The Michigan Daily - Friday, March 27,1992- Page 9 Lev Raphael confronts homophobia in fiction by Rona Kobell James Baldwin once wrote that Americans don't understand the ter- rible things in life. As a first-genera- tion American writer Lev Raphael not only understands terror, he chan- nels it into the reader's mind, com- municating the horror of alienation. In his most famous collection of short stories, Dancing on Tisha B'av, Raphael's characters express their agony as popular culture, main- stream religion, and contemporary society isolate them because of their religion and sexual orientation. The themes in Dancing on Tisha B'av are drawn from Raphael's life as a gay Jewish writer whose parents were Holocaust survivors. Although Raphael acknowledges that his char- acterizations stem from his own in- sights, his book is not completely au- tobiographical. Instead of restating his personal experience, he synthesizes ideas from it and incorporates new inter- pretations of stereotypes and events. "Stories are composites, and cha- racters are often autobiographical in ways that are not so obvious," Ra- phael explains. "An idea is like a magnet, and you never know what will be attracted to it." Raphael's collection takes its title from a scene in the first short story, where Nat, an Orthodox Jew, cam- ouflages his homosexuality for fear of becoming a social pariah. When his congregation's members learn that such a devoted leader in the prayer service is gay, they condemn both him and his lifestyle. Nat is no longer permitted to touch the Torah, and the synagogue wishes that he would not return. Nat needs a vehicle for expressing his rage that one part of his identity could adamantly reject the other. Nat lashes back by dancing on Tisha B'av, the solemn day of fast- ing and remembrance in commemo- ration of the desecration of the Se- cond Temple in Jerusalem. Raphael synthesizes the serious- ness of isolation from the commu- nity with examples of anti-semitism Raphael's characters are also candid about emotions that plague men and women of all religions and orientations. When one character ex- periences doubts about his partner, he asks himself a myriad of ques- tions that most people have heard before. "Did I love him? Was I stuck with Howard because I was really afraid to be involved with someone my own age, someone I could have a future with? Was I like the women who consistently sleep with married men, afraid of commitment even when they gripe about not being able to find it?" Questions like these not only shatter the common stereotype that gay men are solely sexual beings consumed with image and phjsique, but also demonstrate that doubts and feelings in any type of relationship are often similar. Raphael's dual identity as a gay male and an observant Jew in a Western culture which he calls "his- torically anti-semitic and homopho- bic" has prompted him to write other anthologies and articles based on his experiences. His short fiction has been pub- lished in several magazines, includ- ing Commentary, Redbook, Mid- stream, and numerous Jewish pu- blications nationwide. He is also the author of Edith Wharton's Prisoners of Shame and has co-authored three psycho-educa- tional books entitled The Dynamics of Power: Fighting Shame and Building Self Esteem, Stick Up for Yourself, and A Teacher's Guide to Stick Up for Yourself. His long list of awards include the 1990 Lambda Book Award for Dancing on Tisha B'av, the Harvey Swados Fiction Prize, and the Reed Smith Fiction Prize. Raphael's most common theme is the shame of exposure within a com- munity. "I write about the dynamics and impact of shame. All characters who are afraid of exposure really deal with shame, which is connected to the internalization of anti-se- mitism and homophobia in society," Raphael explains. He says he believes that the "co- ming out" process for gay men in the Jewish community is "doubly- loaded and problematic because, like any other minority, Jews are hyper- conscious of what others think. Many congregations would rather not forthrightly deal with lesbians and gays in their midst." Through his fiction, Lev Raphael confronts Jewish and homosexual Tisha B'av? "Never," Raphael states emphatically. "That's just like going to synagogue on Yom Kippur (the 'I write about the dynamics and impact of shame. All characters who are afraid of exposure really deal with shame, which is connected to the internalization of anti- semitism and homophobia in society.' -Lev Raphael self-hate by exposing it in his char- acters. But would he himself ever desecrate one part of his identity be- cause it clashed with the other? Would he, like his character Nat, ever dance on the sacred day of day of atonement on which Jews fast) and eating Twinkies." LEV RAPHAEL will read from his fiction at 9:15 p.m., tonight at Hillel. Admission is free. Amazin' Blue keeps by Darcy Lockman and vivid sex scenes. He is never coy when describing erotic encoun- ters between two male bodies. One character after another engages the reader with lines like, "I rolled him over, pulled his tight cheeks apart, thrusting my head down to seriously lick and probe as if he were a wo- man." . Explicit scenes such as that one pervade the collection, and Raphael sees no reason why he should be questioned about such frankness. "I see my characters as passionate as opposed to explicit," Raphael ar- gues. "If I were a straight writer, the question would not even come up." D on't even try to talk to any of the singers in Amazin' Blue tonight. Do not misunderstand, it's not like they'll all be in really bad moods or something. It's just that after this evening's Vocal Blowout, no one in the twelve member a cappella group will have much of a voice to speak to you with. "After two hours of singing, you pretty much don't talk. Our voices get strained," says group, member Scott Adler. But the strain on their vocal chords is well worth it to the Amazin' Blue entertainers, who have as much fun as the audience when they do their shows. "We have a lot of fun on stage as a group. We dance around a lot, and do little comedic skits and humorous songs," says junior Ainsley Beebe. Comedy