Out and About: Top 10 things to do

The Connecticut-based modern dance company Pilobolus is back in Isarael to perform their latest work, Shadowland.

By SHAWN RODGERS
Pilobolus dance company 311 (photo credit: courtesy/pilobolus)
Pilobolus dance company 311
(photo credit: courtesy/pilobolus)
1. FILMTINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY Director Tomas Alfredson (Let the Right One In) takes the helm for this adaptation of John Le Carré’s novel about an ex-British agent who comes out of retirement to expose a mole in MI6 in 1973 England. Starring Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Mark Strong, Ciarán Hinds.
At selected cinemas throughout the country.
2. FESTIVAL
THE REEL DEAL The DocAviv Festival in Tel Aviv specializes in the best in world documentary cinema, and now another version of that festival will be opening: DocAviv Galil will run at Ma’alot-Tarshiha, 20 kilometers east of Nahariya. The theme of the festival is the promotion and development of cinema on the periphery of the country. It will feature 30 films, including Yeladim Mesukanim by Amit Goren and Jira by Yaki Ayalon and Yussef Abu Madiam. There will also be a number of workshops and musical performances.
Runs Monday through December 2. For tickets, go to the festival website at www.docaviv.co.il
3. MIXED BAG WALK RIGHT IN The annual Ben-Gurion Parade takes place on Friday in the Negev. The event includes three different walking routes. The shortest is the seven-kilometer family walk, which passes through a number of stations, including David Ben-Gurion’s hut, the Ben-Gurion Academy and the Ben- Gurion burial plot overlooking the impressive landscape of the Tzin Valley. Following the walks, participants will be able to enjoy a number of informative and entertaining activities, including inflatable playing facilities, creative events for children and a sound-and-light show called “Ben-Gurion – Formative Decisions.”
Friday. For more info: (08) 656-4165/109 and www.rng.org.il
4. EXHIBITION THE WOOD MENAGERIE Beit Ticho presents its latest exhibition showcasing the works of German-born sculptor and printmaker Rudi Lehmann (1908-1977). His numerous woodcuts and sculptures, most of which represent animals, manage to convey the essence of their subject in a distilled, tender and naïve way. Though he never achieved wide recognition, Lehmann influenced generations of artists and was one of the most important Israeli sculptors of his time. On view in the exhibition are wood sculptures and woodcuts created mainly during the 1950s and 1960s.
Ongoing at Beit Ticho, 9 Harav Kook Street, Jerusalem, (02) 624-5068
5. MUSIC DECKING IT OUT Singer/actress Yael Deckelbaum has adapted her rich alto voice to a blues/country style, which has lent itself to many songs originally sung by Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez, as well as jazz/soul numbers from the likes of Aretha Franklin and Billie Holiday. However, her favorite is Janis Joplin, and she never gives a performance without including at least one Joplin song. Catch Deckelbaum as she performs some original material, as well as many popular folk/country songs. NIS 50.
Thursday, 10, Martef 10, 23 Jerusalem Street, Haifa, (04) 824-0762
6. A PAT ON THE BACK Jazz guitar legend Pat Metheny returns to Israel this week for a show at Hangar 11 in Tel Aviv. The 56-year-old Metheny has won 17 Grammys and sold more than 20 million records over his career while collaborating with everyone from David Bowie and Joni Mitchell to Herbie Hancock and Ahinoam Nini. For Metheny’s first show here since 2000, the large venue will be set up as a big jazz club with seating around tables.
Saturday and Sunday, 10 p.m., Hangar 11, Tel Aviv, www.tkts.co.il
7. SPORTS UP TO SPEED? Cycle Jerusalem is participating in Critical Mass, a community bike ride to raise awareness about cycling safety in Jerusalem. The ride is at an easy pace and is suitable for all ages. Come equipped with a bike, helmet and water.
Friday, 12 noon, meet at Hamashbir Plaza, King George Avenue (top of Ben-Yehuda Street), Jerusalem, www.cyclejerusalem.org
8. DANCE IN THE SHADOWS The Connecticut-based modern dance company Pilobolus is recognized as a major American dance company of international influence. Made up of three artistic directors and seven dancers, they are back in Israel to perform their latest work, Shadowland. This high-energy show is based on work with shadows that combine anime, circus, dance and more.
Runs Tuesday through December 10 throughout the country, www.hoh-herzliya.co.il
9. STYLISH SHOWCASE Just as it has for the past 16 years, the Suzanne Dellal Dance Center is hosting International Exposure 2011. The event showcases the best of Israeli dance for festival and dance center artistic directors from abroad, as well as visiting journalists. This year’s Exposure features 19 established dance makers, together with nine young up-and-comers from this year’s Shades of Dance. They include Inbal Pinto and Avshalom Pollak with String Architecture and this year’s Shades of Dance winner Yoni Sutkhi with Ben.
Runs Wednesday through December 4, www.suzannedellal.org.il
10. UPCOMING FESTIVAL ON THE TOP RUNG On the shores of Lake Kinneret, the air will once again be filled with music: It’s time for the sixth annual Jacob’s Ladder winter weekend. This indoor festival will feature 24 hours of musical entertainment, storytelling sessions, singing, dancing, an open stage, tai chi, a variety of workshops and a craft fair. Special foreign attractions this year include Canadian- Irish duo Sophie Lavoie and Fiachra O’Regan.
Runs December 2 & 3, www.jlfestival.com