Words to Live By

Words to Live By comes to the Davis Theatre on May 15 for an evening of music, spoken word poetry, and personal stories that move through struggle toward connection, honesty, and hope. Created by Jim Love in partnership with the Cabarrus Arts Council and Guerilla Poets, Words to Live By traces a path from struggle and recovery toward connection and hope. Inspired by Jim Love’s own lived experience and struggle with mental health, the show brings together nationally and regionally acclaimed artists and advocates whose work meets people where they are—helping them find strength through art, honesty, and shared understanding. That context matters. Across Cabarrus, Rowan, and Mecklenburg counties, nearly three out of four violent deaths are suicides. Mental health and substance use remain top local health priorities. Nationally, mental health diagnoses have risen nearly 40 percent since 2019. Listening, understanding, and healing together matter more than ever. Words to Live By begins that conversation onstage and in the room—and invites larger, ongoing conversations in our community. Each song, poem, and story offers a way to stay—to listen, to speak, to connect. Tickets are priced to keep the show accessible. If you’d like to help sustain this work beyond your ticket, please contact Jim Love with Guerilla Poets at JimLoveGP@gmail.com. Contributions help cover production costs, pay artists fairly, and support Guerilla Poets’ ongoing community programs.