Like a flower in the rock, culture in Israel blooms wild and beautiful, even in the harshest conditions. As Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, approaches, let us take time to appreciate the beauty, freedom, and love in our lives, and let them inspire us with the strength to confront our struggles with wisdom and an open mind.
#1
InDNegev – the last, great, party of summer, InDNegev is more than a music festival, it’s a beautiful 3-day community that blossoms in the desert every fall. This year, InDNegev will take place from October 27 – 29, 2016 in Mitzpeh Gvulot. The full line-up and information is available on the InDNegev website.
A first taste of what’s to come at InDNegev will take place at Kuli Alma on Saturday, October 8th, with Echo & Tito, Meuban, Niv Ast, and Nitzan Horesh in an acoustic solo. Starting at 17:00 and on until late…space is limited so think about getting there early. Admission FREE! Here’s the link to the faceook event. Read reviews of past festivals here and here.
#2
Now is the time to savor Israeli films in all their diversity! Currently showing in theatres are two wonderful films: Elite Zexer’s Sandstorm, representing Israel as a contender for Best Foreign Film at the Oscars (read the full review).
Emil Ben Shimon’s The Women’s Balcony is one of the most intelligent, subversive and enjoyable comedies I’ve seen (read the full review) – both films feature outstanding performances. Last Band in Lebanon is a fun guys-on-the-run film with an Israeli twist, the mosque scene is one of my favorites, fans of Israeli music will enjoy this one – opens October 13th . Something wonderful to look forward to at the end of the month: Rama Burshtein’s Through The Wall opens October 27th. Noa Koler’s performance (Ophir Award for Best Actress) is one of the best I’ve seen (full review coming soon) – mesmerizing!
#3
Dance! The Israeli Opera will be opening its dance season with Béjart Ballet Lausanne! Look forward to Maurice Béjart’s Boléro; and Ballet for Life, dedicated to Freddie Mercury and the dancer Jorge Donn, with music by Queen and Mozart. Performances will take place from October 4 – 9, 2016 (details here). Making a welcome return will be the St. Petersburg Eifman Ballet with a new version of Red Giselle and Up & Down. Performances will take place from October 25 – 27, 2016 (details here).
#4
What is the most Israeli game? If you spent any part of your childhood here, or taking care of kids, then you know – it’s TAKI! Published in 1983 by game inventor Haim Shafir, the cards were designed by Ari Ron. An official TAKI championship will take place at the Luna-Da Museum for Children in Beer Sheva. Participation in the contest is 40 NIS, each participant may bring two friends to cheer her/him on. Register to play on the Luna-Da website.
#5
The Israeli Music Festival will take place from October 5 – 10, 2016 with FREE concerts open to the public. Now in its 19th edition, the festival is focusing on Israeli women composers this year, with the works of over 20 composers featured in vocal, chamber and choral music. The festival will honor Israel Prize recipient, composer and ethnomusicologist Andre Hajdu, with a tribute concert and composer Yedidia Admon’s Shirat Dvora will be performed for the first time in 50 years. Performances will take place in Haifa, Beer Sheva, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Zichron Yaakov. Admission is free, but registration is required. Israeli Music Festival website.
#6
Now in its 9th edition, the Beit Avi Chai Piyut Festival will take place from October 6 – 9, 2016, between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, and will be dedicated to the first Sabbath of the year. Festival events will explore The Sabbath – its prayers, songs, symbolism and significance, in music, stories, and discourse. Performers in the festival include Shai Tsabari, Rona Kenan, Maya Belzitsman and Neta Elkayam. More details here.
#7
Tattoos: The Human Body as a Work of Art will open at the Eretz Israel Museum on October 10, 2016. Curated by Yasmine Bergner the exhibit will explore the history of tattoo art, contemporary tattoo art in Israel and abroad, featuring the work of photographer and anthropologist Dr. Lars Krutak, and the Israeli tattoo community as photographed by the Kaakooa Project. The exhibit will remain open through October 30th, additional information may be found on the museum website.
The Israel Tattoo Convention will take place on October 7th & 8th at the Tel Aviv Convention Center on Rokah Blvd. Attractions, tickets and other information is available (scroll down for English) on the facebook event page.
#8
Enjoy premieres of Israeli films and a diverse selection of international films at the Haifa Film Festival, which takes places this year from October 15 – 24, 2016. Read up on the Israeli features premiering at the festival on this link.
#9
MUSIC! Yumi Zouma will be coming to Tel Aviv with their dream pop sound! Performing at the Tmuna Theatre in Tel Aviv on October 9, 2016, at 21:15. Tickets are 129 NIS in advance, 150 NIS at the door, and may be purchased via this link. Here’s the link to the facebook event page.
Grateful Dead Gathering on October 20, 2016 at Alik’s Farm near Hadera. Info on the event page in Hebrew. Admission is 90 NIS, for additional info call Eran: 054-9955693. Here’s the link to the facebook event page.
Tamar Music Festival takes place October 17 – 20, 2016, amid the desert landscape of the Dead Sea and Masada! Opening night will feature Yehudit Ravitz hosting Ahuva Ozeri, Hadag Nahash, and T-Slam. Info on the Tamar Festival website.
The Abu Gosh Vocal Music Festival will take place from October 21 – 24, 2016. Featuring classical musicians from Israel and from around the world, the festival takes place in two venues: the crypt of the Benedictine church, built by the Knights Hospitaller in the 12th century, and in the Church at Kiryat Yearim, also known as Notre-Dame de l’Arche d’Alliance, which sits atop a hill overlooking the town. Full information in available in English on the website.
#10
The Aki Festival for Japanese Cinema will take place from October 18 – 30, 2016, with screenings at the Holon, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Herzliya Cinematheques. The festival will include a wide range of contemporary Japanese cinema, from Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s spine chilling offerings Journey to the Shore and Creepy, to Little Forest, Junichi Mori’s gentle story of life lived close to nature.
