Yes, ESSENCE Festival now offers more options with New Orleans and now Durban, South Africa! ESSENCE and the city of Durban announced its first-round speaker and performer lineup, which includes a host of local artists, musicians and experts to entertain and inspire.
The 3-day event, which will take place during the annual Durban Business Fair, Nov 8-13, 2016, will include appearances and performances by the likes of TV host, author and entrepreneur Steve Harvey, award-winning South African songstress Thandiswa Mazwai, iconic Gospel singer Yolanda Adams, R&B diva Kelly Price as well as Estelle and SA pop star Babes Wodumo.
A party with a purpose, ESSENCE Festival Durban will kick off with a free daytime Empowerment Experience featuring Harvey, Rev. Al Sharpton, South African actress Nondumiso Tembe, Estelle, and Phaedra Parks.
International DJs Black Coffee and DJ Zinhle will keep the party going with energetic sets that pay tribute to their hometown. Fitness expert and motivational speaker Shaun T. will empower and inspire with tips for healthy living.
For well over two decades the ESSENCE Festival has established itself as a must-attend event that draws more than 450,000 attendees from across the globe to New Orleans, LA year after year. The multi-day entertainment, empowerment and cultural event has an economic impact of more than $200 million on the local economy and now ESSENCE is expanding the franchise internationally.
Thanks to a three-year partnership with eThekwini Municipality, ESSENCE Festival will not only take place in New Orleans over Fourth of July weekend (June 30- July 4) but also in its sister city of Durban, South Africa in 2016 and 2017.
ESSENCE Festival Durban will follow a similar format of the annual New Orleans event, presenting international performers and speakers to entertain and inspire, as well as a host of local artists and experts. The multi-day event will bring exciting and informative ideas to equip small businesses through empowerment seminars across various sectors, including career guidance workshops and other empowerment initiatives aimed at the youth. A number of women-owned businesses will also be selected to trade at the Durban edition of ESSENCE Festival, which will boost their profile and drive sales for the company.
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