Out and About: Top 10 things to do

For the wow factor, head to Cirque du Soleil's 'Alegria,' which fills the hearts of viewers with joy and amazement.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Cirque du Soleil's Alegria 390 (photo credit: Guy Prives )
Cirque du Soleil's Alegria 390
(photo credit: Guy Prives )
FILM1. SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN In a twist to the fairy tale, the Huntsman ordered to take Snow White into the woods to be killed winds up becoming her protector and mentor in a quest to vanquish the Evil Queen. With Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron and Bob Hoskins. Around the country.
MIXED BAG
2. IN THE STARS The meteor shower expected to appear in our skies on Sunday is a good enough reason to pack your bags and head for the desert. The clear skies of the desert are the best place to watch the heavens. Night tours, movies and shows await guests, as well as concerts with Maor Cohen and Peter Rott, a midnight party and other activities in both Timna and Hatzeva. Sunday through Wednesday.For a full program, call 1-800-225-007.
3. PLAYING WITH FIRE Kids will have lots of fun at the Wind and Fire Festival at Eshkol Park. Acrobatic shows, night tours, a fire-o-mania extravaganza, hot-air balloons and pool parties for children are among the many attractions that will take place at Eshkol Park from August 9 to 18. For more information, call 072-251- 0271. www.habsor.co.il
KIDS 4. MAGICAL TALES
Three days packed with theater, musical and dance shows for children of all ages are on offer at the Suzanne Dellal Center’s annual Kesem Shel Agada (“magical tales”) Festival of children’s theater. Now in its 22nd year, the festival features many premieres, workshops, puppet shows, free activities and street shows for all to enjoy before going back to school. In Hebrew. Monday through Wednesday, NIS 35 to NIS 65. (03) 510-5656, www.suzannedellal.org.il
THEATER 5. THE WOW FACTOR
Cirque du Soleil arrived in Israel last week for the first time, bringing to local crowds its current show. Alegria, which means “happiness” in Spanish, fills the hearts of viewers with joy and amazement as they are led through sensational fantasy-filled visions, breathtaking acrobatics, bizarre outfits and out-of-thisworld scenes.
August 8-25 at the Nokia Arena in Tel Aviv.

Weekdays at 8:30 p.m., Fridays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. NIS 220 to NIS 350, 10% off for children. For more details about the show, go to www.cirquedusoleil.com. For tickets, call *9066
FESTIVAL
6. AN ANIMATED EVENT This year’s Animix International Animation Comics and Caricature Festival started last night at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque and continues until Sunday. The festival’s foreign program includes a Focusin (China Focus) slot.
The local side will be provided by Belgianborn Jerusalemite comics artist Michel Kichka, an animated tribute to James Bond, Oscar-winning animation, as well as new films from around the world, and the local animation competition.
For tickets and more information about the Animix festival: (03) 606-0800 and www.animixfest.co.il
7. ECO FUN The Hagoshrim Nature Hotel is hosting an ecological festival this week with activities for the whole family, such as creative recycling workshops, tours, puppet shows and exhibitions.
August 12-18. For more information and room reservations, call (04) 681- 6001 or go to www.hagoshrimhotel.co.il
8. CHAMBER MUSIC The annual Jerusalem Chamber Music Festival returns on September 1, and it is time to reserve your seats for what is considered by music lovers to be one of the highlights of the year. This year the festival, directed by Elena Bashkirova, will pay homage to Russian music and works by Schubert, as well as the 150th anniversary of Debussy’s birth. As in every year, a host of top musicians from around the world will take part in the 16 concerts played over 15 days.
For the full program and tickets, go to www.jcmf.org.il. Tel: (02) 625-0444.
9. JEWISH SOUL MUSIC Celebrating its 25th year, the Klezmer Festival this year presents a rich, starstudded program with local performers such as Berry Sakharof and Shuli Rand, alongside the big names of Jewish music from around the world. Artists will perform on eight stages throughout the Old City of Safed.
There will also be a few female klezmer bands. More than 100 free shows await visitors, as well as many other events such as a sing-along evening into the night and clarinet masterclasses with Giora Feidman.
August 20-22, Safed. For a detailed program, go to www.klezmerf.com
10. SUMMER’S END The internationally successful Israeli electro band Infected Mushroom, whose concerts fill up weeks in advance, will host Mayumana, another Israeli success that has been performing worldwide, for a special “electronic revolution” to mark the end of the summer vacation. Part of the Front Stage series of the Jerusalem Municipality, the event will take place at Sacher Park on August 30. Special sound systems have been built for the occasion, as well as bars built around the area.
August 30, Sacher Park, Jerusalem. From 6 p.m. NIS 95 to NIS 115. Reduced prices for Jerusalem Card holders. Call *6226.