“Gather ye rosebuds” and head over to Highland Coffees to experience a variety of literary styles from poetry to short stories at the Delta Journal’s Highland Reading Series. The series will take place the first and third Thursdays of the summer months at 7 p.m. at the well-known coffee shop on Chimes Street.The Delta Journal, the University’s undergraduate literary journal, encourages students and members of the Baton Rouge community to attend the events and apply to become part of the promotion of the local arts community.Anna Hurst, creative writing senior and former editor-in-chief of the Delta, said she kick-started the Highland Reading Series in the spring.”There aren’t a lot of places for people who don’t have very much experience to read, and I wanted to give students the opportunity for that exposure,” Hurst said. Hurst, an employee at the coffee shop, said after discussing the issue with her boss at Highland Coffees, the series took flight.”I wanted something that really supported the arts community,” Hurst said. “And my boss at Highland Coffees was really supportive and thought it was a great idea to get people to support and maintain a strong bond between the literary community and the LSU and entire Baton Rouge community so that the arts don’t die out.”Blake Stevens, creative writing and French senior and co-editor of the Delta Journal, said besides publishing a journal once a year, the Delta puts on major formal events to showcase students. But the Highland Reading Series has a completely different feel.  “The Highland Readings are really laid-back, and the people who read are a mix — some Delta staff members, editors and other people can apply to read, too. They don’t even have to be undergrads,” Stevens said. “Everyone is welcome to apply.”Stevens said the readings have been a huge hit so far this year, and the summer series should be just as successful.”The Highland Readings were a really great success this year. Between 20 and 50 people showed up to every reading, which is awesome for a poetry reading,” Stevens said. “It’s an exhibition of writers at LSU.”Tommy Jacobi, creative writing senior and another co-editor of the Delta, said this is the first time there has been a consistent and easy-going reading series for undergraduate poets and writers.”We put on art parties at the Shaw Center, but it’s a stiff, stuffy atmosphere,” Jacobi said. “This is a coffee shop. It’s accessible, and people can pretty much say what they want. Students can finally be comfortable without the pressure of a formal reading.”Jacobi said all University students, whether passionate about the arts or not, can get something out of the Highland Readings.”If you’re not really into the whole literary and arts scene, it’s still good to come out and get a feel for what the people around you are writing,” Jacobi said. “It’s always beneficial to know what artists are doing.”Stevens said the Delta wants to foster a community of writers and people who want to immerse themselves in and appreciate the creative abilities of the students of LSU.”The point is to create a community in which people who haven’t read before or are trying to get experience can read in a low-pressure environment and give the LSU community looking for good poetry and prose a chance to experience it live,” Stevens said.Admission to the Highland Reading Series is free to readers and audiences.
 
 
 
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