Day 4, July 7th, 2013
8:00 a.m.: Returns to hotel. Goes to sleep.
3:00 p.m.: Wakes up. Call time is 3:15 for dinner and Beyonce. Get dressed in 9 minutes. (C)
3:20 p.m.: All head out to Dooky Chase for some authentic NOLA cuisine and a chat with Will Packer and Chrisette Michele courtesy of Verizon. (A)
3:45 p.m.: Will Packer and Chrisette discuss how technology is influencing and changing the way they work as artists. Will Packer says speed is everything and Verizon has always helped him stay on top of the game. Chrisette and Verizon go way back since chirp phones. She loves the ability to connect directly with her fans. (A)
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: The most yummy dinner ever at Dooky Chase. And for dessert…this happened…. (A++)
6:00 p.m: Depart for Superdome. On the main stage tonight, Beyonce, Janelle Monae and TGT (not in that order). Traffic is beyond nuts and I’ve got to go to the little girls room. This is all bad. (D)
7:00 p.m.: This is probably the earliest arrival in the history of arrivals in my years of Essence going to the Superdome, and because no one else is here yet, it is FREEZING cold inside. Everyone grabs a free drink from the VIP lounge and huddles together to keep warm.
8:00 p.m.: Tyrese, Genuwine and Tank are on stage. This is bizarre. Genuwine doesn’t perform “So Anxious,” so I’m over it.
8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.: Lots of random backstage Instagramming and picture taking until my phone is about to die. Due to the previous cocktail consumption, I now forget my charger is in my purse and will never charge my phone again for the duration of the evening.
9:10 p.m.: Janelle Monae on the main stage. She absolutely kills it though the Superdome is slow to warm up to her. She finally wins them over with a roof shattering delivery of “Smile” followed up by some classic Prince and closing out with the rockin’ “Cold War”. I don’t care what NOLA says, she did that. (A+)
10:00 p.m.: Beyonce time! Head back to VIP quickly for a bathroom break and a gin and tonic refill! We ready!
10:30 p.m.: Ladies and Gentlemen…Beyonce! See below!
Somewhere around 1 a.m.: This happened!
Day 4 Final Grade = A++
Overall Essence Music Festival Press Junket Experience Grade = A
Shout out to @sekouwrites @divasanddorks @yoliouiya @deedeefaison @MsMab @jawnmurray and the rest of the junket crew for an amazing weekend!
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