With her raspy voice and Billie Holiday style, Grammy Award-winning soul and funk diva Macy Gray returns to Israel for the fourth time.
By SHAWN RODGERSmacy gray 311(photo credit: Courtesy)
1. FILMBLACK SWANNew York City ballet dancer Nina (Natalie Portman) enters into an intense battle of wills with a talented and ambitious new arrival (Mila Kunis) who seems intent on edging her out of the spotlight in this supernatural- flavored psychological thriller from director Darren Aronofsky.At selected cinemas throughout the country.2. MIXED BAGITS BURNS NIGHTCome celebrate the birthday of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, with the best of Scottish cuisine, music, songs and whiskey at the Scots Hotel in Tiberias. The evening will be hosted by Tal Hutiner, Johnnie Walker’s ambassador in Israel. Following a roast beef dinner with traditional haggis, will be performances by Tal Korenberg on five recorders, accompanied by the Bodhran Ensemble.Tonight, Rehov G’dud Barak 1, Tiberias, (04) 671-0710 or www.scotshotels.co.il 3. SCREEN GEMSThe Tel Aviv Cinematheque is hosting a two-day screenwriters summit throughout in which famed screenwriting gurus Syd Field, Linda Seger, Michael Hauge and John Truby will provide an in-depth understanding of screenwriting that is ideal for filmmakers, TV writers, directors and creative executives. The four will each teach half-day classes followed by a half-hour Q&A session. In English.Runs Sunday through Monday, http://screenwriterssummitisrael.com4. SPOTLIGHT ON IRANThe Bible Lands Museum hosts a fascinating program on Iran entitled “From Cyrus the Great to Ahmadinejad – A Persian Tragedy.” Presented by journalists and travelers who will share their personal stories, impressions and experiences, the lectures will shed light on the contemporary reality in each country. A brief gallery tour will be held prior to each lecture. In Hebrew.NIS 55. Friday, 10 a.m., Bible Lands Museum, Jerusalem. (02) 561-1066.5. MUSICDECKING IT OUTSinger/actress Yael Deckelbaum has adapted her rich, alto voice to a blues/country style, which has lent itself to many songs originally sung by Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez as well as jazz/soul numbers from the likes of Aretha Franklin and Billie Holiday. However, her favorite is Janis Joplin, and she never gives a performance without including at least one Joplin song. Catch Deckelbaum as she performs some original material, as well as many popular folk/country songs.NIS 60. Tonight, 8:30, The Third Ear, 48 King George Street, Tel Aviv, (03) 621-5220.7. THEATERTHE CHERRY ORCHARD BLOOMS ONThe Khan Theater presents a Hebrew adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard. The last of Chekhov’s four great plays, The Cherry Orchard tells the story of a provincial land-owning family whose extravagance and mismanagement force them to sell their property to cover their debts. It is also a powerful love story and even more, a metaphor for the passing of the old order.Tonight, 5 and 8:30, Kikar David Remez 2, Jerusalem. (02) 671-8281.7. BY THE SKIN OF YOUR TEETHMerkaz Hamagshimim’s Center Stage Theater presents its rendition of Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning classic The Skin of Our Teeth. The play follows the often funny and occasionally tragic circumstances of the Antrobus family, who have learned to persevere and even thrive through any number of natural and personal crises, including war, flood, disease, and even a plague of locusts.Starts tonight and runs through February 10, Rehov Dor Dor Vedorshav 7, Jerusalem, (02) 561-9165.8. A DOODLE DOOAcclaimed Israeli choreographer Barak Marshall will stage a repeat performance of his highly successful dance-theater piece Rooster. Consisting of 11 dancers, the work is comprised of several overlapping stories drawn from the myths and stories of the Middle East.Next Sunday, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., Suzanne Dellal Center, Rehov Yehieli 5, Tel Aviv, (03) 510-5656.9. OPERAHITTING THE HIGH NOTESThe Israel Opera presents its production of Gaetano Donizetti’s La Fille du Regiment. This lighthearted gem is about an orphan girl who is adopted by a whole regiment of Napoleon’s army (meaning that anyone who wants to marry her must get the regiment’s consent). It combines sparkling comedy with spectacular vocal writing – not only for the soprano (Hila Baggio) but also for the tenor (Robert McPherson) who, in one legendary passage, must produce nine high Cs in quick succession. Surtitles in English and Hebrew.Runs next Tuesday through February 19, www.israelopera.co.il 10. MUSICGRAY AREAWith her raspy voice and Billie Holiday style, Grammy Award-winning soul and funk diva Macy Gray returns to Israel for the fourth time. Gray will be appearing at Reading 3 in Tel Aviv for two shows as part of a European tour in support of her latest album The Sellout. February 11 and 12, www.reading3.co.il.
