Essence Music Festival reaches deal to keep popular event in New Orleans through 2014

Essence Festival stays in New Orleans through 2014

NEW ORLEANS — The Essence Music Festival will call New Orleans home through 2014.

Michelle Ebanks, president of Essence Communications, and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu on Wednesday announced a 4-year deal. The 2011 festival is set for July 1-3.

Essence is one of the largest summer music attractions in New Orleans. It began in 1995 to mark the 25th anniversary of Essence magazine and has since grown into a major national venue celebrating black music and culture.

Staged over the Fourth of July weekend, it regularly draws hundreds of thousands of fans.

The festival has been held in New Orleans every year except 2006, when the Louisiana Superdome and Ernest N. Morial Convention Center were under renovation after Hurricane Katrina.

Essence Music Festival (2010): www.essence.com/emf2010.php