raelenemcduffee: Celebs Head Down To New Orleans For 2011 Essence Music Festival!

Thứ Bảy, 2 tháng 7, 2011

Celebs Head Down To New Orleans For 2011 Essence Music Festival!

It's that time of the year again! The 2011 Essence Music Festival has more than kicked off this 4th of July weekend in New Orleans, and The YBF is on the scene covering all the events and concerts at the Superdome and around town. (FOLLOW US ON TWITTER for backstage access, insider pics, and dish.)

We've got pics from Day 1 around the city at the McDonald's 365 Black Awards and autograph signings at the Convention Center inside...

Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, Usher, and more are taking the stage at the Superdome as we type. Y'all know each night is an ALL-NIGHT affair during Essence Fest Weekend. But earlier on Friday, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Lance Gross, Terry Crews, and more hit the New Orleans Convention Center to sign autographs for their reality show fans, "Are We There Yet?," and "House of Payne" fans:

Keshia and Lance posed with co-star Demetria McKinney. And signed autographs for all their fans:

Lookin' fab.

TBS's stars Tamala and David Mann were there with the fineness that is Lamman Rucker.

"Are We There Yet?" stars Terry Crews and Essence Atkins were there having some fun:

And Terry's wife Rebecca came over to sign some autographs for the fans of their reality show.

Garcelle Beauvais of "Franklin & Bash" was on hand as well:

Fab times.

Also at the Convention Center today, Mary J. Blige and Angela Bassett were on hand for the McDonald's 365 Black Awards. McDonalds honors 5 amazing African-Americans who are doing amazing things for the black community. This year, the honorees were Ruby Dee, Mary J, Cathy Hughes, Benjamin Jealous, Hank Thomas:

The Awards opened with co-host Angela revealing that the "Waiting To Exhale 2" script is due in this month. Of course, she's set to star in the sequel and Terry McMillan is finishing the script.