The 13th Annual 2007 Essence Music Festival Returns to New Orleans for its 'Coming Home' Celebration, Bringing Together the Country's Largest Gathering of African-Americans to Celebrate Black Music

The 13th Annual 2007 Essence Music Festival Returns to New Orleans for its 'Coming Home' Celebration, Bringing Together the Country's Largest Gathering of African-Americans to Celebrate Black Music

With Special Appearances by Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton

 NEW ORLEANS, July 6 /PRNewswire/ --                               SATELLITE FEEDS:    Friday July 6th, 2007  Saturday, July 7th, 2007  Saturday,  July 7th, 2007   4:00 AM -- 4:15 AM ET  4:00 AM -- 4:15 AM ET     2:00 PM -- 2:15 PM ET   AMC 5                  AMC 5                     AMC 5   Transponder 8 slot B   Transponder 8 slot B      Transponder 8 slot B   KU-Band (digital)      KU-Band (digital)         KU-Band (digital)   Downlink Freq:         Downlink Freq:            Downlink Freq:    11921.50-H             11921.50-H                11921.50-H   Data Rate: 8.448       Data Rate: 8.448          Data Rate: 8.448   FEC: 3/4               FEC: 3/4                  FEC: 3/4   Symbol Rate: 6.1113    Symbol Rate: 6.1113       Symbol Rate: 6.1113             Sunday, July 8th, 2007       Sunday, July 8th, 2007            4:00 AM -- 4:15 AM ET        2:00 PM -- 2:15 PM ET            AMC 5                        AMC 5            Transponder 8 slot B         Transponder 8 slot B            KU-Band (digital)            KU-Band (digital)            Downlink Freq: 11921.50-H    Downlink Freq: 11921.50-H            Data Rate: 8.448             Data Rate: 8.448            FEC: 3/4                     FEC: 3/4            Symbol Rate: 6.1113          Symbol Rate: 6.1113    FORMAT:  News Package With Extra Soundbites and B-roll.   

STORY SUMMARY: The 13th Annual 2007 Essence Music Festival presented By Coca-Cola, taking place this fourth of July weekend (July 5, 6, 7) will return to New Orleans for its "Coming Home" celebration to convene the country's largest gathering of African-Americans to celebrate black music. Known as the "Party With A Purpose," the 2007 Essence Music Festival features performances by the largest assembly of black musical talent in the world, augmented by community-oriented Essence Cares Empowerment Seminars led by the country's most prominent African-American leaders.

The 2007 Essence Music Festival will feature an amazing line-up: Ciara, Ludacris, the legendary Isley Brothers featuring Ronald Isley and The O'jays with Keith Sweat And Johnny Gill as well as a special appearance by Senator Barack Obama kick off the musical extravaganza on July 5. Another stellar lineup of artists will appear on July 6 Including: Robin Thicke, Steve Harvey, Chris Brown and Beyonce. Closing out the festival on July 7 will be: Kelly Rowland, Ne-Yo, Lionel Richie, Mary J. Blige and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. Some of the Essence Cares Empowerment Seminar participants include Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Iyanla Vanzant, Mo'nique, Regina King, Kimberly Elise, Victoria Rowell, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Common, Lyfe Jennings, New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin and Marian Wright Edelman.

   SOUNDBITES:   -- Various celebrity soundbites   -- Senator Barack Obama (Friday & Sunday satellite feeds)   -- Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (Saturday & Sunday satellite feeds)    B-ROLL INCLUDES: Concert footage and celebrity footage    VIDEO PROVIDED BY:  Essence Communications   

*Sponsors of the 2007 Essence Music Festival include Coca-Cola, Budweiser, McDonald's, Chevrolet, Sony, U.S. Army, Verizon, Wal-Mart; HBO, L'Oreal Paris, Southwest Airlines, TBS, Vaseline, and VH1 Soul

Source: Essence Communications

CONTACT: Technical, Chris Liegl, +1-504-432-0694; or Kip Stoltz, +1-504-
912-9011; or Jeff Richard, +1-504-912-8773, all for Essence Communications;
For Story Information or Hard Copy, Sheila Harris +1-917-941-1947,
sharris@essence.com; or Dana Baxter, +1-917-439-3359, dbaxter@essence.com,
both of Essence Communications

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Profile: International Entertainment