Seventeen-Eighteen » Readers

Nicole Cooley reads Tuesday the 13th!

admin — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 04:01:47 +0000

This upcoming Tuesday the 13th, Nicole Cooley will read from her newly published collection of poems Breach at the Columns Hotel. Cooley is a New Orleans native who received her B.A. from Brown University, her M.F.A. from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, her PhD from Emory University and is the daughter of New Orleans poet Peter Cooley. Her first book of poetry, Resurrection, won the Walt Whitman Award and her book The Afflicted Girls was chosen as one of the year’s best poetry books by Library Journal. She has also published a novel entitled Judy Garland, Ginger Love and will publish a fourth book of poetry this November entitled Milk Dress. She has received a Discovery/The Nation Award, a National Endowment for the Arts Grant and even the Emily Dickinson Award from the Poetry Society of America. Her poems have appeared in magazines such as The Nation and Poetry. She has published fiction in many journals including The Paris Review and The Southwest Review. She is a member of the Academy of American Poets and has published scholarly work on women’s writing and experimental poetics.

Cooley is visiting 1718 from New York, where she is an associate professor of English and Creative Writing at Queens College—City University of New York where she directs the MFA program in Creative Writing and Literary Translation.

Please arrive early to enjoy the Columns generous happy hour and grab a seat for 7pm. Student readers to follow.

Joseph Boyden to read on December 8th!

admin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:35:20 +0000

For the last event of the fall season, Joseph Boyden will read Tuesday, December 8th at 7pm at the Columns Hotel. Boyden is an internationally renowned Canadian fiction writer who won the 2008 Scotiabank Giller Prize for his novel, Through Black Spruce. His first novel, Three Day Road, has won numerous awards including the Roger’s Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize in 2006. Boyden studied writing at York University and the University of New Orleans and has taught at the Aboriginal Student Program at Northern College.

Following Joseph’s reading, student readers Kathryn Bell from Loyola University, Britton Blackall from University of New Orleans and Katie McGinnis from Tulane University. Arrive early for a seat and to enjoy happy hour from 5-7pm!

Thomas Beller reads November 3rd!

admin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:45:51 +0000

This upcoming Tuesday, November 3^rd, Creative non-fiction and fiction writer Thomas Beller will read at 1718. Beller is a professor at Tulane University. Beller has published a collection of short stories entitled Seduction Theory, a Los Angeles Times Best Book Award winning novel The Sleep-Over Artist and a collection of autobiographical essays entitled How to Be a Man: Scenes from a Protracted Boyhood. Additionally, Beller has edited three anthologies, founded the literary website Mr. Beller’s Neighborhood, and co-founded the literary magazine Open City. Beller’s work has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, ELLE, Spin, Vogue, Slate and The Village Voice. You can visit his website at http://www.thomasbeller.com/ and http://www.mrbellersneighborhood.com/.

After a brief intermission, student readers from UNO, Tulane and Loyola will follow. Please come early to enjoy happy hour at the historic Columns Hotel. The reading will start at 7.

Cate Marvin reads Oct. 6th!!

admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 02:21:32 +0000

Cate Marvin will be arriving from New York to read for 1718 this upcoming Tuesday, October 6th. Marvin has published two books of poetry, including “Fragment of the Head of a Queen,” and co-edited the American poet anthology “Legitimate Dangers.” Marvin has received the Kate Tufts Discovery Prize, a Whiting Award, and has been a 2007 Gregory Millard Fellow. Marvin served as writer in resident at the Lesley University low-residency M.F.A. program and is associate professor in creative writing at the College of Staten Island, City University of New York. Marvin is known not only for her evocative poetry but also for her intimate presence as a reader.

Following Cate’s reading will be student readers Mia Borders, Abi Pollokoff, and Daniel Dekerlegand.

The reading will start at 7, though we encourage you to arrive early for happy hour at the Columns.

Anne Gisleson reads September 8th!

admin — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:59:40 +0000

Kicking off the 2009 Fall season, Anne Gisleson will read Tuesday, September 8th at the Columns Hotel. Soon to appear in the upcoming Best American Non-Required Reading, Anne exists as a beloved New Orleans writer and teaches creative writing at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. Anne’s fiction, poetry and non-fiction has been widely published in literary magazines such as The New Orleans Review, The Mississippi Review, Muse Media, The Great American Poetry Show, Gambit Weekly and Constance. She received her M.F.A. from Louisiana State University and has participated in residencies at the Virginia Center for Creative Arts and the New York Institute for Writers. She received the Louisiana Division of the Arts grants and a Surdna Arts Teacher’s fellowship. Anne is even the co-founder and co-editor of the New Orleans literary and arts collective Press Street.

Be sure to get to the Columns early for Happy Hour, which ends at 7pm, and grab a seat. Following Anne’s reading will be student readers Laura Ruffino (UNO) and Todd Grubs (Loyola).

January: Andy Young Wrap-Up

admin — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 21:22:09 +0000

Our evening with Andy Young started out with a burst of energy and just kept going. After Sam Jannenga’s stirring invocation, Ms. Young jumped right in, carrying us with her through her mesmerizing voice. This event was undoubtedly an “auspicious evening” for 1718 as well—a great start to our Spring series! Andy Young’s work had an international flair to it; this well-traveled writer has a gift of imagery that offers an eye into the elements of other cultures that are almost always lost in translation. The audience was treated with some of her new work, and the personality Ms. Young puts into her reading was not lost on the crowd. She threw in a few lighter, comedic notes, including one poem about Condoleeza Rice, and ended the evening’s traveling spree—which included Baghdad and the Gaza Strip—with a series of works in Egypt.

