Out & About: Top 10 things to do

From the opera, to children concerts to art exhibits and dance performance, find out what is going this weekend in Israel.

By SHAWN RODGERS
Dance 521 (photo credit: Courtesy)
Dance 521
(photo credit: Courtesy)
1 FILM: THE FIGHTER Mark Wahlberg stars in this inspirational docudrama exploring the remarkable rise of Massachusetts- born, junior welterweight title winner “Irish” Micky Ward. His Rocky-like rise was shepherded by half-brother Dicky (Christian Bale), a boxer-turned-trainer who rebounded in life after nearly being KO’d by drugs and crime.At selected cinemas throughout the country.
2. MUSIC: A CULTURAL BEAT Idan Raichel has achieved enormous fame and popularity in Israel with his Idan Raichel Project, distinctive for its fusion of ballads and electronics and its incorporation of voices from the Ethiopian immigrant community. Catch Raichel as he performs a wide range of hits as well as songs from his latest album Within My Walls.Tonight, 10:30 p.m., Reading 3, Tel Aviv Port, (03) 762-4000.
3. SABRA SOUNDS With two successful albums, Out of the Silence and On the Brightest Day, both of which reached gold status, Kobi Aflalo does not employ cliches. He seems to speak from the heart, and in doing so has won a much wider audience than most Mizrahi singers. Aflalo claims his music is not limited to one specific genre, though most of the tunes fit into the ethnic-Mizrahi style. Catch Aflalo and his band as they perform strong and emotional texts, stirring arrangements and heart-touching songs at Jerusalem’s The Lab. NIS 80/90.Saturday, 10 p.m., Derech Hebron 28, Jerusalem, (02) 629-2000.
4. OPERA: FIGARO FUN The popular Golden Saturday morning concerts opera series continues with a program dedicated to the story of Figaro, the valet of Count Almaviva, as it is told over the course of the two popular operas – Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) and Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro). Narrated in Hebrew by Michael Ajzenstadt.Saturday, 11 a.m., Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center, (03) 692-7777.
5. THREE MEN AND A LADY The Israeli Opera presents the first performances in Israel of Verdi’s Ernani, the composer’s early success and the opera that put him at the center of the Italian opera map. Set in 16th-century Spain, the story revolves around three men – a king, a nobleman and a bandit (Ernani) – who all fall in love with the same woman. Michal Znaniecki directs this production, which features some of the leading international Verdi opera singers including baritone Carlo Guelfi, bass Paata Burchuladze, soprano Michele Crider and tenor Pierro Giuliacci. Performed in Italian with surtitles in Hebrew and English.Runs tomorrow through January 22, www.israel-opera.co.il or (03) 692-7777.
6. CLASSICAL: LONGING FOR LISZT
The Jerusalem Music Center presents legendary pianist Evgeny Kissin who will perform a solo recital devoted entirely to works by Franz Liszt, one of the greatest pianists and composers of all times, to mark his 200th birthday. The concert launches Kissin’s world tour with this special program, which he will perform in the most distinguished venues in the world, including La Scala, Concertgebouw and Carnegie Hall. NIS 130/280 Saturday, 8:30 p.m., Jerusalem International Convention Center (Binyenei Ha’uma), www.bimot.co.il

7. KIDS: MAESTRO MAGIC
For more than 10 years, Nitza Shaul has been introducing children to the world of great classical composers. This month, Shaul focuses on the exciting and funny story of the childhood of Ludwig van Beethoven in the latest installment of her Enchanted Sounds series. This colorful production features singers, musicians, dancers and Shaul herself.
Runs Tuesday through next Thursday, 5 and 6:30 p.m., Israeli Opera House, (03) 692-7777.

8. EXHIBIT: THE FOUR SEASONS
Featuring European art from the 17th century onward, the Israel Museum's latest exhibition examines the connection between art, mythology, and folklore in an agrarian society dependent on the cycle of the seasons. On display are paintings, prints, sculptures and photographs by artists such as Peter Brueghel's workshop, Isaac I. Levitan, Camille Pissarro, Auguste Rodin, Lesser Uri, Eldar Farber, and Yuval Yairi.
Ongoing at the Israel Museum, Jerusalem. (02) 670- 8811.
9. DANCE: TO THE MAX
The renowned Batsheva Dance Company will stage a repeat performance of its critically acclaimed Max, a creation choreographed by Ohad Naharin and set to music composed by Max Vert, at Tel Aviv’s Suzanne Dellal Center. The performance is so high-energy, two sets of 10 dancers are required to complete the show.
Runs today through tomorrow, 9 p.m., Rehov Yehieli 5, Tel Aviv, (03) 510-5656.
10. UPCOMING FESTIVAL: SWING TIME DOWN SOUTH
Twenty-three years after the summer festival kicked off, Eilat is to have its very own pared-down winter version of the Red Sea Jazz Festival. No fewer than 70 foreign artists and 100 local musicians will grace the Eilat Port’s Hangar 6 indoor stage. This includes some of the biggest names on the global jazz scene, such as 63-year-old Brazilian pianist-guitarist Egberto Gis monti (pictured), Argentinean-born, French-based pianist-vocalist Juan Carlos Caceres and his Tango Negro Trio, and Indian percussionist Trilok Gurtu.
Runs January 20 through 22. www.redseajazzeilat.com