The 15th annual Essence Music Festival — the nation's largest African-American music and empowerment event — is coming to New Orleans' Louisiana Superdome July 3-5! With main stage blockbusters like Beyoncé, Al Green, and Anita Baker, as well as the creme de la creme of local acts including Irvin Mayfield, Trombone Shorty, Rebirth Brass Band, Dan Dyer, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, this is the ultimate way for music lovers to spend their July 4th weekend.

WWOZ's own DJ Soul Sister will once again be our special envoy to the festival, closing out each of the three days with the rarest of rare grooves.

And if music isn't enough for you, the daytime seminar series (held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center each day from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) will feature some of the biggest names in African-American culture, like Bill Cosby, Al Sharpton, Omarosa, and Donna Brazile!

For tickets and more information, including a complete schedule of seminars and performances, visit the Essence Music Festival web site.