VANESSA BELL CALLOWAY--"THE ESSENCE" OF BEAUTY AND STYLE!

HOLLYWOOD STAR GEARS UP FOR ESSENCE FEST 20TH YEAR 

Vanessa Bell Calloway on the Red Carpet at Essence Fest

(New Orleans, LA.) Busy is an understatement when describing Actress Vanessa Bell Calloway.  Calloway, a seasoned actress who has been on the scene since breaking up daytime's beloved couple  Angie and Jessie on "All My Children. One of Calloway's most memorable role was the "submissive" lady in waiting" in Eddie Murphy's iconic movie "Coming to America." She's also remembered for her breakout roll in "What's Love Got to Do With It" as one of the Ikettes.  Aside from her work on the big screen, nearly 20 years ago Vanessa Bell Calloway kicked off one of the very first editions of what is now known as Essence Music Festival?  

VISION/VOICE/VARION got the inside scoop on the latest the ageless star, July 4th, during the Essence Music Festival's "Friends and Family" Reunion Day in New Orleans. Vanessa made it back to "the Big Easy" to reminisce and remind every one of her role as one of the celebrity host and contributors to the music festival nearly two decades ago.  

PRESS PLAY TO SEE VARION'S INTERVIEW WITH VANESSA

"Most people don't know, but I was apart of this music festival in the early years.  I served as an honorary host" said Calloway.  It's truly been cool watching Essence Music Festival grow over the years. Today it is "the event" when it comes to R&B, empowering African American women and the first class entertainment.

In addition to staking her claim in the upcoming 20th anniversary of Essence Fest 2014, Calloway filled us in on her current projects.  "I am very excited about my new web series called IN THE COMPANY OF FRIENDS,"... everyone is invited to enjoy me for an intimate gathering of friends at my home as we eat, laugh and chop it up as only good friends can do," Calloway said

"In The Company of Friends" is a new series where you can watch Vanessa chats it up with some of "Hollywood's" Black "Elite" like Actress Loretta Devine, Vivica Fox, Wendy Raquel Robinson (Tasha Mack, "The Game"), Salli Richardson and Actor Dondre' Whitfield just to name a few. Check out a preview of the new September series by visiting
www.in-the-company-of-friends.com.

Be sure to check out Vanessa's BLOG TALK RADIO SHOW Sundays, 3pm PST and 6PM EST www.blogtalkradio.com/vanessabellcalloway. 

I've got to take my hat off to this renaissance woman.  From "Hollywood to Motherhood," Vanessa Bell Calloway has successfully celebrated more than 20 years of marriage and raising two daughters in Hollywood, a perpetual "fishbowl" that consistently presents more than a few challenges when it comes to "having and keeping the brass ring!"

Vanessa makes me proud to spell my name "W-O-M-A-N."  She is quite the example for me, and other professional Black businesswomen, in the entertainment industry when it comes to being  "FABULOUS OVER 45!"  I look forward to being just as "healthy, happy and whole" as a wife and mother in the future.

May God bless you and all of your endeavors Mrs. Calloway. ("No Hyphen") LOL.  I can't wait to tell our VISION/VOICE/VARION viewers what role you will play in the upcoming 20th gala of ESSENCE MUSIC FEST in 2014.

Letters From Zora-August 15th thru August 18th

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON VANESSA BELL CALLOWAY AND HER UPCOMING PLAY,  LETTERS FROM ZORA, "In Her Own Words" visit: www.lettersfromzora.com 


LEE BAILEY'S EURWEB.COM's Article on the Upcoming Production:
http://www.eurweb.com/2013/07/vanessa-bell-calloway-to-perform-for-breast-cancer-survivors-in-letters-from-zora-at-pasadena-playhouse-august-14th/

Vanessa Bell Calloway and Varion Walton 

UNITING ESSENCE "GUNS DOWN" INITIATIVE AND NEW ORLEANS- "NOLA FOR LIFE"

ESSENCE EMPOWERMENT EXPERIENCE STAGE

ESSENCE PARTNERS WITH NEW ORLEANS MAYOR MITCH LANDRIEU TO BRING TOGETHER TO END VIOLENCE!

(New York, NY–July 2, 2013)--As the world watches one of the most prolific trials in America, the trial of George Zimmerman accused of gunning down teenager Trayvon Martin, Essence partners with New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu to bring grieving mothers together with their families to finally call for an end to all of the violence in America Sunday, July 7th.

