Out and About: Top 10 things to do

The Suzanne Dellal Center will host two contemporary dance performances from the Far East.

By COMPILEDAMBERLEA CENTNER
Rokujo 390 (photo credit: Courtesy)
Rokujo 390
(photo credit: Courtesy)
FILM
1.HUGO
Based on Brian Selznick’s novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret, the film Hugo is set in 1930s Paris and tells the story of an orphan (Asa Butterfield) living alone in a train station, who befriends a toy shop owner (Ben Kingsley) and is wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father (Jude Law) and an automaton. Acclaimed director Martin Scorsese’s first 3D film, Hugo was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, nine BAFTAs and three Golden Globe Awards.
At selected cinemas throughout the country
THEATER
2. YOU’VE GOT TO PICK A POCKET OR TWO
The Light Opera Group of the Negev presents Dodger (Tom Amsellem), Fagin (Eric Isaacson) and Oliver (Marva Korine) in one of the best-loved family classics of all time – Lionel Bart’s Oliver!.
Based on the book Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, Oliver! tells the tale of an orphan in Victorian England who runs away from his orphanage and hooks up with a group of boys trained to be pickpockets by an elderly mentor. In English with translation in Hebrew and Russian.
Thursday February 23 and Wednesday March 21 and Thursday March 22 at 8 p.m.

at the Beersheba Performing Arts Center, 050-762-3422; Monday February 27 at 8 p.m. at the Nesher Performing Arts Center, (08) 641-4081; Thursday March 1 at 8 p.m. at the Netanya Performing Arts Center, (09) 830-6235 and (09) 862-9019; Monday March 5 at 8 p.m. at the Givatayim Theater, (03) 696-0389; Sunday March 11 at 8 p.m. at the Modi’in Performing Arts Center, (08) 973-7333 and 050-825-1923; Wednesday March 14 at 8 p.m and Thursday March 15 at 6 p.m. at the Jerusalem Theater; Monday March 19 at 8 p.m. at the Kfar Saba Performing Arts Center, (09) 748- 2957/(03) 921-2152
OPERA
3. HELPING A FRIEND IN NEED
Acclaimed American soprano Michelle Crider is back in Israel to perform with the Israeli Opera soloists and choir in a benefit concert.
The proceeds will be donated to Israeli opera singer Shira Shafir, who has been left homeless due to a fire that gutted her home. Crider and Shafir became close friends when Crider visited Israel to perform with the Israeli Opera a few years ago.
On the program is a selection of arias and ensemble pieces from well-loved operas.
NIS 50, Sunday February 26 at 6 p.m. at the Opera House – Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center, (03) 692-7777
MUSIC
4. BEATLES BEATS AND HARMONIES
Celebrated percussionist Chen Zimbalista is the artistic director of the polyphonic a cappella group the Vocal Octet in performances of The Beatles’ iconic album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and other classic Beatles hits in Modi’in, Tel Aviv and Haifa.
NIS 70 to NIS 119. Tuesday February 28 at 8:30 p.m. at the Inan Hall, Modi’in, (08) 973-7333; Thursday March 1 at 9 p.m. at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, (03) 573-3001; Saturday March 3 at 9 p.m. at Beit Abba Khoushy, Haifa, (04) 822-7850
5. VOCAL MAGIC
Tomorrow, musician Idan Raichel will host The Magic of Bulgarian Voices female choir as part of the World Music Series, which showcases diverse styles and genres of music from around the world. The choir’s singular sound, which combines exotic voices, complex melodies and folk music, has made it one of the most famous female choirs in the world.
NIS 160/200/245; Subscriptions NIS 325 to 635. 10 p.m. at the Opera House – Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center, (03) 692-7777, www.israel-opera.co.il
6. PIANO PIECES
Following his successful visit to Israel four years ago, prolific French pianist Richard Clayderman is back and will perform the best of his works, such as the 12-minute Titanic Symphony and pieces from legendary movies including West Side Story, Harry Potter, Schindler’s List, Evita and Love Story in a series of concerts in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv-Jaffa and Haifa.
Thursday March 1 at 8:30 p.m. at the Jerusalem Theater, Bimot *6226; Friday March 2 at 2 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at the Gesher Theater in Jaffa, Hadran *2274; Saturday March 3 at 8:30 p.m. at the HaifaAuditorium, Gerber (04) 843-8477
7. SOUNDS OF SAN REMO
The stars of the San Remo Festival will perform a one-off show in Israel on Saturday.
The San Remo Festival is one of the foremost music festivals in Europe and has helped launch the career of artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Eros Ramazzotti and Toto Cutugno. On the bill for the show in Israel are Toto Cutugno, Albano Carrisi, the Pooh Band, Ivana Spagna, Valerio Miglietta, Roberto Vecchioni, Enrico Ruggeri, David Gionfriddo and Gianni Forellino.
From NIS 299. Saturday February 25 at 8 p.m. at the Nokia Arena in Tel Aviv. *2274 and (03) 609-1769
CHILDREN
8. INTERACTIVE MUSICAL FUN
Children aged four to eight are in for an interactive musical treat at the Jerusalem Festival Orchestra’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker at the Latrun Monastery on Saturday. Actress and storyteller Avia Rott will accompany the orchestra and will be sure to put a smile on the little ones’ faces.
NIS 50. Saturday February 25 at noon at the Latrun Monastery, (02) 535-6954.
DANCE
9. FAR EASTERN FARE
A great opportunity for dance aficionados to observe firsthand the fascinating interplay between traditional Far Eastern choreography and contemporary Western choreography, the Suzanne Dellal Center will host two contemporary dance performances from the Far East: The Argument by the South Korean Choe Contemporary Dance Company, and Rokujo, a piece choreographed by Japanese choreographer Haruka Ueda.
NIS 120 – 140. The Argument – Choe Contemporary Dance Company: Thursday March 1 at 9 p.m. and Friday March 2 at 2 p.m.; Rokujo: Sunday March 12 and Monday March 13 at 9 p.m. at the Suzanne Dellal Center, (03) 510-5656, www.suzannedellal.org.il
UPCOMING MIXED BAG
10. WINTER WONDERLAND
The Old Train Station complex in Jerusalem will be transformed into an icy winter wonderland in March and April, when it hosts the International Ice Festival, which will take place in Israel for the first time. The festival will include an ice exhibition sculpted by 35 artists that includes a mini ice Jerusalem arena, a fantasy themed arena, a children’s stories and animals themed arena, ice skating rinks and an ice bar.
NIS 65. March 6 to April 30. Bimot *6226 and (02) 623-7000, www.arieljer.org.il