Yemei Zemer, the annual Holon song festival, will take place from April 24 – 27, 2016, during Hol HaMoed Passover. A joint production of the Holon Municipality and the Holon Theatre, this year performances will be held at the Steinberg Music Center due to renovations in process at the Holon Theatre.
The chosen theme for this year’s festival is the Israeli soundtrack, with a focus on songs that express the ‘Israeli’, in all its complexity and diverse styles.
Among the festival highlights will be a tribute to Ofra Haza. The talented singer grew up in HaTikvah, one of the poorest Tel Aviv neighborhoods, and went on to become one of the most popular Israeli performing artists. Garnering an international reputation as well as being much beloved at home, her signature songs are an integral part of Israeli culture. Ofra Haza was a star, her successful career cut short by her untimely death at age 42, in February 2000. “LeOrech HaYam” (Along the Sea) an evening of Ofra Haza’s songs, will be hosted by Yoav Ginai with the Raanana Symphonette Orchestra. Zvika Pik will perform songs that he composed for Ofra Haza: Gavriel, Yad BeYad (together with singer Yaniv Idan), and the wonderful Shir HaFreha. Avihu Medina will sing Ga’aguim, Margalit Tzanani will sing Mocher HaPrachim and Yemenite songs, David Daor will sing LeOrech HaYam, Rivka Zohar and Liron Lev will sing BeKerem Teiman, and Keren Hadar. Edited by Naomi Atias, the evening is under the musical direction of David Zeba.
Reflecting the complexity of the Israeli soundtrack, there will be a tribute to the songs of Jonathan Geffen – poet, author, translator, playwright, satirist and journalist. Many of his songs have become Israeli classics – Makom LeDaaga, Gan Shel Shoshanim, and the wonderful children’s songs of HaKeves HaShishaasar. One of my favorites is Yihye Tov (Things Will Get Better), here performed by David Broza with Jackson Browne and Shawn Colvin.
The evening will be hosted by Natan Datner, and will feature composers who composed the music to his lyrics, and the singers who sang the songs: Riki Gal, Miki Gavrielov, Maor Cohen, Shlomo Yidov, Efraim Shamir, Miri Aloni, Mika Karni, Sivan Talmor, Yonatan Artzi, the Children’s Chorus of Holon, and Jonathan Geffen in person. The evening is edited by Naomi Atias, under the musical direction of Vered Piker.
An important aspect of the festival is honoring the great figures in the history of Israeli song. This year’s festival will host a tribute to composer Sasha Argov. Meytal Travelsi and Keren Hadar will perform some of Argov’s best loved songs: Zemer MaPuhit, Shlomo HaMelech veShalmai HaSandlar, Elifelet, Yossi Yeled Sheli Mutzlah, and more.
Holon is always proud of its gifted residents, and singer/pianist/composer Ohad Hitman will perform at the festival with his students, graduates of the Music major at Kiryat Sharet High School in Holon. Hitman and his students will perform songs from the musician’s three albums: Ohad Hitman, HaRega HaBa, and Ha Masa.
Yemei Zemer Festival: April 24 – 27, 2016.
Festival Manager: Guy Telem – Director of Holon Theater
Artistic director, performances producer and editor: Naomi Attias
Steinberg Music Center, 21 Givat HaTahmoshet Street, Holon.
Tickets are between 40 – 150 NIS, to purchase, call 03-5023001.
