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.