8461 bed Featuring ROSE GUTTMAN S DELIVERY TRADITIONAL JEWISH HOME COOKING! AVAILABLE I TRY ROSE'S PICKLED TROUT, GEFILTE FISH & CABBAGE SOUP A documentary on Porgy and Bess, a poster exhibit of performers in the acclaimed musical and an informal piano concert of Gershwin songs will be part of a tribute to George Gershwin planned by the Ann Arbor District Library at its Main Branch, 343 S. Fifth Ave. Porgy and Bess: An American Voice, co-produced by University of Michigan Professor James Standifer, will be shown at 6:30 p.m. Thurs- day, Jan. 14. The professor will con- duct a question-and-answer session /— ;Lows or movies in the '30s. One was cut from a movie in 1938, the year Gershwin died. They don't have that young, brash sound of the 1920s. They're moving into that more com- plex and rich quality as he was reaching the age of 40." Blier, about to perform his seventh Gershwin concert in about three months, did some extra research to pre- pare his program. "My favorite Gershwin song is on the program," he says. "It's called Ask Me Again' and was found in the book Rediscovering Gershwin. It was some- thing that Ira Gershwin had in his own personal files for decades. "It's got a big melodic arc and is more sweeping and less staccato than s•rne of the more ragtime songs. It also ;las a very beautiful lyric by Ira Gersh- win, a combination of tenderness and humor." Blier, a vocal coach at Juilliard, grav- itated toward playing for singers since he was in high school. "I never was in the class play," he recalls. "I always accompanied the class play I majored in English at Yale because I didn't like the academic study of music at that time." Blier's first professional work in New York was covering for a friend by play- ing at a Barber of Seville rehearsal. That led to a recital with one of the singers. "It was the scent of blood for this bloodhound," says the pianist, who went on to play at many other recitals, become an arranger and develop the New York Festival of Song (NYFOS) /--- ,./ith Michael Barrett. Founded in 1988, NYFOS is dedi- cated to the re-invention of the recital lormat comprising both standard works and rediscoveries from the European, `lavic and South American repertoi-y. \XFOS also has commissioned many American composers, including r OUR GREAT Ann Arbor Library Plans Gershwin Programs AND DELI TRAYS INCLUDING I ROSE'S HOMEMADE SOUR CREAM NUT CAKE 10 Person Minimum WITH COUPON ONLY Expires 1-7-99 ❑ William Bolcom of Ann Arbor. Blier has programmed, performed and annotated more than 50 vocal recitals through NYFOS. "NYFOS allows me to be the insti- gator of concerts, so when I have a pas- sionate feeling I can put it in front of people in a way that I think will excite . them," says Blier, who has performed at New York's Carnegie Hall and Italy's La Scala as well as on national television. "I have a great faith in song and its way of bringing people together. I want people to get excited about the per- formers and the music. Nothing makes me happier than hearing people say a song they never heard before was incredible." Blier, who is rediscovering Judaism through a new synagogue he has joined, has done programs with Jewish themes. "Songs of the Diaspora" fea- tured pieces by European Jewish corn- posers as well as Yiddish theater and folk songs. The musician, whose articles have been published in Opera News maga- zine, sees writing as a growing part of his career. "Between the amount of speaking I've been doing from the stage in the context of my concerts and the amount of program note writing, the verbal part of my life is increasing," lie says. "The piano part has been growing, but the verbal part has been growing even faster, and I wonder dill be more involved with writing as time goes on." _ 6088 W. MAPLE AT FARMINGTON RD. West Bloomfield FREE? FREE! L THE PLACE FOR SMOKED FISH HANDCUT BELLY LOX WITH COUPON ONLY Expires 1-7-99 OUR TRAYS ARE THE BEST IN TOWN! WE GUARANTEE IT! (248) 851.9666 to4ste of EAT IN OR CARRY OUT BUY ONE 18i OF CORNED BEEF (Or More AND CET III LB. OVEN ROASTED TURKEY BREAST DAIRY after the film, which was broadcast on the PBS television show "Great Performances." The posters, which are part of the African American Music Col- lection at the university, will be on display from the middle of January through the middle of February,. Pianist Rick Roe will present popular Gershwin selections Satur- day afternoon, Feb. 16, in the library lobby. For information on any of the programs, call (734) 327-4510: I ert4604 CW, (' FAX: (248) 851-5698 CIZI etV 1/2 OF Any Menu Item when a 2nd menu item of equal or greater value is purchased Not good with any other offer. Expires December 31, 1999 Anytime • Dine in Only L Open 7 Days a Week • Serving Beer and Wine .11.1"-A yyrry A yin OM ALVIN / 1 • Kitcnen248) 855-4150 31005 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills, MI r 111•11•1 NI= I ■ 11 UM= MIN MINN IMMO MINI MI ■ =III MINN Mai =NI FAMILY ITALIAN DINING & PIZZA "RATED #1 BY THE ONES WHO COUNT— OUR CUSTOMERS" 4033 W. 12 MILE, 3 Blks. E. of Greenfield, Berkley 548-3650 DAILY LUNCH & DINNER SPECIALS PIZZA - RIBS = FISH SQUARE PIZZA ROUND PIZZA HOMEMADE GARLIC BREAD SMALL OR LARGE SMALL - MED LARGE ON FOOD PURCHASES OF $6 OR MORE DINING ROOM, CARRY-OUT • 1 COUPON PER TABLE • ONLY ONE COUPON PER PURCHASE • NO SEPARATE CHECKS • EXPIRES 12-31-99 JN •COUPON NOT VALID WITH DAILY SPECIALS I • BANQUET ROOMS • BEER • WINE • COMPLETE CARRY-OUT • COCKTAILS 1 I , "Gershwin: Sung and Unsung" will be performed at 8 p.m. Satur- day, Jan. 9, and 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, 91 1 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor. $35/$20. (734) 764-2538. PRIVATE BANQUET FACILITIES FOR ALL OCCASIONS r r '2 OFFSLAB FOR 2 SPECIALLY-TRIMMED RIBS 1 BBQ CHICKEN .$2 nee OFF FOR 2 • WITH OR WITHOUT SKIN ALL DINNERS INCLUDE: SALAD OR COLE SLAW POTATOES AND GARLIC BREAD ALL DINNERS INCLUDE: SALAD OR COLE SLAW POTATOES AND GARLIC BREAD GOOD 7 DAYS! ■ Exp: 1-14-99 JN GOOD 7 DAYS! ■ Exp. 1-14-99 JN • Brass Pointe P%g9 —I L A xt6i 24234 Orchard Lake Rd., N.E. corner of 10 Mile • 476-1377 — Detroit Jewish News 1/1 1999 71