If walking through the Arab Souk in the Old City you begin to wonder if the stores and artifacts within might not be as old as the city itself, you aren’t far off. Archaeologists recently uncovered a Byzantine era street directly under the market, which also served as a market 1,500 years ago. But while not much has changed in eons inside the Old City, outside the walls, Jerusalem is as new, fresh and thriving as ever. Need proof? Check out our list of the top culture activities happening around Jerusalem this week.
- The last time a comedian named Yaakov Cohen hit it big, he changed his name to Rodney Dangerfield. He still didn’t get any respect. Tonight you can catch the other Cohen comedian, the one who kept his name the same, at the Gerard Bechar Center, for a set of “intelligent humor.” Or you prefer your comedy in English, a newly formed troupe of Oleh internet superstars , called Ha-haphuch, will perform a variety show at the Mercaz Hamagshimim tonight.
- Make Friday a classic be heading out to EinKkerem for a concert of Chopin by young master pianists at the Eden Tamir Music Center. Who knows, you may catch the next Daniel Barenboim.
- The Bible Lands Museum’s Saturday night concert series has been known to bring in artists from a wide array of styles, from the Black Hebrews of Dimona, to traditional Irish pub music. Now comes something a little more familiar to many Israelis, Broadway with a taste of Yiddish. Never heard Yankele get your gun? Now you can.
- On Sunday, catch a screening of a documentary about the comic journey of one Yisrael “Chris” Campbell, who started life as a Catholic and converted to Judaism thrice, with three subsequent circumcisions, hence the name of the film: “Circumcise Me.” You’d be wise not to cut this off your calendar.
- On Monday, get the little ones to the Train Theater for puppet-tastic storytime. Up this week: “The Egg that Dressed up.” As what you ask? You’ll have to go to find out.
- On Tuesday nights, Jerusalem’s youth are getting their act together, literally, with a weekly line-up of exhibits, shows and other goings on from Hitorerut, Hazira and Ha’amabada (The Lab). This week Jerusalemite band Silan hits the stage for a bar party concert.
Check out our full events page for plenty more culture going on around town, both starting with letter “P” and every other letter of the alphabet.
