Forget your preconceived notions about what constitutes a visit to the museum, and experience art and the creative process live, in a dynamic and vibrant atmosphere.Contact Point, an all-night arts festival, returns to the Israel Museum on July 12.Artistic director, artist and choreographer Renana Raz curates this year’s evening of tantalizing late-night encounters between the museum landscape, the artwork and dozens of artists and creative individuals who draw inspiration from the Israel Museum’s dramatic settings.Among the featured events of the evening, participants will be able to join theater director Itzik Weingarten, who brings the genre of the radio play back to life in the Art Garden; Avi Ha Zamar leads Henry Moore’s Three Piece Sculpture: Vertebrae in a dance; radio personality Eran Sabag plays, sings and talks about the connection between Hassidism and the blues at the heart of the Israel Museum’s current “Hassidim” exhibition; Rafik Kimchi leads a blindfolded group on a tour; popular singer-songwriter Rona Keinan performs in an evening of love songs, revulsion, admiration and in praise of God in the Archaeology Wing’s Holyland Gallery; Noam Inbar stages a continuous musical concert during which the audience reclines on mattresses; and radio personality and musician Benny Bashan presents a special program on the museum’s Crown Plaza square, broadcast through earphones only.The already traditional “Silent Wii Party,” a silent dance party in which guests gather under the open sky and dance to music played through wireless headphones, is held under Anish Kapoor’s Turning the World Upside Down, Jerusalem.And to end the night, an electronic chillout after-party takes place in the Shrine of the Book.Participants include Eyal Shani, Rona Keinan, Alex Epstein, Rafik, Noam Inbar, rob & sabbo (soulico), Shai Id Aloni, Yoav Kutner, Uri Kinrot, Noa Shadur, Tal Kalay, Guy Yitzhaki, Eli Petel, students from the art department at the Bezalel Academy, Ishai Adar and more.The full list of participants will be published closer to the event’s date (see page 11).The event is organized in collaboration with the Jerusalem Season of Culture. Thursday July 12, from 9 p.m. - 3 a.m. Gates open at 8 p.m.
At the Art Garden and throughout the museum campus. No extra charge. For reservations, call (02) 677-1300. Complete program is available online at www.imj.org.il or jerusalemseason.com.2. KITE-FLYING FESTIVAL Another tradition at the museum is the Annual Kite-Flying Festival. The festival returns for the 27th time, and this year the theme for the kite-making workshops will be based on the exhibition “Crossplay: Male Actors, Female Roles in Kabuki Theater.”The kite-making workshop will take place in the Youth Wing classrooms. The kite-flying and musical parade of giant puppets will be in the Billy Rose Art Garden and in the Museum Plaza, between 4-7 p.m. August 21 between 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Workshops 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. and kite flying 4 p.m.-7 p.m.3. KABUKI THEATER SHOW A lecture and a demonstration with actors from Japan, to coincide with the exhibition “Crossplay: Male Actors, Female Roles in Kabuki Theater,” will be held at the museum.A troupe of kabuki actors specializing in women’s roles arrives from Japan especially for this performance to perform and demonstrate the distinctive style of kabuki acting.Dressed in magnificent costumes and made up to look like women, the actors expose the secrets behind this colorful and unique form of theater and explain the meaning of this form of movement and music.The performance will last one hour, at the end of which there will be a tour of the exhibition.The event is organized in cooperation with the Japanese Embassy in Israel and the Japan Foundation, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Israel and Japan.The event will take place in the Springer Auditorium, on Thursday August 30 at 8 p.m., and Friday August 31 at 2 p.m. NIS 75; members NIS 65. Call (02) 677-1300.4. AMIR BENAYOUN – TREE ON WATER Amir Benayoun, accompanied by a new group of musicians, takes the stage in a performance that celebrates the release of his latest album, Songs of Faith, dealing with selfdiscovery and love in his own simple, moving way.The seated performance will take place in the Sculpture Garden (unassigned seating).Warm clothing is recommended.Gates open at 7:30 p.m. NIS 150. NIS 140 for members / soldiers / students on presentation of valid identification. Tickets on sale on the museum website or by phone at (02) 677-1300. Space is limited.5. ISRAELI WINE-TASTING FESTIVAL Don’t miss the annual celebration of wine tasting from the leading wineries in Israel, held in the beautiful settings of the Billy Rose Art Garden, to the sounds of jazz.This event has long been a must for winelovers in the city. As night falls, the temperatures may fall, so bring warm clothing.Space is limited, so purchase your tickets soon.NIS 80 per person includes a wine glass, unlimited tasting and admission to the museum on Tuesday until 9 p.m. July 30 through August 2, from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
For tickets, call (02) 625-9703.6. WE DON’T WANT TO SLEEP!When night falls and the stars come out, spend a family night together in conjunction with the exhibition “Good Night,” currently on show in the Youth Wing. An activity-filled, experiential art event for the whole family: guided tours in the dark, investigating the phenomenon of bats, an introduction to the night sky, installation performances and live music. This is a great nighttime happening for the whole family, which will take place throughout the museum campus.
August 7-24 from 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. Free for children; adults included in regular admission ticket.
7. NIGHT ALL DAYA fun-filled special activity – Nighttime All Day Long – is offered at the Youth Wing Activity Yard, with its cool, dim atmosphere.The theme was inspired by the “Good Night” exhibition.Among the activities offered will be sculpture-making in the dark, paper flashlights, creating (almost) real bats, and baking moon- and starshaped cookies.
Starting July 17, on Tuesday 4-7 p.m. During the month of August: on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m; Tuesdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-7 p.m; Fridays 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Ages 6 and up NIS 30; NIS 25 for Family Membership holders.8. RECYCLING WORKSHOPIn the Moonlit Workshop, turn buttons into stars, create moons out of plates and transform industrial waste into art. This workshop is a great activity for kids ages 3 and up.Through July on Tuesdays from 4-7 p.m.; August (until the 24th) on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m.-3 p.m; and on Tuesdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 3-7 p.m.
NIS 15; NIS 10 for Family Membership holders.
9. GOOD NIGHT – GUIDED TOURSIn conjunction with the exhibition “Good Night,” there will be an active family tour In the Footsteps of the Night, which will take participants throughout the museum campus.
August (until the 24th): Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 12:30 and 2:30 p.m; Tuesdays 12:30, 2:30 and 5 p.m; and Fridays 12 noon. The tour is for families with children ages 7–12. NIS 20; NIS 15 for Family Membership holders).10. BLACK BOOK, WHITE BOOKCome listen to bedtime stories at the Illustration Library while examining nighttime illustrations. Suitable for children ages 4–7.Throughout the month of July, on Tuesdays at 5 p.m. and Fridays at 11 a.m. During August (until the 24th), Sundays – Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. (NIS 20; NIS 15 for Family Membership holders). Follow @JPost_Lifestyle