On Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., the doors of the historic Dew Drop Inn Hotel & Lounge at 2836 Lasalle Street in New Orleans will open for a special Community Day event hosted by Tulane University Special Collections (TUSC).

Free and open to all, this public celebration invites guests to explore the rich cultural legacy of the Dew Drop Inn—an iconic venue instrumental in the birth of rock & roll during the 1950s. The event will feature access to unique archival materials from TUSC that document the venue’s deep roots in rhythm and blues and American popular music.

Attendees will also enjoy a live performance of Legends of the Dew Drop: Road to Rock and Roll, a musical journey tracing the evolution of the New Orleans sound. A Creole brunch buffet will be served during the event, offering a taste of the city’s vibrant culinary tradition.

As part of American Archives Month, TUSC staff will lead hands-on archives activities, offering the public a chance to engage with preservation and storytelling efforts that keep New Orleans’ cultural memory alive.

Community Day is non-ticketed, and no registration is required—admission and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited, so early arrival is recommended.

Presented as part of the Prima Memorial Series, the event is organized by the Gia Maione Prima Foundation and Tulane University Special Collections, in collaboration with the Dew Drop Inn. The series focuses on the origins and impact of American popular music, particularly its deep ties to New Orleans jazz and rhythm and blues.

For more information and a full event FAQ, visit: library.tulane.edu/dewdropcommunityday