If you’re among the 400,000 people from around the world that will descend upon New Orleans for the hottest musical performances,interactive booths by a variety of recognizable brands and more parties than you can attend in one week, then you’re in for more fun than you initially expected!

It’s our favorite time of year because it’s the one week where you can certainly celebrate your independence and be uniquely you! Now in its 18th year, the ESSENCE Festival will kick off the inaugural day, Thursday, July 5th, with a full day youth empowerment experience at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, culminating with the first ever youth empowerment concert on the New & Next stage that night at the Louisiana Superdome.

Hosted by Wild Wayne and actress Rocsi Diaz, the New & Next stage will showcase a a group of young musical tastemakers that totally have scream appeal! Among the group include Roshon Fegan, Kaitlyn Nichol, Coco Jones, Diggy Simmons, Atlanta’s OMG Girlz and New Orleans’ marching band The Roots of Music.

Sponsored by Verizon, Wal-mart and Captial One, tickets for the Next Stage are available at essencemusicfestival.com.