1. THE MUPPETS When an evil oil man discovers black gold beneath the Muppet Theater, Kermit recruits a Muppet superfan and his two best friends to help round up the gang for a telethon that will save the venue from being razed and replaced with a giant oil pump. Starring Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Rashida Jones.At selected cinemas throughout the country
CLASSICAL
2. FUN UP NORTH Gather the family and head up to Kibbutz Kfar Blum for its From Russia with Love Weekend. Highlights include a concert of works by Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff, as well as a performance by pianist Gil Shohat (pictured) and Russian soprano Maria Kabelsky. Saturday activities include kayaking, nature walks and a yoga workshop.Runs today through Saturday, Pastoral Hotel, Kibbutz Kfar Blum, (04) 683-6611.MIXED BAG
3. IN FOR A SHEKEL For the past few years, the One Shekel Festival has brought some of Israel’s top musicians to cities on the periphery to play for a symbolic NIS 1 entrance fee. This week’s festival is in Sderot and will be preceded by a carnival that will include outdoor theatrical performances, food and souvenir tents, clowns, mimes and other street performers and activities for children. Musical acts include Geva Alon (pictured), Alma Zohar and many more.Runs Tuesday through next Thursday, www.beshekel.org.il
THEATER
4. STATE OF THE ART? The Haifa Theater is mounting a revival of Yasmina Reza’s Art, a biting and very funny comedy that delves into the essence of art and friendship. When Serge (Ehud Knoller) pays a fortune for a white rectangle he deems superb modern art, his best friend Mark (Natan Datner) throws a fit. Things only get worse when Ivan (Norman Issa) tries to keep the peace. Art premiered in France in 1994, where it won the Moliere Prize, followed in short order by a Tony and a Laurence Olivier award. It was first performed in Israel at Beit Lessin in 1996. In Hebrew.
Runs tonight through Monday (excluding Friday), 8:30 p.m., 50 Pevzner Street, Haifa, (04) 860-0500.
MUSIC
5. MAD ABOUT MOSH Songwriter, musician and composer Mosh Ben-Ari’s music is a celebration of groove and spirit, blending rock, soul, reggae and world music together with his rich, unique voice. To date, Ben-Ari has released three solo albums including 2004’s Israeli gold album Derech. He also founded the world music ensemble Sheva, which continues to tour the world, playing at the most prestigious music festivals. Catch him as he performs many of his hits at Jerusalem’s Zappa at The Lab. NIS 88/110.
Tonight, 9 p.m., 28 Hebron Road, Jerusalem, (02) 629-2000.
DANCE
6. STEPPING IN The Batsheva Dance Company performs its critically acclaimed Kamuyot, a piece that uses non-traditional performance space to blur the lines between dancer and observer. Kamuyot features a diverse range of music, extending from Japanese pop to reggae, creating a magical and surreal atmosphere.
Saturday at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Varda Studio, the Suzanne Dellal Center, Tel Aviv, (03) 517-3711.
EXHIBITION
7. DO THE LOCOMOTION
Ongoing at the Israel Museum, Jerusalem
8. LET THERE BE LIGHT In time for Hanukka, origami artist Ilan Grebe’s latest exhibit explores the relationship between light and matter and blurs the boundaries between modern design principles and ancient Japanese art. Using a rare technique, Grebe has created lighting fixtures made of paper combined with Japanese red mahogany.
Starts Monday at the Henkin Design Gallery, Holon, www.holon.muni.il
MIXED BAG
9. ON THE CATWALK Cat lovers can prepare themselves for Hatuliada 2011, a cat show taking place at Rishon Lezion’s Neot Shikma Hall. The competition, which includes several categories, is a great opportunity to encounter a variety of rare feline breeds, including: Siamese, “Sphinx” and Pixie Bob. Apart from the competitions, there will be activity and play corners for kids, as well as a cat adoption zone.Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
FESTIVAL
10. ASHDOD GETS JAZZED UP The annual two-day Ashdod Jazz Festival features close to 100 artists, including the Ashdod Symphony Orchestra, the Andalusian Orchestra and a number of big stars from overseas. One of the the biggest guest stars is veteran Jewish American trumpeter Randy Brecker (pictured), who has appeared here many times over the past 25 years, principally with his late brother saxophonist Michael in The Brecker Brothers fusion band. Other guests from abroad include New York combo Baby Soda Dixieland, saxophonist Oleg Kireyev and singer Antoinette Montague. Shows will start each day at 8 p.m. and end in the wee hours.
Runs Wednesday through next Thursday. For tickets and more information: 1-800-100-012 and www.cartis.habama.co.il