-risk youth."
Attendees of the Coca-Cola Presents the 2006 Essence Music Festival travel from all over the world for the multigenerational experience. In addition to the free and open-to-the-public Essence Empowerment Seminars, the Festival's daytime offerings also include the Essence Marketplace, a showcase of quality fine arts & crafts; all of which culminates in three fantastic nights of musical performances by the biggest names in entertainment.
Main stage performers for the Coca-Cola Presents the 2006 Essence Music Festival include Yolanda Adams; Keyshia Cole; Mary J. Blige; Toni Braxton; Chris Brown; Cedric "The Entertainer"; Doug E. Fresh & The Pioneers of Hip-Hop featuring Slick Rick, Sugar Hill Gang, MC Lyte, Biz Markie, Whodini and Dana Dane; Earth, Wind & Fire; Jamie Foxx; Steve Harvey; Jaheim; LL Cool J.; Maze featuring Frankie Beverly; Mo'Nique; New Edition and Bobby Brown and Charlie Wilson.
Running concurrently with the main-stage performances are two distinct lounges within Reliant Stadium featuring internationally-renowned and local Houston talent: Brand New Heavies, Captain Charles, C.O.C.O Brown & The Phat Cat Players, DJ Raj Smooth, Goapele, Kindred, Loose Ends, Michael Ward, Mike Phillips, Myra Washington, Musiq and Rebirth Brass Band.
The Essence Marketplace highlights artists with a distinctive exhibition of quality Fine Art and Fine Crafts reflective of the rich cultural heritage seen throughout the African Diaspora. The Marketplace will also include interactive sponsor presentations, celebrity meet-and-greets, Festival souvenirs and a book fair with author book signings. Additionally, the Coca- Cola Presents the 2006 Essence Music Festival sponsors a day-long Youth Outreach Program, which hosts local children for games, musical performances and motivational presentations on a variety of topics.
Tickets for the evening entertainment are on sale at https://ticketmaster.com, (800) 488-5252 or (713) 629-3700 in Houston. Tickets are $45, $56, $67, $72, $83, $110 and $165. All tickets are subject to additional service charges. For hotel accommodations, call (888) 508-5731. For more information, see the July 2006 issue of ESSENCE or log on to https://essence.com.
