Kanye, Mary J. and Irma among Essence acts

Wedged in the middle of spring’s Jazzfest and fall’s Voodoo Fest, summer’s Essence Music Festival rises, giving the doldrums of summer a head-kick consistently bringing the best in urban entertainment to the Crescent City.

The 2008 edition kicks off Friday, July 4 at the Louisiana Superdome with radio favorites Rihanna and Kanye West hitting the stage. Other performers include LL Cool J and Patti LaBelle on Saturday, July 5. Chris Rock and Mary J. Blige on Sunday, July 6.

And Voodoo Fest got whom?

Irma Thomas, an Essence fest regular and “Soul Queen of New Orleans,” said this three-day event is different in two ways.

“It’s about coming together, sharing those life experiences,” Thomas says. “But the data you can get from the seminars is great as well.”

Preceding musical performances, A-list guest speakers tackle a new theme each day. Guest speakers include actor-director Tyler Perry on his hit show, House of Payne, comedian Bill Cosby on education and Bishop T.D. Jakes on the “Power of Us.” A marketplace will also be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

Thomas says the festival also works as a fashion show. “You can stand anywhere in the Superdome and see one extreme to the other. It’s quite amusing.”

Opening remarks begin at 11 a.m. Friday. Tickets start at $56. If you haven’t booked a hotel by now, good luck.