Two Big Class-tastic events Oct. 10 and 23 at the Press Street HQ

The eminent after-school education initiative Big Class–which, since earlier this year, has become an official part of Press Street and operates out of our headquarters–will offer two events this month to sign up students for workshops and activities and to present publications of student writing and art. If you’re not familiar with Big Class, check out this recent profile of the project on nola.com.

OPEN HOUSE: From 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Press Street HQ (3718 St. Claude Ave.), Big Class will host an open house to provide information to students and parents about Big Class’ community offerings, which include after-school tutoring and writing workshops. Among the exciting student workshops coming up is Unfathomable Map-Making, a  three-session workshop ( Oct. 14 – 16)  for students ages 14-18, for which students will explore New Orleans by mapping and writing about places of beauty and treasure and otherwise interest in the city. The workshop is inspired by the book Unfathomable City: A New Orleans Atlas, co-edited by Rebecca Solnit and Rebecca Snedeker, the latter of whom will run the workshop. Room 220 will host the local launch party of Unfathomable City, featuring readings by Rebecca Solnit and other contributors, on Nov. 23.

PUBLICATION PARTY: From 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the Press Street HQ, Big Class will host a party to celebrate its three most recent student publications, Juicy Juicy (a collection of food writing), The Newspaper/The Riverside Port-Reveler (a real and a fake newspaper), and The Way You Say It (explorations of jazz in poetry and visual art). As with all Big Class publications, these feature writing by students along with artwork by accomplished (adult) artists, printed and bound in beautiful packages. The party will feature student readings of work from the new publications and general celebration of their awesomeness.

For more Big Class news, check out their most recent newsletter.