At the culmination of the renowned ESSENCE Empowerment Experience at the 2013 ESSENCE Festival in New Orleans (July 4-7), ESSENCE will partner with New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu to unite mothers and families in an effort to end violence and murder across America. 

ESSENCE and Mayor Landrieu will host ‘Love, Loss and Life’, a special prayer vigil for mothers who have loved and lost , on Sunday, July 7,  at 9AM (CST) at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience Stage. 

Mayor Landrieu, highlighting the city’s comprehensive murder reduction strategy NOLA FOR LIFE (#NOLAforLife) and ESSENCE, referencing its Guns Down series (#ESSENCEGunsDown), will lead vital conversations and encourage collective prayer about stopping the violence and murder that are plaguing our cities. 

“The loss of young people to senseless violence is a national tragedy,” said ESSENCE Acting Managing Editor, Vanessa K. Bush, “Our community of ESSENCE readers is praying for our families.  As mothers, when we send our children out into the world, we expect them to always come home.  By joining with Mayor Landrieu and the City of New Orleans, we are coming together to mourn, rejoice and inspire a national movement.”

The ‘Love, Life & Loss’ program will include testimonies from mothers, choir performances, a moment of prayer, a second line procession and a pledge by the community.    In addition, a ‘Wall of Remembrance’ featuring images of the children lost to violence will be created on-site and the pledge will be shared around the world via social media. 

“Partnering with ESSENCE is an important step in galvanizing women and making murder reduction a national priority,” said Mayor Mitch Landrieu.  “We understand that mothers who have loved and lost are critical in changing the culture of violence and in ending this unacceptable epidemic of young African-American men killing each other.”

For the latest news about the ESSENCE FESTIVAL, visit ESSENCE Festival www.essencefestival.com. Join the Festival community: follow us on Twitter @essencefest #EssenceFest and become a fan of 2013 ESSENCE Festival on Facebook.

The 2013 ESSENCE FESTIVAL™ is executive produced by Essence Festivals LLC, a division of Essence Communications Inc. (ECI).  GeChar is the executive producer of the 2013 ESSENCE Empowerment Experience Stage.

ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL...."THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT!""

ESSENCE LAUNCHES THE 2013 ESSENCE FESTIVAL APP
*Available now to download for iPhone and Android users. 

2013 ESSENCE FESTIVAL APP FEATURES:

• Real Time Updates
  
• Current Lineup & Panel Listings
  
• Personalized Schedules
  
• Social Sharing
  
• Tickets for Purchase 

Personalized Schedules, Real Time Updates, And Social Sharing from "VISION/VOICE/VARION"

JULY 3, 2013---ESSENCE launches the official 2013 ESSENCE Festival App leading up to the most anticipated African-American cultural event of the year, the 2013 ESSENCE Festival in New Orleans July 4th weekend.

With so much to see and do in New Orleans over ESSENCE Festival weekend, you need a game plan to enjoy it all. That's why ESSENCE built the free official ESSENCE Festival App, now available for iPhone and Android, to help Festival attendees stay-in- the-know over the holiday weekend.
The App allows users to receive updates from ESSENCE, see current lineups and listings, purchase tickets and create their own schedule and share details with friends.
With over 50 artists and 60 speakers appearing on 8 stages over 4 days, there is a lot to keep up with—and the free 2013 ESSENCE Festival App guarantees that users will not miss a single thing in this jam- packed Festival weekend.

For more information on the 2013 ESSENCE Festival, visit http://www.essence.com/festival
ESSENCE Festival. Become a fan on Facebook and follow the Festival conversation on Twitter #EssenceFest. 

IPHONE USERS CLICK HERE:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/official-2013-essence-festival/id659069885?ls=1&mt=8

ANDROID USERS CLICK HERE:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.timeinc.essence

GINA BROWN: "Sizzling and Giving You A Reason to Smile"

SUMMER'S SIZZLING!

Gina Brown "Sizzling" This Summer

(NEW ORLEANS, LA.)--Hotter than July!  Music fans get ready for a "double dose" of summer fun that's "sizzling!" Gina Brown, one of the hardest working women in entertainment will burn up the stage and the "airwaves" this summer as she gives you something to "smile about" and move you right out of your seat and dancing in the isles.

