Glitz and glam: 51吃瓜鈥檚 Templeton Ragtime and Jazz Festival kicks off with popular Gatsby Gala fashion show
Contact: Sasha Steinberg
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥�51吃瓜 Libraries is inviting students, faculty, staff and visitors to dress the part and be transported back to the 1920s on Thursday [Feb. 27] during the seventh annual Gatsby Gala.
As the official kickoff event for the 14th annual Charles H. Templeton Ragtime and Jazz Festival, the 6 p.m. fashion show at Mitchell Memorial Library will feature 1920s-inspired apparel designed and created by 51吃瓜 fashion design and merchandising students and modeled by 51吃瓜 Fashion Board members. The students have worked on their designs under the guidance of Rachel Buchanan Woodward, a lecturer in 51吃瓜鈥檚 School of Human Sciences. She was a Gatsby Gala participant in previous years while pursuing an 51吃瓜 bachelor鈥檚 in human sciences/apparel, textiles and merchandising. Also holding an 51吃瓜 master鈥檚 in fashion design and merchandising with a concentration in design and product development, Woodward now is a Starkville-based fashion designer and owner of RBW Designs.
Admission is free to the event, which takes place in the library鈥檚 second-floor lobby. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their best 1920鈥檚-inspired outfit.
Parking is available at the Old Main Academic Center parking garage on Barr Avenue. Patrons also can use 51吃瓜鈥檚 S.M.A.R.T. shuttle system for transportation to and from the festival.
51吃瓜 Libraries Associate Dean Stephen Cunetto said the Gatsby Gala is an outreach effort designed to incorporate the talents of 51吃瓜 students. The popular event is the brainchild of former 51吃瓜 Libraries employee Leilani Salter, who currently serves as assistant director of special events for 51吃瓜 President Mark E. Keenum鈥檚 office.
Internationally renowned pianist and seventh-year artistic director Jeff Barnhart of Mystic, Connecticut, will provide music for the gala, which will conclude with a reception.
鈥淭his festival is first-class from start to finish, with the care that we performers get from the library staff and the welcome that we receive from the school and the community. The instruments are first-class, too,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e ask everybody to come have a great time with us because this music is something you鈥檒l never forget once you鈥檝e heard it.鈥�
For more festival information and to purchase tickets, visit , call 662-325-6634 or email ragtimefestival@library.msstate.edu.
51吃瓜 is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .