FILM 1. THE CABIN IN THE WOODS Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard team up for this bloody horror satire that offers an inventive twist on the familiar stranded-inthe- woods subgenre.
As five friends pile into an RV bound for a secluded cabin far from civilization, the operators of a mysterious hi-tech control room monitor their every move while preparing an arcane ritual that dates back to the beginning of time.
At selected cinemas throughout the country.EXHIBITION 2. FREE FOR ALL Among the many institutes and museums that will open their doors on Independence Day for free are the Israel Museum in Jerusalem (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), where visitors will be invited to join Mimi Kogan in dancing and enjoy the Hora Dancers performances. The Eretz Israel Museum in Tel Aviv (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.) will have a special exhibition for the holiday – “Champions,” the story of 100 years of soccer in Israel.
FESTIVAL 3. IT’S MAGIC International and Israeli magicians will participate in the Magicians’ Festival in Holon, marking 30 years since the establishment of the Israel Magicians’ Association. Over two days of activities, an array of magical skills will be on display, from card tricks to mentalism. The best of Israel’s illusionists, such as Nimrod Harel and Amir Lustig, will present their latest tricks alongside South Korea’s finest wizard, Yu Ho Jin, and David Copperfield consultant Andrew Wayne.
May 2 and 3 at the Holon Theater.www.magic2012.co.il.4. WHITE INThe White City Music Festival will take place at the Tel Aviv Port from May 1 to 10, with an impressive lineup of top acts, including master vocalist Bobby McFerrin, jazz band Yellowjackets, Balkan Goran Bregovic, Al Foster and Steve Hackett, as well as Shlomo Gronich, Shlomi Shaban and Avishai Cohen.
(03) 602-0888 and www.tlv-music.com.5. DULY DOCUMENTEDThe DocAviv Festival, the international documentary festival, runs from May 3 to 12 at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque and other venues. The festival opens with a film that combines art and politics, Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry. This documentary about the controversial Chinese artist, who has been under house arrest for months, sets the tone for a festival in which films about the arts are front and center.
For more information and to purchase tickets, go to the festival website at www.docaviv.co.il6. DAYS OF THE RAJThe Jerusalem Confederation House hosts the second annual Celebrating India in Israel festival, bringing the rich tapestry of Indian cultures to Israel, with the help of the Indian Embassy in Israel and Teamwork Productions India. The artists in the program include the folk traditions of Rajasthan Josh, violin virtuoso Dr. L. Subramaniam and his ensemble, master Pandit Mishra playing the classical sarangi, and master musician Ustad Bahauddin Dagar and his Israeli student Dudu Elkabir.
www.celebratingindiaisrael.com MUSIC 7. CLIMB THE LADDER It’s that time of the year again, when we head off for the northwestern tip of the Kinneret to groove, shake a leg, sing along or just chill out to the folkie, bluesy, Celtic, country, pop and several other musical genres at the three-day Jacob’s Ladder Festival from May 3 to 5 with an artistic lineup that features some stellar imports from the US, such as Mike Scott and his five-piece Nashville Band, Rik Palieri, and folk-pop singer-songwriter Mikey Pauker from Los Angeles.
For tickets and more information about the Jacob’s Ladder Festival: (04) 685-0403.8. GET THE SATCHMO FEEL Dutch jazz trumpeter Michael Varekamp is the star of the next installment of this year’s Hot Jazz series, featuring the music of Louis Armstrong. The concerts will take place all over the country from May 5 to 12.
Varekamp will be joined by vocalist Machteld Cambridge and instrumentalists Kobi Salomon, Shai Zelman, Yonatan Volchuk and Donovan Bullen.
Ganei Tikva at Mercaz Habama on May 5 at 9 p.m. In Jerusalem at the Gerard Behar Center on May 7 at 9 p.m. At the Zappa Club in Herzliya on May 8 – doors open at 8:30 p.m., show starts 10 p.m. In Modi’in at Einan Hall on May 9 at 9 p.m. At the Tel Aviv Museum of Art on May 10 at 9 p.m. and May 11 at 9:30 p.m. In Haifa at Beit Abba Khoushy House on May 12 at 9 p.m.9. ON THE LIGHT SIDE New York-based Russian-born singer and actor YaYa (Yakov Yavno), one of the most preeminent performers to immigrate to the United States from the former Soviet Union, returns to Israel for four performances. Catch his captivating performances entitled “The Road Home,” which incorporates folk, pop and classical music into contemporary arrangements.
Sunday: Beit Hahayal in Tel Aviv. Monday: Heichal Hatarbut in Beersheba. Tuesday: Rapaport Center in Haifa. Wednesday, May 2, Ashdod, Dyuna Community Center at 8 p.m. 072-275-3221. UPCOMING
10. LONE SOLDIER WALK The sixth annual community walk in aid of Habayit Shel Benji, a home for lone soldiers, opens this year in Ra’anana on May 4.
The registration and pre-walk warm-up exercises with Great Shape take place at 8 a.m; the walk starts at 8.45 a.m. from the amphitheater parking lot, Ra’anana Park. Choose from new 3-km. or 6-km. stroller-friendly routes. Minimum donation NIS 100. Children under 16, students and serving soldiers NIS 50.
To register online: www.benjihillman.org or contact David Rurka at rurka@zahav.net.il (The Benji Hillman Foundation)