New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

April 23 - May 2, 2004

New Orleans, LA

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, aka Jazz Fest, is a 11-day cultural feast in which thousands of musicians, cooks and craftspeople welcome 500,000 visitors each year. There are two main components: the Louisiana Heritage Fair and the Evening Concert Series. The Lousiana Heritage Fair is the signature feature of the Festival, showcasing unforgettable music on 12 stages, delicious Louisiana cuisine in two large food areas, and crafts artisans from the region and around the world demonstrating and selling their work. The Louisiana Heritage Fair is held at the Fair Grounds Race Course over the course of 2 weekends.

www.nojazzfest.com/

Barbados Gospelfest

May, 2004

Barbados

The Caribbean's premier gospel festival celebrating eleven years of fulfilling music ministry. This annual showcase of the very best in international and regional Gospel artistes has become a most anticipated event on the Barbadian entertainment itinerary, attracting both locals and visitors alike.

For more info, visit: www.barbadosgospelfest.com

St. Lucia Jazz Festival

May 7 - 16, 2004

St. Lucia

During the month of May, the Island of St. Lucia moves to the beat of jazz when music fills the air.

For more info, visit stluciajazz.org or Call 800-551-1213

Soul Beach Music Festival

May 26 - 31, 2004

Aruba

The Soul Beach Music Festival is moving from Miami to Aruba in 2003! It's not the Sinbad Soul Beach Music Festival but don't be surprised if you experience dejavu, all over again. Entertainment Line-up: SINBAD, Gap Band, Horace, Floetry, Kindred. And, a whole lot of action on the beach and after hours!

For more info, visit www.soulbeachmusicfest.com

2004 ESSENCE Music Festival!

July 2-4, 2004

New Orleans, LA

It's their anniversary! Join Essence on July 2-4, 2004 in New Orleans for the 10th Anniversary ESSENCE Music Festival. If you've never attended the festival before, you've got to come this year. And if you've gone in the past, you know that year after year it's the place to be. This year performers include Prince, Mary J. Blige, and Missy Elliott. These artists join Gladys Knight, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, The O'Jays, Donnie McClurkin, Tyrese, The Ohio Players, New Edition, Lalah Hathaway, Common, Jagged Edge, Anthony Hamilton, Millie Jackson, Kem, Freddie Jackson, Kenny Lattimore, Chanté Moore, Solomon Burke, Little Milton, Sinbad, Ledisi and The Dazz Band. Music icon Prince will open this year's Essence Music Festival, on July 2. The legendary artist and his version of fused funk, rock, R&B and pop will electrify the audience with his many chart-busting hits, including "Purple Rain," "1999," "Raspberry Beret" and "Pop Life," along with new material from his forthcoming album Musicology.

"The Essence family is ecstatic that Prince will join us to celebrate the tenth anniversary of our music festival," said Ed Lewis, chairman of Essence Communications Partners. "His awe-inspiring performances, ability to fuse various music genres and bring together generations of music lovers is extraordinary."

"Mark your calendar for July 2, 2004! We will have a great evening of music, fun and love for one another," said Prince.

"In this historic year honoring Prince, we are thrilled to add the Paisley Park experience to the wonderful Essence Music Festival by offering the performance of the greatest all-around musician, performer, singer, songwriter and producer of all time,: L. Londell McMillan, Esq., representative for Prince and president The NorthStar Group.

The Essence Music Festival, known as "the party with a purpose," is the nation's largest annual African-American event and gathering of musical talent in the world. This multigenerational festival offers spiritual and financial Empowerment Seminars during the day, which are free, and 50 exciting performances at night where festivalgoers can dance and sing along with the biggest names in entertainment, rhythm and blues, classic soul, hip-hop, neo-soul and jazz, on five stages within the Louisiana Superdome.

The daily Empowerment Seminars feature renowned speakers, authors and national leaders and are held in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The Convention Center is also home to the Essence Marketplace. In the Essence Marketplace artists from throughout the country offer an array of quality arts and crafts reflective of the New Orleans tradition and the rich cultural heritage seen throughout the African Diaspora, as well as Louisiana cuisine, sponsor activities, festival souvenirs and a book fair with author book signings. The Essence Music Festival has become a destination of choice for families and friends as they schedule their reunions.

Festivalgoers can purchase tickets at ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 488-5252, (504) 522-5555 (New Orleans) or (225) 761-8400 (Baton Rouge). Tickets are $35, $45, $55, $75 and a very limited number in the Golden Circle section at $125. All tickets are subject to additional service charges.

For more travel information, see the March 2004 issue of ESSENCE or log on to essence.com.