July intorduces real summer to Tel Aviv (including the heat and humidity) and boasts many outdoor events and festivals. The wet, sweaty ambiance might not be to everyone's taste, but those who dare will be rewarded with upbeat happenings and plenty of fun

A White Night

July 2011

This is the fourth year that the Municipality of Tel Aviv is arranging a "white night" throughout the city. Restaurants will be open all night offering special deals, there will be late night theatre shows, music, art, special night time tours of the city and much more.

Film lovers can enjoy late night shows at The Cinematheque and Hod Cinema. On Rothschild Boulevard you can experience the artistic side with special artistic spaces. The main event though, is the International Marathon for Jazz and Avant-garde Music in the Einav Center (above Rabin Square). You could view the full musical program on: www.tlart.net, but – it's in Hebrew…

Luckily enough, to enjoy music, films, food and art no spoken language is really necessary.

For further information try the English edition of Timeout Tel Aviv (http://digital.timeout.co.il) or ask at the hotel or hostel you are staying in.

Nights in Jaffa

July 2011

The Tel Aviv Municipality, in collaboration of the Old Jaffa Society, will be arrranging special performances in Old Jaffa every Saturday throughout July.

Jerusalem Film Festival

July 2011
The International Film Festival in Jerusalem is probably the most important film event in Israel. Screening films from all over the world, holding competitions for local filmmakers and offering many music performances and special lectures with well known figures from the world of film, the Film Festival in Jerusalem attracts visitors from all over Israel (especially Tel Aviv).  The selection of films is usually outstanding, offering diverse perspectives from different corners of the world. 
For further information check this entry towards July.

The Jerusalem Cinematheque
Address: Derech Hebron, POB 8561, Jerusalem Israel 91083
Tel: (02) 565-4333
Fax: (02) 565-4335/4
Site: http://www.jer-cin.org.il/

Tu Be'av: The Jewish Day of Love

15 August 2011

Though Valentine's Day is celebrated in Israel, the Jewish calendar boasts a love day of its own, Tu Be'av.  The idea is obviously quite similar, and the celebrations in Tel Aviv tend to focus on restaurants, parties and different shows – everyone offering their interpretation of the day and its significance.  So, this is yet another day for romance and splurging. But, after all, which day isn’t when you're on holiday?

Tel Aviv’s Culture Park

Following the New Yorkean example, the start of the hot and humid summer holiday will be marked by turning the Ganai Yehoshua Park, which includes the Yarkon Park, into an open-air culture center. This transformation will include erecting a stage in the center of the park, which will host music, theatre and dance performances, and some other artistic and cultural events. The most notable of the scheduled performances is a staging of Verdi’s Requiem by no less than the La Scala opera house. The admission to this rare open-air performance will be free, which means that anyone who wants to enjoy it might have to camp out in the park over night…

In addition to the free seating on the lawn for thousands of opera fans, there will be an opportunity to enjoy this unique event from a special pampering locale close to the stage. VIP tickets on sale include a pre-concert buffet and a post-concert reception attended by maestro Barenboim and the opera soloists, as well as special shuttles from the parking area to the stage. Tickets for the fixed seating further back from the stage can also be purchased.

In addition to this open air concert and within the framework of the Tel Aviv Centennial celebrations, the Milan La Scala Opera House and Israeli Opera will also present a joint production of Verdi's Jerusalem  in concert at Hayarkon Park in June 2010 in an extravagant production featuring Italian soprano Adriana Damato, tenor Giuseppe Fillianotti, American mezzo Sari Katz and baritone Serdar Ilban conducted by by Fabio Biondi and directed by Ofra Blit.(19 June 2010).

Tickets for the operas and concerts can be purchased from the Israeli Opera box office at telephone 972 3-692777. Tickets are not required for the lawn area at Hayarkon Park (19.6.10)

For further information try the municipality’s website dedicated to the 100th year celebrations: http://www.tlv100.co.il/EN/Pages/EngHome.aspx an the Israeli Opera