New Israeli booking agency brings the bands to you

January 29, 2009 - 4:16 PM by · 4 Comments
Filed under: Business, General, Music, Pop Culture 

Efrat Gosh is one of the top rate Israeli artists available through the IAA.

Efrat Gosh is one of the top rate Israeli artists available through the IAA.

One of the best ways for young, Diaspora Jews to feel an affinity for Israel is through our wide range of pop music. Here’s a short shout out to a new endeavor that’s making that music available to just about anyone who’s interested in bringing an Israeli rock act to their community.

A new Tel Aviv-based agency – The Israel Artist Agency (IAA) – has launched what they call the definitive Israeli booking solution for placing all Israeli artists abroad, the first Israel-based agency strictly dedicated to the export and promotion of Israeli talent.

With a 30 artist roster featuring both well-established rockers like Berry Saharof, Hadag Nahash, and Meir Banai, as well as young, alternative acts ncluding Useless ID, Coolooloosh, and Midnight Peacocks (who will be playing the prestigious SxSW Festival in Texas this year), IAA is targeting JCCs, college fraternities/sororities, Hillels, Jewish summer camps, youth movements, Federation functions, fundraisers, and festivals that might be looking to bring over some Israeli talent.

According to the agency’s philosophy, people in Jewish communities in the Diaspora need to connect to their roots via Israeli contemporary culture, and need to have easy and full access to the vibrant musical scene here.

“This is an essential solution to a challenge that has existed for so long; oftentimes, those that wish to provide exciting content/artists in their community in order to make Israel a more relevant place cannot connect with the right people to make it happen. The vast &
expansive nature of our work will make it easier than ever to bring live quality entertainment to the community,” said IAA co-founder Michael Tapuach.

With Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations not too far off, now’s the time to think about bringing Aviv Gefen or Efrat Gosh to help celebrate in style.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Jewish soul music

October 16, 2008 - 5:03 PM by · 1 Comment
Filed under: General, History and Culture, Israeliness, Life, Music, Religion 

beit shemesh.jpgA work assignment brought me last night to the city of Beit Shemesh and the Beit Shemesh Festival, an annual music bash featuring some of the top names in the ‘Jewish soul’ field. Among this year’s performers were Meir Banai, The Moshav Band and Yood.

The central amphitheater in Beit Shemesh, a flowing natural park, boasted a white, cloth mehitza (divider), running up the middle, to separate the male and female attendees. The audience consisted mainly of religiously observant teens, many belonging to youth groups. There were some families and assorted adults there among the thousand or so people, a few not even wearing kippot, but by and large it was a religious crowd. And it looked like they were having a fine time, dancing on shoulders, enjoying a fireworks display, and checking out the other side the mehitza.

Despite some sound problems resulting from a likely blown speaker, the acts I saw performed admirably, and the band I came to see – Yood – put on a smoking set of spiritual blues rock.

There have been tons of events and activities to do during the intermediate days of Sukkot, but those folks who attended the Beit Shemesh Festival certainly got way more than their money’s worth – oh yeah, the festival was free.

Maybe next year, some of the secular crowd will come to see what all the noise was about.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

 

© 2012 ISRAELITY | Sitemap