Beyonce Bowl: Pepsi’s Halftime Super Bowl Performance (Video)
February 3rd, 2013 by Christen
Beyonce Bowl: Beyonce greets the Mercedes Benz Super Dome filled with over 72,000 sports fans
Got a little time to relive the Beyonce Bowl (aka Pepsi’s Super Bowl) halftime show with Beyonce? If you can’t stop dancing in your seats and want to relive the Beyonce Bowl featuring ‘Love on Top’, ‘Crazy in Love’, ‘Baby Boy’, ‘End of Time’, ‘Single Ladies’, and a soul-stirring performance of ’Halo’ then here you go!
Beyonce bowl rocks out with her all-girl band LIVE…
Beyonce performs her greatest hits including Single Ladies, Crazy In Love and More…
Oh and did I forget to mention the highly anticipated Beyonce Bowl / Destiny’s Child reunion, that’s right Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams hopped on stage to perform their classic hit ‘Bootylicious’ Independent Women’ and more.
Destiny’s Child Reunites performing ‘Bootylicious’, ‘Independent Women’ and more…
You can view it in it’s entirety below.
After that performance it’s quite clear that the real winner of the Super Bowl is Beyonce… that’s why it’s been renamed the Beyonce Bowl!
What do you think of her performance? (We predicted many of the performances but hoped she would’ve brought out a little more star power.) Are you anticipating her next world tour anytime soon?
photos via Getty Images…
Super Bowl XLVII: Insider’s Guide From New Orleans
February 1st, 2013 by TiffanyThe biggest, grandest, most-watched single event in American sports is coming to New Orleans on February 3, 2013. We have an inside look on how to not only enjoy the game, but how to actually get involved with the charming city of New Orleans! Don’t just watch the game… if you’re in New Orleans, be a part of the game!
Verizon Super Bowl Boulevard
Free to the public, Verizon Super Bowl Boulevard will open on Thursday, January 31st and run daily until Super Bowl Sunday, February 3rd. Complementing the public entertainment, broadcast, and celebratory offerings on Super Bowl Blvd., fans of all ages will have opportunities to interact with numerous NFL and Host Committee partner events. The main attraction, the larger-than life XLVII roman numerals, standing at 30 feet high and over 100 feet wide, stand for everyone to take pictures that will last a lifetime. Celebrate New Orleans’ Perfect 10th Super Bowl with a true New Orleans-style festival! Make sure to grab a bowl of N’Awlins Gumbo, Jumbalya, Beignets, and Bread Pudding as you stroll down Super Bowl Boulevard.
Rebuilding Together’s 18th Annual Super Bowl Sanctioned Event – Kickoff to Rebuild 2013: New Orleans
Kickoff to Rebuild is an annual NFL sanctioned event hosted by Rebuilding Together. For 18 years, Rebuilding Together has partnered with the NFL in Super Bowl cities across the country, rebuilding houses and bringing together neighborhoods, home by home, block by block, because everyone deserves to live in a safe and healthy home.
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Take a look at last year’s Kick Off to Rebuild in Indianapolis:
The NFL Experience
(Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center)
Experience the best NFL experience that one city has to offer, with games, displays, entertainment attractions, kids’ football clinics, free autograph sessions- it is the largest football memorabilia show ever! For the entire weekend the hall will be filled with displays of past Super Bowls and the immortals who starred in them. Youngsters will have opportunities to punt, run and pass and be scored on their efforts. And, at various times, key players both past and present will be on hand to greet fans and sign autographs. Schedules of these times will be posted and more details about the NFL Experience can be found at their website, www.nfl.com/superbowl/nflexperience.
Super Saturday of Service
(Various parks around New Orleans)
On the eve of Super Bowl XLVII, the Super Bowl Host Committee will hold its premier community initiative, Super Saturday of Service. The program will showcase collaboration between the Host Committee, NFL, City of New Orleans, the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC), Young Leadership Council (YLC), the Urban League of Greater New Orleans Young Professionals (ULGNOYP), and the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity that provides improvements to five NORDC playgrounds and their surrounding neighborhoods.
The NFL Foundation annually provides a $1 million matching grant to each Host City, typically to be used to fund the development of its Youth Education Towns (YET Centers). Having a direct impact on the local community is a major focus of the NFL. Since the NFL provided a YET Center for New Orleans for Super Bowl XXXVI, the NFL agreed to creating a new initiative for Super Bowl XLVII. After several months of planning and collaboration with the City of New Orleans, NORDC, and the NORD Foundation, the Super Saturday of Service was developed.
