18 | OCTOBER 31 • 2024 J
N
S
TORIED,
” the popular cultural
arts series, returns with a ret-
rospective on the alternative
rock genre known as Grunge. The all-
new production uses story and song
to explore the history and music of the
era at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at The
Berman Center for the Performing
Arts.
“STORIED. The Grunge Era” is
hosted by Benji Rosenzweig, who cre-
ated the series in cooperation with Eric
Maher, senior director of The J Detroit
(formerly the JCC). In a stage setting
that melds MTV Unplugged with VH1
Storytellers, the program intersperses
in-depth historical narrative with live
music performed by a five-piece band
led by local musician Eric Gutman.
The format provides a compre-
hensive picture of the Grunge genre,
which emerged in the mid-1980s and
continued through the next decade.
Like last spring’s debut session of
STORIED, which featured the music
of the Beatles, the spotlight is on the
Jewish artists and professionals who
influenced the music and subculture of
Grunge.
By creating a series that casts a
Jewish lens on his favorite musicians,
Rosenzweig found a way to merge
his passion for music with his love of
Jewish culture.
“I have been a music fanatic my
entire life,
” he said. “Shows like VH1
Behind the Music and Storytellers were
my favorite shows, so putting togeth-
er this program and focusing on the
Jewish story is pretty special for me.
”
Using examples from musicians such
as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Jane’s Addiction
and Soundgarden, Rosenzweig
explains how the genre fuses ele-
ments of punk rock and heavy metal
while incorporating influences from
indie rock bands. Artists like Alanis
Morissette, Hole and Lenny Kravitz
helped define Grunge against societal
norms of race and gender through
angst-filled, introspective lyrics depict-
ing societal hardship and other weighty
themes.
The STORIED program is made
possible in part by a generous gift from
the Burton A. Zipser and Sandra D.
Zipser Foundation.
“Since Oct. 7. most events are heavy,
emotionally taxing and sometimes
even depressing,
” Rosenzweig said.
“This is uplifting, full of nostalgia,
Jewish pride and joy.
”
‘STORIED’ brings the Grunge era to life through story and song.
Grunge is Back!
RONELLE GRIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
OUR COMMUNITY
Benji
Rosenzweig
DETAILS
“STORIED. The Grunge Era” takes place Saturday, Nov. 2, at The
Berman Center for the Performing Arts at 6600 W. Maple Road in
West Bloomfield. Tickets range from $20-$50 and are available
by calling or texting the Berman Center virtual ticket office at (248)
406-6677 or visiting: tickets.thejdetroit.org/storied-grunge. Use
code GRUNGEISBACK to receive 25% off tickets purchased on Oct.
31.