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AUGUST 20, 2015 ARCADE 9 Mailbox book trade kicks libraries to the curb

BY TAYLOR DEMULLING bikers and joggers who serendipitously stumble CONTRIBUTING REPORTER across them. People within the neighborhood, however, have also taken to the boxes to pick up If you're looking to hit the books, there's a a good read. new - and free way to do it Small wood- ''I've noticed a lot of people stopping and en boxes, known as Little Free Libraries, have picking up a book . . . In fact, I have one in the popped up around New Orleans. These minia- house that I'm reading," Thiels said. ture treasures are reminiscent of birdhouses in Over a dozen books are crammed in each a variety of pastel hues, filled with books and box, spanning genre and generational lines. Dic- bound by the honor system. tionaries mingle with children's books, self-help 1he premise is simple. Take a book from the novels are sandwiched between the classics, and box, free of charge, and replace it with a new or if ''.American Sniper" isn't your style, there is a well-loved favorite from your own collection. cookbook with tips for DIY-ing your favorite There is no one there to hold you to this, so pre- brand name foods. sumably you could take them all. Luckily, people While the types of books available vary, the seem to respect the rules of the tiny libraries. free library is an excellent opportunity to try "The only way I have to judge it is to look, something out of your comfort wne. And if and there seem to be more books than there you don't dig it, you can return it to the box for were:' Kay Thiels, who lives next door to a Little someone else to enjoy. Free Library, said. The libraries have become a well-loved fix- The Little Free Libraries began in Wisconsin ture within the neighborhood. A few have even with Todd Bol, who built a schoolhouse-esque ｣ ｡ ｵ ｾ ｴ the eye of Tulane students. box of books and put it in his yard as tribute to 'I think it's a really cute idea for locals:' Soph- his mother, a former teacher. The box quickly omore Morgan Brown said. became a hit within the neighborhood, inspiring To track one down with ease, the Little Free Bol to join forces with Rick Brooks of University Library website offers a map of libraries across of Wisconsin-Madison to produce enough li- the nation. braries to spread literary love nationwide. From If you're looking to let loose your literary TAYLOR DEMULLING I CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER this endeavor, Little Free Libraries was born. side, there is a Little Library close to campus on A Little Free Library stands at the corner of Freret and State streets. The bulk of business for the libraries comes the corner ofFreret Street and State Street. Community members can exchange books on the honor system. from the random passerby like dog-walkers,

ｾ ｾ ｊ ｛ ｦ ｬ ｕ ｊ ｦ La Nuit Comedy Theater brightens up Freret

BY CADENCE NEENAN "Not everyone is gonna become CONTRIBUTING REPORTER HBO, Comedy Central or Netflix, but original series queue if you just want to have fun and get The work of a comedian is not for out of your comfort wne:· co-manag- BY TYLER MEAD er Mike Swenson said. "Improv class- PRINT ARCADE EDITOR everyone. It certainly isn't for pseu- do-politicians like Donald Trump es aµi help you talk to people, get you Wet Hot American Summer: First Day who try to joke that Heidi Klum is no going, make your creative juices floW.' longer a 10 (what do mere peasants With classes to build beginners of Camp have to live for ifHeidi Klum is a 9.9, from the bottom up, free stand-up truly?) shows on Friday and Saturday nights At La Nuit Comedy Theater, how- for budding comedians to showcase ****It only took 14 years, but David Wain and their skills, and comedy festival reg- ever, a comfortably small establish- Michael Showalter are taking us all back to ulars like Zach Galifianakis, La Nuit camp for the best summer ever! ment on the corner of Freret Street and Soniat Street - comedy is for Comedy Theater caters to any budget, '1hc long awaited prequel to the 2001 cult age group or skill level. classic "Wet Hot American Summer" hit Net- pretty much everyone. "We have a very inclusive culture:' "We're meeting all sorts of people:· flix this summer, and "Wet Hot American Swenson said. "They're from all dif- Summer: First Day of Camp" takes viewers owner and founder Yvonne Landry Kelly Stone said. "People are not excluded; we're ferent walks of life, and they all come right back to the good old Camp Firewood. in and try to be funny for each other:· La Nuit Manager 'Ihe original film, which is available to not clique-y at all:' stream, is mandatory viewing material for With inclusivity comes the inevita- anyone interested in the show. Otherwise, the ble chance of a cringeworthy perfor- quirky referential humor just seems like a crazy mance that may deter many a comedy stoner mess. Understanding the weird of Wain fan the possibility of a nightmarish act helps viewers understand his extremely specif- that manages to garner naught but the ic jokes that arc constantly playing with tropes, blaring chirp of cicadas faintly in the and jabbing fun at the show's own '80s summer distance. 1b manager Kelly Stone, the camp premise. 'Ihe cast sounds like a big-budget Judd Ap- chance for such a discovery is what patow film with Bradley Cooper, Amy Poe- makes the club so great. hler, and Paul Rudd reprising roles that helped "This place has a soul:' Stone said. launched their careers a decade and a half ago. "You go through some of the darker Wain also did a masterful job cutting the series places, and then a gem emerges ... and since filming took place wherever his actors only the people that come here get to were, not in a single location. see it. It only happens one time:· "first Day of Camp" is a must see for any In the hopes of awarding every comedy nerd, or any fan of the uniquely bi- determined performer at least a few laughs, the NOLA Comedy 'Theater zarre. also offers classes and workshops to help polish, or even begin cultivating, La Nuit Comedy Theater manager Kelly Stone poses at club Tuesday. Landry READ THE FULL REVIEW ONLINE improvisation and stand-up comedy TULANEHULLABALOO.COM skills. hopes La Nuit will be a humor hub for Uptown.