Junk-N-Treasurez: Essence Music Festival

Greetings All,

My birthday just passed along with the Fourth of July Weekend and I had the ultimate pleasure of spending that weekend at one of the biggest events of the summer......THE ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL!!

Now the beginning of the week didn't start out well due to some Greyhound issues which won't be re-hashed, but did include the loss of my luggage for a couple of days (not my fault), and missing my bus getting food (Totally my fault lol). But that didn't dampen the amazing time I had.

EMF, which takes place in beatific New Orleans, is one great big weekend of parties, seminars, food, and fun. Going from July 4th-7th, the festival's main day events take place in the New Orleans Convention Center. In the convention center there are tons of booths and areas dedicated to large companies like Walmart, Ford, McDonald's, Verizon, and Coca-Cola, each of them shelling out big bucks to provide the spectators with free gifts, giveaways, entertainment, and celebrity guest stars.

Chrisette Michele

Lance Gross at State Farm

Cupid from the Cupid Shuffle
(Don't worry, I didn't recognize him either)

My friends and I personally saw a Stomp the Yard Reunion at the Walmart center. Got to see Laz Alonzo, and Darrin Henson, and Brian White (who is literally like 5 kinds of awesome AND who responded to my tweet *fangirl moment*).

Laz, Brian and Darrin

Every night has a major concert at the SuperDome with interesting acts that keep you moving from beginning to end. There are also Super Lounges sponsored by companies that allow for an up-close experience with up and coming artists and experienced veterans (unfortunately we didn't figure out where the Super Lounges were until after we left)

I feel that the Friday concert was the most well rounded of all the days. Not that I'm hating on Beyonce or anything but the line-up of Brandy, LL Cool J, Jill Scott, and Maxwell made for an amazing night that I won't soon forget.