Shlomo Artzi – the Israeli Springsteen

Following my passion for music and in continuation to my concert reviews I wanted to share with you a great concert experience I had some months ago.

Rajel was so kind to invite us to a great concert right in Jerusalem’s gan saker. We went to see Shlomo Artzi.

Shlomo Artzi is kind of an Israeli version of Bruce Springsteen. In fact I did some research and they were both actually born in 1949 a couple of months apart and they both have 3 children. In terms of albums sold they stand 1.5 million vs. 185 million (guess who’s got what?), OK they are not really comparable, but somehow they have many similarities. They both have very poetic lyrics, both are loved by the mass and have had a very long musical career.

I have been listening to Shlomo for a very long time. I might owe him a lot for my Hebrew as much as I owe the Beatles for my English (although I think the Beatles did a better job).

More than two years ago we had tickets to see Shlomo and that same day I had a fever. I guess it was from excitement :), so it had to wait for two years to see him.

The concert was in an open park, we brought our picnic carpet which helped us keep a “private” area as well as some snacks. The concert started and it was very exciting to see Shlomo. He is a very good showman and artist, however he is definitely not at the peak of his career.

Shlomo makes very interesting arrangements to his well known songs that make his old songs once again modern, however many times during the concert he started to recite instead of singing, again and again and again. It’s clear that his voice is not what it was, and quite possible that there was some alcohol influencing his performance as well (but not confirmed).

All in all it was a great night and a great concert. Below some photos an a very short video of the concert.

 

 

The story does not end there. A couple of weeks ago we went to a great musical play.

It was called לילה לא שקט (Restless Night) and just like Mamma Mia is to Abba, “Restless Night” is to Shlomo Artzi. It was a very entertaining play and put together very nicely at the Cameri theater in Tel-Aviv, all based and inspired by Shlomo Artzi’s songs.

The singing was much better and powerful than the concert. The story was not a big deal (just like it was not a big deal in Mamma Mia), but it was funny, well performed and a good restless night.

Apparently there were a couple of famous actors, however we are still not familiar with all the Israeli celebs., nevertheless we did recognize the girl from Kochav Nolad (Israeli version of American Idol). If they would have sold a CD of the show I would have bought it, I guess I will have to wait to see if it gets to Broadway to buy the CD.

If you want to read more about concert experiences don’t miss:

The historical Paul McCartney in Tel-Aviv concert

The Woodstock Revival in Jerusalem

A Night at the Party – Mashina Unplugged !

D's Salve a la Reina en Mexico

Zvika Pick at Israel’s 62 Celebration

From Toyota to Alan Parsons Project

And by the way, the rumors and news of U2 and Coldplay in Israel for Summer of 2010… well… I guess they are not coming anymore even though the weather still feels like summer.

I hope to soon attend more concerts to share with you.

It’s back, and it's better than ever!

Hi loyal readers.
By now I might have lost most of you, but I want to announce that the blog is back and better than ever. With sooooo many things to write that have been going on for the last couple of months. (I don’t promise on updates as you were used to, sorry I cannot keep the pace).
I don’t even know where to start: The greatest Aliyah for us after our own, my parents visit, the high holidays 5771, the Shlomo Artzi concert, a couple of birthday parties, the Bnei Akiva of Mexico reunion in Israel, our recent visit to the Knesset (Israeli parliament), and many more adventures.
So lets get started…
As you can see the Aliyah regressive clock reached to zero, we are so happy and lucky to have my in-laws in Israel. We are very proud of them and wish them lots of success in their Klitah and all the things that will start to take shape. I can already see how they are enjoying it as well.
Welcoming them at the airport was very exciting for all, we could not believe that they were already here. Below are some pictures from their arrival as well as their citizen ID ceremony in Jerusalem in the western wall digs.

May' G’d continue to guide them through their Aliyah as He has done until now and as He continues to do for us.

Sabra Album 9th of Av edition

Continuing to post pictures that talk about how Israel is such a special and interesting place. These pictures are so unique to Israel that they are part of the popular “Sabra Album” (Click here for definition of Sabra).

