Two JetSet Divas...and a Map » Louisiana

Essence Festival Review

SamsonitePackingJetSettingGlobeTrotter — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:23:12 +0000

I attended the Essence Festival on the 2nd night. Musiq Soulchild (I’m not sure if he still uses the Soulchild part) opened the concert and I would comment on it, but we missed it…I’m sure he was all that! When we arrived LL Cool J was taking his shirt off and well, you can’t hate that. Some lucky lady got to come up on the stage and get a hug and she did not want to let go! Two other ladies ended up in a tug of war over that missing shirt that he threw into the crowd damn near causing a riot!
The Superlounges had many different performers throughout the night, but let me tell you, Ledisi greatly represented her home town. I may have been the only person in her crwod that did not know all the words. We couldn’t stay with her too long because there is no seating in the superlounges and we got tired of trying to look over tall people and through the cracks.

The best way to enjoy Essence Festival is definitely from the floor where you can actually see the people performing without watching the monitor. Jill Scott took the stage and performed a shortened version of the full concert that she currently gives when out on tour. If you’ve never seen her perform you might seriously want to check her out when she comes to your city. Although we coudn’t figure out which drummer she’s engaged too….they were both cute so I guess it doesn’t really matter…not that our opinion mattered anyway.

Ms. Patti Labelle closed out the show in her short yellow dress and 6 inch heels, that’s one bad woman. She is 64 years old, newly divorced, menopausal, and says exactly what she feels. Go head Ms. Patti! Chrisette Michelle, Ruby Amafu, Irma Thomas, Ledisi, Angie Stone, and the original Labelles did a tribute to her in the middle of the show where each woman sang one her of hits beside her. We left Patti on the stage at 1:46 a.m. singing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’.

Next stop, Harrah’s Casino - Voodoo Club. In my original post I said that the Voodoo Club was free. I was oh so wrong. Sorry. They were “busting heads”. $30. So just like most people we hung around in the free part of the casino and ‘people watched’. Around 4:30 a.m. when I couldn’t take it any more, we left, and when we left the place was still packed, there was still traffic, and roads were still blocked. That is one city that really does not sleep.

Ishanda, Ebonee, and Tavana enjoying the Essence Festival Afterparty at Harrah's Casino

I love Essence Festival. It is a very grown and sexy party! I give it…

I'm Never Coming Home

Come check us out in The JetSet Community to view the rest of my pictures!

Essence Festival 2008: The Ultimate Party Weekend

E-Travel — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:01:11 +0000

The Grownest - Sexiest weekend of the entire year is here! Essence Music Festival, the “Party with a Purpose” returns to the Big Easy for the 14th time July 4th - 6th, 2008.
I moved to New Orleans for school in 1997 and I’ve been attending Essence Festival ever since. (It was a little too grown and sexy for me back then, but I’m ripe for it now!) If you’ve never attended before, you will see more celebrity and star power than I personally think you would see for say an NBA All-Star or Superbowl weekend. Expect to see men in linen outfits of every pastel shade with open toe sandals and on the women, every outfit in Bebe’s window…at least twice. Because let’s be real….grown and sexy to some = linen and lycra!

Anywho, Essence staff go above and beyond to make this not only an entertaining weekend but also an educational one. So you can receive all your community information in the day and get groovy at night. Below is a schedule of events.

Seminars @ Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Friday - July 4th featuring: Tyler Perry, Mayor Ray Nagin, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Lynn Whitfield, and the cast of House of Payne
Price: FREE

Saturday - July 5th featuring: Al Sharpton, Dr. Bill Cosby, Dr. Poussaint, Tom Joyner, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Bishop TD Jakes, Ed Jordan
Price: FREE

Sunday - July 6th featuring: Mikki Taylor & Dr. Jaunita Bynum
Price: FREE

Concerts @ New Orleans Superdome
Each night is hosted by: Jonathan Slocumb
Friday - July 4th
Main Stage: J. Holiday, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Kanye West
Coca Cola Superlounge: Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Terence Blanchard, Peabo Bryson, Grandmaster Flash, Mint Condition, rebirth Brass Band, Christian Scott
Price: $56, $67, $72 Floor Seats: $83, $110

Saturday - July 5th
Main Stage: Musiq, LL Cool J, Jill Scott, Patti Labelle (Labelle reunion with Sarah Dash, Nona Hendryx, Angie Stone, Ledisi, Chrisette Michele. Irma Thomas & Ruby Amanfu)
Coca Cola Superlounge: Irvin Mayfiels, Lyfe Jennings, Kermit Ruffins Band, Solange Knowles, Ledisi, Cupid
Price: $56, $67, $72 Floor Seats: $83, $110

Sunday - July 6th
Main Stage: Morris Day, Keyshia Cole, Chris Rock, Mary J. Blige, Frnakie Beverly and Maze
Coca Cola Superlounge: Raheem Devaughn, Chrisette Michele, Micholas Payton, Preservation Jazz Hall’s Gospel Revival, Irma Thomas, Gil Scott-Heron
Price: $56, $67, $72 Floor Seats: $83, $110

This post would be so incomplete without offering you the Late Night party information. These are the events I have so far. (If you have anything to list, we’d be happy to post it. Our readers are coming a long way to party…they need options!)

The Chocolate Bar
July 4th 8p. - until
540 S. Broad (5 blocks from the Superdome)
“The All White Experience” Another Adonis Expose and Jeff Williams Event

10th Annual All White Affair
July 5th 10p.m. - 5a.m.
Ray’s Over the River - #1 Canal St
Hosted by: Boris Kodjoe
General Admission - $35 VIP - $50
*Dress to Impress*

Grown and Sexy Mid Day Cruise
July 5th 1p.m. - 5p.m.
Creole Queen Dock behind Riverwalk Mall
Boat leaves at 1:30p.m.
$39.99 plus tax
*Attire: Grown & Sexy! You will be on t.v.!

DJ Captain Charles @ Harrah’s Casino
July 4, July 5, & July 6
Corner of Canal St. and Poydras
Doors are always OPEN
Party starts @ 10p.
**FREE** <-- Because its free it will be packed! I learned that NBA All-Star weekend.

The Amazemint Lounge
Presented by Alize and Covergirl
July 5 4p.m. - 8p.m. @ The W Hotel on Poydras
Featuring Biz Markie
RSVP to: amazemintrsvp@gmail.com

If you venture down and attend the festival…leave us a comment and let us know how it was!

Last Minute Travel: NBA All-Star Weekend 2008

E-Travel — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 21:34:31 +0000

Ballers…Ballers…Ballers…. Welcome to New Orleans Bay-Bee!

It’s NBA All Star Weekend 2008 and I have personally been waiting for them to bring this to New Orleans since they announced it 4 years ago…and I don’t even live there anymore!

New Orleans is the ultimate party town from the French Quarter Festival, to The Jazz and Hertiage Festival, to the infamous Mardi Gras. However, no other city can do a rotating celebration (Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four, NBA All Star) like the Big Easy.
Here’s the skinny on NBA All Star Weekend.

Airline tickets are RIDICULOUS…say it again…RIDICULOUS. So if you havent already made flight arrangements I suggest you take off Friday the 15th and Monday the 18th and prepare for one helluva drive.
*UPDATE* American Airlines has New Orleans on their net fares this weekend. From St. Louis to New Orleans (Feb 16 - Feb. 18) round trip is $199. Check it out!

Hotel Rooms in the coveted French Quarter area are near non-existent. However, if you’ve saved plenty on airfare the brand new Harrah’s Hotel which is about a year old has rooms for $850 per night. HA! (I think Jay-Z and Diddy must be staying up in there or something.) Since thats not the spot for me I searched and searched and found the:

Baronne Plaza Hotel
201 Baronne Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
1-888-756-0083
They are newly renovated (Request the 3rd or 5th floor.) and are one block down and one block over (thats 2 blocks) from Bourbon Street.
Their rooms are going for $169/night. Any other time I would say WHAT? But for this weekend I say that is not too shabby! If you book directly through the hotel the rooms are $189. If you boook through TravelNow, they are $169. Your call!

In a city structured like New Orleans, where the majority of the entertainment is downtown, I don’t suggest getting a rental car. I suggest taking the Airport Shuttle New Orleans. They are $30 round trip or $15 one-way.

Now for the Entertainment….
There are many many affordable and non-affordable…translation…celebrity and regular folk events going on in town. I apologize up front for not listing them all, but that is damn near impossible. I list all the ones I receive and if you have any to add please send them to ebonee@twojetsetdivas.com . A good place to check out the majority of the events all in one place is All Star Weekend New Orleans.

Lil’ Wayne & Friends Friday, Saturday & Sunday night @ Dreams and Ray’s & 360
Gen Admn $50 VIP $100. They have a package deal right now General Admission all 3 nights $100 and VIP all 3 nights $250.

