On Sunday, Oct. 20, alumni of Xavier Prep will launch the inaugural festival entitled “Jazzin’ the Drexel Dream,” an afternoon of music, art, food and culture designed to raise money for the new Katharine Drexel Preparatory School, formerly known as Xavier Prep High School. The funds raised during the festival are earmarked for the restoration of the Drexel Auditorium.
The Sunday afternoon fest will be held at the home of Katherine Mary Felton and Jim Thorns, 2623 Esplanade Ave., and in DeSoto Park, the green space adjacent to their home. The 2600 block of DeSoto Street, immediately behind the park, will be blocked off for the occasion. Music headliners for the fest include Sharon Martin, Philip Manuel and many more to come.
For nearly a century (98 years), African American and native Indian children have had access to higher education due in very large part to the legacy of Mother Katharine Drexel and the order of nuns she founded, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament.
The school has educated many of the leading lights of New Orleans’ Business and Political communities, including Calvin Moret, Sybil Morial, Miriam Ortique, Councilwoman Cynthia Hedge Morell, Carol Sutton, D. Joan Rhodes, Preston Edwards, Kenneth Carter and Bill Roussell, to name a few.
The price of a general admission ticket is $40. However, a $100 ticket which can be purchased and used for the raffle of $10,000.
All checks should be made payable to Jazzin’ the Drexel Dream; checks may be mailed to 2623 Esplanade Avenue, NOLA, 70119.
If you have any questions, please call 504.481.9503, 504.949.5300, or 504-949-5300 or you may email drexeldream@gmail.com
