Klezmer Is Here!
Safed's annual musical extravaganza arrives on Monday 10th August 2009 for 3 days of music, music, music. With nine official stages offering performances, most of them free, the main problem is getting from one venue to another. The streets are very crowded, so allow plenty of time to get to where you want to go. On the way from place to place you will be assailed with delicious smells, waylaid by stalls selling chatskas, clothes, and curios, and have to push your way through the crowds. It's all worth it though as the music is phenomenal.
The Stages
The stages are in the Old City and Artists Quarter and it's a good idea to get a program, even if you don't read Hebrew very well, as they have a good map marking the location of all the stages. All the stages are numbered (as below) on the map.
Saraya
1- The inside stage usually requires a ticket
2- The outside stage is one of the main stages and has some of the bigger acts that appeal to young people like Aharon Reizel who appears on Monday night at 11.00pm
3- The Yigal Allon Theater -
The acts here require a ticket.
4- Ma'yan Ha Radum
Newly refurbished, this stage in the Artists Quarter will be hosting Simply Tsfat at 11.00pm on the first night, so get there early to make sure of a seat.
5 - Kikar Sadeh
The largest venue, just below the General Exhibition, it usually has some of the best known Israeli artists, so be prepared to hear some great sounds. On the last night it will host the Festival's Grand Finale starting at midnight.
6 -Gan HaKasum -
Everyday in the Yosef Caro Street park between 5.30pm and 7.30pm this is the place to take the kids for music, songs and story telling. And they can play on the play equipment too! After 8pm its time for the grownups and you can listen to the more traditional Klezmer musicians, such as HaNeshama HaYehudit who will be playing here twice on the last night.
7 - Kikar HaMeganim
This stage in the heart of the Old City usually has a few surprises and is worth checking out. This year local band Kadita Klezmer will play on the first two nights. It's also a good place to get something to eat while you enjoy the music. Music here will be going on late into the night with Dov and Ita Zilberman.
8 - Gan HaIr
This is the place for non-stop Carlebach music, and don't miss Ben Zion Solomon on Wednesday for the finale. There will also be morning prayers at the Beirav shul Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings starting at 8.00am.
9 - Iriya Municipality Building
It's always worth checking out this venue as some of the best surprises can be heard here. If you like Russian Klezmer like the Anatoly Kogen Trio this is the place to be on Tuesday and Wednesday night at 11.00pm
10- Ascent
Ascent is offering a complete daytime schedule of events and Chassidic music after midnight for the die-hard music fan.
Parking
Due to the limited parking in Safed, no cars will be allowed into the city after 4.00pm at the latest.
Municipal parking is provided at Akbara to the south and Nof Kinneret to the north, with a shuttle bus running between the parking lots and the city. Fare is 10shks.
Fireworks
Every night the Municipality puts on a great firework display, times vary, so if you hear loud bangs, don't forget to look up and see the spectacular show.
For a complete listing of events check out our Klezmer Schedule page.
