Out & About: Top 10 things to do in Israel this week

The Jerusalem Conservatory Hasadna celebrates its 40th anniversary with a concert by the some of the most promising young musicians in Israel.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Young musicians (photo credit: Courtesy)
Young musicians
(photo credit: Courtesy)
FILM
1. DARK COMEDY
In a A Long Way Down, a disgraced TV host (Pierce Brosnan), a stroppy teen (Imogen Poots), a failed rock star (Aaron Paul) and the depressed mother (Toni Collette) of a disabled child meet at the top of a notorious suicide spot in London on New Year’s Eve. They all want to commit suicide but instead form a supportive gang, whose brush with despair makes them a subject of interest for the facile and exploitative media world.
2. AN INTRIGUING GENRE
The 16th annual Docaviv, Tel Aviv’s International Documentary Festival, opens today and will run until May 17 at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque and other venues around the city. The program is varied, leaving no doubt that the documentary is the most interesting genre of movies today.
For a full program and tickets, go to www.docaviv.co.il/2014-en/
MUSIC
3. 40 YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENT
The Jerusalem Conservatory Hasadna celebrates its 40th anniversary with a concert by the some of the most promising young musicians in Israel. Orchestras, chamber ensembles and soloists perform a musical program celebrating four decades of musical achievement in Jerusalem.
Tuesday at the Jerusalem Theater. Reception at 7 p.m. Concert at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, but tickets must be reserved in advance. Call (02) 563-0017.
4. OUT WITH A BANG
Israel’s 25th annual Big Band Festival takes place in Kfar Saba from Sunday to Tuesday, featuring dozens of concerts around the city. In the closing concert in the city center, hundreds of musicians from numerous bands will perform Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, complete with fireworks. Free admission.
5. PIANO HIT PARADE
Winner of the Rubinstein Competition, pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk will perform a recital at the Israel Conservatory of Music Auditorium.
On the program are favorite piano pieces such as Schumann’s Kinderszenen, Mozart’s Piano Sonata in C Major and Liszt’s Tarantella from Venezia e Napoli.
Friday, 11:30 a.m., 25 Louis Marshall Street, Tel Aviv, (03) 546-6228, www.icm.org.il
6. MEDITERRANEAN INFLUENCE
The Tel Aviv Soloists ensemble will host soprano Claire Meghnagi in a concert dedicated to Greek and Hungarian-influenced music.
Saturday at 8:30 p.m. at the Rappaport Auditorium in Haifa; Sunday at 8:30 p.m. at the Israel Conservatory in Tel Aviv; and Monday at 8:30 p.m. at the Weil Center in Kfar Shmaryahu. For tickets, go to www.cartisiminfo.co.il.
ART
7. DISCARDED PIECES OF HUMANITY
In Meira Grossinger’s exhibition “Over the Ocean,” the artist explores new and undiscovered realms of pain and solitude. Her installments are created from pieces of textile, furniture and metal discarded by society.
Opens today at 8 p.m., until June 7. Florentine 45 Contemporary Art Space, 45 Florentine, Tel Aviv, 050-276- 3249, www.45florentine.com.
MIXED
8. HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Author Amos Oz is the guest of honor at the Tzavta Theater Kabbalat Shabbat, celebrating his birthday and the publication of Jews and Words, a book he wrote with his daughter, Fania Oz Salzberger. There will be many distinguished guests, and poet Miron Izakson will talk about the weekly Torah portion.
Friday at 11 a.m., Tzavta Theater, Tel Aviv, (03) 695-0156.
9. NIGHTS AT THE OPERA
Verdi’s popular Rigoletto returns to the Israeli Opera in Tel Aviv, directed by British theater and opera director David Pountney.
The production, created for the Israeli Opera, returns by popular demand.
May 21 to June 26. For tickets and information: (03) 692-7777; www.israel-opera.co.il.
10. STAND-UP FUND-RAISER
Comedy for Koby, the biannual stand-up comedy fund-raising tour for The Koby Mandell Foundation, returns on June 5 to 12. Hosted by Comedy for Koby founder Avi Liberman, the roster features Gina Yashere, Kevin Meaney and Bobby Slayton.
June 5 in Gush Etzion; June 8 in Ra’anana; June 9 in Modi’in; June 10 in Tel Aviv; June 11 in Beit Shemesh; June 12 in Jerusalem. For details and tickets: www.comedyforkoby.com