Those who read Windy City Times columnist Mubarak Dahir know that to be an Arab ( or Arab American ) , gay and out requires confrontation with the hostile ( but often hypocritical ) attitudes of Arabic culture towards homosexuality. When not condemning or denying it outright, traditional Arabic society demands that homosexuality remain discrete and closeted. Likewise, the traditional role of Arab women is one that keeps them veiled, guarded or hidden away much of the time.
Little by little, Arab gays and Arab women are making their voices heard, the latter probably more easily and forcefully than the former. Still, opportunities for those of us in the American mainstream to hear their voices are rare, but increasingly important. World events almost demand that we expand our awareness and knowledge of Arabic society, politics and religion if we are to forge paths towards a peaceful planet within our lifetimes.
Therefore, Jonny calls to your attention that November is Arab Heritage Month, and that events marking the month include Listen Up! Voices of Three Arab American Women, to be presented at the Chicago Cultural Center, Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. The three are performance artist and scholar Laila Farah, musician and poet Evelyn Accad and journalist and cabaret performer Roxanne Assaf. They will offer their experiences as women, as artists, as intellectuals and as Arab Americans. The free program is presented the city's Department of Cultural Affairs, by the Arab Arts Council of the Arab American Action Network, and the Chicago Humanities Festival.
Journalist, dancer, teacher and activist Angel Abcede will perform his own one-person musical show, The Semen Tree, one night only, Nov. 23, 8 p.m. at the Bailiwick Arts Center. If his name sounds familiar--and it should--it's because for several years Angel wrote a popular ( and sometimes controversial ) column for Gay Chicago Magazine. He also was a lead performer with the Joel Hall Dance Company. Performed with music ( and, one would hope, some dance ) , The Semen Tree will distill Angel's experiences growing up Gay-sian American. The performance will be preceded by the auction of Abcede photos described as "sexy-body-racy-drag" material. A portion of the auction and performance proceeds will benefit the School Street Movement and its AIDS-awareness musical that tours to high schools.
The box office is open for advance purchase of tickets to Disney's The Lion King, now scheduled for an April 23-Sept. 21 run at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Jonny is rather jaundiced about Broadway musicals, but confesses that his jaw dropped when he saw The Lion King, shortly after it opened in New York. While the story pretty much is a cliche--a young boy comes of age, in animal drag--the design, choreography and musical elements ( supplementing that handful of Elton John songs written for the original movie ) are wondrous. Director and co-designer Julie Taymor took the movie and truly enlarged and deepened it, making it a real work of art. Tickets are $18-$82 with VIP tickets ( best seats, free parking, merchandise gifts ) at $122 and $127. Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at ( 312 ) 902-1400, or at the box offices of the Cadillac Palace, Shubert and Ford Center/Oriental theaters.
When it comes to classical ballet, the experts say the Russians--who really took it over from the French and enlarged it--still do it best. You can see for yourself with a rare visit by the Bolshoi Ballet ( the troupe that produced Nureyev and Barishnikov among many others ) . Nov. 13-17 at the Auditorium Theatre. Accompanied by a live orchestra, the Bolshoi will offer two full-length classical works, La Bayadere and Swan Lake ( with its familiar Tchaikovsky music ) , both revised or newly staged within the last 10 years by Bolshoi director Yuri Grigorovich. The Boshoi's last visit, two years ago, sold our quickly, so don't wait to secure tickets, $22-$100, at the Auditorium box office or through all Ticketmaster locations, or online at www.ticketmaster.com .
Those who prefer men who are well-swung might want to check out an exciting action show, Dirk and Guido: The Swordsman, playing for 12 performances only, Nov. 6-17, at the Noble Fool Theatre in The Loop. The swashbuckling show of sword, rapier, dagger play and poetry is the work of stage combat experts Douglas R. Mumaw ( aka Dirk ) and David B. Woolley ( aka Guido ) . Our resident stage combat authority, WCT critic Mary Shen Barnidge, says these guys are good. Tickets are $25-$29 at the Noble Fool box office or through Ticketmaster. Dirk and Guido have swung their stuff at various Renaissance Faires, theaters and universities, and in London.
