By Ayelet Dekel
The Israel Theatre Prize enters a new era in 2010. Many of the changes introduced are intended to shift the spotlight from the organization to the artist. Unlike previous years, there will no longer be a prize for “Best Play of the Year” awarded to the theatre, but rather two separate prizes – one for Best Original Play and one for Best Play in Translation/Adaptation – with the prizes going to the directors, writers and translators/adaptors.
Final candidates, selected by a nine member committee headed by retired judge Shelly …

 By Maxim Reider
The sky’s the limit for Maestro George Pehlivanian, who’s here to conduct the Israeli Opera in ‘The Barber of Seville.’ ‘Since 2000, I’ve been coming to conduct the Israel Philharmonic almost every year,” says American maestro George Pehlivanian as he enjoys a Friday afternoon meal in an open air restaurant at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center piazza, surrounded by family and friends. Pehlivanian, 45, who conducts operas throughout Europe (mostly in Italy), in Russia and Los Angeles, is here for his debut with the Israeli Opera, where …

Bring your cake and eat it too as Singing@Zichrona celebrates 10 wonderful years of music! Harmonica Harold promises an amazing weekend of folk, country, blues, ethnic, international & original music – and a man whose first name is Harmonica can’t be wrong about music. It all takes place March 12 & 13, at Beit Daniel in Zichron Yaakov, with workshops, talented performers, jam sessions and even some time to hang out and chill.
The Larry Gamliel Memorial Concert honors a warm, funny, talented musician who will always live in the hearts and memories …

Erez Israeli, Nira Pereg and Naama Tsabar are the artists shortlisted for the 2009 Nathan Gottesdiener Prize for an Israeli Artist. An exhibit featuring the nominated works will open at the Tel Aviv Museum on Friday, March 12, and will be open to the general public from March 13.
Israel’s most prestigious private prize for the arts, the Gottesdiener Prize has been awarded annually to an Israeli artist under the age of 40 since 1995. Since 2006 the jury committee has selected finalists whose work is shown in a group exhibit …

Her willowy appearance and sweet smile barely hinting at the depth and strength of her voice, Alison Moyet enchanted the media at a press conference this afternoon in anticipation of her appearance at the Holon International Women’s Festival. Moyet will give a single performance on Friday, March 5 at 22:00 at the Holon Theatre, with a selection of songs from a career that includes just about everything from synth pop to blues.
Festival Director Guy Telem introduced Moyet saying that her performance in Holon continues the festival’s tradition of enabling Israeli …