Essence Music Festival relocates to Houston

HOUSTON (AP) _ The 2006 Essence Music Festival is moving to Houston as New Orleans continues to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. <br/><br/>The annual event, sponsored by Essence magazine, has been held

Wednesday, November 16th 2005, 9:30 am

By: News On 6

HOUSTON (AP) _ The 2006 Essence Music Festival is moving to Houston as New Orleans continues to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina.

The annual event, sponsored by Essence magazine, has been held in the Superdome in New Orleans since 1995. Officials said the move is temporary.

The festival will be held July 1-3 at Reliant Park, Essence announced this week. Several concerts, a marketplace and empowerment seminars will be featured. A portion of the event will be aimed at helping victims of Katrina.

Tickets go on sale Dec. 1. Participating artists will be announced in the weeks ahead.

Nearly 500 artists have performed at the Essence Music Festival, which brings millions of dollars into Louisiana's economy, since its inception.