For previous versions of the Sabra Album click on: Take 1 , Take 2 , Take 3, Take 4, Take 5, Take 6 – Marketing Edition, Take 7 and Machane Yehuda Edition.

Now to our new Sabra Album.

Just as I did last year (From Destruction to Love (Peace & Love)) to finish the 9 of Av fast (marking the destruction of the two Batei Mikdash/Holy Temples among other atrocious events in Jewish history) –I went to Jerusalem to the Western Wall. The entire experience was so unique to Israel. Here are some pictures so unique to Israel.

Thousands of people filled the Western Wall

Fast breaking “oasis”

Right after the fasting is over thousands of hungry man and woman rush to this “oasis” to get a free drink, coffee and sweet pastries. Note the separation for men and women.

Now the most interesting part is the drink disposing technology. This is better than any modern refrigerator or any home soda maker, just turn the faucet and you get instantly cold: Soda, Water or Petel (flavored water). Genius!!!

I hope you enjoyed this edition of the Sabra album. Feel free always to comment on my blog. Next I’m planning on a Sabra Album Baywatch edition.

You might have noticed a new countdown clock on the blog. I have decided to keep indefinitely the “Next Family ALIYAH” clock since ultimately I will see you all here. The other clock is for the “Next family visit”.

We are so excited for both clocks that almost reached 0. We are happy to welcome soon our cousin from NY who will be here for a year, and right after that we will be welcoming my in-laws that are making Aliyah and little by little reuniting the entire family. Yishar Koach to you!

Happy 2nd Aliyaersary!

With gratefulness to G’d we celebrate 2 years in Israel.

The best is yet to come…

Kids graduation photos

Just a quick post to share some photos and videos.

Last month we had both of the kid’s “graduation” parties.

Let me first share a video from Batya’s graduation that is very appropriate for today (9 of AV) followed by photos from the event:

Below some photos from Ilan’s graduation from Gan Trom Trom as well as links to videos (only for hardcore fans):

You can access the videos at the links below:

Ilan's Gan Arava Trom Trom Graduation # 1

 Ilan's Gan Arava Trom Trom Graduation # 2

Ilan's Gan Arava Trom Trom Graduation # 3

Ilan's Gan Arava Trom Trom Graduation # 4

Ilan's Gan Arava Trom Trom Graduation # 5

Ilan's Gan Arava Trom Trom Graduation # 6

And since we are already in the sharing photo mood, below some picture from a visit to Jerusalem as well as a company event where Batya decorated her own sodamaker machine and was among the top 10 designs.

Happy 2nd Birthday Blog! – Celebrating with an exciting announcement

This week this blog celebrated its 2nd Birthday. Thanks for your following (or not?).

I most admit this year was not as strong as the previous one, time and strengths to write are different now, but I’m still here…

So the blog has had 8,084 visits, from 74 countries, appeared on 270 searches. Can you guess what the top searches have been for my blog? “eggnog” “sachlav” and “rompope” (no kidding). Do you remember the memorable post: From Rompope to Eggnog to Sachlav?

Another popular Google search has been “Sabra Album” I guess thanks to these:

Sabra Album Take 1 , Take 2 , Take 3, Take 4, Take 5, Take 6 – Marketing Edition and Machane Yehuda Edition

Last year we celebrated here Happy Birthday Blog - 1 Year

And now for the exciting announcement (drum roll please…)

The “Next Family Visit” countdown clock will be reset to August 10 when we will be welcoming with so much excitement to my in-laws. We are so happy and proud of them. Congratulations suegros!!!

We are so happy to be able to re-unite little by little the family in our real home, we are happy to have parents and grandparents here in Israel for us and for the kids. What they don’t know is that even though we got here before they did, a strong reason why we are here is because of them and the education that they gave to their children.

We are looking forward to welcoming you at the Airport!!!!!

10 years of love!

Why not use last years video to celebrate?

Enjoy once again:

 

From Blogger Pictures

Feliz aniversario mi vida.

Te amo.