On the night before the first Tuesday of every month, literary geeks masquerading as ninjas descend upon Loyola’s campus and plaster it with one stark number: 1718. And while some find this number mysterious and alluring, some bleary-eyed student stumbling to class might wonder what the hell it means. Well, folks, that’s why I’m here: to dispel the rumors and doubt about one of Loyola’s newest organizations.
The group’s name – 1718 – is the year in which New Orleans was founded. We decided upon this name to encourage the entire community to take part in our events, not just university students itching to bang on bongos and drink their weight in Abita Amber. We wanted to keep the trendy college edge, but cut the angst.
1718 is a reading series, run exclusively by Loyola and Tulane students. We bring in recognized and respected writers from New Orleans and Louisiana as a whole. Once a month, we bring in a unique voice to read his or her work to a room full of drooling college students. We’re drooling because we’ve been lucky to host readings from state poet laureate Brenda Marie Osbey, Poppy Z. Brite, Christine Wiltz, Andre Codrescu, Bev Marshall, Alison Pelegrin, Rodger Kamenetz and Loyola’s own John Biguenet. And the best part is, they take us seriously.
We hold readings at the historic Columns Hotel. There is something swanky and mysteriously sexy about the building. The bartenders gear up for a night serving round after round of champagne and overpriced whiskey to broke college kids instead of the usual sagging, middle-aged, mint julep crowd. If you’ve ever wanted a chance to fraternize with the English faculty, this is your chance. You can catch Mark Yakich and Chris Chambers chuckling over a pint, Dr. Sebastian sipping a martini in a quiet corner, Mary McCay clutching a glass of champagne, or Dr. Cotton shuffling in early to get a good seat.
The readings begin with an invocation-a seemingly unrelated poem read by a 1718 staff member to set the tone for the evening. Then, co-presidents Kaitlin Ketchum and Whitney Johnson (Kaitlin’s Tulane half) hijack the microphone to introduce the featured reader and the agenda for the evening. The guest then reads his or her work for about 40 minutes, which is followed by a question and answer session. Following a brief intermission, student readers from Loyola and Tulane round out the night.
Too often, people have experienced the typical stuffy, pretentious readings where they clap politely and sit up straight. This is never the case at 1718 evenings. We carouse (with class, of course), and openly show our support for both the featured reader and the student readers who follow. As one of those student readers, I can personally attest to the warm, fuzzy feeling in the room.
1718 is expanding next semester. Not only are we starting to work with other universities, such as University of New Orleans, but we’re bringing in the “big names.” In March, we’re hosting Richard Siken, winner of the 2006 Yale Younger Poets Series Award. And in January, expect an appearance from former Loyola professor and 1718’s proud “papa,” Martin Pousson.
If you haven’t been to a 1718 event, the time is now. We literary folk are running a tight ship, and we look damn good doing it. Don’t be afraid; we might bite, but we promise it’ll hurt in a good way.
