I took classes at the New Orleans school for the Imagination in 2002! The specific address was 701 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70116, the Gold Mine Saloon. Our teacher was David Brinks (still very active poet) and we would have classes sometimes in his dining room, sometimes the living room, sometimes the Gold Mine bar itself. Those were absolutely irreplaceably incredible days.
I don't have any intentions of writing about this experience in my life much. It isn't my focus presently.
The other day I had to write a 400 word bio for an event in May. I am speaking at the Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books. So I included the School for the Imagination in that bio.
Whenever the school comes to mind I tend to Google it. See where it's popped up on the net. I'm sure I could set a Google alert though now that I think of it.
I'd be happy to tell you everything about the place. I maintain a friendship with Brinks. I still use all the tools from those classes.
Our overall study was called "Poetry as a Second Language."
It was an amazing time in my life. 19 years old. I'd just moved to Nola from Pittsburgh. Oof.
Also, Pittsburgh > NOLA. Wow! We came from St. Louis, but that city is, in some ways, New Orleans' little sister. But it doesn't matter where you come from. Nothing can prepare you for this place, really!
I'd love hear more about it, from both you and David Brinks, if he'd be open to talking. I'm fascinated by the idea, partly because it seems so New Orleans. There are seven poetry reading series within walking/biking distance of my house. Can't help but think maybe SOTI planted the seeds for that?
Wow! I had totally given up on hearing anything about this culturally ephemeral org. I'm going to have to swing by and take a look at the building. And I'm looking up David Brinks as well - I'm always happy to know about another poet! If he was involved with this project, I know I would love his work.
I forgot all about Andrei Codrescu. I remember the sound of his voice clearly from when he used to have some regular gig on NPR. I don't remember what the show was, but I do remember that he frequently worked New Orleans into it. Also, the fact that your bottle is a recycled Mod Podge jar really impressed me because I don't think I've ever even come close to getting to the bottom of a jar before it was time to chuck the whole thing out.
Hey! Sorry for the late reply .... we left for SLC the same day your comment hit, and just got back. I'd forgotten about him, too, till I found his essay collection (which is top-notch). Hee, it's actually a Gatorade bottle, I think. I've never made it to the bottom of a Mod Podge jar, either, though I suppose that's something to put on the bucket list, right?
Andrei Codrescu is doing a lot f the heavy lifting on this one! Though it's fun to go back & take a look at some of these things. There's a really weird one coming up, btw!
I took classes at the New Orleans school for the Imagination in 2002! The specific address was 701 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70116, the Gold Mine Saloon. Our teacher was David Brinks (still very active poet) and we would have classes sometimes in his dining room, sometimes the living room, sometimes the Gold Mine bar itself. Those were absolutely irreplaceably incredible days.
PS, thanks for posting about this! If you ever write an essay about these experiences, I'd love to read it.
I don't have any intentions of writing about this experience in my life much. It isn't my focus presently.
The other day I had to write a 400 word bio for an event in May. I am speaking at the Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books. So I included the School for the Imagination in that bio.
Whenever the school comes to mind I tend to Google it. See where it's popped up on the net. I'm sure I could set a Google alert though now that I think of it.
I'd be happy to tell you everything about the place. I maintain a friendship with Brinks. I still use all the tools from those classes.
Our overall study was called "Poetry as a Second Language."
It was an amazing time in my life. 19 years old. I'd just moved to Nola from Pittsburgh. Oof.
Also, Pittsburgh > NOLA. Wow! We came from St. Louis, but that city is, in some ways, New Orleans' little sister. But it doesn't matter where you come from. Nothing can prepare you for this place, really!
I'd love hear more about it, from both you and David Brinks, if he'd be open to talking. I'm fascinated by the idea, partly because it seems so New Orleans. There are seven poetry reading series within walking/biking distance of my house. Can't help but think maybe SOTI planted the seeds for that?
Wow! I had totally given up on hearing anything about this culturally ephemeral org. I'm going to have to swing by and take a look at the building. And I'm looking up David Brinks as well - I'm always happy to know about another poet! If he was involved with this project, I know I would love his work.
I forgot all about Andrei Codrescu. I remember the sound of his voice clearly from when he used to have some regular gig on NPR. I don't remember what the show was, but I do remember that he frequently worked New Orleans into it. Also, the fact that your bottle is a recycled Mod Podge jar really impressed me because I don't think I've ever even come close to getting to the bottom of a jar before it was time to chuck the whole thing out.
Hey! Sorry for the late reply .... we left for SLC the same day your comment hit, and just got back. I'd forgotten about him, too, till I found his essay collection (which is top-notch). Hee, it's actually a Gatorade bottle, I think. I've never made it to the bottom of a Mod Podge jar, either, though I suppose that's something to put on the bucket list, right?
You are a great tour guide!
Andrei Codrescu is doing a lot f the heavy lifting on this one! Though it's fun to go back & take a look at some of these things. There's a really weird one coming up, btw!