Finally, An Honest Review: Essence Festival

This past summer, the 25^th anniversary of Essence Festival landed on the weekend of July 5^th through July 7^th.  The star-studded, three day event was held at the Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. As early as 9:00AM, blocks were jam packed with vendors and attendees awaiting the Essence Experience.

If you’re a first timer, like me, The Superdome may seem a little overwhelming. With the plethora of activations, conversations, performances, dining options, workshops, concerts, and more, it is nearly impossible to see everything in one day. Your best bet is to attend the expo as early as possible and plan what you want to see first to get the most of Essence.

Travel Tips: Wear or bring flats. Anticipate ongoing traffic coming in both directions from the Superdome. Be sure to carry water, the heat and humidity is real! The last thing you want to be is dehydrated during swamp season.

BEAUTY CARNIVAL:

Beauty brands like, My Black Is Beautiful, DivaCurl, Tresemme, Estee Lauder, and Palmers were in attendance. Various beauty brands offered an array of product, services, hair tips, influencer styling tutorials, and other giveaways. As a natural curly haired girl myself, the deep conditioner samples from Creme of Nature were an absolute must for the remainder of the “Hot Girl Summer.”

STAY:

During my stay in New Orleans, I checked-in for the Presidential Suite at The Windsor Court Hotel, located 300 Gravier St. If you do decide to stay there, you’ll certainly feel part of royalty upon check in. You’ll fall in love with the museum-quality artworks and antique luxury furnishings throughout the lobby and room. Many of the paintings, sculptures, tapestries, and furnishings date back from the 17th to 20th centuries.

This gorgeous luxury hotel was built in 1984 and since inception, it’s received $37 million dollars in renovation; including, the Waterman Rooftop Poolside Bar — exclusively open to hotel and spa guests.

The Presidential Suite is a perfect accommodation for two or more people. The luxury suite is equipped with a living room, pullout sofa bed, large bathroom (with door separating the toilet), a powder room, king sized bed and with a view of the courtyard. Very “sheeshy-foo-foo“

The overall service of this hotel was the epitome of “Southern Hospitality”. Everyone from the doorman, concierge, front desk, bellman and housekeeping were absolutely wonderful and accommodating. As a New Yorker, the warmth of the staff combined with efficiency added to the luxury experience.

Will I go back? Absolutely.

DINE:

Cafe Du Monde – Did you really go to New Orleans if you didn’t experience the greatness of Cafe Du Monde? This world-renowned cafe is one of a kind with 24-hour service, coffee au lai and, light, doughy beignets.  This 800 Decatur St. corner cafe gets busy with hungry tourists seeking totake a bite into the classic french pastry. Get there early to avoid long lines.

If you’re lucky, you might catch your favorite celebrity getting a bite to eat as well!

The Governor Seafood & Oyster Bar – This two-story, corner seafood spot is the perfect place for brunch! Surprisingly, I went for the salad — I know, who orders salad for brunch? But, to be fair, the grilled chicken club salad with marinated grilled chicken breast and crisp lettuce was a delicious, healthy option and lasted me most of my day. The food was fresh and the prices were great. And yes, they do have bottomless mimosas for only $12.

Is it a great place to take pictures? Absolutely. 

The Boil Seafood House – As a crab leg connoisseur, muscle aficionado, and City Island veteran, I was truly pleased with the flavor served steaming hot by The Boil. I ordered The Shack. This option includes 1lb of Shrimp, 1lb of Snow Crab, 1 Sausage, 2 Corn, and 2 Potatoes. I ordered a side order of muscles for $12.

Please note, if you are not used to spice, please go for the low heat, medium heat is for trained professionals.

Spice Tip: If you find yourself fanning your mouth from the heat order the bread. It comes warm and sweet, it’s be what you need to beat the heat.

Elizabeth’s Restaurant Nola – Ten minutes away from French Quarter, this two-floor restaurant is a great place to dine — away from fellow tourists and get a small taste of local living. Located on 601 Gallier St. New Orleans, LA 70117, this restaurant served one of the best neighborhood breakfasts I’ve had in a while. The hearty Campfire Steak and Eggs is served cold-smoked ribeye, topped with Hollandaise & two eggs any style.

