By JERUSALEM POST STAFFGunhild Carling(photo credit: PR)
1. FAMILY TIESIn the drama Manchester by the Sea, the latest film by award-winning writer and director Kenneth Lonergan, a man is shocked to discover that when his older brother died, he made him the sole guardian of his teenage son.Taking leave of his job as a janitor in Boston, he reluctantly returns to Manchester by the Sea, the fishing village where his working-class family has lived for generations. There, he is forced to deal with a past that separated him from his wife and the community in which he was born and raised.With Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams.2. IT’S ALL ABOUT COMMUNICATIONIn the new sci-fi film Arrival, a linguistics professor leads an elite team of investigators when huge spaceships touch down in 12 locations around the world. As nations teeter on the verge of global war, she and her team must race against time to find a way to communicate with the alien visitors. Hoping to unravel the mystery, she takes a chance that could threaten her life and possibly all of mankind.With Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker.3. THE BIRTH OF AN ORCHESTRAThe Jerusalem Cinematheque opens this year’s season of Cinematic Variations, films about music, with Josh Aronson’s film Orchestra of Exiles, about the founding of the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, honoring its 80th anniversary. The film follows the story of Bronislaw Huberman during the darkest days of a Europe being torn apart by anti-Semitism and Nazi aggression. Huberman’s extraordinary efforts saved hundreds of families from the impending Holocaust, and his achievements changed the course of cultural history. There will also be a talk by Prof.Michael Wolpe and a short performance by violinist Menahem Breuer.
November 12 at 11 a.m. at the Jerusalem Cinematheque4. BEING THERE FOR THE CHILDRENA host of Israel’s top pop and rock musicians will perform a benefit concert for the Being There (Li’hiot Sham) organization for autistic children and their families.The performers include Marina Maximilian, Dana Berger, The Jews and Chemi Rodner.November 14 at 9 p.m. at the Barby Club, Tel Aviv. For details, call (03) 518-8123.5. A MULTIFACETED MUSICIANThe Israeli Chamber Orchestra hosts Gunhild Carling, a Swedish jazz virtuoso who plays the trombone, bagpipes, trumpet, sings and dances, often showcasing all her skills in one song, casually breaking into a tap dance and singing the roof off. She is coming to Israel as part of a world tour.November 21 and 22 at 8:30 p.m. at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art6. AMERICAN LATINONew York’s Ballet Hispanico opens the dance season at the Herzliya Performing Arts Center. The company’s repertoire reflects a dance and musical diversity that is constantly changing due to the mutual influence of the Latino and Hispanic immigrants and the American culture.The company’s 14 dancers will present a colorful, energetic program.November 23 to 26 at the Herzliya Performing Arts Center; November 28 at the Beersheba Performing Arts Center; November 29 at the Jerusalem Theater; November 30 at the Modi’in Auditorium; December 1 at the Haifa Auditorium7. HOMAGE TO A BALLERINASolo dancers from the Bolshoi and Mariinsky will perform an homage to late Jewish prima ballerina Maya Plisetskaya. Sofia Gumerova and Igor Korolev will perform Carmen Suite to music by Bizet. In the second part of the show, solo dancers will perform other pieces from Plisetskaya’s repertoire.November 24 at 8 p.m. at the Haifa Auditorium; November 27 at 8 p.m. at the Ashkelon Culture Palace; November 28 at 8 p.m. at the Jerusalem Theater; November 29 at the Smolarsh Auditorium, Tel Aviv.8. THE GREAT MIGRATIONThe Hula Valley Bird Festival returns at one of the most active times of bird migration. Events, tours, seminars and much more will take place amid the stunning locations of the Hula Valley, the Hula Nature Reserve and surroundings.In the final days, the festival will head down to the Negev.November 20 to 27. For information, schedule, tickets and package tours: www.hulabirdfestival.org9. FEED YOUR CURIOSITYThe Open-Restaurants, Jerusalem urban culinary event will take place throughout the capital from November 22 to 26. There will be daytime and nighttime culinary tours, workshops in some of the city’s top restaurants and more.The light rail will become a moving restaurant, top chefs will guide tours in the Israel Museum, and many extraordinary events will be conducted with the city’s leading hotels.For details and tickets, go to www.open-resturants.co.il10. THE POWER OF LOVEThe Israeli Opera opens its season with the mesmerizing bel canto opera Norma by Vincenzo Bellini. The opera explores the power of love and self-sacrifice with haunting melodies. Norma is a Druid high priestess who secretly gives birth to two children; when the secret is revealed, her crime must be punished by death. The opera’s artistic director Daniel Oren will conduct a cast of international stars. Sung in Italian with English and Hebrew surtitles.November 30 to December 17 at the Opera House in Tel Aviv