The Super Saturday of Service will result in the renovation and beautification of five NORDC playgrounds and facilities, along with improvements on the NFL YET. Funds from the City of New Orleans, the NORD Foundation, and NFL Charities will be used to complete major capital improvement projects at the Lyons Center, Hunter’s Field, Kingswood Playground, Harrell Stadium and Pontchartrain Park prior to Super Bowl XLVII.
Super Bowl Fan Jam
(February 2, 2013)
Super Bowl Fan Jam is a free concert series that will feature some of today’s hottest performing and recording artists. In years past performers have included such megastars as Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Gym Class Heroes, Steven Tyler and many others. Check local listings and the NFL Experience website to see who’s coming to rock the Big Easy and which stage they will be performing.
New Orleans has such a rich culture and is truly a great place to visit! Being from New Orleans, I know that you have to be a part of the city to get the full experience! In addition to the great food, music, and culture, take advantage of the above once in a lifetime events and opportunities! Don’t just watch the game, but actually make your mark in the city. Let it be known that you were here!
Essence Music Festival: Escape To New Orleans Ep. 2
July 17th, 2012 by Christen
Missing all the fun, excitement, music & entertainment of Essence Music Festival? Don’t worry. Escape To New Orleans episode 2 is here! Recently, I got the chance to explore the city, alongside Nate from WorldWideNate.com to get a bona fide experience of what New Orleans, Louisiana truly has to offer. Thanks to the Ford Escape – I got the chance to escape to New Orleans and experience the rich history, delicious food & a certain je ne sais quoi – that’s authentic, only in New Orleans. From the Pralene Connection to the French Market and the haute nightlift of Frenchmen street - Check out the second of four webisodes airing on Essence.com this week – below.
Celebrities Celebrate Everyday Heroes At McDonalds #365Black Awards
July 9th, 2012 by Christen
Tamia & Grant Hill accepts their award at the McDonald’s 365Black Awards
As apart of my Essence Music Festival experience in New Orleans this past weekend, I got the opportunity to celebrate phenomenal, everyday heroes at the McDonald’s® 365Black® Awards. Entertainers, professional athletes, political figures and hundreds of citizens from across the nation packed the Mahalia Jackson Theater in New Orleans Friday for the 2012 McDonald’s 365Black Awards, an annual event honoring outstanding African-Americans who are making positive contributions to the community. Hundreds of guests attended the ninth annual ceremony honoring multi-platinum and 10-time GRAMMY® winning recording artist Chaka Khan; global humanitarian, best-selling inspirational author/entrepreneur Bishop T.D. Jakes; GRAMMY-nominated R&B singer/songwriter Tamia and husband, All-Star NBA® player, Grant Hill; teenage medical innovator Tony Hansberry, II; youth empowerment activist Mary-Pat Hector; and McDonald’s owner/operators, Tina and Harold Lewis.
Chaka performs at 365Black Awards
“Helping others and giving back are critical components to making our community stronger, and it was moving to witness the number of celebrities and community members who supported the event,” said Chaka Khan, founder of The Chaka Khan Foundation. “I am humbled I was chosen to receive the 365Black Award with such an amazing group of individuals who also embrace community service. I commend McDonald’s for their ongoing efforts to make community service a priority.”
Khan closed the ceremony with a surprise performance. Singer/songwriter Marsha Ambrosius, national television journalist Roland Martin, entertainment correspondent Janell Snowden and R&B singer Tank were among celebrities on-hand at the ceremony hosted by actor Laz Alonso. GRAMMY winning gospel star Fred Hammond, GRAMMY-nominated artists Melanie Fiona and Eric Benet, and hip-hop legend Doug E. Fresh also performed to help pay tribute to the honorees. A great time was had by all!
