Essence Music Festival 2011: Celebrities in The Belvedere VIP Lounge

Hello Divas!

The Essence Music Festival attracts lots of celebrities.  Celebrities were there promoting their movies, television shows, and music.  Some celebrities participated in informative panel discussions during the Empowerment Summit at the New Orleans Convention center.  And other celebrities came to the festival to have a good time!  Who would not love good music, awesome food, culture, and education all rolled up into one?

Belvedere was the exclusive spirit sponsor of the 2011 Essence Music Festival and sponsored the uber exclusive VIP Lounge located backstage.  The Lounge had two full service bars, comfy couches, and flat screen TVs so the "VIP" crowd could enjoy the show while sipping a Belvedere Intense cocktail.

I was fortunate enough to have access to this Lounge and I spotted some of my favorite celebrities.  Here are some pics:

Garcelle Beauvais

Boris Kudjoe

Letoya Luckett

Letoya Luckett who is currently starring in HBO's "Treme", participated in the Belvedere Charity Celeb Bartending Challenge with Belvedere Ambassador Bevy Smith.  I follow Bevy Smith on Twitter and she is simply fabulous!  Celebrities participating in this challenge created the official drink of the 2011 Essence Music Festival , "The Belve Peach Essence."  Donations from the challenge go directly to The Red Cross of New Orleans.

I tried "The Belve Peach Essence" cocktail and it is a very fruity and refreshing drink.  It consists of:

1 1/2 oz of Belvedere Intense Vodka
3 oz fresh brewed sweetened iced tea
1 oz peach schnapps, and
1/2 oz lemon juice.

Simply shake the ingredients together and pour over ice!

Believe me when I tell you the Belvedere VIP Lounge was the place to be!  People were enjoying "The Belve Peach Essence," socializing, and meeting and greeting their favorite celebs.  And of course, the celebs were having fun too!  I also spotted:


Ledisi (awesome performer!)

Kem

Hosea Chancez, who was also a Belvedere Celeb bartender during the 2nd night of performances.

Tika Supter another Belvedere Celeb bartender.

Lance Gross and Rosci were Celeb bartenders too!

Good times.  Check back tomorrow to get the scoop on my last day in New Orleans!

Toodles!

Luxetips Events!: 2011 Essence Music Festival Day One

Hello Divas!

Life is beautiful. Enjoy it!

Day one of the 2011 Essence Music Festival has been packed full of activities and entertainment.

When I landed in New Orleans a Ford driver greeted us in baggage claim and whisked us into a brand new white 2011 Ford Explorer.  Initially I thought the vehicle was the Ford Edge because of the body style and design.  I was pleasantly surprised to discover it was an Explorer.  Ford totally changed the look of the Explorer.  This Explorer had leather seats, a third seat, and power outlets for back seat passengers.  I was thrilled to find a plug because of course, my cell phone needed charging.

We arrived at our hotel and was immediately greeted by Ford representatives who sent our bags up to our rooms and escorted us to a cocktail reception already taking place.  There are media representatives from Concrete Loop, Global Grind, Sister 2 Sister Magazine, Rolling Out Magazine, and Hello Beautiful on this trip.

After cocktail hour the Ford team chauffeured us to THE Emeril's restaurant.  There we were treated to a delicious meal and we learned more about our schedule for this weekend.  We learned we will get an opportunity to actually test drive several vehicles from Ford's new 2012 fleet.  I am looking forward to seeing how Ford's SYNC^® technology works up close and personal.

After dinner we were escorted to the Superdome to enjoy the concerts.  We stopped by the Belvedere Lounge to celebrity watch and sample the Essence/Belvedere signature drink the "Belve Peach Essence". At the Belvedere lounge I spotted Boris Kudjoe, Ford Spokesperson, and Garcelle Beauvais.  Garcelle is absolutely stunning in person and here is a pic of us together.

Afterwards I enjoyed performances by Jennifer Hudson and Usher.  Usher gave a pretty awesome performance.  He started the concert suspended in air and he still has the energy and moves to give fans their money's worth.

Stay tuned for more updates from the Essence Music Festival.

Toodles!