SOUTH The latest production of the popular Irish series Lord of the Dance is touring Israel, and soon it will be Ashdod's turn to enjoy one of the most successful shows ever to tap its way on stage. Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games is the latest chapter of the dance show, which has run for more than 20 years. The show's original creator, Michael Flatley, choreographed and directed the show's previous installment, which debuted in 2014 and stars James Keegan, Morgan Comer, Mathew Smith, Cathal Keaney, Fergal Keaney and Andras Kren. Flatley has stated, “I'm blown away by the remarkable talent and abilities of the great cast we've gathered.” Ashdod can enjoy the show on Monday (December 12) at 6 p.m. or 8 p.m. Tickets cost NIS 200. Beersheba, Ashkelon bring in Hanukka with children's festival The popular “Hop! Motek Shel Festival” children's show is coming to light up the stage in a celebration of Hanukka across the country. The event features songs by renowned composer Nurit Hirsh performed by artists such as Tuvia Tsafir, Ronnie Dloomy, Shai and Roee, Hani Nahmias and Tal Mosseri. Now in its ninth year, the festival is a lively new rendition of the classic formula, which included original folk-style songs that connect the audience to the Land of Israel. The festival's organizers encourage the public to join Israel's biggest children's stars on what they describe as a journey through the country's landscapes. The show provides an opportunity for children to enjoy Hanukka in a festive spirit of song and dance. Beginning Wednesday (December 14) in Holon, the festival will be at the Municipal Sports Hall in Ashkelon on December 18 and 19 before showcasing in Beersheba at the Conch Arena on December 21 and 22. The show will then continue in Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem. Tickets cost NIS 172, with special deals available for Leumi card holders. NORTH Haifa celebrates multicultural 'Holiday of Holidays' Haifa is set to celebrate the many cultures of its residents throughout December with its 23rd annual Holiday of Holidays Festival. The Arab-Jewish cultural center, Beit Hagefen, and the Haifa Municipality have joined forces to host the event, which started in 1993. “The festival aims to cultivate and advance tolerance and mutual respect through culture and art,” according to the official festival website. Each year the event features a variety of local and international artists. The festival includes events at Beit Hagefen, the Wadi Nisnas neighborhood and the city's iconic German Colony. It also features concerts, food tasting tours, museum exhibitions, children's activities, bands and a variety of other activities for the whole family. Highlights include the free Festive Christmas Parade on Saturday (December 10). The parade is scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m. on Allenby Street near Wadi Nisnas. The following Saturday (December 17), an Israeli ensemble will put on a show in Haifa's Wadi Nisnas in the style of a New Orleans Dixie Band, performing authentic music from the southern US city. Trumpeter Eli Preminger, banjo player Shimi Gilad, trombonist Amnon Ben-Artzi and Oren Sag on the double bass will play songs by Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet. On the same day, a food tasting tour will explore the streets of the central Arab neighborhood of Wadi Nisnas. The two-and-a-half hour tour, which costs NIS 90, will give participants a chance to enjoy local food while learning about what makes the area's food so special. CENTER Tel Aviv sees gold The Golden Hands art exhibition featuring the works of David Adika and Hilla Toony Navok together for the first time is opening in Tel Aviv this weekend. The art is described by The Art Platform as “a collection of shared ideas about aesthetics, beauty, placement and space formed during the cooperation within the framework of the artist residency program Artport.” Artport is a nonprofit initiative founded by the family of Ted Arison that works to promote and foster contemporary art in Israel. Adika and Navok drew inspiration from Japanese culture, hoping to blur boundaries between artistic styles. Their works will be on display at Artport starting Saturday (December 10) at 7 p.m. Admission is free and the project will run Sunday through Wednesday by appointment, Thursdays from noon to 8 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through the end of December. Ra'anana group raises funds with history The Bayit Balev rehabilitation center in Ra'anana next week will host an evening titled “From Darkness into Light,” with Col. Dr. Mickey Zeiffe. Zeiffe is due to speak this Thursday (December 15) about his experience as a prisoner of war in Egypt during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. The lecture is set to take place in Hebrew with a questions-and-answers session afterward in English and Hebrew. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. at the Ra'anana Employment Fitness and Leisure Center. All proceeds of the lecture will benefit Bayit Balev Ra'anana, an initiative to build a home for young adults with moderate to severe cognitive and physical disabilities. Admission to the lecture costs NIS 100.
Lord of the Dance's ‘Dangerous Games’ (photo credit: TRISTRAM KENTON)