might not be the first thing a concertgoer expects when attending an a cappella concert. It's just this surprise element that keeps the ' audience laughing. "If we called ourselves a comedy group, people might not think we were funny. But since we call ourselves a singing group, people aren't expecting anything but music. They're surprised and amused when there is," explains Adler. Member Carrie Simpson says, "We don't do a chorus concert. I think people hear that we're an a cappella group and expect us to do fourteenth-century Gregorian chants or something." So, anyone who goes to tonight's show expecting this type of age-old moaning will probably be disap- pointed with the Amazin' Blue's musical selection. pushing the limits While the group's numbers range from pop to jazz to "fifties doo-wop stuff," sacred chants are not in their repertoire, although it very well could be. "For us, there are no boundaries for what we can do. That's the whole attitude of our group. There are no limits," says Adler. A group that knows no boundaries can really go far, and Amazin' Blue did just that over Spring Break, travelling throughout the East Coast, performing at schools such as MIT, Wesleyan, and Brandeis. "Touring's always great because we get a chance to meet other a cappella groups and get new ideas from them," says group member Karl Kasischke. On their own tour, and joining Amazin' Blue tonight, will be Oberlin College's all-male ensemble, The Obertones. Like Amazin' Blue, The Obertones are an a cappella group, albeit a more traditional one. "They tend to stay in set formation while they sing, whereas we dance around a lot on stage. They're cur- rently touring the Midwest, and were really excellent when I heard them," says Adler. "The way I see it, there's no better deal in Ann Arbor this weekend. For four dollars, it's an evening of music and comedy, and a touring group you may never again get the chance to see. And anyway, the game's not on until 10:45." AMAZIN' BLUE along with THE OBERLIN OBER- TONES sing in UAC's Vocal Blowout tonight at 8 p.m. in Rackham. Tickets are $4 and may be purchased at the door one hour prior to curtain. F Friday, March 27, Sunday, March 29, 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm 7:00 - 8:00 pm Angell Hall Aud B Angell Hall Aud D God, I hate the Pixies. Butyou've gotta love 'em. Instead of playing the Michigan Theater, they've sold out to the monster arena tour of the year with U2. In fact, the whole history of the Pixies in Detroit has been, let's say, a love-hate relationship: 1988: Supporting their brilliant album Surfer Rosa, they played a killer show at the intimate venue, Rick's. 1989: Supporting the still cool album Doolittle, the band electrified St. Andrew's Hall for an hour - and then lead singer Black Francis (what a pretentious name) threw down his guitar in disgust, complaining of shocks from the microphone. An angry crowd stormed away. But were they stunning. 1990: Supporting the depressingly mediocre tabloid surf album Bossanova, the Pixies somehow came up with a slick, devastating 25-song set at the Latin Quarter. Even Kim Deal got to sing. Ah, fulfillment. 1991: Supporting their return-to-blood-and-grunge album Trompe Le Monde, they played a lackluster, (gasp!) boring set at the Royal Oak Music Theater that only an alternateen could love. 1992: Playing the loudest concert of their career tonight at 8 p.m. before a sold-out crowd of 20,000 that couldn't care less, the rafters of the Palace of Auburn Hills collapse and kill the band. And we can now go on with our Dr. Lance Sandelands, Interim Undergraduate Chair Psychology Undergraduate Office, K-106 West Quad - 764-2580 " I I M" Spring Pro-Season Sale! Tents, Sleeping Bags, Hiking Boots, Packs, Raingear, Sleeping Pads lives. -Michael John Wilson CINEMA Continued from page 8 "You young squirts couldn't lance a pimple without an electric vibrating scalpel with automatic drain and suture," he growls. "All the skill is going out of surgery ... Did I ever tell you about the time I performed an appendectomy with a rusty sardine can? And once I was caught short without instrument one and removed a uterine tumor with my teeth ..." Burroughs plays Saturday night, March 28, in Hillel's Green Au- ditorium, at 8:30 and 10. Admission is $3. -Mark Binelli 10400oRi off Sale ends 3/31/92 Amazin' Blue- A co-ed a Capella singing ensemble. Comedy Company - A student- directed and written comedy troupe that performs once a term and has travelled to other Big 10 schools. Impact Dance = For non-dance majors who have extensive training in all areas of dance. M-Flicks - The largest film group on campus. Soph Show- A musical whose cast consists of first and second year students. MUSKET - The largest musical theatre group on campus. Entertainment Laughtrack - Featuring student1 comedians and professional perform weekly. Special Events-Brings exciting activities to the U of M such as Mademoiselle, Girbaud Fashion show...anything you dream up. Starbound - A campus-wide talent competition that gives students the opportunity to perform win prizes, and gain experience and recognition. Traditions Homecoming - As official University coordinators of Homecoming, UAC plans the parade, float contest, pep rally, and many other campus-wide activities. Michigras - Brings the festive atmosphere of Mardi-Gras to U of M. North Campus College Bowl - A competitive quiz- champions travel to contest during the winter term.,. Mini-Courses - Each term, over 30 noncredit course are offered, ranging from aerobic dance to sign language. Northern lights - Brings current UAC events to North Campus and creates its own programs specially suited for the North Campus community. Viewpoint - Sponsors a variety of lectures and forums for discussion, including Student Soapbox. Tech Crew - Supplies and monitors the necessary sound and lighting equipment for all the events UAC sponsors. Ticket Central - Serving all of ALL TRAVEL PACKS FOR EUROPE 10%b OFF T E N TS n SI ERR A Po e pataonia MarmOt MERRELL- DESIGN HIKING BOOTS r O~AINSMTH Wajf7 U:401D III. -DAMIOND) I A* I I NI I l l The OnrW.Ii TMAMT® We match all prices - including catalogs.