The first international White City Music Festival is scheduled to take place in Tel Aviv this coming May. White City (1-10.5.12) plans on bringing together jazz, funk, and rock & roll acts from around the globe, as well as local groups, in a celebration of music and various stage arts. Headlining White City, and appearing with several of the groups, will be acclaimed musician and vocalist Bobby McFerrin.
White City will be offering free street performances, jam sessions, and ticketed events. These will be concentrated mainly within the Hanger 11 complex, …

The Israeli Opera Company is busy setting the stage for what is perhaps its most ambitious and impressive production so far – Geroges Bizet’s “Carmen” at the foot of Masada. “Carmen” is to be the main focus at this year’s International Opera Festival, to be held June 7-12, 2012 at Masada, the Dead Sea.
Following the success of Verdi’s “Nabucco” (2010) and “Aida” (2011), the Israeli Opera Company chose to continue its tradition with this magnificent and larger-than-life production of Bizet’s masterpiece, conducted by maestro Daniel Oren and directed by Giancarlo …

On January 12th, 2012, the Jerusalem Cinematheque hosted the debut screening of “Poetry Ltd.”, a documentary film by poet Dorit Weisman. The film tells the story of Jerusalem’s local “Ketovet” poetry group, and follows its attempts to produce the first “One Square Meter” poetry and music festival in Jerusalem of 2009.
The film centers on poetry’s struggle to survive, in a time and place where poetry – and those who write it – is given very little attention, both in and out of the world of culture. In the film, we …

This coming March, the Eretz Israel Museum, Tel Aviv will be showing a unique and exciting collection celebrating Israeli football. The exhibition (6.3.12 – 20.6.12) is the first of its kind to be shown in Israel, and will attempt to offer a new take on its football culture. “We Have a Champion” will focus on the players, the managers, the fans, and the overall evolution of football as the national pastime since its arrival in Palestine in the early 20th century.
The exhibition, curated by Danna Heller, will explore the historical, …

Appearing for the first time in Israel, Portuguese fado singer Ana Moura will be joined by Idan Raichel in opening the 2012 World Music concert series at the Israeli Opera on January 27th, 2012. Moura, who is currently one of the most popular fadistas in Portugal, is gaining a global reputation due to her moving performances and stunning vocal talents. She is recognized as the youngest fadista to be nominated for the prestigious Dutch Edison Award, a fact which Raichel – artistic adviser for the World Music series – has …

The Naggar School of Photography, Media, New Music, Animation & Phototherapy in Musrara is celebrating its 25th year with the Musrara Collection project. This new collection aims to bring the stories of Musrara’s residents to life, through use of photography, audio, and film. The Musrara Collection is first and foremost an archival art project, meant to explore and conserve the ideas, views, and experiences of the neighborhood residents throughout the years.
Kicking off the Musrara Collection project is the “Childhood in No Man’s Land” which attempts to shed light on the …

This October, the Holon Theatre will be hosting the 11th “Sounds of Childhood” festival, which takes place annually during the Sukkot holiday. Since its inception in 2000, the festival has become well known for its quality and its original productions of music, dance and theater fit for children, as well as the entire family. The festival will take place from October 16 – 18, 2011, as in previous years, alongside admission fee shows there will be free shows and activities in the theatre’s plaza.
This year’s main event is “Shirei Yaldut” …

The “Tzadik Label” jazz series at Beit Avi Chai in Jerusalem came to a wonderful close on Thursday night, when New York klezmer trumpeter Frank London and Jerusalem-based Marsh Dondurma took the stage for two hours of pure instrumental pleasure.
The previous two shows in the “Tzadik Label” jazz series were met with a great deal of enthusiasm and excitement, and rightly so. The atmosphere prior to this third and final show was one of great expectations, and the performers did not fail to deliver. Marsh Dondurma’s world/jazz/funk heritage blended in …

This Thursday, Tel Aviv-Yafo will officially open its art season, with a three-day event hosted by 60 galleries and museums across the city, showing over 200 local artists. “Loving Art, Making Art” is celebrating its 10th year of opening events.
On Thursday, 8.9.11, various galleries, museums, and exhibition spaces will be open to the public from 14:00 – 23:00, free of charge. Furthermore, several street exhibitions will be on display from 19:00 – 23:00 on Gordon Street, the Lev Ha’ir district, and Yehuda Hayamit Street.
Over the weekend, 9-10.9.11, 240 local artists …

The classic fairytale world of Aladdin comes to life this weekend, in a magical production taking place at the Goldman Promenade in Armon HaNatziv, Jerusalem. This coming Friday and Saturday, 2-3.9.11, parents and children are invited to attend shows, creative workshops, train rides, treasure hunts, and other activities – all in the spirit of Aladdin. This event is free, but advance registration is required and only ticketholders will be admitted.
The Goldman Promenade in Armon HaNatziv
Friday, September 2, 1-5 PM
Saturday, September 3, 9-6 PM
Suitable for ages 2-12
For tickets and further information …