A free pass to capital events

It's a great time to be outdoors in Jerusalem, from live Irish music to children's sing-alongs.

By RORY KRESS
It's a great time to be outdoors in Jerusalem. This month, the municipality sponsors tons of family-friendly events to attend for free or for a very small entrance fee. From live Irish music to children's sing-alongs, there's sure to be something to get you outside on the cool summer evenings. So if you've always wanted to learn Israeli folk dancing or if you're hiding a secret urge to be the next Ringo Starr, take advantage of these events that won't break the bank. Today (Friday), 4:30 p.m. After the wild success of the summer concert series on the rooftop at Mishkenot Sha'ananim for the last two years, the music returns, today featuring Danny Sagi's Five. Admission is NIS 30. This year, the series is featuring both new artists as well as some of the best seasoned jazz, world and rock musicians around. Sunday, 5 p.m. The Tayelet Armon Ha'Natziv (Sherover Promenade) hosts a free family-oriented Arabic-language event. Don't worry about the language barrier as one of the main events is a mime-show by Sayid Salaama with child and adult participation encourage, so all are welcome. Thursday, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Drum Circle of Jerusalem will assemble at the corner of Ben Yehuda and Dorot Rishonim. Organized by the municipality, this event is free and family-friendly. Audience participation is encouraged, so feel free to bring absolutely anything percussive to play along. Thursday, 8 p.m., 9:05 p.m., 9:30 p.m. Hazira stages this one of its three-day interdisciplinary performance arts festival with no admission fee. See dance premieres, a video dance screen and an improvisation piece based on The London Improvisers Orchestra - all at the Khan Theater. Details at www.hazira.org.il Thursday, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Jazz Night in the Botanical Gardens including an art fair, as well as a cafe and restaurant open throughout the evening. Price is NIS 20, and members of the Botanical Gardens get 50% off admission. Information and reservations at (02) 679-4012/3. Next Friday (July 27), 4:30 p.m. Also on the rooftop of Mishkenot Sha'ananim, come see local band Cham Vemechamen Boom. Admission is NIS 30. Come an hour early to catch the opening act, DJ Markey Funk. Next Sunday (July 29), 7 - 11 p.m. Put on your dancing shoes and come to Gan Ha'Hapa'amon (Liberty Bell Garden) for free lessons in Israeli folk dancing. Never danced before? Come at 7 p.m. for a beginner's workshop. If you're an old pro, come from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. for the advanced session. The event is free. Every Thursday, 9 p.m. Each week in Gan Daniel outside City Hall, there will be live music. You'll be able to hear everything from 1960s groove to blues and all kinds of world sounds from Greek music to Irish music. The event is free - details at (02) 629-8115. If you enjoy this event, mark your calenders because in the same location, beginning July 31, every Tuesday there will be an assembly of the Jerusalem Musical Parliament complete with all kinds of live singing and storytelling.