Recap: Essence Festival Durban 2016

Essence Magazine stepped it up a notch this year by not only hosting their famous Essence Festival in New Orleans, but by branching out internationally and hosting a second festival in Durban, South Africa. For the first-time ever, Essence Festival Durban kicked off in KwaZulu-Natal's beautiful city of Durban from November 8 - 13, 2016. Since I am currently in Zambia, I hopped right on over (and by hopped I mean a 5-hour travel time) to Durban to check out the inaugural festival. 

Let me preface the rest of this post by saying the following:

1. I have attended Essence Fest in New Orleans before.
2. I did not attend Essence Festival Durban in its entirety. I only attended the weekend events.

With those points in mind, on a scale of 1-10, I give the first Essence Festival Durban a 6.5. Here's why:

1. The musical guests were great.

While lesser known acts were scheduled beginning at 1 pm, Ne-Yo started the main show around 9 pm and performed for about 30-45 minutes. He sang his biggest hits and the crowd couldn't get enough. Personally, I was excited to see my favorite South African and Nigerian performers, including AKA, Wiz Kid, Cassper Nyovest and Black Coffee. Each of their performances was amazing. I loved that local talent was sourced for the Saturday night concert. It was a great way to put a South African stamp on the Essence Festival.

Concert stage

2. The convention center area reminded me of New Orleans.

There were several booths selling African merchandise, hair and diet products and much more. This was very similar to product offerings at the Convention Center in New Orleans. However, I could see this potentially being enhanced next year, as several of the booths were empty and I wasn't interested in buying many of the products.

Pavilion area

3. There was a chic, functional pavilion area.

There were several food trucks offering various types of South African foods, as well as tables, chairs and a lounge area for patrons to relax and refuel. Of note, there was also a great bar station to buy cocktails, soft drinks and water. This was probably one of the more well-thought out areas at the Convention Center. While we were there enjoying our cocktails, there was a parade of Zulu people, which was exciting to see them in their traditional clothing.

Go DJ!

Here's where it gets a little...less than stellar...

4. It was unorganized.

Before arriving at Essence Fest, there was no schedule available for events...at least not one I could find. While at the festival, someone told us that there was an Essence Festival Durban App containing all pertinent information, but it wasn't publicized at all. After we arrived at the Convention Center, it was very hard to tell where information sessions were taking place. And after getting to the designated area, sessions were running severely behind schedule. For example, we wanted to see Mama Tina (Beyonce's mom, duh) speak and her session was scheduled to start at 3:15 pm. We just happened upon her speaking on the main stage at 6:30 pm. That is a 3-hour delay! With such a tight schedule, it was very hard for patrons to plan accordingly.

Mama Tina and new friends

5. It could use a few more (and better) headliners.

While Steve Harvey, Ne-Yo, Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary and others were supposed to attract crowds, that's not enough to make Americans want to cross an ocean. We can see them (and the likes thereof) at Essence Festival in New Orleans, the BET Experience or a host of other events that we don't have to pay an arm and a leg to attend.  While I do realize that entertainers have hectic schedules and making the long trip to South Africa may be difficult, it would be worthwhile to show some love to their international audiences. (Hint Hint: Beyonce!)

With a Zulu man

6. It didn't quite have that "Essence" feel...yet.

I can see why Essence wanted to expand the brand into South Africa, but the festival didn't have the same feel as its New Orleans counterpart. While it was the first year and there will naturally be a learning curve, I left a little underwhelmed by the organization and management of it all. However, I do believe that with a year or two more with practice, the festival will expand and be a major attraction to Durban like the festival is to New Orleans.

In case you're planning on attending next year, here are a few tips:

1. Stay close to the downtown area. I've been to Durban twice and this most recent time, I stayed at Suncoast Towers, which was pretty central to most areas. The previous time I went I stayed in the Uhmlanga area, and while 15 minutes isn't far, it can get tiresome traveling to and from the Convention Center every day.
2. Plan excursions outside of the festival. This is an opportunity to see more of Durban and perhaps even more of South Africa if your budget and vacation time can accommodate. Don't let the festival be the only thing you do while you're in South Africa.
3. Wear comfortable shoes. This goes without saying, but I'm saying it anyway. I ended up standing for about 7 hours waiting for and watching the performances. Be prepared for delays. 
4. Bring an umbrella. It rained off and on all weekend. November is rainy season in Durban, so bringing an umbrella is imperative.

With all of that being said, I would definitely attend again. I am cutting Essence some slack because it was the first year and they were working out the kinks. This was the first year of a three-year partnership, so starting out at 6.5 isn't bad. There's only up from here!

