By Cate Czarnecki The historical background of perique—a tobacco varietal considered by many to be the strongest and most flavorful in the world—makes it one of the state’s more interesting, if lesser known, agricultural stories. Originally cultivated by an Acadian farmer named Pierre “Perique” Chent in the early 1800s, “le tabac de perique” involves the … An Agrarian Romance: Charles Martin’s PERIQUE
Room 220 was delighted to learn that our frequent contributor Ari Braverman was recently selected as the winner of the 2012 James Knudsen Prize in Fiction, awarded by Bayou Magazine and the University of New Orleans. This year’s contest was judged by author Michael Knight, who said of Braverman’s winning story, “Even Though He’s Still … There’s real darkness here, real heat: Ari Braverman wins the 2012 James Knudsen Prize in Fiction
Mexican novelist Carmen Boullosa will give a presentation related to her new Spanish-language novel, Tejas, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 7, in Nunemaker Auditorium on Loyola University New Orleans’ campus (6363 St. Charles Ave.). Boullosa is one of Mexico’s leading novelists, poets and playwrights. Her presentation Thursday will focus on the Mexican-American War and … Carmen Boullosa to present at Loyola March 7
Alison Bechdel, author of the critically acclaimed graphic novels Fun Home and Are You My Mother? and the syndicated comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For, will give a multimedia presentation about her work and process at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6, in the Kendall Cram Lecture Hall on Tulane University’s campus. Bechdel wrote … Alison Bechdel to present at Tulane March 6
Veronica Kavass will present her new book, Artists in Love: From Picasso & Gilot to Christo & Jeanne-Claude, A Century of Creative and Romantic Partnerships, at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 4, at the Garden District Book Shop (2727 Prytania St.) and at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5, at the Columns Hotel (3811 St. Charles … Their relationship was integral to their work: An interview with Veronica Kavass
Take a sneak peak at the chapbook We’re Pregnant via this video, which features an original score by HAWN. The book launch for We’re Pregnant is this Thursday from 6 – 9 p.m. at the Press Street HQ and will feature performances by HAWN and Leyla McCalla, as well as a reading of the stories … WE’RE PREGNANT video and review
In case you haven’t heard, the fantastic after-school tutoring and youth writing workshop organization extraordinaire Big Class has moved its operations into the first floor of the Press Street HQ (3718 St. Claude Ave.). Inspired by the 826 writing centers run across the country by folks involved with McSweeney’s, Big Class offers a fun and … BIG CLASS Open House at the Press Street HQ Sun. and Thurs.
Over at the Rag Blog (we’d never heard of it, either), the always-astute Mike Davis argues that those looking to understand the motivations behind the rampage and ramblings of ex-LAPD officer-cum-vigilante Christopher Dorner should turn to books about racism driving men to homicide. Davis suggests Richard Wright’s novel Native Son and Chester Himes’ short story … Exterminating Angels: Mike Davis on Mark Essex and Christopher Dorner
Please join Room 220 as we celebrate the release of the newest Press Street publication, We’re Pregnant, with a Happy Hour Salon from 6 – 9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28, at the Press Street HQ (3718 St. Claude Ave.). We’re Pregnant is a chapbook of short fiction by Room 220’s esteemed editor, Nathan C. … Happy Hour Salon: WE’RE PREGNANT
Poet Metta Sama will give a presentation of her work at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 20, at the University of New Orleans Sandbar (on Founders Road, across from the Engineering Building, inside the Cove). Sama is the author of Nocturne Trio, a e-book of poetry published in 2012, as well as South of Here … Metta Sama at UNO Feb. 20
