Mary J Blige to star at New Orleans’ Essence fest
NEW ORLEANS, USA (AP) — R&B singer Mary J Blige will headline this year’s Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.
The festival, slated for July 2 to 4, is billed as one of the largest events in the US that celebrates black music and culture.
Besides headliners like Blige, the festival showcases New Orleans acts such as soul queen Irma Thomas and, during the day, free motivational and self-improvement seminars.
The festival began in 1995 to mark the 25th anniversary of Essence, a US magazine aimed at black women. Last year’s festival drew a record crowd estimated at more than 425,000.
Blige has appeared at the festival eight times. This year she is expected to perform songs from her latest studio album, Stronger with Each Tear.