NEW ORLEANS From her rebuilt but not-yet-fully furnished home, Irma Thomas anchors her faith in the rebirth of New Orleans to the return of the Essence Music Festival.

The festival, which runs today through Sunday, celebrates black music and culture. It moved to Houston in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina smashed New Orleans in 2005. The festival returned home in 2007, and organizers say Essence is now re-establishing its place in the city.

An estimated 200,000 people attended the festival last year, supplying a needed injection of business into the city's hurricane-hammered tourism industry.

"The festival is so special to New Orleans," said Thomas, who's still trying to find furniture to replace the pieces lost when Katrina sent floodwater crashing through her home.

Essence headliners this year include Jill Scott, Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, LL Cool J, Morris Day and The Time, and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. Maze has closed out the festival each year since its inception in 1995.

This year, there will be a tribute to Patti LaBelle, the soul diva whose career LaBellespans four decades. LaBelle released 10 solo albums and six with the group that bears her name, LaBelle.

Tomorrow night's tribute on the main stage of the Louisiana Superdome will include performances by two original members of LaBelle -- Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx -- as well as performances by Chaka Khan, Angie Stone, Ledisi, Chrisette Michele, Ruby Amanfu and Thomas.

"This honor is just a reflection on the life she has given, the time and efforts she has given to the music world," Dash said of Patti LaBelle in a phone interview from her home in Trenton, N.J. "I can't think of a better person who deserves the recognition. She's done so much for humanity and for the industry. This tribute exemplifies how much we love and respect her."

Michelle Ebanks, president of Essence Communications Inc., which owns the festival, said much thought went into the decision to honor LaBelle.

"It's an important part of what we do at Essence, to celebrate and recognize those icons within the African-American community," she said. "Their music, their art has been a part of our growing up and our culture."

The tribute, Ebanks said, "will be an emotional, thrilling 75 minutes."

Besides concerts at the Superdome, Essence includes a series of seminars with such speakers as actor Tyler Perry, actress Keisha Knight Pulliam, the Rev. Al Sharpton and comedian-activist Bill Cosby.