Best Bets

To A I EGEND

A grocer's son, Tony Bennett was
born Anthony Dominick Benedetto
in Astoria, Queens, in 1926. After
working as a singer in his teens and
serving in the U.S. Army, he audi-
tioned for a record deal that launched
his career.
Now in his fifth decade in popu-
lar music, he's gained a whole new
generation of listeners. The man
whose signature song was 1962's "I
Left My Heart in San Francisco"
took the MTV audience by storm
during his appearance with the Red
Hot Chili Peppers on the MTV
Video Music Awards show in 1993.
Later that year, he shared the stage
with performers like Billy Idol, They
Might Be Giants, Juliana Hatfield,
the-Lemonheads, Cowboy Junkies
and Porno for Pyros in a series of
concerts hosted by rock radio sta-
tions across the country. His appear-
ance on MTV's Unplugged in 1994
earned him kudos and a Grammy
for Best Album of the Year.
"Tony Bennett has not just bridged
the generation gap," noted the New
York Times, "he has demolished it. He
has solidly connected with a younger
crowd weaned on rock. And there
have been no compromises." No less
than Frank Sinatra named Bennett his
favorite performer.
Bennett is out with a new CD
titled Playground, designed for par-
ents and their children to enjoy
together (it features 16 classic tracks
including "It's Only a Paper Moon"
and a duet with Kermit the Frog on
"Bein' Green").
The legendary performer appears in
concert 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25,
at Pine Knob. Tickets are $351$28.50
pavilion and $15 lawn. (248) 645-
6666; www.ticketmaster.com .

CAR CRAZY

Celebrating cars, music and
memories of cruisin' down Detroit's
main drag in-the '50s and 60's, the
fifth annual Woodward Dream
Cruise, scheduled for Saturday, Aug.
21, is expected to attract more than
a million visitors to its seven host

and enhance the view of
cities: Berkley,
the vintage vehicles.
Birmingham, Ferndale,
Special family-friendly
Huntington Woods,
events such as live music
Pleasant Ridge, Pontiac
with local and national
and Royal Oak.
performers, classic car
There is no charge to
parades, sock hops, swap
attend the 16-mile-long
meets, streerside soda
car show, featuring 15,000
shops, manufacturer dis-
muscle cars, street rods,
plays, Elvis impersonators,
custom, collector and spe-
restaurant rows and chil-
GAIL ZIMMERMAN
cial interest vehicles lining
Ara eiv Entertainment
dren's activities span the
both sides of the Motor
Editor
route from city to city.
City's main drag.
For up-to-date event
This year's theme is
information
on the
"Keep the Show on the
largest one-day car event in the
Road." The two curb lanes are desig-
world, call the hotline at 888-4-
nated for classic cars and the other
WDC-1963; or access the Web site
lanes for through traffic. This should
at www.dreamcruise.org .
help to ease congestion on Woodward

J IN THE G EN

A blending of Judaica and jazz, HaGesher Chai — The Bridge Lives
combines the Jewish and African-American musical traditions inspired by
composer Jeffrey Haas' personal experience growing up in Detroit.
The commissioned work connects centuries-old folk melodies with
the energy that defines the Detroit jazz tradition and celebrates musical
multiculturalism. Fusing Jewish melodies from the Askenazic, Sephardic
and Chasidic traditions with jazz, Haas has created a 10-movement suite
that conveys a full range of emotions.
Haas, the son of noted radio personality and former Temple Israel
music director Karl Haas, will present his composition 7 p.m. Thursday,
Aug. 26, in a Jazz in the Garden concert at Temple Israel. He'll be joined
by bassist Chuck Hall, percussionist Alex Trajano, alto-clarinetist Marvin
Kahn, saxophonist Rob Smith and trumpeter Marcus Belgrave.
This program is co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit with support from the Michigan Council for Arts
and Cultural Affairs. For complimentary tickets and further information,
call Temple Israel at (248) 661-5700.

Photo by Glenn driest

LISTEN

Jeff Haas Trio
and Friends
perform Thursday
at Temple Israel.
Pictured left
to right are
Marcus Belgrave,
Jeff Haas,
Alex Trajano,
Rob Smith,
Marvin Kahn
and Chuck Hall.

LOCO-MOTION
WITH ME

A marathon sock hop. Marilyn
Monroe look-alike contest, rock 'n'
roll bands and Little Eva's "The Loco-
motion" are some of the highlights of
the "Fabulous '50s and '60s Festival,"
Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 26-29, spon-
sored by St. Mary's Preparatory on its
campus at Orchard Lake and
Commerce roads.
Highlights on opening day,
Thursday, Aug. 26, include the Danny
Van Show at 7 p.m. and a 9 p.m.
Marilyn Monroe look-alike and act-
alike contest.
Friday, Aug. 27, is "Hot Rod
Night," featuring Moose and Da
Sharks at 7 p.m..and a marathon all-
night sock hop beginning at 11 p.m.
A hot rod cruise-in will be held 4-9
p.m.
On "Varsity Jacket and School
Sweater Day," Saturday, Aug. 28, the
Fantastics entertain from 7-11:30 p.m.
Earlier in the day, local cheerleading
squads compete and classic cars will be
on display.
Finally, on Sunday, Aug. 29,
"Arthur Fonzerelli Day," there will be
a Harley ride-in show from noon-3:30
p.m., followed at 4 p.m. by perfor-
<
mances from rock 'n' roll stars Little
Eva, Dickie Lee, the Sharkettes and a
Buddy Holly impersonator.
Little Eva's "The Loco-Motion" is
one of only five songs in the history of
rock 'n' roll to reach the No. 1 posi-
tion twice, in 1962 and 1974. She was
discovered by songwriters Carole King
and Gerry Goffin, who had hired her
to babysit.
A drawing for a juke box will be
held at 8:30 p.m., prior to the festi-
val's 10 p.m. closing.
The festival opens 6 p.m. Thursday
and Friday and at noon Saturday and
Sunday. A Vegas tent, food and refresh-
ments, a huge midway with carnival
rides and hula hoop, stuff the VW,
cram the phone booth and bubble-gum
blowing contests round out the fun.
Certain events carry a minimal reg-
istration fee. For more information,
call the St. Mary's Prep office at (248)
683-0530.

FYI: For Arts and Entertainment related events that you wish to have considered for Out & About, please send the item, with a detailed description of the event, times, dates, place, ticket prices and publishable phone number,
three weeks before
to: Gail Zimmerman, JN Out & About, The Jewish News, 27676 Franklin Road, Southfield, MI 48034; fax us at (248) 354-6069; or e-mail to gzimmerman@thejewishnews.com Notice must be received at least
the scheduled event. Photos are appreciated but cannot be returned. All events and dates listed in the Out & About column are subject to change.

8/20
1999

78 Detroit Jewish News