My favourite time of the year is here! Without further ado, here’s what awaits you this holiday in the streets, clubs and bars of Tel Aviv:
UPDATE: The Florentin street party was rumoured to be on the 9th and is listed here as such, but it’s not gotten permission from the police, so no one is quite sure of what’s happening. I think it’s a fair bet something will be happening in the area’s bars and outside of them, but maybe not on Friday now. New rumours say Wednesday. Either way, plan on doing a quick round there on any Purim night, just in case there’s a surprise.
March 7th – Purim Eve
There’s a heaven and hell themed party at the Opera Club (Kubbitz Galuiot 49). Dress as the usual angel / devil or be more creative and dress as someone already there, either in heaven or in hell. Headliners are the massive Erol Alkan, indie-dance pioneer and Michael Mayer, German superstar electronic sensation. Buy your discounted tickets early if you want to go. They’re 100NIS at Deli, Michatronix or online (Hebrew but with phone support) from Mr Ticket. Price will be a mindblowing 140NIS on the door. Ouch. Starts at 22:00
March 8
Loads happening, as this is getting into the holiday proper. There are even desert raves starting. See below. In Tel Aviv:
At the Block Club, a big big production with a few local outfits, including circus / performance outfit Bordel Total and rising electroswing stars, Swingotopia. French techno/electro duo Noze headline, and there will be 3 rooms of all kinds of genres of electronic music from house to techno and bass music as well as an electroswing room and awesome circus acts throughout the night. For this one you must have a costume or you will not be let in. I reckon it’s going to be one of if not the most interesting party this holiday. Tickets 80NIS. Starts at 22:30
Meanwhile, Sister Bliss from Faithless will be playing at Zizi (DJ set). Zizi a mixed gay/straight club with awesome nights. Tickets will be 70NIS+. From 23:00. Yes, it’s really her. She’s really coming. It’s really that huge, but the club is small. Wicked.
Another fun (and cheap) option awaits with 1984 at the Maxim, known for its quality 30something and late 20something crowd. 30NIS in for new wave, kitsch, pop and eurotrash. The theme is the movies, so you can be a movie character of your choice.
If you want a freebie, head down to the Maoz bar from 22:00 for their themed Italian Mafia party. It’s free all night long and if you’re dressed up to the nines you might even get some free booze. This is a moustache-heavy party so make sure you have one handy. They will be giving some out on the door. The music will be happy gypsy/Balkan and electroswing and there’s even a live band, Monti Fiori.
Out of Tel Aviv there are two desert raves. One is the traditional intergalatic rave at the Desert Ashram, which is a 3 day psytrance, reggae and world music festival with workshops, art, hippies, chai shops, food, camping and freedom. You can turn up at any point, I’m sure. There may still be rooms to rent if you don’t want to camp. Otherwise, you’ll need to sort out a tent and some warm stuff, as the desert is cold at night.
Another more advernturous event is going to be not a rave but a mini indie festival in a secret location in the desert. No idea about details yet, apart from that there are 15 local indie bands playing, as well as circus stuff, art, fire sculptures and more. Ask on the Facebook event page if interested. Theme is pirates and mermaids.
March 9
The Florentin Street Party. Nuff said. Florentin St. and Frenkl St. are the famous epicentres of the traditional madness but do check in at the side streets. I recommend seeing if anything is going on at the Hoodna bar and maybe also the little streets parallel to Herzl on both sides.
Indoors there’s Dubstep at Ozen Bar with UK’s Xilent (60NIS) and great local support.
And also…Tech house/minimal from the Pacotek and Roof Animals crew with Vel from Moscow and residents Anna & Soussana. Breakfast Club. Free till midnight, 30NIS after.
March 10
If you’re still alive there’s a girl party at the Block. Double the trouble – the theme is pairs, duos, couples. 50-60NIS. I expect house, sleaze, trashy sexy music and lots of hot women (but not all of them will be into men).
Phew! Probably more to come later but for now that’s it. I’m gonna go design my mafia-pirate-hippie-circus-techno costume now.