Star-Studded

Star Southfield Entertainment Centre Public Relations Manager Ruth Daniels previews
metro Detroit's new movie palace.

SUZANNE CHESSLER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

R

uth Daniels dreamed of be-
coming a movie star but in-
stead won a role in Star
movies.
As the Star Southfield Enter-
tainment Centre opens at 12 Mile
near Northwestern today, Daniels
shows her talents as public rela-
tions manager, working on all the
promotional activities, special
events and private parties.
"I've been a movie fan since I

Ruth Daniels:
One-stop entertainment.

was a little kid, and I feel very
privileged to be a member of the
Star team," said Daniels, 35, who
built 10 years of experience work-
ing in management for the AMC

chain, most recently at the Maple.
"Actually, I was supposed to be
on the screen. I have a bachelor's
degree in theater from Michigan
State University, and during my
last two years in college, I acted
in, and got paid for, the school's
children's theater.
"After graduation, I signed up
with an agency and did a couple
of cable commercials. I took class-
es in stand-up comedy and did
that. I used to be in theater at the
Jewish Community Center, and I
was part of an improv troupe.
"I started with AMC a couple of
years after college and really en-
joyed the work. The pinnacle was
dealing with the public and work-
ing on special events. I thought of
what I did as putting on a show,
from getting ready for opening
night to feeling great satisfaction
when all our plans were achieved."
Daniels has been looking for-
ward to the Stars opening, which
includes a 6 p.m. ribbon cutting
and the showing of Batman as
well as two art movies, The Van
and Temptress Moon.
"For the first three weekends,
it's going to be like a street fair,"
said Daniels, who is bringing her
own family, husband Stuart and
twin sons Michael and Stephen,
6, to see the festivities. 'We're go-
ing to have clowns, people who do

Ann Arbor 1997
Summer Festival Headliners:

CJ)

U)

LLJ

THE DETRO

H-

84

June 21:
June 22:
June 25:
June 26:
June 27:
June 28:
June 29:
July 2:
July 3:
July 4:
July 5:
July 7:
July 8:
July 9:
July 10:
July 11:
July 12:

Junior Brown
Bob Newhart
Betty Buckley
Diva
Paul Taylor 2 Dance
Take Six
Fred Garbo Inflatable Theatre
Der Lindberghflug
Tammy Wynette
Capitol Steps
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
The BoDeans
The Neville Brothers
The Glenn Miller Orchestra
Gordon Lightfoot
Vanities
Dance Gallery/Peter Spading & Co.

"I want people to know that
they can call me if they are plan-
ning private parties or charity
events to see what we can work
out for them. We're already work-
ing with a number of organiza-
tions.
"I believe we have an enter-
tainment destination rather than
a theater. With the restaurants,
including a coffee shop, people can
spend an entire evening here.
They can drive up, get valet
parked, have dinner, go to the
movies and enjoy a snack all in
one shot."

❑

A model of the Star Southfield Entertainmeni. Centre. The complex boasts 20
movie screens, and in its first year expects 8 million visitors.

.

face painting and all sorts of
things for families.
"When Hercules opens on June
28, WYCD, the Young Country ra-
dio station, will do kinder ID, with
the first 50 children receiving
prizes."
Daniels, a member of Adat
Shalom, is excited about all the
features the Star offers — 20
movie screens, state-of-the-art
sound system, stadium seating for

6,000 and lobby displays that
show scenes from historic Detroit
and well-known films, as well as
authentic movie props and cos-
tumes.
"Star Theatres are known for
customer service and running ex-
cellent operations, and my goal is
to complement the operation,"
Daniels said about her work with
the theater chain. "I hope to have
a special promotion every week.

21t The Star Southfield Enter-
tainment Center opens today
with a 6 p.m. ribbon-cutting
ceremony. Premiere films in-
clude Batman and Robin, and
on display through June 24 will
be the real "Bat Hammer," the
ice vehicle used in the filming
of the movie. It measures 28
feet in length, with a 14-foot
wingspan. For showtirnes and
information, call (248) 353-
STAR or (248) 353-7827.
On June 24, the Star South-
field will host the 10th Annual
Promenade of Hope fund-rais-
er in support of HAVEN. To
purchase tickets for Prome-
nade of Hope, contact HAVEN
at (248) 334-2343, Ext. 901.

Summer In The Ciiy

The Ann Arbor Summer Festival boasts over two weeks of
top-notch performances.

SUZANNE CHESSLER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

S

tanley Kay believes that
music has no gender and
wants audiences to feel
the same way about the
all-women jazz band he
founded — Diva.
Kay, now creative director
for the New York-based or-
chestra, put the group to-
gether in 1992, after hearing
drummer Sherrie Maricle
and deciding there must be
other women musicians who
play at her level.
Formerly a drummer with
the Buddy Rich Orchestra,

Kay was inspired by the
success of other women
bands he had heard during
the years he was a touring
instrumentalist.
"At first, I said they
play 'like the guys,' but
then I realized that they
just play like good musi-
cians," said Kay, whose
group will headline two
June 26 performances as
part of the Ann Arbor
Summer Festival, which Diva: A "no-man's" band.
runs June 21-July 11 (see
the festival's headliners).
box for a complete listing of
Diva will perform an in-

teractive concert for kids
starting at 2 p.m. to help