Gina Brown and Anutha Level will kick off the first ever Essence Music Festival's "FAMILY FUN DAY" July 4th.  The Louisiana Lottery is a proud sponsor of Essence 2013.  I'm proud to tell you after nearly 20 years in the business, this well deserving artist is finally hitting "lucky 7s!"  Way to go Gina, turn up the heat because New Orleans, Louisiana is about to be on "FIRE!"

ALL NEW: NEW ORLEANS' OWN GINA BROWN SLATED TO KICK OFF ESSENCE MUSIC FEST 2013

ESSENCE MUSIC FEST-FIRST EVER "FAMILY REUNION DAY!"

(New Orleans, LA.)--Gina Brown's got a secret, but I'm spilling the beans!  That's right, ALL NEW my girl and best friend will be one of the featured artists kicking off the annual ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL in New Orleans. This year event organizers announce the first ever "Family Reunion Day!" Essence Fest 2013 features Beyonce', Charlie Wilson, Maxwell, New Edition-just to name a few.  But, before these legendary artists can take center stage, first you'll be rocked out of your seat and dance in the isles with New Orleans' rising star Gina Brown.

Gina Brown, featuring Anutha Level will kick off the "four day music festival July 4th with a day designed with families in mind.  The fire works July 4th will not be limited to the skyline of downtown New Orleans, but with some of the best local artists "The Big Easy" has to offer. 

It's going to be explosive!  Essence Music Fest kicks off July 4th and ends on my birthday July 7th!  YES! You know I'm over the moon because I will spend another birthday and another season covering one of my favorite events with one of the hardest working women in the industry, Gina Brown.

Gina Brown- W&A File Photo

If you haven't been, just know there's nothing like ESSENCE FEST!  For more than 16 years this annual event has attracted music lovers from all around the world to the Crescent City and Gina Brown is definitely the entertainer to take it from hot to "sizzzlllling!" The addition of the "Family Reunion Day" is a great way to ensure there's something for everyone!

The addition of the "Family Reunion Day" is timely and what's a family reunion without "The Electric Slide, The Cupid Shuffle or The Wobble?" Brace yourself--ALL NEW 

The "G-Slide" a critically acclaimed single and line dance that's gaining Brown critical acclaim on the R&B and Southern Soul charts will be just one of the singles this New Orleans based entertainer will perform live.  "G's Spot" has been climbing the blues charts since November 2012 and Gina Brown is sure to take the party to"another level" as leads off what's being billed as "the event of the summer."  

ESSENCE MUSIC FEST-201---Photo: "E"Photo

Since 2010, 'VISION/VOICE/VARION" has been your exclusive "all access" backstage pass all of the exclusive interviews, red carpet arrivals, music and this year is no exception! Book your flight and purchase your tickets today, you won't be disappointed. ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2013...."it's going to be epic!"

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS ON ESSENCE FEST and THE FAMILY REUNION WEEKEND:  http://www.essence.com/2013/04/18/essence-festival-announces-first-ever-family-reunion-day

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT ESSENCE FEST MUSIC LINE-UP:

http://www.essence.com/festival/schedule/artist

2013 Essence Festival Nightly Line Up!

ESSENCE 2013-"SIZZLING!"

(NEW ORLEANS, LA.)---The 2013 Essence Music Festival Line-up is almost set!  Which night will you rock out to some of the best in R&B, Hip Hop and Neo-Soul?  Essence Music Fest in New Orleans, Louisiana is more than an event, it's a reunion.  Some of the hottest performers in the world descend on "The Big Easy" leaving their mark in the most memorable way.    
 

Gina Brown & Anutha Level Performing July 4th

ALL NEW:  My girl Gina Brown officially kicks off the party with an "explosive" performance July 4th.  Be sure to join the "Empress of New Orleans" and Mayor Mitch Landrieu as they welcome thousands to this colorful hot bed for fun and entertainment.

VISION/VOICE/VARION is also gearing up to bring you another exciting year of "all things Essence!" VVV...."your all access pass to some of the hottest musical performances this summer!"  Stay close!

Singer Trey Songz & Varion Walton-Photo By-"E" Photo

"Red Carpet Ready!"

Beyonce Essence Fest

(NEW ORLEANS, LA.) -- If you haven't heard, The 19th Annual Essence Music Festival is going to be off the meter.  Here's hoping "Mrs. Carter" doesn't have an encore performance of "blowing out" the lights in the Super Dome for a second time at Essence!  Start making your plans now, it promises to be a "mind blowing" weekend!


CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE AND ESSENCE FEST 2013 LINE-UP
Beyonce Essence Fest