The
Essence Music Festival, known as "the party with a purpose", is an annual music festival which started in 1994 as a one-time event to celebrate the 25th anniversary of
Essence, a magazine aimed primarily towards
African-American women. It is the largest event celebrating African-American culture and music in the United States. Locally referred to as the
Essence Fest, it has been held in
New Orleans, Louisiana every year since 1994 except for 2006, when it was held in
Houston, Texas due to
Hurricane Katrina. It features artists simultaneously performing on a main stage as well as four standing-room only superlounge stages.