Chevrolet Provides "All Access" To Essence Music Festival

NEW ORLEANS – Chevrolet is providing consumers with “All Access” to the Essence Music Festival (EMF) which runs July 1 - 3. The division is providing a number of special opportunities for people on site in New Orleans , and even a chance to “visit” the festival from afar.

Chevrolet’s activities during the Festival include: a music memorabilia tour, the opportunity to interact with a number of celebrities, the chance to win a trip to next year’s festival, donations to several charities, and a web broadcast that will give people who are not at the Festival a chance to experience it first-hand.

“The Essence Music Festival is a remarkable event and we wanted to provide people with a ‘behind-the-scenes’ look at it,” said Peper.

During the EMF press conference, and with support from television and film celebrity Boris Kodjoe, Chevy General Manager Ed Peper presented Essence with a donation to the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts/Riverfront (NOCCA|Riverfront). NOCCA|Riverfront is Louisiana ’s arts conservatory for high school students. NOCCA|Riverfront was selected as beneficiary for the donation because the school so closely resembles what the EMF is all about.

“We feel that the Essence team’s work to put this event on should be rewarded with a donation in their honor and we are pleased to give money to such a worthy organization as NOCCA,” Peper says. “Chevrolet is involved in a variety of community, youth and scholarship programs and has worked with great partners like Essence as part of our commitment to give back to our loyal and valued customers.”

Chevrolet has been an Essence Music Festival sponsor for the past six years. According to Peper, Chevy’s strong ties to the festival reflect its dedication to community and philanthropy.

Chevy All Access Music Tour

Music Festival goers can experience an up-close look at the music industry from Chevy’s “All Access Music Tour,” an interactive memorabilia mobile display on site at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center . The tour celebrates the relevancy of music with Chevrolet. With help from Tracey Jordan, former curator of the Motown Cafe, the tour boasts memorabilia from Patti LaBelle, Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, the Jackson 5, Boyz II Men, Martha & the Vandelas, Rick James and much, much more.

About The Kodjoes

Boris Kodjoe and his wife Nicole Parker Kodjoe are the team behind Chevrolet’s “Family of Truck” radio spots. Peper says Boris and Nicole “are” Chevy and epitomize the division’s successful “An American Revolution” ad campaign.

“Boris and Nicole are terrific spokespeople for Chevy,” Peper said. “They are fun, expressive, stylish, and they do things in their own way.”

Chevy’s Images
Special photos and posters representing the festival were created by Chevrolet to portray the spirit and soul of the festival. With images from nationally known photographer Keith Major, Chevy hoped to capture the “Essence Woman.” Using recognizable New Orleans locations, Major’s photographs depict a beautiful woman dressed in vibrant colors.

“To be selected by Chevrolet to photograph the ‘Essence Woman’ represents a high point in my career, Major said. “I cannot begin to describe how rewarding an experience it has been.”

About NOCCA/Riverfront
Now in its 31 st year, NOCCA|Riverfront provides intensive training in dance, media arts, music (jazz, classical, vocal), theatre, (acting, theatre design, musical theatre), visual arts and creative writing to public, private and parochial school students from across Louisiana . The school boasts many prominent alumni, including Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, Harry Connick, Jr., Nicholas Payton and Jeanne-Michele Charbonnet.

About Chevrolet

Chevrolet is one of America ’s most well-known and successful automotive brands. With the largest dealer network in the United States , Chevy is the leader in full-size trucks and the leader in sales of vehicles priced $35,000 and above. In addition, Chevrolet delivers more-than-expected value in every vehicle category, offering cars and trucks priced from $9,995 to $52,000. Offering dynamic yet timeless designs, Chevy owners demand great looks that don’t go out of style, high performance per dollar, and features expected in more expensive vehicles.

Chevrolet’s global headquarters is at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit . For more information, go to www.chevy.com.