Connect with us

Entertainment

Essence Festival announces 2023 lineup: Ms. Lauryn Hill, Megan Thee Stallion, Wizkid, Jermaine Dupri & more

Published

on

NEW YORK – Now what you hear is not a test: The 2023 ESSENCE Festival of Culture™,
presented by Coca-Cola® is back in New Orleans for its 29th year and a celebration of 50 years of hip-hop.
From fresh fits to lyrical hits, the in-person and virtual experience will both explore and showcase how
hip-hop has impacted every aspect of global culture through daytime programming and nightly shows.

Ever a hallmark of ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ are the live evening performances, which feature some
of the most award-winning hip-hop artists to rock the mic over the last 50 years including headliners Ms.
Lauryn Hill, who will give a special performance of the 5x Grammy-winning album “The Miseducation of
Lauryn Hill” in recognition of its 25th anniversary, and 3x Grammy Award-winning artist, Megan Thee
Stallion. Doug E. Fresh will curate a special performance of hip-hop pioneers, and in honor of So So Def’s
30th anniversary, Grammy award-winning super producer and label founder, Jermaine Dupri, will deliver
a special performance with some of the biggest names in hip-hop to come out of Atlanta. Other artists
joining the 2023 ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ stage include Wizkid, Monica, Coco Jones and Kizz Daniel.

Fans can look forward to laughs every night with evening hosts Deon Cole, Affion Crockett, Spice Adams
and Janelle James, as well as sounds by DJ Spinderella, DJ Kid Capri and DJ Clark Kent. Additional talent
and experiences will be announced soon.

Like hip-hop, the ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ is more than just the music. Attendees will embark on a
celebration of hip-hop’s rich history across stages and experiences throughout the four-day event, which
will kick-off on June 29th. The multi-generational experience entrenched in culture, equity, and
celebration extends ESSENCE’s long-standing commitment to creating opportunities that will
economically benefit and contribute to local Black-owned businesses.

“For nearly three decades, the ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ has been an international and joyful
gathering that empowers community throughout the global Black diaspora. As the nation’s largest festival
by per day attendance, it continues to be a crown jewel of Black culture and plays a pivotal role in the
amplification and celebration of the contributions of the Black community through business, music, and
more. As we gear up to celebrate the ‘50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop’, we couldn’t think of a better way to
honor the contributions the genre has made on global culture and the impressions that these artists and
their deep musical catalogs, which we all know so well, have been ingrained into the fibers of our day to
day lives,” said Hakeem Holmes, newly appointed Vice President of ESSENCE Festival of Culture™.

Last year, the ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ saw 1.9 million live and virtual attendees, increased revenue,
and brought in new and reinvested sponsors – marking the highest revenue and largest audience in its
history. The 2023 Festival is excited to bring back new and returning activations steeped in hip-hop
culture, to celebrate the community, including nightly concerts at the Superdome, ESSENCE Food & Wine
Festival, Beautycon: ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ Edition, AFROPUNK: ESSENCE Festival of Culture™
Edition, ESSENCE Center Stage, ESSENCE Marketplace, New Voices Village, Community Corner, ESSENCE
Authors, Global Black Economic Forum and Village, Girl’s United House, ESSENCE Family Day: The Block
and more. The 2023 ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ is presented by Coca-Cola® and major partners, AT&T,
L’Oréal, McDonald’s USA and Target Corporation.

Tickets for the 2023 ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ presented by Coca-Cola® are now on sale at
www.ESSENCEFestival.com, where consumers can also find festival information & updates. Join the
conversation on social @ESSENCEFest or experience the festival virtually on ESSENCE.com.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Entertainment

‘SPAMALOT’ Joins Dr. Phillips Center’s 2026-27 Broadway in Orlando Season

Published

on

Tony Award-winning musical will play Walt Disney Theater Nov. 3-5, 2026

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is expanding its 2026-27 Broadway in Orlando season with the addition of SPAMALOT, the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, scheduled for Nov. 3-5, 2026, at Walt Disney Theater.

Inspired by the classic comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, SPAMALOT brings Monty Python’s distinctly British humor to the stage through a comedic adventure following King Arthur and his quest for the Holy Grail.

The production comes to Orlando following a celebrated 2023 Broadway revival at the St. James Theatre, directed and choreographed by Josh Rhodes.

Monty Python Comedy Comes to Orlando

Described as “lovingly ripped” from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the musical features British royalty, flying cows, dancing girls, shrubbery and the Lady of the Lake.

The 14-time Tony Award-nominated musical features well-known numbers including “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” “The Song That Goes Like This” and “Find Your Grail.”

SPAMALOT features a book and lyrics by Eric Idle, with music by John Du Prez and Idle.

Cast Announced for Orlando Production

The cast features Major Attaway, whose credits include Aladdin, as King Arthur; Sean Bell (Harmony) as Sir Robin; Chris Collins-Pisano (Forbidden Broadway) as Sir Lancelot; Ellis C. Dawson III (Hamilton) as Sir Bedevere; Leo Roberts (Les Misérables) as Sir Galahad; Amanda Robles as the Lady of the Lake; Blake Segal (Mary Poppins) as Patsy; and Steven Telsey (The Book of Mormon) as the Historian and Prince Herbert.

The company also includes Lindsay Lee Alhady, Delaney Benson, Jack Brewer, Connor Coughlin, L’ogan J’ones, Graham Keen, Claire Kennard, Ben Lanham, Nathaniel Mahone, Maddie Mossner, Emilie Renier, Mark Tran Russ and Meridien Terrell.

Creative Team

The production’s creative team includes scenic and projection designer Paul Tate dePoo III, costume designer Jen Caprio, lighting designer Cory Pattak, sound designers Kai Harada and Haley Parcher, and wig designer Tom Watson.

John Bell serves as music supervisor, with Jonathan Gorst as musical director and conductor.

Derek Kolluri is associate director, Michael Fatica is associate choreographer and casting is by Geoff Josselson, CSA. RCI Theatricals serves as general manager, and Jeffrey Finn is the producer.

Tickets on Sale Now

Single tickets for SPAMALOT are on sale now through Dr. Phillips Center.

Performances: Nov. 3-5, 2026
Venue: Walt Disney Theater at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Location: Orlando, Florida

Tickets and additional information are available through the Dr. Phillips Center website.

 

Continue Reading

Central Florida News

Dr. Phillips Center Generates $227.6 Million Annual Economic Impact, Supports Nearly 2,500 Central Florida Jobs

Published

on

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts generated $227.6 million in annual economic impact, supporting 2,483 jobs and producing $13.2 million in state and local tax revenue, according to a newly released independent study by Tourism Economics.

The analysis, conducted by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company specializing in economic impact and tourism research, measured the direct, indirect and induced economic activity generated by the arts center’s operations, performances, visitors and related spending throughout Central Florida.

The findings underscore the Dr. Phillips Center’s role as both a premier performing arts destination and a major contributor to the region’s economy.

“For more than a decade, we’ve seen firsthand how the arts inspire people, bring communities together and create lasting value,” said Kathy Ramsberger, president and CEO of Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. “This study confirms that our impact reaches far beyond our stages—supporting thousands of jobs, driving business growth, attracting visitors from around the world and helping position Central Florida as a more vibrant, competitive and connected region.”

Economic Impact by the Numbers

According to the Tourism Economics report, the Dr. Phillips Center generated:

  • $227.6 million in annual economic output
  • 2,483 jobs supported across Central Florida
  • $70.8 million in total labor income in Orange County
  • $13.2 million in state and local tax revenue
  • $73.1 million in off-site spending by event attendees, performers and production crews
  • 61,600 hotel room nights generated annually

The study highlights the ripple effect created by visitors attending performances, benefiting nearby hotels, restaurants, retailers and other local businesses.

A Global Destination for Arts and Entertainment

Now in its 11th year, the Dr. Phillips Center welcomes more than 910,000 guests annually, attracting visitors from all 50 states and more than 80 countries.

Since opening in 2014, the venue has hosted:

  • More than 6.2 million guests
  • More than 6,200 performances and events
  • Programming presented 99% of the year
  • Venue occupancy rates ranging from 82% to 97%

The center has become one of the world’s busiest performing arts destinations while helping position downtown Orlando as a leading hub for arts, culture and entertainment.

Community Investment Beyond the Stage

In addition to its economic impact, the Dr. Phillips Center continues investing in arts education, community outreach and cultural programming throughout Central Florida.

According to the organization, it has:

  • Served 935,920 students and community participants
  • Supported and hosted 202 regional arts organizations
  • Received support from 24,085 donors
  • Benefited from $256 million in philanthropic contributions since its inception

Through partnerships with schools, nonprofit organizations, community groups and touring productions, the center continues to expand access to the performing arts while strengthening the region’s cultural and economic vitality.

Looking Ahead

Eleven years after opening, the Dr. Phillips Center continues to demonstrate that investment in arts and culture produces measurable returns through tourism, employment, education and community engagement.

As Central Florida continues to grow, the independent analysis reinforces the performing arts center’s importance as both a cultural landmark and an economic engine for the region.

Additional information about the economic impact study is available through the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Blue Man Group Orlando Launches $25 Kids Ticket Offer at ICON Park Through Dec. 31

Published

on

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Families can enjoy Blue Man Group Orlando for less this summer and fall thanks to a new ticket promotion that allows children to attend performances for $25 with the purchase of a full-priced adult ticket.

The limited-time offer is available for online purchases through Dec. 31, 2026, making one of Orlando’s newest live entertainment attractions more affordable for families.

Special Kids Ticket Offer

Under the promotion, guests who purchase a full-priced adult ticket may purchase a children’s ticket for $25.

The offer is valid for performances:

  • Monday through Thursday
  • Fridays at 5 p.m.

The promotion is not valid for:

  • Saturday performances
  • Sunday performances
  • Fridays at 8 p.m.

New Orlando Production at ICON Park

Blue Man Group opened its new resident production at ICON Park in May inside a custom-built theater located along Orlando’s International Drive entertainment district.

The production blends music, comedy, technology and audience participation, while featuring many of the signature moments fans expect from Blue Man Group alongside new material created exclusively for the Orlando production.

Global Entertainment Phenomenon

Since debuting in 1991 at New York’s Astor Place Theatre, Blue Man Group has entertained more than 50 million people worldwide through resident productions and international tours.

The show continues to expand with performances in Orlando, Las Vegas, touring productions across North America and an upcoming tour in Japan.

Blue Man Group is owned and operated by Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement Ticket Time Machine ad
Advertisement Orlando Regional REALTOR Association logo
Advertisement Parts Pass App
Advertisement Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando
Advertisement
Advertisement African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida
Advertisement FNN News en Español
Advertisement Indian American Chamber of Commerce logo
Advertisement Florida Sports Channel

FNN Newsletter

Trending