At selected cinemas throughout the country.
2. MUSIC THE TRACTOR’S TALE With seven albums under their belt, as well as hits such as “Tears Game,” “Kites” and “Adon Haslihot,” Nikmat Hatraktor (The Tractor’s Revenge), one of Israel’s most important and respected rock bands, returns with a new album. Following a special debut show in the Jaffa Theater Club, the band sets out on a nationwide tour, celebrating 22 years. Catch the band when it takes the stage at the new Zappa Jerusalem Club.Saturday, 10 p.m., 28 Hebron Road, (03) 762-666 or www.zappa-club.co.il
3. JAZZING IT UPThe 2011-12 Opera House Jazz series kicks off with a tribute to some of the iconic guitarists and pianists of yesteryear. The concert features Jewish American guitarist Josh Breakstone and Italian pianist Tony Pancella, who will perform works made famous by two renowned guitar-piano duos – Wes Montgomery & Wynton Kelly and Grant Green & Sonny ClarkTomorrow, 9:30 p.m., www.israelopera.co.il
4. OPERA DYNAMIC DUO In collaboration with the Tel Aviv Municipality, the Israeli Opera celebrates Opera Month throughout December. The season will open with a program of two short operas in one evening – Cavalleria Rusticana (Rustic Chivalry) by Pietro Mascagni and I Pagliacci (The Clowns) by Ruggero Leoncavallo. A giant tent will be set up in the plaza of the opera house for the first three performances, and I Pagliacci will be screened live from the opera for the general public.
Runs today through December 17, (03) 692-7777 or www.israel-opera.co.il
5. FESTIVAL
ONE-ACT PLAY In celebration of 14 years of drama, the Short Play Festival runs for three days at Tel Aviv’s Tzavta Theater. Eight plays were chosen from among the 130 submitted, and two or three will be presented at each performance. Highlights include Amit Erez’s Ma’alit (Elevator) and Michal Peles-Almagor’s poetic drama A Year Later. In Hebrew.Runs Wednesday through next Saturday, Tzavta Theater, 30 Ibn Gvirol Street, Tel Aviv. (03) 695-0156.
6. DANCE STEPPING OUT The seventh Machol Shalem Dance Festival takes place in Jerusalem this week at the Karnaf Hall in Musrara and the Gerard Behar Center. The festival, initiated by Machol Shalem directors Ruby Edelman and Ofra Idel, features four debut shows with artistic direction by Shlomo Plasner and four pieces by the Choreographers’ Association. Additionally, eight new performances by Israeli choreographers and Nigel Charnock, guest artist and dancer from abroad, will take place as part of the Young Artists Contest.Runs Monday through December 9, www.machol-shalem.org
7. MIXED BAG
HARMONIES FROM OUTER SPACE The Voca People is an Israel-based ensemble that performs vocal theater, combining a cappella and beat-box vocals to reproduce the sounds of an entire orchestra. Join these eight friendly aliens from the planet Voca in rhythmic vocal adaptations of nearly 70 hits, from classical music and popular tunes to movie soundtracks.
Wednesday, 9 p.m., Jerusalem Theater, www.jerusalem-theatre.co.il
8. HAMSHUSHJerusalem is gearing up for the seventh annual Hamshushalayim festival, a series of cultural events over the next three weekends. On offer will be events in cultural institutions, the Old City and tourist sites that will be open free of charge, as well as weekend tours, colorful markets and more. Restaurants, coffee houses and pubs will also be offering discounts until the late hours.For further details: www.jerusalem.muni.il9. FESTIVAL
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW Metuko’s House (pictured), a Hullegeb Theater production, won Best Play at the 2009 Acre Festival.Now you can see this little gem and other plays at the Hullegeb Festival that takes place in Jerusalem. Hullegeb is Amharic for “has everything” or “inclusive,” and this special festival showcases Ethiopian culture in theater, song and dance. A highlight is Ruth Eshel’s Beita dance company that will perform works from its repertoire.
Runs December 13 through 19, www.bimot.co.il
10. EXHIBIT PHOTOS IN THE NEWS The 53rd annual World Press Photo exhibition – featuring prize-winning images from the world’s largest and most prestigious press photography contest – is on display this month. The “Local Testimony” exhibition will run parallel to the international one. This display – named for Lior Ziv, an IDF photographer who died in combat at the age of 19 – exhibits the best Israeli press photography of the past year.Runs December 13 through January 28, Eretz Israel Museum, Ramat Aviv, www.localtestimony.co.il December 1, 2011 5 weekend COMPILED BY SHAWN RODGERS arts@jpost.com out & about 4 The Israeli Opera celebrates (Javier del Real) UPCOMING