All Star Afternoon with the Kid (YEP, DJ Kid Capri) at Club 360
#2 Canal Street on the 33rd floor directly across from Harrah’s Casino.
3p. - 8p.
Featuring: 2 for 1 Belvedere and FREE Admission if you RSVP to redcarpetevents@bellsouth.net by 10a.m. 2/16/08 <-- Please follow instructions!

VIBE Hoops and Hip Hop Boat Party $70 + tax
Saturday, February 16th
For More Info: TEXT: VIBE TO: 347-420-7250 OR CALL 615-828-2380.
Once in New Orleans. HOTEL DELIVERY AVAILABLE
comments@whatspoppingcentral.com

American Swagger @ The Chocolate Bar
540 S. Broad St. New Orleans, LA 70119
Gen Admn. $50 VIP $100
Special Guests:
Thursday - Birdman & Ca$h Money All Stars
Friday - Doug E. Fresh and DJ Kid Capri
Saturday - Cassidy and Ruff Ryders
Sunday - Deuce McAllister & DJ Captain Charles
Click Here to Purchase Tickets
For more info call: (504) 914-4903

The Best of Both Worlds - Presented by Prophecy Events
Friday, Febryary 15th @ The Sugar Mills 1021 Convention Center Blvd.
Featuring: Ne-Yo & Rick Ross
Gen. Admn $40 VIP $80
Attire: RED CARPET FLY…don’t get caught tripping!

Coast to Coast All Star Weekend Celebrity Bash w/ A.I. & Dwayne Wade Party at the Sugar Mill
$75 Gen. Admn. $100 VIP
Saturday, February 16th
1021 Convention Center Blvd.

The Final Round - All Star Weekend Finale w/ A.I. & Floyd Mayweather Party at the Sugar Mill
$75 Gen. Admn $100 VIP
Sunday, February 17th
1021 Convention Center Blvd.

2008 Glamour VooDoo
Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12a. 6a.m.
Bourbon Vieux
501 Bourbon St.
Featuring: Premiun Open Bar, Complimentary Gourmet Buffet, DJ’s, Screenings of New Releases, Massage Therapists, Lounge Chairs and more!
$50 per night or $100 for a 3-night pass
For more info contact: 412-GLA-MOUR or vip@glamourlife.com or www.glamourlife.com

MVP 2008 All Star Party w/ Idirs Elba (I LOVE HIM) and Carmelo Anthony
Sunday February 17th @ The Metropolitan
310 Andrew Higgins Dr.
$100 Gen Admn $150 VIP
(**WARNING you can be 18 to ENTER….beware)

Homegrown in the Bayou All-Star Bash @ Club 300
$50 Gen Admn $100 VIP
Friday and Saturday Feb 15th and 16th

NBA All Star Saturday Night @ Ernest N. Morial Convention Center -
Tickets price range from Expensive to Hella
Saturday, February 16th

DEF JAM RECORDS LABEL PARTY @ Creole Quenn River Walk Mall - Mississippi Dock w/ Rick Ross and other Def Jam Artists
Friday Feb 15th 10p-2a $125 Gen Admn

106 and Park Party @ Creole Queen River Boat w/ Terence & Rocsi $100 Gen Admn
Saturday Feb. 16th 10p-6a

Luxury Yacht - (NEVER LEAVES DOCK) ft. Lil Wayne, Chris Paul and Reggie Bush $125 Gen Admn
Sunday Feb. 17th 10p. - 6a.

NFL Players - Ball Till You Fall Blowout @ Club 300 (300 Decatur, New Orleans, LA 70130)
Sunday February 17th
Doors open @ 10p.
Gen. Admn $40 VIP w/ Express Entry $80
For more info call: (504) 329-2342 Ballers Packages Available

Ballin’ Ultra Sundays @ Ray’s over the River and Club 360
Sunday Feb 17th 9p. - 5a.
Special Guests: Corey Webster (NY Giants), Jim Jones, Mike Jones, Glen Davis, DJ Kid Capri and many many more.

You can check out these sites for other party lisitings:
All Star New Orleans
All Star NOLA
What’s Poppin Central
The Chocolate Bar
Social Step
MVP New Orleans
EVIPList
Platinum Enterprise
So So Derrty
Brothers and Sisters Online
New Orleans Jazz Bistro - Club 300
Ray’s Over the River
Club Vibes

If you try to follow me, and find me…say hi and buy me a beignet…shouts out to Cafe DuMonde!