NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Michelle Obama will open the 2026 Essence Festival of Culture’s Evening Concert Series this summer in New Orleans, organizers announced Tuesday.
Obama will appear July 3 at the Caesars Superdome for a live conversation tied to “IMO: The Look,” a project connected to her book about personal style, visibility and identity. Essence said the conversation will be presented in partnership with Higher Ground.
Essence leaders held a news conference at the Morial Convention Center. They stressed that Essence is not a guest in the city but a partner.
After controversy and criticism following the 2025 festival, Richelieu Dennis, chair of Sundial Media & Technology Group, says they made some promises.
Dennis says they promised to offer something for all generations this year, especially with the nightly concert lineup.
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New festival additions
Dennis highlighted new additions to the festival that proved successful, including the Book Fest, which was launched last year. He says they awarded five book deals through the fest.
He says the new Film Fest has grown to be one of the largest in the country with more than 630 films submitted this year. He says last year out of the fest were two Emmy winners.
Dennis says the next part of the festival’s evolution is the addition of the Essence Creator and Podcast Fest, with a major name showcasing her podcast.
Concert lineup
Essence announced George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic will celebrate 50 years of the Mothership as part of the event, framing the appearance as a milestone tied to music history and Afrofuturism.
Clinton is on top of other high-profile names on the lineup, including Brandy & Monica, Patti LaBelle, Latto, Cardi B and Kehlani.
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Teyana Taylor was also recently named the festival’s inaugural chief curator.
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