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Singer-Songfinder

Folk musician performs free
concerts at West Bloomfield library.

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Suzanne Chessler

me a socially acceptable outlet for
that.
"My only instrumental training
ike Agranoff defines him-
was about five years of classical
self as a singer-songfinder.
piano between ages 10 and 15. I
Although he has writ-
learned guitar on my own based on
ten songs and parodies, he mostly
music knowledge from those piano
searches for pieces that he likes
lessons."
and performs them.
Agranoff, who
Sometimes, he plays
grew up in a non-
religious family of
guitar or concertina,
and other times, he
Jewish heritage in New
works a cappella.
York, attended the
Agranoff, a folk artist,
Polytechnic Institute of
will share his findings
Brooklyn and went on
during two free perfor-
to design machines.
mances, at 3 and 5 p.m.
"I found that a lot of
Sunday, May 4, at the
people who are techni-
main branch of the West 8
cally oriented also are
Bloomfield Township
musically oriented;' he
Public Library. He is
says. "Some do it in a
Mike Agran off
part of the "Music@
semiprofessional way
Main" series.
as I do."
"I include a mix of humorous
The folk singer, who also appears
material, pretty songs, fancy guitar
at schools and community centers,
work and powerful spoken-word
was encouraged to perform in West
Bloomfield by friends Larry and
selections:' says Agranoff, 69, in a
phone conversation from his home
Robin Kaufman, who moved to West
in New Jersey.
Bloomfield from New Jersey.
"The concert will be representative
The three participated in the Folk
of the various aspects of my work,
Project in northern New Jersey,
which does not espouse any cause.
which puts on a weekly concert
My prime intent is to entertain.
series, contra-dance programs and
"I book a concert series in New
home music parties. There are more
Jersey so I'm exposed to a lot of
than 500 members, and Agranoff's
good music and a lot of good songs.
responsibility is the Minstrel Concert
When I hear something that I think
Series.
is worth spreading around, I learn it
"I'm working on two collabora-
tions:' says Agranoff, making his
and put my stamp on it."
Agranoff explains that recitation
third library appearance. "One is with
sets him apart from other folk art-
a comedic songwriter, John Forster;
ists.
we call our duo Coffee House of the
Absurd. Another is with a harmony
"The spoken-word stuff is a
throwback," says Agranoff, who has
trio, Gathering Time; we've done
appeared at many festivals, includ-
numerous split bills where we have
ing the Champlain Valley Festival
our own sets for the evening but also
in Vermont, Big Muddy Festival
sit in with each other.
in Maryland and Summerfolk in
"Since I don't have a family, I've
Ontario.
been able to devote a lot more time
"It's a lost art. At the turn of the
to music both in my involvement
20th century, it was stage entertain-
with the Folk Project and with my
ment that was ranked with music
own performances." ❑
and dancing. It is riveting and a form
of storytelling."
Mike Agranoff will perform in
Although long involved with folk
free
programs, at 3 and 5 p.m.,
entertainment, Agranoff built a core
Sunday,
May 4, at the main
career as a mechanical engineer.
branch
of
the West Bloomfield
Now retired from engineering, he
Township
Public Library, 4600
can give more time to music.
Walnut
Lake
Road. (248) 682-
"I wanted to be a performer
2120;
wblib.org
.
because I always was a cutup and a
ham;' he explains. "The music gives

Contributing Writer

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5656 W. Maple Rd., West Bloomfield

North of Maple, East of Orchard Lake Rd.

248 325-9420

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23 - ) 18.201

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BY JON ROBIN BAITZ

Directed by David Wolber

A holiday reunion provides the oxygen for this play set in the desert home of actor and former Ambassador Lyman
and his wife Polly Wyeth in Palm Springs, CA. As a special treat, their daughter Brooke comes home bearing her
manuscript of a memoir about things her parents want to forget; a true case of emotional blackmail.
Playwright Baitz looks deeper and more clearly into Mom and Dad than he ever has before.

Co - produced with Performance Network Theatre

BUY TICKETS!

248.788.2900

www.JetTheatre.org

JET is a professional,
Actors Equity Association theatre
that performs in the Aaron DeRoy Theatre
in the JCC - Located on the corner of
Maple & Drake Roads in West Bloomfield

TTSHUBERT

FOUNDATION,y

et).

MASCO

May 1 • 2014

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