Grease’ star Jeff Conaway dies at 60; Sarah Silverman to perform in Tel Aviv; CSNY tribute band to rock Jerusalem; TA to host World Dance Festival.
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFdancedance_311(photo credit: Torben Glarbo)Grease’ star Jeff Conaway dies at 60 LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Actor Jeff Conaway, best known for his roles in the movie Grease and the 1970s TV series Taxi, died on Friday at the aged of 60, his manager said.Conaway, who had a history of addictions to drug, alcohol and prescription painkillers, was hospitalized two weeks ago after being found unconscious in his Los Angeles area home.At the time, he was also suffering from pneumonia and sepsis and was recovering from a recent back surgery.Those factors, coupled with the effects of long-term addiction, meant he never regained consciousness.The actor's manager Phil Brock said his family took him off life support on Thursday and he died on Friday morning, surrounded by his sisters, nieces and nephews.Conaway found fame when he starred as the wise-cracking teen Kenickie in the 1978 film musical Grease, alongside John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. He also became a television regular for playing Wheeler, a cab driver, on the hit comedy Taxi.Conaway's problems with addiction were documented in 2008 when he appeared on the TV series Celebrity Rehab.Sarah Silverman to perform in Tel AvivSassy American comedian and actress Sarah Silverman will do her standup act next month in Tel Aviv at the Wohl Amphitheater on June 25. The popular, irreverent comic will be in Israel to participate in the Presidents Conference taking place June 21-23 at Binyanei Hauma.Silverman, known for her salty routines and her 2005 film Jesus is Magic, also hosted a popular TV series – The Sarah Silverman Show – for three years. She often touches on her Judaism and being Jewish in the US in her routine.• David BrinnCSNY tribute band to rock JerusalemThe country’s only homegrown Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young tribute band, Long Time Gone, has transformed from a strictly acoustic affair into a full-blown electric rave up.Formed several years ago by American immigrant Eliyahu Sidikman, and featuring father and son team Steve and Zvi Rodan on bass and drums respectively, the six-piece band will be giving one of their first ‘electric’ concerts on June 1 at the Yellow Submarine in Jerusalem.As an acoustic trio on songs like “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” and “Helpless,” Long Time Gone nailed the iconic group’s harmonies and vibe to perfection. Chances are they’ll do wonders with the sinewy guitar jams on “Carry On,” “Ohio” as well as choice offerings from the band’s ‘cousins’ like Buffalo Springfield and The Byrds.• David BrinnTA to host World Dance FestivalWorld Dance 2011 takes place at the Wohl Amphitheater in Tel Aviv’s Ganei Yehoshua from July 11 – 30 with local dance companies as well as visitors from Spain, France, and the US.The Israel Ballet will present the full length Don Quixote – a treat for classical ballet fans, who can also enjoy a return visit by an octet of dancers from the New York City Ballet with George Balanchine’s Who Cares?as well as duets from perennial favorites such as The Sleeping Beauty.Jacoby & Pronk are Drew Jacoby and Rubinald Pronk, a couple of classically trained super-dancers who have drawn superlatives from critics. They will dance three duets, sharing the stage with Barak Marshall’s dancers doing excerpts from Rooster and dancers from Suzanne Dellal’s The Project.Other events include a Spanish Gala and MadriDanca, featuring both local and visiting flamenco artists, as well as Choreographical Effect with dancers from the Paris Opera Ballet.• Helen Kaye
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