It’s Pride Week! Pride is a huge big deal in Tel Aviv, because of the whole pinkwashing thing. Tel Aviv is obviously the only place in Israel where you can have a big Pride parade without being stabbed to death or being called a donkey by a religious fanatic who just happens to also be a politician. So when Israel wants to appear all cool and Western-like, it pours huge amounts of budget into gay tourism and the parade. More so, in fact, than actual LGBT projects that could benefit the community. Ho hum. As always, there are calls to boycott it, but hypocrisy and “No pride in apartheid” aside, it does actually fill my jaded heart with a little bit of joy to see the city fill up with rainbow flags. I’m also proud to live in a city where the parade is a big party and not a fight for survival. So here’s your week’s listings, with some of the cooler Pride parties, as well as some unrelated stuff. Don’t forget TLVfest, the LGBT film festival that’s on this week.
Sunday
Guess the Pasaz is still fighting city hall, as today’s Blues & Booz night is at the Bootleg again. It’s a Bob Dylan special, because of hi 75th birthday. So expect to hear the house band (and friends) play lots of Dylan. This will be followed by a jam, which you can sign up to by midnight. Starts at 22:00 and is free till 23:00. Then 10NIS.
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Monday
Queer Bazaar @ the LGBT centre in Gan Meir from 17:00 – 21:00. Lots of stalls selling cool handmade stuff made by actual queer people. The Facebook event is in Hebrew but there are links to some pages where you can see some of the stuff. Free.
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BEMET with life hip hop @ Radio EPGB from 22:00. Free.
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Tuesday
Blind Orchestra @ HaEzor (The Zone) from 20:00. An unusual musical improv project with members of The Angelcy, Forest, TRME, Hoodna Afrobeat Orchestra and more. Musicians will be blindfolded and create music with audience participation. Back from performing internationally, they’re here for one night only. 50NIS in advance or 60 on the door.
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Free swing class in Tel Aviv! Full details here.
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Yiddish songs performed in Tel Aviv’s coolest secret venue – in the heart of the monstrous bus station. Full details here.
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Wednesday
Swing & Blues party and a taster Blues class @ The Complex club (Carlibach 2) from 21:40. Two separate rooms of blues and swing. Class is at 21:40. No need to bring a partner or register in advance. This will be followed by the party from 22:30. 30NIS for the whole thing (you’ll pay whether or not you’re doing the class).
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Shame on Us live @ Alphabet from 22:00.
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Are you in Israel for Midburn? Would you like to meet international and local burners and see if you’re interested in the whole Burning Man thing? Join in on this pre-Midburn social @ Abraham Hostel from 20:00 – 23:00. Here’s the Facebook event.
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Shpagat are holding their traditional women’s Pride Party.
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Thursday
Bar Kayma closing party – Tel Aviv’s lovely vegan, cooperative bar is closing and they are in debt. Come help them by saying goodbye to the place and putting money in their hat. There will be music, vegan food, vegan chocolate and some really cool people. Free, but they will expect a donation, so don’t disappoint.
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Meanwhile @ The Block from 23:30 –
TAL COHEN :: The Block :: Tel-Aviv
MARCEL DETTMANN :: Ostgut Ton, MDR :: Berlin
PHARAOH :: Parallax :: Tel-Aviv
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
NIV HADAS :: Later :: Tel-Aviv
FRED P :: Soul People Music :: New York
ANNA HALETA :: Pacotek :: Tel-Aviv
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
President Apfelberg featuring
SCHOOLMASTER VS MIXMONSTER
Audio Montage :: Tel Aviv
60NIS before 1:00, 100 after.
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Tahat has the official bisexual Pride opening party from 22:30. These are really cool parties. Must have a ticket in advance (60NIS) which you can get from here.
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Friday
It’s the pride parade! You probably know this. Maybe you’re even in town for pride parade. But if not, here are the official details.
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Roland Satterwhite and his violin play live on the roof @ Dante 5 in Jaffa. From 18:00. Free, though donations will be gladly accepted.
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1994 are holding an intimate, colourful and multisexual Pride party @ Lima Lima (Lilienblum 42) from 23:00. Happy 90s music and a great crowd. 30NIS till 1:00, more after.
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Alternative queer party @ Ozen Bar. Full details here.
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Dark techno @ Lost Panda from 23:00. 50NIS but you need to join the Facebook event to have your name on their list.
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Arabic & Middle Eastern music party @ Anna Loulou from 22:00. 20NIS.
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If you want to get out of town, there’s a psy trance outdoor party happening over the weekend. In the north of Israel, where the police are extra nasty, so don’t be carrying around drugs.
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Saturday
Elifelet fair @ Beit Romano from 12:00 – awesome merch including tote bags, artist colouring book and more, in aid of a local refugee children charity. Full details here.
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Queer the beach! Beach party @ Hilton beach from 12:00 – 18:00. Come as you are.
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E-boded tech/house open air party from 12:15 @ Clara Beach. Tickets 60-80NIS. In advance from here for 60 or on the door for 80.
JULIAN PEREZ – STEPHAN BAZBAZ – OFRI GOFFER – ORON K & ANIDJAR
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Latin night @ Anna Loulou from 22:00 – salsa, cumbia, merengue and reggaeton. Free.
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Israel’s twerking championships! Yes, really. Full details here. Carries on to Sunday.
