We were fortunate to have the biggest crowd we’ve ever seen, some knockout student readers, and a featured reader as talented and commanding as Richard Siken.

Richard gave an absolutely stunning and memorable reading from his Yale Series of Younger Poets winning book “Crush” (2004)–including “Litany in Which Certain Things Are Crossed Out,” “Unfinished Duet,” “Straw House, Straw Dog,” and “Saying Your Names”–as well as some new work. All but four copies of “Crush” were sold, the most copies of any book Garden District Book Shop has ever sold at one of our events! If you haven’t picked up a copy of “Crush” yet, be sure to scoot on over to GDBS at 2727 Prytania St. to get one!

Also, you can check out the poem “Litany in Which Certain Things Are Crossed Out” here: http://poetryfoundation.org/archive/poem.html?id=177722.

Richard was followed by featured student readers Ben Sines (Loyola, 1718 Staff), Jonas Griffin (Loyola) and Kelly Grant (UNO),  each giving a totally bang-up reading to a full house. They were each rewarded for their hard work and bravery with a surprise mini-workshop with Richard after the event ended! Good things happen in the Columns bar lounge!

 HUGE thanks to all who came to this epic event–it was just wonderful! We have endless gratitude to our supporters and our community. As always, if you have any questions or suggestions regarding the series, need info or want to make a donation, shoot an email to kaitlinketchum@gmail.com.

We hope to see you next month at our April 1st event, featuring poet (and Loyola professor) Mark Yakich! It will be held at 7 p.m. at the Columns Hotel (3811 St. Charles Ave.), as per usual, and student readers will follow. Check out a sample of Mark’s poetry here: http://www.versedaily.org/2005/dearbirds.shtml

 More photos of the event (thanks to Rosemary for documenting the event):

Greeters Philip and Sarah

1718 staffer Katie reads the invocation, Anne Sexton’s “Ballad of the Lonely Masturbator” (read it here: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/archive/poem.html?id=171282)

Introducing Richard

Richard gives his reading, with our student readers up front–from left: Jonas, Kelly and Ben.

The Columns, before the mayhem of the evening