EVENINGS OUT

JUNE 23, 1995

Windsong Ensemble show is sheer fun

Reviewed by Lucy Dearly

The Windsong Womyn's Ensemble, conducted by Diane S. Hobus, created another perfect night for an audience at their summer concert and dance in Cleveland on Saturday, June 11. The Ensemble sang music by Holly Near, Kay Gardner, Connie Kaldor, and Lerner and Loewe. Local composer Mary Grigolia's "Grace of Her" was featured again, sung gently with an obvious devotion to whomever their own personal "her" may be.

The Ensemble's performance of "Bless the Beasts and Children" brought tears to my eyes, as well as to others around me in the audience. More of the Ensemble members are showing their individual talents. Mollie and Ellen presented a fun performance of Jerry Herman's "You I Like," complete with top hats and choreography. Well done, women! Speaking of top hats, I must mention the attire of the conductor-white full dress suit, complete with a "tail flip" when she sat at the piano. Hobus has fun when she conducts, inspiring her ensemble and the audience to relax and simply revel in the music.

The first half of the concert concluded with a moving song by "half of the first soprano section," Michele. For her, the song "Hold On," from the musical Secret Garden, represented the desire to survive childhood trauma. The emotional, strong song with subtle piano accompaniment highlighted Michele's unique vocal intonation.

The second half of the concert began with some "old friends." I first saw them at the 1993 Womyn's Variety Show espousing their ideology of prim and proper behavior for ladies. The Moral Chorale reared their literally ugly heads again to plead with us all, "Why can't

you girls be nice?" The Moral Chorale was bedecked in support hose, orthopedic shoes, fur coats, canes, and one "lady" was wearing the most hideous shade of green polyester! Pat Robertson would have been proud; I however, guffawed.

Back to class and style, conductor Hobus then treated us to two of her own piano compositions. Simply beautiful music. The Ensemble, transformed, returned to present "Marie," the true story of two women attending their high school prom together.

This group has developed quite a musical repertoire. Much of the music is challenging for such a small group, often with one person singing one vocal part, as in "Ezekiel Saw De Wheel." Their music was beautiful with a diverse selection of songs from socially and environmentally conscious to sheer fun. The Ensemble's rendition of "Where Are The Simple Joys of Maidenhood" was enhanced with slides of Renaissance art synchronized with the lyrics. King Louis XIV was truly an "adoring, daring boy" with enviable legs, I must say. So, where are the simple joys of maidenhood? This ensemble seems to have its own idea!

Hobus and her ensemble generously gave us an encore, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" featuring the individual talents of Ann, Mollie, and a piercingly sweet solo by Beth Wohlgemuth. This group obviously appreciates its conductor, accompanist Jerry Maddox, and concert producer and member Michele Colopy, for all three were presented with bouquets of flowers. The Ensemble's volunteers, the Gracenotes, held a bake sale and dance after the concert. It was, as the conductor promised, a time for "conversation, goodies, and fun." The music was lively, but not over-

BOOKS

Black lesbian anthology is for all women and men

Afrekete: An Anthology

of Black Lesbian Writing Edited by Catherine E. McKinley and L. Joyce DeLaney Anchor Books, $28 hard, $14 paper

Reviewed by Berteena Rollins

My first reaction to reviewing this book was one of surprise, and then fear. Why fear? Because, I thought, "What do I know about lesbian literature, since I am new to the community?" But the fear soon evaporated as I realized that what editors Catherine E. McKinley and L. Joyce DeLaney created with this collaboration was a place where black lesbians could see themselves and hear their own stories.

Embracing fiction, poetry, and essays, Afrekete gives voice to the tradition of black lesbian writings, a growing body of work usually excluded or relegated to the margins of mainstream publishing. The book takes its title from a character in Audre Lorde's novel Zami: A New Spelling of My Name, which introduced one of the first black lesbians depicted in fiction. An excerpt from Lorde's book opens the anthology, and is followed by moving pieces from contributors such as Essence magazine editor Linda Villarosa, filmmaker Jocelyn Taylor, Sapphire, Jamika Ajalon and many others.

As I read Afrekete, I began finding myself, as I'm sure you will also. McKinley and Delaney selected their contributors from all over the world, and two thirds of the material was written expressly for this collection. This book represents a new period of upward movement, not only for women's writing, but for that of African-American women, and African-American lesbians.

Afrekete is an easy read, because it doesn't have to be read in any particular order. Each of the 20 stories stands on its own. One of my favorites was Ode to Aretha by Evelyn C. White, a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle. In it, she speaks about "Sister Ree," who White pretended to be in 1981 at Radio City Music Hall in order to meet the real Aretha Franklin. This story about Franklin and

Edund 5: Carbon

Afrekete

Jer

D. 1

other

her effect on black women, as well as poems, stories and essays in Afrekete will keep even the once-in-a-while reader's attention.

I recommend that all women and men in every phase of life and spectrum of the rainbow buy or borrow this book. This way, homage may be paid to our black lesbian sisters for the gift they have shared with us. Two thumbs up with a "Z" snap and a twist!

♡

powering. Everything about this evening was the "perfect night" for this Windsong Womyn's Ensemble fan.

It mystifies me, however, as to why more women and men in northeast Ohio don't come out to enjoy this wonderful music presented by women from our community. The Windsong Womyn's Ensemble presented what I hear people asking for a fun, women-supportive, non-smoking, alcohol-free, inexpensive event. I heard many in this audience say to the conductor, "Thank you for giving us your music." The Windsong Womyn's Ensemble is the only community women's chorus in northeast Ohio a wonderful, lyrical part of our com-

munity.

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