Although, they don’t have a bottomless mimosa option, the prices on the brut are reasonable and a great touch to any breakfast with friends and family.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:

Studio Be – This local yet, national, gem is stationed 2941 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70117. This “off the beaten path” art gallery is very reminiscent of the pre-gentrified, legendary 5 Pointz Gallery formerly located in Long Island City. Artist Brandan “BMike” Odums, created awe inspiring works using graffiti techniques, film, spray paint wall sized murals, and instillations with the capacity to move you to tears.

Open 4 days a week from Wednesday – Saturday, 2pm – 8pm, $10 adults, $8 students. This gallery explores and depicts the Black Experience with references to basketball, The Civil Rights Movement, Post Hurricane Katrina, Slavery and Love. This exhibit was hard to miss in the “Big Easy.”

Pepper Palace – Located on  224 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130, this hot sauce chain offers customers a wide variety of hand crafted, flavorful, hot sauces, salsa, seasoning, marinades, dipping sauces, and BBQ sauces, some inspired by the city it serves.

You’ll find hundreds of flavors to sample and learn some interesting facts about the history of New Orleans. Did you know that their cemeteries bury bodies above ground because the soil is so wet, historically they’d “float” to the top? Neither did I, the more you know!

Spooky fact: This is where I first heard of the legendary Voodoo Queen, Madame Marie Laveau. Despite her being depicted in American Horror Story, it’s always fun hearing about a legend from the locals in town. I was told her powers were able to heal the sick, the poor, assist runaway slaves, direct affluent politicians, businessmen and wealthy planters. She died a beloved and respected woman to many in New Orleans. People visit her site to pay respects, give offerings, requests gifts and other services. Legend has it, she still roams the graves at night, you might see her if you’re lucky.

I didn’t go to the site.

THE CONCERT:

There is nothing like listening to love, health and parenting advice live from Michelle Obama interviewed by Gayle King. Although we were in the midst of a very hot girl summer, our beloved former first lady gifted the audience with some gems for picking your future bae.

“marriage is hard, and be cautious of the man or woman who just wants the easy version. The person that’s not going to force you to grow, don’t expect them to change, hold them accountable … You want to pick somebody that is going to carry you through, those are the things that get you over the hard times.”

The importance of trust is something she also highlights, “we can’t get caught up in the right title and right salary… A person can have these qualities because they may have the wrong heart, wrong soul and, wrong core.” Sage advice followed by a stellar performance by the legendary, Mary J. Blidge.

Mary J. Blidge hit the stage sporting a short leopard bodysuit, white glitter bustier and iconic over the knee boot. She performed classic Mary hits, records from her very first album, remixes, recent music and guest performance with Lil’ Kim. The experience from the ground floor was electrifying, 10/10, highly recommend.

Other great acts including, Teddy Riley, Ro James, Ginuwine, Teyana Taylor, Pharrell, and Timbaland, completely tore down the stage. Doug E. Fresh gave the people an unforgettable set. Performing classic Doug E hits, beat boxing for longer than I imagined, and bringing out Vicious to perform “Freaks” was icing on a cake.

Last, but certainly not least, a performance resonate with a family cookout hailed from the incomparable, Frankie Beverly and Maze. There is something magical about the footsteps and claps of thousands of Black people electric sliding to the sounds of Joy and Pain and, Before I Let Go. Aunts, uncles, cousins, play cousins, grandparents, joined together to celebrate the legacy of the band.

Essence Fest is an experience every Black woman and girl should attend, at least once. Black men and boys also had a really good time from what I saw. You’ll have just as much fun as the ladies given the various options to enjoy and attend. There is truly nothing like it and seems to be consistently growing and expanding as the years continue. With tickets recently on sale for Essence Fest 2020, book as soon as you can. You don’t want to miss out!

I left New Orleans inspired, already missing the city. That’s always indicative of a good ‘ol time.

Until next time!