Local writer to give a reading and conduct workshop
by Allison Futterman
For those who want to help celebrate National Poetry Month this April, there is a great opportunity in our area. Noted poet and playwright David Radavich will give a reading, along with poet Anthony Abbott, at CPCC’s Levine Campus, April 19.
The reading will be followed by a poetry workshop led by Radavich and Abbott and is open to anyone interested in poetry. Both events are part of CPCC’s Sensoria Arts Festival.
Radavich, 62, a retired college English professor, is the President of the Charlotte Writers’ Club. During the years, several of his plays have been produced and he has published many essays, both informational and scholarly, on poetry, drama and contemporary issues.
He has received several honors, including the MidAmerica Award (2012) for his contributions to Midwestern literature and scholarship, and was selected as the 2009 Distinguished Professor at Eastern Illinois University.
There is a consistent theme of social justice throughout his work. He was drawn to examine issues of social justice by his great compassion for the elderly, weak, children or others who struggle in society. Whatever subject Radavich is writing about, his poetry is compelling and poignant.
Even though social justice and social causes are integral to Radavich’s work, political ideology is not. He focuses on the feelings and experiences about whom he is writing.
His latest book, “Middle-East Mezze,” is a collection of poems about pain, loss and war. The word “Mezze” means smorgasbord and this collection offers just that, a variety of poems that ranges from the mythical to the hardships of war.
In this work, he takes the reader on a journey to Iraq, Palestine and Egypt. Although the poems examine the pain of those he writes about, ultimately Radavich’s message is one of hope, healing and reconciliation. To that point, his dedication in “Middle-East Mezze” is “For those who suffered and those who dream.”
Radavich has performed readings around the world, including Canada, Europe and the Middle East. He views them as a means of community building. “We don’t come together that often to celebrate language and deep thinking, said Radavich. He said many people have a fear of poetry and embraces the chance to “open more people up to the joys of poetry.”
He finds inspiration in many universal themes, such as love, nature, world events, suffering and healing. Perhaps that is why he believes that there is a lot more poetry in people’s lives than they may realize.
Radavich lives in Olde Stonehaven neighborhood with his wife, writer Anne Zahlan.
For more information about the Charlotte Writers’ Club events, check out www.charlottewritersclub.org. For more information about David Radavich, visit his website at www.davidradavich.org.
Allison Futterman is a freelance writer for South Charlotte News. Have a story idea for Allison? E-mail her at AliWriting@aol.com.
Want to go?
The poetry reading starts at 9:30 a.m. and the workshop starts at 11 a.m. April 19 at CPCC’s Levine Campus. Both events are free and open to the public.