City notes: Israel center stage

It’s a great week to be an arts-goer in Israel

By ARIANE MANDELL
Kids can learn about the Hebrew months via the Comedian Ze’ev Revach (left) and Mayor Shlomo Bohbot appear ‘Legends of the Moon’ series at Jerusalem’s Beit Avi Chai. (photo credit: MAOZ VISTOCH)
Kids can learn about the Hebrew months via the Comedian Ze’ev Revach (left) and Mayor Shlomo Bohbot appear ‘Legends of the Moon’ series at Jerusalem’s Beit Avi Chai.
(photo credit: MAOZ VISTOCH)
Celebrating the seasons
In a special production for kids, Beit Avi Chai in Jerusalem presents the “Legends of the Moon,” series, a play each month that tells the story of the Hebrew month.
This month, they present The First Rain: a children’s show for the month of Heshvan.
Sah and Har (a play on sahar, a Hebrew word for moon) are the workers responsible for hanging the moon in the sky. Each month, they put on a show for kids that explains what’s special and characteristic about that month, complete with a special moral, music, scenery and costumes.
The shows are in Hebrew and are recommended for ages four to eight.
Performances take place at 5 p.m. on November 8, 12, 13 and 14 at Beit Avi Chai, 33 King George Avenue, Jerusalem.
Tickets are NIS 30 per child and NIS 10 for an escorting adult. For tickets, check out www.bac.org.il/.
Piano City
From November 8 to 11, the Tel Aviv Piano Festival will serenade the White City from the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.
An eclectic variety of artists is spread over each day, including Mooke, Riff Cohen and Jane Bordeaux, plus special performances just for kids.
Ticket prices depend on the show, and several shows are already sold out, so hurry to www.pianofestival.co.il/ or call *9080 to book yours. 27 Shaul Hamelech Boulevard, Tel Aviv.
Munch to the music
If you’ve been dying to get in on Zappa Club’s Chef & Show series, which combines a unique musical performance with dishes from famous chefs, but you’re not much of a night owl, now’s your chance! On November 10, there will a special Friday lunch pairing of Kobi Aflalo and chef Avi Levy. It’s a natural match: The Moroccan flavors of Aflalo’s Mizrahi pop will be accompanied by North African dishes made famous in Levi’s well known Hamotzi restaurant in Jerusalem.
Zappa Herzliya. Tickets are NIS 144 per person. The performance starts at 2 p.m., but doors open and food is available starting at 12:15. For more info and tickets, go to www.zappa-club.co.il/, or call *9080.
NORTH
Docaviv meets the Galilee In celebration of 60 years of Ma’alot-Tarshiha, DocAviv, which aims to present quality documentaries that raise burning social and cultural subjects, is hosting a Galilee film festival.
More than 30 documentaries from Israel and abroad will be screened and there will be live performances by Muna Abu Nasr, the joint Ma’alot-Tarshiha Orchestra and others. Many of the directors and other artistic staff from the films will give talks about their work and there will be exhibitions of local artists, workshops, seminars, guided tours of the area and more. Of special interest are the premiere of Sallah, followed by a conversation with filmmakers Dod Drai, Ruth Yuval and Doron Glazer, and special films about the founding of Ma’alot-Tarshiha.
The festival will take place from November 7 to 11 in several locations across the city, including the cultural hall, Apter Memorial Arts Center, the Pais event hall at the ORT school, and more. Most tickets are NIS 20 for a film and workshop, though Western Galilee residents get 1+1 for the same film, and students and soldiers are admitted free. For more information and tickets, check out www.docaviv.co.il/galilee2017/.
SOUTH
Cinema under the desert stars If you’re a film buff in the south of Israel, you’re in luck, too.
From November 9 to 18 the fifth Annual Arava Desert Film festival is a great chance to snuggle up under the stars with a great flick. The festival features top-notch films from the most prestigious festivals in the world, plus special stuff for kids and teenagers (think The Princess Bride and The Never Ending Story) and short films that were shot in the Arava over the last year.
Many of the filmmakers will be present for the screenings and happy to speak with audiences afterwards.
Single film tickets are NIS 60 each for adults, and NIS 45 for children (ages 3 and up), or you can buy a 10-film pass for NIS 350. Special bandstands for seating will be set up between the bluffs of the eastern Negev. Blankets and warm clothing are encouraged – the desert gets chilly at night. For the full lineup and tickets, visit www.aravaff.co.il or call 052-366-6646. The festival grounds are near the community of Tzukim, but detailed directions are available on the festival website.