Democratic presidential hopeful Illinois Sen. Barack Obama returns here next month and will participate in the Essence Music Festival which also is coming back after damage left in Hurricane Katrina's wake forced the event to Houston last year.

Associated Press

Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL)

Obama confirmed an appearance scheduled July 5, the opening night of the three-day music and empowerment festival, said Michelle Ebanks, president of Essence Communications Inc. -- the publisher of ESSENCE magazine.

"I believe his presence will only serve to underscore the fact that the Essence Music Festival is a cultural event within the African-American community and though music is the centerpiece and an extremely important part of the experience, the festival is more than that," Ebanks said Thursday.

The festival, in its 13th year, has long touted itself as a "party with a purpose," and Ebanks said Obama's participation can only enhance that.

"It's only appropriate that Sen. Obama participate in some way," she said, adding that the festival has always discussed issues involving culture and community.

Last year was no different, said Ebanks who noted that several celebrity, political and social leaders addressed attendees at Houston's Reliant Stadium, which hosted the event after Katrina's wrath and subsequent flooding in 2005 left the Louisiana Superdome and Ernest N. Morial Convention Center severely damaged. Neither venue was available for use in time for the 2006 festival, which is held annually over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Obama was last in the region in May when he spoke at the National Conference of Black Mayors in Baton Rouge. Later, he visited students at Pierre A. Capdau Charter School in New Orleans and called on the federal government to invest $250 million in the city's struggling schools.

Ebanks said the festival this year had partnered with the Children's Defense Fund and a portion of all concert ticket proceeds would benefit the CDF Freedom Schools in New Orleans.

Other presidential candidates also have been invited to attend the event, which concludes July 7, but an Essence spokeswoman would not release their names until their appearances were confirmed.

Jen Psaki, a spokeswoman for Obama's campaign, said the senator believes the festival can help spark recovery and rebuilding efforts in the city.

"The senator is looking forward to returning," Psaki said. "He is committed to New Orleans, to rebuilding the community and getting it the resources it so badly needs. This goes beyond politics for him. The need for support for the families, the children is an issue he talks about quite often and it's central to one of the reasons why he's running for president."

Performers highlighting the 2007 festival include: Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, Ciara, comedian Steve Harvey, the Isley Brothers featuring Ronald Isley, rapper Ludacris, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Ne-Yo, The O'Jays with Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill, Lionel Richie, Kelly Rowland and Robin Thicke.