For more information: www.habsor.co.il, 052-999-1003 and 072-251-0271.4. SACRED SONGSThe success of last year’s first Zman Piyut festival inspired the organizers to make this an annual event. The festival returns in an expanded version with four days of music throughout Tel Aviv. Presenting ancient texts in contemporary and traditional arrangements, discover the pleasures of piyut with Israeli musicians Efrat Gosh (pictured), Eran Tzur, Rona Kenan, Daniel Zamir, Micha Shitrit, Erez Lev Ari, Dudi Levi, Etti Ankri and Din Din Aviv.Runs Sunday, Monday, February 9 and 14, www.tkts.co.il MUSIC5. BIG APPLE BEATYonatan Dagan will perform in his capacity as leading DJ of the J. Viewz project, a New York-based ensemble that defies any clear musical classification.Dagan, who also plays the guitar, attempts to find a new sound that is more or less along the funk and Nu jazz lines, emphasizing a mix of electronic music and remixing along with an instrumental band of guitar, keyboard, trumpet and drums. NIS 80.Tonight, 9:30, Haifa Beat, 124 Hanassi Boulevard, Haifa.TOUR6. IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ‘FOOTNOTE’To celebrate Footnote’s recent Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film, special tours are being offered surrounding places in Jerusalem that are included in the film. Areas include the Hebrew University campus, the nearby National Library and the Old Katamon neighborhood. In addition, the tours will be filmed and uploaded to YouTube to further promote the film.Fridays throughout February. For more info, call Yoni at 052-535-6999.MIXED 7. BAG SHOW ME A STORYImagine a combination of Cirque du Soleil’s fantastical journey, Blue Man Group’s visceral flamboyance and a pulsating New York nightclub with water sprinklers spraying down on the dancers. It still won’t come close to Fuerza Bruta, an Argentinean-founded multi-sensory, gravity-defying extravaganza that is landing in Tel Aviv next month for 28 shows between February 2 and 18 at the Maxi Dome at the Tel Aviv Exhibition Grounds. The 65-minute performance containing futuristic music, dance, acrobatics and sometimes unbelievable visuals and props has been staged around the world since debuting in 2006.For more information: www.fuerzabruta.co.il.DANCE 8. HOUSEHOLD BEATA gala show of Barak Marshall’s comical dance production Monger will take place at the Suzanne Dellal Center to mark the work’s 70th performance. Monger premiered in 2008 at the Tel Aviv Dance Festival and has since made the rounds of many of the world’s most prestigious venues, including the Montpelier Festival in France. It tells the story of 10 servants in the basement of an estate ruled by a demanding woman. In Hebrew.Tonight, 9, www.suzannedellal.org.il and (03) 510-5656 MUSIC9. TOP CATAcclaimed American indie singer/songwriter Cat Power will be performing for the first time in Israel this month at Reading 3 in Tel Aviv. Born Chan Marshall, the 39- year-old New York-based guitarist is one of the most heralded indie artists of the last decade, consistently appearing on year-end Best Album lists for works like 2006’s The Greatest and 2008’s Jukebox. The musician has also enjoyed side careers as a film actress and model.February 12, www.reading3.co.il OPERA10. A WOMAN SCORNEDThe Israeli Opera presents its latest production of Leos Janacek’s acclaimed libretto Jenufa. The plot revolves around a family tragedy in which a strong-minded woman murders her stepdaughter’s baby because the father of the child will not marry her. Conducted by Yishai Steckler together with The Opera Orchestra – The Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion. Sung in Czech with Hebrew and English surtitles.
Runs February 13 through 25, www.israelopera.co.il