NEW ORLEANS -- George Rainey has been cooking soul food for the Essence Music Festival since its inception 12 years ago, missing last year only because the event moved to Texas because of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Rainey can hardly wait for Thursday, when Essence returns to the Louisiana Superdome and Ernest N. "We are ready to do what we know how to do -- take care of people," said Rainey, who operates Rainey's Restaurant and Catering.
Rainey's business is one of many that will benefit from the festival, which runs through Saturday and is expected to draw about 200,000 attendees and infuse about $150 million into the local economy. The lineup includes the contemporary sounds of Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown and Ludacris interwoven with the old school tunes of the Isley Brothers, the O'Jays, Lionel Richie, and Maze, featuring Frankie Beverly -- the act that has closed the festival each year since it launched in 1995 to mark the 25th anniversary of Essence magazine.
Though the hip-hop, R B and gospel music will fill the Superdome, the convention center will play host to free, daily "empowerment" seminars, at which top voices in the black community will tackle social issues. In addition, artists and other vendors will sell their wares at a marketplace in the convention center, also the site of celebrity meet-and-greets and author book signings. The backdrops are significant.
Both buildings sheltered masses after Katrina flooded 80 percent of New Orleans on Aug. Storm damage left the buildings incapable of hosting the 2006 music festival, which was moved to Reliant Park in Houston. The Superdome reopened in September 2006 after a $185 million renovation, and conventions and meetings have returned to the Morial center.
For the city's tourism industry, Essence is a needed summertime tonic. "This is the last really big, major event in the city before the fall," said Wayne Baquet, who owns Li'l Dizzy's Cafe and will have two food booths in the Superdome, where Essence has created superlounges for acts not on the main stage. "August gets really slow, and if it wasn't for Essence, businesses like mine would struggle in the summer.
" Frank Lewis, an artist who works mostly with oils and acrylics and whose clients include singers Erykah Badu and India.arie, said the festival will provide a much-needed spark for the city. "Essence coming back is just beautiful," said Lewis, who also will be set up in the convention center.
"It's a big help for the city and really gives a chance for New Orleans artists to show what they can do on the big stage." Michelle Ebanks, president of Essence Communications Inc., which owns the event, said it was "important for the festival to participate in the rebirth of New Orleans.
" A portion of all concert ticket proceeds will benefit the Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools of New Orleans, which teach reading enrichment, art and music, she said. NEW ORLEANS -- George Rainey has been cooking soul food for the Essence Music Festival since its inception 12 years ago, missing last year only because the event moved to Texas because of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
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