by Jeff Thomas

1. Congressman Cedric Richmond’s Party.  This invitation only event is the biggest party of Essence and one of the biggest parties of the year.  A who’s who of young, hip, and in the know New Orleanians block the streets with heavy traffic and a line that snakes around the corner.  Once inside the crowd is electric with beautiful people talking and networking and partying til the early morning hours.
2. Diana Ross graces the stage for the first time. Legendary, a billionaire, and still sultry at 73, the former lead singer for the Supremes offers a once in a lifetime opportunity for most New Orleanians to catch her act. 
3. The Essence Day of Service. Volunteers will visit Guste Senior Living Homes to spruce up residences and spend time with our youth.
4. Essence Bookstore offers a wide range of books by African American authors that are hard to find otherwise.
5. Shops at Essence offers a huge variety of art, clothes and artifacts that even bargain shoppers can enjoy.
6. From Beyonce’s mom to Maxine Waters, the list of speakers and topics will uplift, inspire, cajole and motivate all of us.
7. Solange, Beyonce’s baby sister who lives in the city part time, has a phenomenal new record that is uplifting, beautiful and rhythmic.
8. Any superlounge act. The intimacy of the lounges provides close crowd and artist interactions.  Contrast these to the huge superdome stages with 40,000 spectators
9. The New Orleans hip hop performances of Master P, Silk, Mystikal, and Mia X.
10. Chance the Rapper is probably the most conscious rapper of these times.