THE
LOWDOWN
The JCC’s inaugural Ethan & Gretchen
and “everything opened up.”
Bowie was “the bridge” between
Led Zeppelin and Weird Al and
“all the magic theatricality of
show tunes,” Phreddy says. “He
lived the world that was mystical,
poetic and introspective at the
same time.”
After college, Phreddy found
work with a restaurant company,
which moved him to Detroit in
2005. But he was driven by his
passion for music and soon man-
aged to get a gig in Pontiac. “I’ll
book you to open for this guy,”
a friend told him. Phreddy was
thrilled, then realized, “I didn’t
really have any songs.”
But he had a friend, Caitlin
Drinkard, who had two sisters,
Bonnie and Lindsey, each of
whom had “an amazing voice,”
he says. He decided that “even if
what we come up with is stupid,
they are so good.”
The ensuing performance was
“one of the most magical things
I’ve ever seen in my life,” he
adds. “Their talent gave me the
permission to explore my own
creativity.”
So his career began.
Today, Phreddy is a bit of a
mosaic reflecting his history, his
love for music, his interest in
Judaism and all things spiritual.
Phreddy was a student of
Rabbi Yisrael Pinson of Chabad
of Greater Downtown Detroit,
and his wife, Blair Nosan, is a
rabbinical student. He specializes
in weddings where “people don’t
know how they fit into a tradi-
tional path” (“What does it mean
to have a connection if you have
no tradition?” he asks). He played
and sang “psychedelic niggunim”
at last summer’s Jewish Food
Festival.
He’s “delighted to perform”
at the JCC’s Ethan & Gretchen
Davidson Music Festival where,
as always, he won’t just play
songs. He will make the experi-
ence come alive.
Music, he says, was “always
my refuge.” When he can bring
people into that refuge, it’s even
better. He loves karaoke because
“that’s where people put their
whole heart and soul into sing-
ing something that’s bigger than
they are. And every time, it’s
always different, and something
totally different is revealed.”
As a DJ, he makes an effort to
connect to every person, as if to
a prayer. “You’re not just in the
room,” he assures each person.
“You’re essential to the room.” •
Davidson Music Festival will offer four
days of food, art — and music. Sponsored
by Gretchen ( formerly of Slumber Party)
and Ethan (son of William Davidson)
Davidson, the event aims to provide a
fresh new twist on art and music (all
with a Jewish connection) festivals. The
festival’s schedule features jazz, family
entertainment, an artist market and more.
(248) 661-1900; theberman.org/musicfest.
Thursday, March 23
6-10 p.m.: Artist Market
7:30 p.m.: Jayme Stone’s Folklife Canadian
banjoist Stone brings sea island spirituals,
Creole calypsos and stomp-down Appalachian
dance tunes.
Opening act: Sami Mei Described as “Bjork
meets Carole King,” this petite Michigan teen
with a powerhouse voice is anticipating her
first record release on March 30 (look for a full
profile in the March 23 issue of the JN).
9 p.m.: After party with DJ Phreddy
Friday, March 24
Noon-4 p.m.: Artist Market
1:30 p.m.: Michael Krieger Michigan-
based singer/songwriter Krieger combines
playfulness with messages of transformation
and uplifting singalongs — he often works
with older people with forms of dementia. Free
for seniors.
Saturday, March 25
6-10 p.m.: Artist Market
8 p.m.: Ester Rada Israeli with Ethiopian roots,
Rada mixes Ethio-jazz, funk, soul and R&B.
Opening act: Griffin Ford The Michigan native
brings a soulfulness beyond his 16 years.
9:15 p.m.: After party with DJ Phreddy
Sunday, March 26
Noon-8 p.m.: Artist Market
1 p.m. Mama Doni Laugh, dance, have fun
and singalong with this kids’ show.
3 p.m.: Golem The klezmer-rock band is
pushing tradition into the 21st century.
Says NPR: “Golem is not your grandparents’
klezmer.”
5 p.m.: Nefesh Mountain Jewish soul meets
bluegrass.
7:30 p.m.: Live in Central Park [Revisited]:
Simon & Garfunkel Award-winning recording
artists Lee Lessack and Johnny Rodgers
recreate Sept. 19, 1981 — when more than
500,000 music fans witnessed the reunion of
Simon & Garfunkel.
Ester Rada
jn
March 16 • 2017
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