Out and About: Top 10 things to do

Dancer/choreographer Rina Schenfeld, composer/pianist Gil Shohat team up to produce salute to both dance and Frederic Chopin.

By COMPILEDSHAWN RODGERS
ballet Les Sylphides 311 (photo credit: Courtesy)
ballet Les Sylphides 311
(photo credit: Courtesy)
FILM
1. 50/50
Inspired by a true story, 50/50 is an original story about friendship, love, survival and finding humor in unlikely places.
Joseph Gordon- Levitt and Seth Rogen star as best friends whose lives are changed by a cancer diagnosis in this new comedy directed by Jonathan Levine from a script by Will Reiser.
At selected cinemas throughout the country.
MUSIC
2. YOU DON’T MESS WITH THE ZOHAR
Alma Zohar – who is the stepdaughter of musician Ya’acov Rotblit – flows between world beats, rock, pop, soul, reggae, jazz and country elements in her music. She uses high-level Hebrew in her texts and even throws in words from the Bible. Catch this talented musician as she perform songs from her previous two albums. Between songs, Zohar will talk about her work, her childhood in Jerusalem, the musical influence of her stepfather and her mother’s death. NIS 60/70.
Tonight, 8:30, Third Ear, 48 King George Street, Tel Aviv, (03) 621-5208
DANCE
3. DANCING CHOPIN
Dancer/choreographer Rina Schenfeld and composer/pianist Gil Shohat have teamed up to produce a salute to both dance and Frederic Chopin, regarded by many as the greatest piano composer in musical history.
Schenfeld and her company will dance to Chopin’s music for the ballet Les Sylphides, accompanied by Shohat on the piano.
Tuesday, 9 p.m., Suzanne Dellal Center, 5 Yehieli Street, Tel Aviv, (03) 510-5656
FESTIVAL
4. REEL SPIRIT
Tel Aviv’s Cinematheque hosts the Spirit Film Festival, an annual showcase of films, documentaries and shorts from around the globe. The theme of the festival is spirituality, with films exploring how people express their faith and relationship with the divine. A highlight is the screening of Conception (pictured), a new romantic comedy starring David Arquette and Julie Bowen.
Runs Wednesday through November 5, at 2 Shprinzak Street, Tel Aviv, www.spiritfestival.co.il
KIDS
5.OLD CITY QUEST
Jerusalem’s Old City invites children to explore the hidden pathways of its ancient alleyways and meet the history of Jerusalem face to face while carrying out tasks on their way to knighthood.
They can interact with figures from the past, such as Merlin the Magician, kings and princesses, and enjoy performances by acrobats, jugglers and musicians. Afterwards, kids can participate in a creative workshop making accessories for knights and princesses such as those used in the period when the Crusaders ruled the holy city.
Runs every Thursday through November, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., www.jerusalem-oldcity.org.il
6. STARS IN HIS EYES
Jerusalem’s Bloomfield Science Museum presents Signor Galilei, a scientific theater production about astronomer Galileo Galilei who laid the foundations of modern science.
He tossed objects out of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, made significant improvements to the telescope and discovered that stars revolve around the sun. NIS 15.
Saturday, www.mada.org.il/english
ART
7. IN THE PICTURE
For the fourth year in a row, the Manofim project will be inaugurating the Jerusalem art season, with 26 exhibitions and a variety of art events that will be held in various galleries and other locations around the city. For the first time, Manofim will also hold a unique art project in the Old City: Souvenirs. Another new tradition inaugurated this year as part of Manofim is the Mockumenta, the first Mockumentary Film Festival in Israel.
Runs tomorrow through November 3, www.manofim.org
THEATER
8. TICKLING THE FUNNY BONE
Professional English-speaking Jerusalem troupe Way Off Productions opens its season with an evening of comedy. Sure Thing by David Ives features the chance meeting of two characters, Betty and Bill, in this spontaneous and fast-paced repartee. It will be performed as a double feature with Woody Allen’s play God. Set in an empty Greek amphitheater, this madcap play-within-a-play flits chaotically between ancient and modern times as an actor and writer struggle to find a suitable ending for a play. All shows at 8 p.m. NIS 50.
Runs through November 15. To order tickets, call the box office at 054-688-0281.
DANCE
9. RAISING THE CURTAIN
This year’s Curtain Up Dance Festival has works by 10 young choreographers at the Suzanne Dellal Dance Center in Tel Aviv and the Jerusalem Theater. The 10 were chosen from among some 40 applicants, and the work has been divided into three “curtains.” Rather than showcase new works by experienced and established independent choreographers, the festival took these artists and put them in charge of the next generation. Those chosen were dance veterans Tamar Borer (Curtain 1), Sa’ar Azimi (#2) and Ronit Ziv (#3).
Runs next Thursday through November 12, www.suzannedellal.org.il
FESTIVAL
10. I SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE
Movie lovers rejoice as Ashkelon hosts the seventh annual Jewish Eye Film Festival.
During its nine-day run, one can choose from more than 80 Jewish films from 24 countries being screened in this prize-bearing competition. The films are divided into three categories: full-length feature films; full-length documentaries; and short dramas and documentaries.
This year’s guest of honor is Croatian director/screenwriter Branko Ivanda (pictured).

Runs November 13 through 21, www.jewisheye.org.il