Andy Young’s reading was a great success, and she joined the audience to hear from the solo student reader of the evening—Daniel Stephenson of Loyola. Daniel’s first poem was a delight in itself, but his second and third pieces undoubtedly created an auditory sensation most of the listeners had not experienced before. His “vertical rhymes” were written for two voices, and the reading had the polished performance and perfect timing of a musical duet.

These two Appalachian readers led an enjoyable evening—thank you, all those that braved the cold to attend, and of course, the 1718 readers and staff for putting this all together.

If you could not attend, don’t worry! To borrow Andy Young’s favorite quote of unknown origin:
“It’s always morning somewhere in the world,” and every morning brings us closer to the rest of the great events 1718 has lined up this season!

November: Claudia Rankine Wrap-Up

admin — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:54:15 +0000

Having flown in from across the country, Claudia Rankine gave her multi-media reading to a full house. Claudia began her reading by playing a DVD which consisted of slow visuals, such as a scene from the World Cup or strangers sleeping on planes. One of the more interesting pieces featured two layers of sound: phone calls from twin towers on 9/11, and Claudia’s slow, precise voice reading her work. After the DVD, Claudia continued to read from her book, Don’t Let Me Be Lonely.

As usual, a large crowd, including Mrs. Rankine herself, stayed for the student readers. From Loyola, Rachel Crosbie read her creative non-fiction piece about how she ended up in New Orleans; from UNO, 1718’s own Britton Troy Blackall read some of his poems (including one dedicated to ovaries); and Chanel Clark from Tulane read poems that silenced the room.

The entire reading was incredible, though we would expect no less from our amazing 1718 readers and staff. Thanks to everyone who came out, and be sure to attend the last reading of the semester on December 2nd with Amanda Boyden.

October: Peter Cooley Wrap-Up

admin — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 06:09:57 +0000

The October event brought us some competition on the national level. The reading conflicted with the Vice-Presidential debate, but we still managed to draw a spirited audience to fill every seat. Poetry v. Politics: you decide. I think we won.

It was a bit quieter than usual, but Peter Cooley gave a modest and marvelous reading. He read “a little bit of everything” from his seven collections. He also answered questions deftly and efficiently.

We also had the privilege of hosting three student readers: Daniel Dekegeland (Junior, UNO), Kerry Cullen (Sophomore, Loyola) and Nate Scott (Senior, Tulane). All of them continued to uphold the standard of excellence (some might say bodaciousness) that we’ve come to expect from our student readers.

As always, we had a drink-filled, literature-induced great time. Thank you to everyone who came to support us!

September: Brad Richard Wrap-Up

admin — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 05:54:32 +0000

Well, folks, we’ve proved this month that we are unstoppable in the face of not one, but two hurricanes. The belated event on September 16th brought in a remarkable crowd, thanks to Brad Richard, high school teacher, poet, and 1718’s September reader. We thank Brad for being patient and flexible with us (and Mother Nature). He read work from his collection, Habitations, and also some of his as-yet-unpublished poetry centering on Katrina.

As always, the Columns hotel bar was aflutter with gorgeous drinks; Amy from Garden District Books came to sell Brad’s collection, sipping champagne all the while; and, of course, we all had a blast.

Our student readers, Sarah Beth Ryther (Freshman, Loyola) and Philip Matthews (Senior, Tulane, 1718 staff) were fabulous. Sarah Beth took us out of the confines of the podium and performed her epic spoken-word piece; Phil gave us a wild ride and blew our minds with his quiet but powerful poetry.

On different(ish) note:

1718 is under new management! Ben Sines and Katie “KJ” Kelsch (both seniors at Loyola) have (peacefully) taken over the series and were proud to lead the fighting 1718th to yet another victory.

Thanks to everyone who came out to support us, pack the house for Brad, and celebrate poetry! We love you!

Mark Yakich reads NEXT WEEK!

admin — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:07:30 +0000

Come support 1718 by coming to our April event next Tuesday the 1st! As usual, the event will be at 7 p.m. at the Columns Hotel (3811 St. Charles Ave).

Mark Yakich is the author of “Unrelated Individuals Forming a Group Waiting to Cross” (2004), “The Making of Collateral Beauty” (2006), and “The Importance of Peeling Potatoes in Ukraine” (2008). Mark is also associate professor of English at Loyola University and is sure to deliver a fabulous reading that you won’t want to miss!

Come hear Mark’s reading and the three student readers to follow!

This is a completely free event and happy hour at the Columns lasts until 7, so come early for a good seat and a strong drink!

Garden District Bookshop will be there selling Mark’s books–get them signed!

A great place to mingle, grab a drink (or many), learn, be entertained, meet smart and ridiculously attractive people, get cultured and get involved in the New Orleans literary scene!

Oh, and did we mention that this is FREE?!?

Check out some of Mark’s poetry:
http://www.lapetitezine.org/MarkYakich.htm