CLASSICAL
4. HERITAGE OF SONG The Israeli Opera presents the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra in a concert of popular Jewish liturgical songs. Included are works by Dvorak, Ravel and Bloch. Conducted by Frederic Chaslin (pictured), the concert features mezzosoprano Ayala Zimbler and tenor Guy Mannheim.
Sunday, 8 p.m., www.israel-opera.co.il MIXED BAG 5. COMPETITION ON THE CATWALK Cat lovers can prepare themselves for a cat carnival taking place at Holon’s sports center this weekend. The competition, which features several categories, is a great opportunity to encounter a variety of rare feline breeds such as Siamese, Sphinx and Pixie Bob. Apart from the competitions, there will be activity and play corners for kids, as well as an adoption zone.Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., (04) 951-4279.CONCERT 6. LEVIN’S WORDS IN SONG Tomorrow at noon, Mediatheque Holon hosts the next session of the Let the Words Flow Over You series, devoted to works by the late iconic dramatist, author and poet Hanoch Levin. The event, which goes by the title It Happens When It Happens, features an impressive roster of top singers and other performing artists such as Lillian Baretto, Dror Keren, Yahli Sobol and Eran Tzur.For tickets and more information: (03) 502-1552 MUSIC 7. GIRAFFES, ANYONE?No longer just the mainstay of hippies and backpackers, the Giraffot have slowly become one of Israel’s most popular bands. Join acclaimed singer-songwriter Gilad Kahana as he plays his raw, original, thought-provoking hits at Kibbutz Dan’s Mushroom Club. NIS 60/65/70Tonight, 10:30, 050-730-5398 LECTURE 8. IN THE SHADOW OF THE GREAT EMPIRESIn celebration of its 20th anniversary, the Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem, whose collections include artifacts from long-lost empires, presents a lecture series that examines the great empires of the Ancient Near East in the first millennium BCE – Assyria, Babylonia and Persia – and explores their rise, their control over their vast minions and their impact on the history of the Land of Israel. In Hebrew. Free with museum admission.Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., (02) 561-1066.SPORTS 9. EYE OF THE TIGER The Israman competition is one of the most demanding tests of human strength. This year’s competition will feature a 3.8-km. swim, a 180-km. bike ride and a 42-km. run in the mountains around Eilat. Athletes may also participate in the Half Israman competition, which consists of a 1.9-km. swim, a 90-km. bike ride and a 21-km. run.Next Friday, 8 a.m., www.israman.co.il MUSIC 10. JAMMIN’ WITH JANISIconic singer/songwriter Janis Ian was raised in a Jewish family in New York, was part of the Joni Mitchell/Joan Baez school of clear-voiced, articulate female folk/pop singers who emerged in the 1960s and dealt with both emotional and topical issues. Her biggest hits include the ballads “At Seventeen,” and “Jesse” which, along with her 1975 album Between the Lines, established her as the voice of the disenfranchised and lonely.January 21 and 22 at 10 p.m., Reading 3, Tel Aviv, www.reading3.co.il