ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL BRAVES THE STORM

Hurricane Katrina may have stopped the show in New Orleans, but the 2006 Essence Music Festival will go on in Houston, TX. P.Diddy has been declared as host for the event which features a weekend full of musical performances and inspirational seminars.

Scheduled to perform are Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, Keyshia Cole, Earth,Wind & Fire, Yolanda Adams, LL Cool J, Toni Braxton, and a reunion between New Edition and Bobby Brown.

Magic Johnson, Jamie Foxx and Shemar Moore, will also be featured at the festival Empowerment Seminars. This years theme, “Now or Never! The Essence Call to Action to Secure Our Children,” is geared to help the youth and those effected by Hurricane Katrina.

The Essence Music Fesitval will take place July 1 through July 3 at Houston’s Reliant Park.