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- MC Lyte on Red Carpet
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- McDonald’s 365 Black Awards Red Carpet
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- Melanie Fiona Performs at 365Black
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- Laz Alonso Hosts 365Black Awards
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- R&B Singer & 365 Awards presenter Tank
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- TD Jakes Accepts 365Black Award
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- Fred Hammond sings during McDonald’s 365 Black Awards
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- Marsha Ambrosius on Red Carpet
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- Al Sharpton & Honoree Mary-Pat Hector
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- Tamia & Grant Hill accepts their award at the McDonald’s 365Black Awards
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- McDonalds 365 Black Awards Banner
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- Chaka performs at 365Black Awards
Photo Credit: Chris Mitchell & DivasandDorks.com
Essence Music Festival: Escape To New Orleans Ep. 1
July 5th, 2012 by Christen 
If you’re looking for the genuine New Orleans experience, look no further. Recently, I got the chance to explore the city, alongside Nate from WorldWideNate.com to get a bona fide experience of what New Orleans, Louisiana truly has to offer. As a native (of sorts), my lineage has roots in the Crescent city, however my experience is limited as I’ve only been to New Orleans once before at the age of 9. Thanks to the Ford Escape – I got the chance to escape to New Orleans and experience the rich history, delicious food & a certain je ne sais quoi – that’s authentic, only in New Orleans. Check out the first of four webisodes airing on Essence.com this week – below.
Divas On Destinations: Getaway to New Orleans For Essence Music Festival
July 4th, 2012 by Christen
Something Old, Something New, Something for the Spirit & For Your Do’! The ESSENCE Music Festival is the nation’s largest African American live musical and cultural experience. Every year over 400,000 people from around the world descend upon New Orleans for the only music festival that offers show-stopping performances from top entertainers, free inspiring andempowering conversations and messages from the world’s leading innovators, leaders, and thinkers, plus four days of family and cultural experiences: the ESSENCE Music Festival. This year, in its 18th year anniversary, the 2012 ESSENCE Musical Festival presents a newly expanded four day weekend celebrating the “Power of Our Voice” on July 5, 6, 7 and 8 with compelling programming featuring the biggest names in entertainment and the country’s most influential speakers, artists, authors and leaders. Check out a few of the hottest activities to experience this weekend while out with the girls in New Orleans!
SOMETHING OLD
Spectacular performances on the EMF stage never gets old, but you can always count on quality R&B acts gracing the stage and this year is no different. If the spectacular performances of Chaka Kahn, Trey Songz, Mary J. Blige and more aren’t enough maybe the return of the ultimate oldie but goodie – R&B crooner D’Angelo is just the old faithful & soulful sound you’re looking for. I’m looking forward to seeing his performance & if he has any tricks left up his sleeve after his soulful BET Awards performance on Sunday.
SOMETHING NEW
ESSENCE Festival will kick off the inaugural day, Thursday, July 5th, with a first ever Youth Empowerment Concert complete 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. 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’ band The Roots of Music.
Sponsored by Verizon, Wal-mart and Captial One, tickets for the Next Stage are available at essencemusicfestival.com
FOR THE SPIRIT
Sunday (July 8th) will be a great day in New Orleans and a rousing finale to the weekend with award winning journalist, author and “NY1 News” anchor Cheryl Wills hosting the festivities as ESSENCE presents a day of praise and worship during an “All-Star Gospel Salute to Mary Mary and Fred Hammond” with Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell, Tramaine Hawkins, Pastor Marvin Winans, Byron Cage, Israel Houghton and more.
FOR YOUR DO’!
Be prepared for a lot of weave patting & natural do scratching – but no worries, EMF has you covered to keep that do right & tight! From the Motions Style Suite featuring Rihanna’s stylist Ursela Stephens to the Essence Music Festival’s title sponsor My Black is Beautiful. Stop by the My Black is Beautiful booth and experience all that Procter & Gamble is bringing to this year’s festivities, including surprise guests, giveaways and access to notable beauty experts.
See you in New Orleans!
Divas On Destinations (Sneak Peek): My Great Escape To New Orleans!
May 30th, 2012 by ChristenRecently, I was afforded the opportunity to explore the great, resilient city of New Orleans, Louisiana with Essence Magazine. Throughout my week-long experience, we canvased the entire city in the 2013 Ford Escape in search for an authentic New Orleans experience! No matter if you’re headed to Essence Music Festival in July or you’ve experienced all the tourists attractions that you thought New Orleans has to offer, we got deep into New Orleans from the history, shopping, food & more – and trust me, you’ve never seen New Orleans like this before!
Next month, Essence.com will be airing weekly webisodes where my favorite guide Worldwide Nate & I share tips & tricks to enhance your escape to New Orleans. But you know I couldn’t wait to share my experience first hand! Check out a few of these behind-the-scene pics of our fun times in the Big Easy, you’ll never guess all the places we explored (but you can take a few guesses in the comments section below) & stay tuned for the official webisode release on Essence.com soon…
