 "Photo: Tasha Glen/the daily northwestern")
Sounds of traffic, cell phones. helicopters, prayers and suicide bombing resonated through the McCormick Tribune Center Forum Thursday night.
The noises spewed from the mouth of "vocal magician" Yuri Lane as he sought to inspire peace through beatbox during "From Tel Aviv to Ramallah," a one-man hip-hop theater show.
Lane traces the lives of two young men: Amir, an Israeli disc jockey, and Khalid, a Palestinian Internet cafe owner. They eventually convene at a dangerous West Bank checkpoint.
Scenes represent Israeli and Palestinian urban youth culture, including Internet gaming, drug use, sexuality, religion, art and music.
"Even those who have a very different political viewpoint than this show will still enjoy it," Lane said in a post-performance question-and-answer session.
The audience of about 140 people cheered and laughed as Lane remixed popular American rap with traditional Middle Eastern songs.
"Tonight we're going to forget about our troubles and dance," an Israeli character said.
Scenes of daily life contrast with scenes of conflict, a gap symbolized by an imaginary security fence.
"When you're living under occupation, you have to be prepared to fight," said a character from across the border.
Sharif Ezzat accompanied Lane with live video projections. The show is the Jewish-Muslim duo's second collaboration, following the success of their first beatbox play, "Soundtrack City." Their current show was written and directed by Lane's wife, Rachel Havrelock.
"Hip-hop is an inherently political medium and gives a voice to underprivileged communities all over the world," Ezzat said.
Weinberg junior Salma Al-Shami, who attended the performance, said the show's unusual format appeals to young people.
"It's so unique from anything else because it uses pop culture as a way to explore a really politically heated debate," she said.
Northwestern student group Peace of Mind hosted the event, along with other religious and cultural organizations on campus.
"Our goal is to get people to think differently, to be open to new perspectives and different ideas and to recognize the similarities and the humanity of people, regardless of what side of the conflict they're on, or their religion or nationality," Peace of Mind co-founder and Medill junior Adva Saldinger said.
Weinberg senior Fatima Alloo, another of the group's co-founders, said there is a "silent barrier" and a "sense of intimidation" that exists between NU's Muslim and Jewish students.
"We want people to realize there are more things that bring us together than bring us apart," Alloo said.
Reach Erica Schlaikjer at
e-schlaikjer@northwestern.edu.
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