Lady Gaga September concert
Lady Gaga is bringing her “artRAVE: The ARTPOP Ball” to Tel Aviv’s Park Hayarkon on September 13. She previously performed in Israel in 2009.
Let Her Go – Passenger busks in Tel Aviv
The folk-rock music sensation Michael David Rosenberg, better known as “Passenger”, performed in Tel Aviv's Barby Club. His smash hit "Let Her Go," topped 16 international charts and wowed Israelis at an impromptu street concert later on Nahalat Binyamin (see video).
Jerusalem’s beach returns
For those that believe Jerusalem to be too far inland, an artificial beach has again been built at the First (Railway) Station. This year there is an 18-meter surfing simulator. Children’s events include kite building, wading pools, musical performances, theatrical shows and crafting.
The best video from the Jerusalem lights festival
The last night of this year’s festival was far too popular to appreciate it properly on foot, but luckily I found this beautiful video from The Real Jerusalem Streets.
Israeli team wins medieval jousting semi-finals
An Israeli team took first and third place in a medieval knight-fighting tournament in the Austrian town of Hainburg. Israel competed against Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Argentina and Austria and now heads to the World Medieval Fighting Championship in Croatia.
“A cultural beacon (of light) for the nation and the world”
Tens of thousands of visitors (including this newsletter editor) will converge on Jerusalem’s Old City for the capital’s 6th annual International Festival of Light. Featuring 17 acclaimed international light artists, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. June 17-19 – all free of charge.
7,863 books were published in Israel in 2013
According to statistics from the National Library, Israel published 7,863 books in 2013 - 235 more books than in 2012. Israel's annual Hebrew Book Week began on Jun 11.
Mick Jagger tweeted a farewell message – in Hebrew
Last Friday as the Rolling Stones were leaving Israel for their next gig in the Netherlands, Mick Jagger wrote goodbye to his Israeli fans “Thanks to everyone in Israel for a wonderful reception. It was an amazing show and I’ll always remember it.” Plus some more videos.
The Hives at Tel Aviv’s RockandRoller Festival
Swedish retro-rockers The Hives perform on June 17 at Bloomfield Stadium in Jaffa, along with the Pixies, as part of the two-day RockandRoller Festival.
Yossi Benayoun comes home
Israel’s long-time soccer hero Yossi Benayoun has signed a two-year deal with Maccabi Haifa worth $1 million. The 34-year-old Israeli midfielder left Haifa in 2002 for Racing Santander in Spain and then nine years in England from 2005 with West Ham, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and QPR.