Memorial Day is still with us, but tonight the Independence Day parties start. If you’re still unsure about where you want to go today and tomorrow, here’s a list of the ones I think will be the most exciting.
Tonight
From 20:00 – the Avant Garde music festival opens at Levontin 7. It will go on tonight and also tomorrow from 18:00. Lots of underground and unsigned bands playing live. Pay as much as you can to get in (suggested donation 40NIS a night). 10 different local bands / acts a night, stretching the genres of rock, jazz, noise and even classical. Among the acts: Laila, Zeev Tene, Primate Arena, Inga Dingo, Ryskinder and many many more.
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The Bar Kayma co-op bar is hosting a party from 20:00 with 2 floors of local live music (singer-songwriter stuff) plus an electronic dance party (electro to techno and electro swing). Vegan food, cheap booze, friendly people. Free.
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The Container in the Jaffa Port is having a gypsy-tribal party. Sumsum will play live gypsy / Balkan music, followed by a DJ playing tribal and I assume psychedelic stuff. Free. From 21:00.
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Pele, the Tel Aviv Rainbow community centre is hosting a big party with music, food and a BYOB policy. Full details here.
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Gagarin has dub, reggae and ragamuffin all night long from 22:00. 20NIS to get in before 23:00.
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Margoza Bar in Jaffa has the traditional street party. Majiman & Shimi Sonic will play eclectic dance music. Free and usually one of the best around.
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20s style street and roof party at The Prince on Nahalat Binyamin. From 20:00. Monti Fiori playing live, plus swing and electro swing with Yossi Shauli and Asaf Shmuel. Come dressed up or at least slightly dressed up in vintage / retro to get in for free. Otherwise 20NIS. Details and links to sounds here.
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Zakaim Vegan restaurant is having an Israeli night – vegan Israeli street food menu, happy Israeli music, local booze. Call 03-6135060 for reservations.
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And for those of you who find nationalism and plastic hammers a bit much, head over to the Anna Loulou from 21:00 for a night of pretending you’re somewhere else: a non-place where the state of Israel is temporarily suspended. There will be neutral music and white flags at the entrance, so you can leave nationality behind and just have a drink.
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Tomorrow
Zakaim is hosting a vegan BBQ, probably from 13:00ish, for those who want to partake in the national holiday pastime but don’t eat meat.
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A place called Jean Jacques at Shontzino 17 is holding a massive band showcase from 12:00 till late with lots of great alternative acts including Zevulun Dub system, Great Machine and more. Links to bands on event page. 100% free.
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***This party’s been moved to the Caliph club in Jaffa because of the hot weather!*** Open air rave with the Pachanga Boys and some great local support from Tomer Almog & Moshe Abutbul, Erez Nyc, Amir Egozy and. Uriah Klapter. From 12:00 at Koifman 6 (just by the beach). 70NIS before 16:00 if you join the event, 80NIS after, 100 otherwise.
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Also from 12:00, outside the Achim place at Ibn Gabirol 12, free street party. Boom Pam play live, Radio Trip, Red Axes and more DJ. There will also be a very non-vegan BBQ. Goes on till 22:00 or so. Free.