* * * * * * * * * FREE DINNER * * With purchase of another dinner and this coupon. Limited time offer. Exp. 8/24/08 Limit one free, least expensive dinner. Third House Rising Singer-songwriter reveals Jewish soul. Marcy J. Levinson Jewish Renaissance Media A fter 20 years as a songwriter and producer, Grammy-nomi- nated BMI Songwriter of the Year Lawrence Dermer is tak- ing the world of Jewish music by storm. His new, solo CD, Third House Rising features Dermer on lead vocals — a contrast to his past endeavors writing for Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna and Cher, to name a few — and includes the songwriting talents of his wife, Robin. The Dermers collaborated on secular music for years, but Third House Rising is a heartfelt, upbeat step into contempo- rary Jewish music. In addition to writing all of the songs together, the Dermers showcase the tal- ents of sons Jaxson and Harrison, who play guitar, mandolin and drums. The Dermers said their 7-year-old daughter, Aliyah, born with some physical and neurological problems, inspired their first Jewish music project. That inspiration shines throu "Neshama" is an incredible song with Jewish soul and an Israeli fusion influ- ence. After one listen, the chorus stays in your head; the song is a good way to start any day. "Destiny" is heavily influenced not just by Israeli but also by Latin and klezmer music, interpreting the klezmer sound in a free-flowing manner that lends cred- ibility to the lyrics. "The Maker" is a ballad that takes you on a spiritual journey. It's as if Lawrence Dermer is saying that he chose to go at life alone, assuming the outcome would be of his making, but the chorus makes clear the ultimate answers are not within the power of a single person. The most touching song on the CD is "Souls Live On',' a Holocaust memorial that is relevant for any indi- vidual or group that has faced the threat of extermination. The song follows a survivor from the point he leaves his wife and daughter at the gates of a camp, with ashes and snow floating in the air, to the point when he remembers his loss but has the strength to never give up and never forget. ❑ REV IEW Musical Quotes Oscar-winning screenwriter Ronald Harwood (The Pianist) recently spoke to a reporter about his new play, Collaboration, now Ronald being staged in Harwood England. It's about the relationship between German composer Richard Strauss and German-Jewish writer Stefan Zweig, who wrote an opera together in the early 1930s. Strauss went to write what has been called "cheap swastika music" for the Nazi regime. Harwood said: "Yes. The Nazis had a mystical connection with music. And yet Mendelssohn was banned. The Magic Flute had to have another libretto because [lyricist] da Ponte was Jewish – it was all utterly insane. Marcy Levinson is a staff writer at our sister paper, the Atlanta Jewish Times. The Germans were, I think, deeply cultured but totally uncivilized. For the British, I think, it was the other way round. Totalitarian governments always have to control the arts because they know their power." On Aug. 5, there was a New York showing of the concert film Lou Reed's Berlin. Famous rocker Lou Reed was there, and the film's director, Julian Schnabel, got on the stage Lou Reed and announced that Reed's mother was in the audience. He called out to her (referring to her son): "You got a nice Yiddishe kup there. You should be proud." ❑ Contact Nate Bloom at middleoftheroadl@aol.com. 6646 Telegraph Rd. at Maple BLOOMFIELD PLAZA w et co CC,41,9 -1 .rc V ' T ES (248)932-0800 www.stevesdeli.com * * * * * * * FREE DINNER OFFER * * * * * * * * * * 1 21 * * r it 1 III 1:VriMIP MF Spectators, Families, Volunteers and Athletes 'Dine-In and Carry-Out Available Party-Sized Pasta, Salad and Veggie Trays DETROIT'S #1 SQUARE PIZZA $2 OffAny Party Tray Otter not valid with say other coupon/discount. One coupon per person, per table Expires 8a1/08 JN 11281111111111111111111111111111011111111111 MMMMMMM •111•111111111 $3 Off An 8•Square Pizza Offer not valid with say other coupon/discount. One coupon per person, per table Expires 8/31/0S .01 Tr/chid owspieWty plum. BBQ Chicken, Greek Detroiter, Sicilian and more! visit www.buddvspizza.com for directions, menu and sign up for our email club ! 31646 Northwestern Hwy.. Farmington Hills ph: 248.855,4600 fax: 248.855.3849 Detroit • Warren • Livonia • Dearborn • Pointe Plaza • Auburn Hins • Royal Oak • Bloomfield Hills 21;e 1:117 /c ays WE'VE MOVED 2 DOORS DOWN! & Dinner eSzechuan mrive .,./North .,9?e8kzureint . • /0 Off •Featuring Authentic Chinese/Asian Cooking Total Bill DINE IN OR CARRYOUT Not good with any other offer 1 coupon per table • with coupon- Expires 09/15/08 • Complete Lunch Starts at $6.55 • Children's Menu •Healthy, Low Fat, 'Sodium Free' Choices • Vegetarian Dishes 1.113.10 39470 14 Mile Rd. of 1-lae,t;elk in the Newberry Square Plazas. 248-960-7666 www.szechuanempire.com • Catering available at all locations • Coupons are for all locations 1.0%0ff Total Bill including Hercules Family Restaurant at 12 Mile & Farmington Not valid with Specials. Not valid with any other offers. With coupon. Expires 12/31/08 Visit us at www•leosconeyistand•com August 14 • 2008 B13