Toronto to Host First-Ever “Spotlight on Israeli Culture” in February/March 2014

Showcase of contemporary Israeli art, films, video, photography, theatre, dance and music across the GTA.

Toronto, ON: This winter, ten of Toronto’s leading cultural institutions and presenters come together for Spotlight on Israeli Culture, a first-of-its-kind two-month showcase and celebration of contemporary music, drama, dance, art, film, video and photography, all originating in Israel. Over the course of February and March, in venues across the GTA, some of modern-day Israel’s most dynamic performing and visual artists will present a multi-disciplinary array of shows and events programmed by Dancemakers, Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company, Julie M. Gallery, Koffler Centre of the Arts, Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, Toronto Downtown Jazz, Toronto Jewish Film Festival, Toronto Jewish Film Society, Union Events and Volcano Theatre.

Organized in partnership with the Canada-Israel Cultural Foundation, and with a mixture of both free and ticketed events, Spotlight on Israeli Culture will give audiences the opportunity to discover and fully experience some of the breakthrough Israeli talents making headlines around the world today.

“Israel is a country rich with history and cultural inspiration. The vibrancy and diversity in Israeli arts today is astounding,” says Ronald Bresler, National President of the Canada-Israel Cultural Foundation, a charitable foundation established in 1963 to promote and showcase Israeli culture in Canada. “We are so pleased to be a part of this celebration.”

“Israel is bursting with an energy and creativity that finds exciting expression in every walk of life”, adds Israeli Consul General to Toronto, DJ Schneeweiss. “The vitality and diversity of our cultural scene – reflecting the colourful tapestry that is modern day Israel – is something people of all backgrounds here in the GTA can enjoy and connect to. We are very proud to support this initiative and to see the cultural milieu serving as a bridge between our two great societies.”

The two-month showcase of Israeli culture will include:

THEATRE, highlighted by The Hani Theatre production of An Israeli Love Story presented by the Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company, and a reading of prominent Israeli playwright Motti Lerner’s play, Benedictus, by Toronto’s Volcano Theatre.
FILM: The Toronto Jewish Film Festival as well as The Toronto Jewish Film Society will screen the motion pictures, Evegeny Ruman’s Igor and The Cranes’ Journey and Lynn Roth’s The Little Traitor, respectively.
MUSIC: Toronto Downtown Jazz and the Consulate General of Israel in association with The Ashkenaz Foundation will present an Israeli Jazz Showcase, a triple-bill featuring the Gilad Hekselman Trio (guitar/bass/drums), along with the Shai Maestro Trio (piano/bass/drums), and the Toronto-based David Buchbinder Ensemble (trumpet with special guests). In addition, Union Events will bring the remarkable singer-songwriter and musician, Asaf Avidan, to Toronto in a solo acoustic performance.
DANCE: Dancemakers and the Consulate General of Israel will present “Talking Dancing,” a conversation on Israeli contemporary dance with choreographers Niv Sheinfeld and Oren Laor.
VISUAL ARTS: The visual arts will be represented by three exhibitions featuring video, photography and painting, respectively: Sigalit Landau: Moving to Stand Still at the new Koffler Gallery (Artscape Youngplace); Harissa, Honey & Hyssop: Photos of North African Food by Nelli Sheffer at The Gallery at the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre; and a show of Contemporary Israeli Art at the Julie M. Gallery.