Zulu Women

7 Big-Batch Cocktails to Get Your Family Drunk on Thanksgiving

It's my favorite time of year! Yes, it's holiday season but it's also the time of year to unknowingly get your family and friends drunk! We've divided our list of big-batch options into seven main alcohol food groups in order to include something for everyone. 

VODKA

Blueberry Lemonade Vodka Spritzer

Ingredients:

• 3½  cups of lemonade
• 2 cups blueberry-flavored vodka
• 1 cup soda water
• 3 cups of ice
• 3 tbs. sugar (to taste)
• 2 cups of fresh blueberries
• Lemon slices and fresh mint to garnish

Instructions:

1. Mix blueberries and sugar in a large container and lightly muddle the berries, keeping most of them whole.
2. Add ice, lemonade, vodka, and soda water and stir gently.
3. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint.

Note: You may add more lemonade, vodka, or soda to suit your taste.

RUM

Gingerbread Egg Nog

Ingredients:

• 8 eggs, yolks and white separated
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 3 cups whole milk
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 1/2 cups dark rum
• 1/2 cup ginger liqueur
• 8 gingersnap cookies, finely ground 

Instructions:

1. Place egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer and whisk on low speed until frothy, about 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium-high and beat until they are about the consistency of shaving cream, about 90 seconds. Reduce speed to medium. With mixer running, add half of sugar and beat until incorporated, about 30 seconds. Transfer whites to a large bowl. Do not wash bowl.
2. Add egg yolks and remaining sugar to now-empty stand mixer bowl and beat at medium-high speed until pale yellow and ribbony.
3. Add milk, cream, rum, and ginger liqueur and mix on low speed to combine.
4. Using a rubber spatula or handheld whisk, fold the whipped whites into the egg yolk/milk mixture until completely incorporated.
5. Place ground ginger snaps in a shallow pie plate. Drip rim of each glass into eggnog and press into ground ginger cookies.
6. Pour eggnog into glass, dust with more ground gingersnaps, and serve.

WHISKEY

Sparkling Bourbon Lemonade Punch

Ingredients:

• 6 shots bourbon
• 2 shots St. Germain
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4 large lemons)
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (1 large orange)
• 4 cups club soda, chilled
• Lemon slices (about 4 large lemons)
• Orange slices (1 large orange)
• 1 bunch fresh mint sprigs, plus more for garnish
• Crushed ice

Instructions:

1. Combine 1 1/2 cups water and sugar in a small saucepan over high heat. Cook until the sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes. Cool the simply syrup completely. This simple syrup can be made 1 week in advance and stored, covered, in the refrigerator.
2. Combine the St. Germain, simple syrup, lemon juice and orange juice in a pitcher. Mix in the club soda. Add the lemon slices, orange slices and mint.
3. Fill glasses with crushed ice.
4. Add 1 shot bourbon to each glass and fill to the top with the sparkling lemonade. Garnish each glass with mint.

TEQUILA

Knock Me Out Punch

Ingredients:

• 2 cups white tequila
• 2 cups cranberry juice
• 2 cups grapefruit juice
• 2 cups orange juice
• 8 orange slices
• ice, for serving

Instructions:

1. Combine all of the liquid ingredients in a pitcher.
2. Garnish with the orange slices and serve over ice.

GIN

The Collins Punch

Ingredients:

• 7 1/2 oz. gin
• 3 3/4 oz. lemon juice
• 3 oz. simple syrup
• 5 oz. Earl Grey Tea
• 5 oz. club soda

Instructions:

1. Build with ice in punch bowl and stir.

 

WINE

Apple Cider Sangria

Ingredients:

• 1 green apple, cored and sliced
• 1 red apple, cored and sliced
• 1 orange, seeded and sliced
• 1 large bottle of ginger beer
• 1 bottle of prosecco
• 1 bottle of apple cider (add to taste, ~4-5 cups)
• A few shots of vodka (optional)

Instructions:

1. Slice apples and oranges and place into a large pitcher or punch bowl.
2. Add ginger beer, apple cider, and sparkling white wine. A few shots of vodka can also kick it up a notch!

BEER

Grapefruit Beer Punch

Ingredients:

• 4 cups gin 
• 2 cups fresh grapefruit juice (about 4 large grapefruits)
• 5 cups India Pale Ale, chilled

Instructions:

1. Combine the gin and grapefruit juice in a large pitcher.
2. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.
3. Add the IPA just before serving and ladle into ice-filled punch.

These big-batch cocktails are sure to be crowd-pleasers! Don't forget to make up the extra bedroom for overnight guests, just in case someone has their fare share of fun on Thanksgiving night. Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving!