This year, I experienced Essence Festival for the first time. I barely have the words to describe the full experience, but I will say it was an unforgettably-amazingly-indescribable-blackity of the blackest event I have ever been to.
If you're unfamiliar, Essence Festival, known as "the party with a purpose", is an annual music festival which started in 1995 as a one-time event to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Essence, a magazine aimed primarily towards African-American women. It is the largest event celebrating African-American culture and music in the United States.
Literally, it felt like a national Black family reunion/Auntie convention.
Just imagine a sea of Black people (with a few of our other brothers and sisters mixed in), enjoying themselves, laughing, dancing, learning, and thoroughly supporting each other and there you have it.
The atmosphere felt like a scene from Soul Food. It was a healing space and so necessary for the climate of present Black American life.
Biz Markie DJing the Coca-Cola dance floor. Too live! #EssenceFest is a healing space for Black people. The vibe here is so warm and uplifting. Despite what we face, we find ways to celebrate life. Dance & music are often our medicine. | #NOLA #EssenceFestival #BizMarkie #CocaCola #Fun #Dance #Healing | www.msmelodymonroe.com
A video posted by Ms. Monroe (@msmelodymonroe) on Jul 4, 2015 at 12:43pm PDT
The event itself was well organized and holistic in nature. Ever corner of the convention center offered a different focus from health and wellness, to TV and entertainment, entrepreneurship, musical performances, meet and greets, empowerment sessions and so much more.
There was never a dull moment. Ever. The only complaint I have is that there was TOO much to do the entire time! I often found myself torn over which event/concert to attend at any given moment.
The musical concerts were well programmed productions full of headlining artists including Usher, Missy Elliot, India Arie, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, and Charlie Wilson. Not to mention the lounge stages that offered even more incredible performances from some of my favorites including Robert Glasper, Ledisi, Tweet and Kelly Price.
A video posted by Ms. Monroe (@msmelodymonroe) on Jul 6, 2015 at 12:20pm PDT
A video posted by Ms. Monroe (@msmelodymonroe) on Jul 6, 2015 at 10:42am PDT
It costs a pretty penny, but NOLA food and culture is enough of an incentive to do it all over again. Seriously, Blue Oak BBQ is some of the best food I’ve had in my entire life. And how can you not love beignets????
A photo posted by Ms. Monroe (@msmelodymonroe) on Jul 3, 2015 at 7:05am PDT
Some of my favorite moments were dancing with strangers as Biz Markie DJ’d the dance floor (see above), the Gospel Music Fest, meeting India Arie, DJ Beverly Bond, and B. Slade, and ending the entire festival turning up to Kendrick Lamar in concert. It doesn’t hurt that the festival lands on my birthday which I also share with my best friend. TURN UUUUUUH!
A video posted by Ms. Monroe (@msmelodymonroe) on Jul 5, 2015 at 10:40pm PDT
Overall, it was TOTALLY worth the walks to and from the Superdome, all of the Uber rides (with surge pricing), and the annoying tourist attractions. I’m looking forward to getting outpartied by middle aged women all over again soon.
