2. MUSIC JEWISH JAMSUnlike many contemporary klezmer bands that incorporate influences such as drum ’n’ bass, avant-garde and bluegrass, Oy Division focuses on a pure roots klezmer sound from old Europe. The group consists of vocalist/accordionist Assaf Talmudi, his brother Eyal (who also performs with Balkan Beat Box) on clarinet, singer/percussionist Noam Inbar, violinist Gershon Leizersohn and acoustic bassist Avichai Tuchman. Join these talented musicians as they groove on down at Jerusalem’s Beit Avi Chai. NIS 50.
Saturday, 10 p.m., www.bac.org.il 3. A WISE CHOICE Belgian indie pop band K’s Choice is returning to Israel to promote its latest album, Little Echoes. Led by sister/brother team Sarah and Gert Bettens, the band achieved moderate success in the 1990s with its melodic sound. On its first trip to Israel more than a decade ago, it was the opening act for the band Garbage. In 2003, the band went on an indefinite hiatus, but the last couple of years has seen it reform for an album and tours.Monday, 7:30 p.m., Gesher Theater, Tel Aviv, www.gesher-theatre.co.il 4. CLASSICAL MEDIEVAL MUSIC MAESTROSThe American female a cappella quartet Anonymous 4 is opening the 2012 Israeli Opera Music of all Sorts series. The renowned quartet will perform a one-off concert with a program spanning its 25 years of activity. The ensemble’s program is based entirely on medieval vocal music including works by Hildegard von Bingen and John Tavener, and a new work written for the group by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Lang.Friday, 9 p.m., Israeli Opera, www.israelopera.co.il 5. THEATER HOW TO FACE DEATH AND LIFEThe Cameri Theater and The Haifa Theater present Tuesdays with Morrie, a stage adaptation of the best-selling book by Mitch Albom.It chronicles the Tuesday afternoon meetings of Albom (Yiftach Klein) with the charismatic Prof. Morrie Schwartz (Yossi Graber), his former teacher at Brandeis, who was dying of ALS. Directed by Moshe Naor. In Hebrew.Tonight, 8:30 p.m., Cameri Theater, www.cameri.co.il 6. MIXED BAG FEAST FOR THE EYESIn celebration of its 20th anniversary, the Bible Lands Museum presents a guided tour revolving around feasts in the ancient world, including when and where they celebrated, the manners of proper drinking, the fashion of the time and much more. This is followed by a lecture on the subject by Dr. Guy Stiebel. In Hebrew.Wednesday, 6 p.m., www.blmj.co.il 7. OPERA A WOMAN SCORNEDThe Israeli Opera revives Hugo De Ana’s cinema- style production of Puccini’s violent opera Tosca, which was performed here three years ago. First produced in 1900, Tosca made its debut in Israel in 1925. Since then, the work has been staged countless times by top companies around the globe. Noted American soprano Michele Crider plays the Roman diva who stops at nothing to try to save her politically involved lover.Wednesday, 8 p.m., www.israel-opera.co.il 8. DANCE STEPPING UPThe Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company is putting on a gala performance of its new work, Imbichlal, at the Herzliya Performing Arts Center. Imbichlal incorporates a number of contrasting elements, moving between figurative dance and abstract expression, from a closed space to an open environment and employing highly physical movement that derives from varying states of inner events. The show will be preceded by a cocktail event with entertainment provided by 60 members of the dance village. There will also be an exhibition of photographs of the dance company taken by Uri Nevo.Monday, 8 p.m., (04) 985-9737 or www.kcdc.co.il 9. EXHIBITION A SPORTING LIFEFrom the US to Tunisia, South Africa to Brazil, Jews have been among the leading figures in world sports for years. They dominated world boxing, introduced method into the game of soccer, and won Olympic medals along with Nobel Prizes. The impressive exploits of some of the Jewish heroes of yesteryear is displayed at “The Game of their Lives” exhibition at Beit Hatfusot. Some of the athletes include world champion boxer Barney Ross and Russian chess champion Mikhail Botvinnik.Ongoing, www.bh.org
10 MUSICAL NOBODY’S PETSIsrael Musicals presents the first Israeli production of Cats, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famous song and dance extravaganza. Based on the poetry of T.S. Eliot, Cats tells the story of a tribe of felines called the Jellicles. Yisrael Lutnick, the “Broadway Rabbi” who established Israel Musicals, together with director/choreographer Rosa Howden, will present a cast of 20 singers and dancers and a live orchestra to perform the show. In English.
Runs next Thursday through February 15, www.israeltheatre.com/tickets