While the rest of the world cowers beneath fleece blankets, struggling to escape the warm embrace of their heated homes, Israelis have more than just-bearable weather to nudge them out of the house this winter.
After last year’s successful trial run, the second Winter Festival is arriving just in time to cure those mid-season blues. With three consecutive days of diverse talent spanning all genres, ages, and backgrounds, this year’s festival is prescribing a heavy dose of culture in the very suitably-named Culture Palace (otherwise known as the Charles Bronfman Auditorium).
“Our goal was to create a wide and varied musical mosaic,” explains artistic director Dudu Zarzevsky. One that includes guest appearances by international singer-songwriters, family-friendly shows and, of course, top-notch performances by Israel’s finest.
Yuval Dayan © Tal Avodi
In addition to the festival performances, Zarzevsky has worked tirelessly with the Municipality of Tel Aviv to expand their musical scope to include free activities for the public, beer and wine stations, and above all, “a unique festival atmosphere.”
Let the intimate stories of Israeli rock troubadour Ehud Banai whisk you away to far off lands in an opening celebration of sounds and words; fall under the spell of the charming Yuval Dayan, then balance young blood with an old soul as rock icon Aviv Geffen surprises audiences with acoustic arrangements; find solace in an unexpected partnership as one of Israel’s most virtuosic jazz saxophonists, Daniel Zamir, pairs up with Yonatan Razel for an evening of improvisation; and go bone-deep with Steven Wilson and his prog-pop fifth solo album, To The Bone.
Alon Eder © Tal Sahar
Alon Eder and his troupe of instrumentalists (pictured above) bring the poetic and comforting indie pop experience that’ll warm the audience right up. Just what the doctor ordered.
Jan 31-Feb 2. Charles Bronfman Auditorium, 1 Huberman St, Tel Aviv (hatarbut.co.il)