East on Central in the community: an evening with Kevin Stein

On Thursday, April 17, 2008, in celebration of Poetry Month, East on Central was pleased to join the Highland Park Public Library and Highland Park Poetry in hosting Dr. Kevin Stein, Illinois’ Poet Laureate, for an evening of readings, poetry discussion and book signing. The author of seven poetry collections, two scholarly works and editor of two anthologies, Dr. Stein was named in 2003 to the position previously held by Carl Sandburg, Gwendolyn Brooks and Howard Austin. His newest collection, History’s Bicep, is due out this fall. Among his many projects as Poet Laureate is Bread & Steel, the first-ever audio CD poetry anthology of 24 Illinois poets reading their works. Edited by Dr. Stein in 2007, the proceeds from this CD support his Poetry Now! initiative, which donates funds to Illinois libraries for the purchase of books by Illinois poets.

Judith M.K. Tepfer, editor-in-chief of East on Central, introduced Dr. Stein as an “activist” Poet Laureate and a wonderfully down-to-earth person, whose work is truly reflective of the American experience. Stein writes of factory workers, the civil rights struggles of the 60s and the revelations of fatherhood in often long, narrative poems, with frequent references to the philosophy of Kandinsky, the music of Bob Marley and the inspiration of Sappho. That the poet is a fan of jazz is also reflected in his work.

In addition to hearing Dr. Stein read his poetry, the approximately 90 people in attendance participated in a discussion about what makes a poem, the creative potential of poetry and what Dr. Stein is doing to promote appreciation for it around the state. He also presented Gail Juris of the Highland Park Library with a check from Poetry Now! for the purchase of work by Illinois poets.

We were most honored when Dr. Stein agreed to submit an original essay for publication in the current East on Central. To read it now, click on this link to Poetry’s Soulful Lollygag.