Like most major music and culture festivals, Essence Festival can be overwhelming when just glancing at the schedule. Essence Fest encompasses four full days of music, panel discussions, demonstration stages plus an arts and business marketplace. This year, the celebration even includes Thursday’s “Family Union Day,” the festival’s new free event. Since Essence chooses to host the ultimate festival of African-American culture in the birthplace of the forerunners of most American music, we thought it would be prudent to provide a guide to when and where you can see New Orleans artists on at Essence Fest this weekend.
In addition to several other rising talents performing in the Superlounges this year, be sure to catch the following New Orleans natives in the fest’s line-up here:
THURSDAY, JULY 4
11 a.m. – 8 p.m. – Free Admission, BBQ, Kids Activities, Food Demos, More
3:20pm – 3:50pm: The Brass-A-Holics – Family Day Sound Stage (Woldenberg Riverfront Park)
*Read our cover story with The Brass-A-Holics in this month’s July issue of OffBeat Magazine here.
4:40pm – 5:10pm: Water Seed Band – Family Day Sound Stage (Woldenberg Riverfront Park)
*Read our preview of Water Seed‘s new Wonderlove album on OffBeat.com here.
6:00pm – 6:40pm: The Stooges Brass Band – Family Day Sound Stage (Woldenberg Riverfront Park)
*Read about The Stooges‘ Red Bull Street Kings Championship and subsequent recording project with Mannie Fresh in OffBeat Magazine here.
FRIDAY, JULY 5
7:00pm – 8:00pm: Shamarr Allen & The Underdawgs – Coca-Cola Superlounge (Mercedez-Benz Superdome)
*Read our cover story with Shamarr Allen from the August 2010 issue of OffBeat Magazine here.
SATURDAY, JULY 6
7:30pm – 8:00pm: P.J. Morton – Ford Superlounge (Mercedez-Benz Superdome)
SUNDAY, JULY 7
7:30pm – 8:00pm: Mia Borders – Coca-Cola Superlounge (Mercedez-Benz Superdome)
*Read our feature on Mia Borders in this month’s July issue of OffBeat Magazine here.
8:00pm – 9:00pm: Kourtney Heart – Ford Superlounge (Mercedez-Benz Superdome)
MORE:
Full Essence Festival Schedule here.
OffBeat‘s Essence Fest Performance Picks here.
OffBeat‘s Essence Weekend New Orleans Alternative City Guide here.