life arts & Li ht n Their � es Starting dancing as a child in Chicago, Bernstein-Siegel earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Ohio State University. Performing in Ohio before mov­ ing to Michigan, she landed at Ol,', where she has taught dance history, choreography and improvisation technique. Even while teaching full-time, Bernstein-Siegel made time for special projects, including choreo­ graphing for community theater A local woman helps shed light on dance. and presenting a program at the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival, where she still serves as a director. Dancers in tandem with move spectacular lighting treatments in The Liqht Show. A two-year commitment to the Austrian "Ours is I repertory company pieces from a variety of choreographers, not just Laurie. There's an interesting mix that Suzanne Chessler Contributing Eisenhower and ance Bernstein-Siegel that has Writer has long illumi- nated the life of Debra Now, its Bernstein-Siegel. spotlight is shining brighter on a new Eisenhower Dance (E/D) The choreographers designers to incorporate unique lighting effects, resulting in breath- taking staging. Beginning with the lighting, the dancers' move- ments were developed in tandem with varying light treatments. The production will be presented one night only, Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Show will be LJqht performed 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Detroit House, Detroit. 237-51 NG; Opera $25-$83. (313) michiqanopera.org. Detroit Eisenhower will discuss the program in a A master class "I like the idea that this show performance. features several different chore- ographers, each with different is available for ways of approaching music:' says Bernstein-Siegel, who has worked intermediate/advanced level dancers, ages 14 and older, at 11 a.m. on the morning of the as a presentation; pre-registration at Opera House. one presentation hour before the Light Show pairs four with four lighting tail + dance@motopera.org is required. dancer, choreographer and 29 " 2015 Eisenhower, who created two of "The fact that there the five dances, selected the par- ticipants. She worked directly with lighting designers Kenneth Keith, It's ing designer, Ravel's Bolero tive as number set to well as an will experience interac- a different viewers lot of innovations. new work:' Bernstein-Siegel, a are means always exciting for dancers to have piece that combines various lighting are the Board of Trustees at Temple Beth El, tutors at Detroit's Glazer Elementary School, an initiative of the temple board member for 20 of E/D's watched Eisenhower program­ ming and audiences grow, would general interest in dance viewers. Although she prioritizes live performances, she is pleased that television is develop­ like to see attract more lighting techniques. Another dance paired Texas choreographer Gina Patterson with New York lighting designer nearly 25 years, is involved in areas as diverse as the company's fiscal responsibility to its marketing. "Laurie and I were colleagues Burke Brown; their piece, Between Shadow and Soul, utilizes pho- Oakland University (OU):' says Bernstein-Siegel, recently retired like Dancing with the Stars and tography reflector stands for a soft and diffused light source. Choreographer Iamey Hampton worked with lighting-designer from full-time So You Think You Can Dance: at faculty status but continuing online to teach dance history and appreciation. "I had known her professionally ing dance appreciation with shows "I believe dance is best appreci­ ated in its live state ship about halls:' 0 lunches for 10 years Jan. 30; Feb. 2-6. Call restaurants OSCAR SHORTS for reservations; for list, visit View all 10 2015 a ago:' Academy Award birminghamrestaurantweek.org. Nominated Short Films in MAKING FACES eye-popping program at the Detroit Film Theatre, Jan. 30-Feb. A collection of 19. painted portraits by contemporary artists including Robert Schefman, Victor Rodriguez and Trisha Holt will be on display in "Making Faces" at Birmingham's David Klein Gallery through Feb. 28. (248) 433-3700; dkgallery.com. one Among the nominees: the live­ action, made in Israel and France Aya, The Phone Call, starring Sally Hawkins and Jim Broadbent, and an animated story of a man Feast, dog, Winston. $6.50-$8.50. (313) 833-7900; dia.org. and his as opposed to television, which flattens it:' she Stephanie Pizzo, E/D's associate at a Bernstein-Siegel, who has who has been matic results in Laissez Faire. And - and raised Aaron, California. E/D, founded by artistic director Laurie Eisenhower. hottest - techno music distributor in Detroit, and Samuel, a housing developer in form $15; three­ course dinners for $30; plus extra incentives and raffles. Through 80 January added:' says Bloomfield Hills- resident Bernstein-Siegel, 63. for a long time and knew her com- Restaurant Week 2015. Three­ course experience any on pany as an audience member. I was asked to move into board leader- equally tempting prices during Birmingham more Opera Theatre, was a member of commissioned it with the Detroit Michigan light- the board of the Michigan sits interesting visual time dimensions like on a dancing. addition, Bernstein-Siegel form, audiences get an even more for Performing Arts, which co- a In Mark LaPierre, who varied laser Kitchen & Bar, Tallulah Wine Bar & Bistro, the Bird & the Bread, Toast and visual art lights for both humorous and dra- Luxe Bar & Grill, Mitchell's Fish Market, Social - room a university instructor. She also is Birmingham's restaurants the young women's elaborate ball­ which plays with board chair of the Southfield-based YUMMY FUN Check out Lansing's Wharton Center community, has her directing the 3 for "Because dance is The program premiered last year Society's annual Strauss Ball, which presents debutantes to local lighting-designer Kerro Knox way" at East director, collaborated with Spectrum, light and color. Opera House. production. The artistic a says. "It's a three-dimensional art so I am passionate about get­ ting people to see it in performance YOU'LL LAUGHr YOU'LL CRY Neil Si on's semi­ automoqraphlcel Briqhton Beach Memoirs a funny, touching portrait of a Jewish family in pre­ is told from war-era Brooklyn the perspective of a 15-year-old boy. See it performed by the Village Players of Birmingham at their playhouse through Feb. 15. $18. (248) 644-2075; birminghamvillageplayers.com. - -