Special projects
SOMMELIER 2025
February 4-5, 2025
Israel's largest wine exhibition: A successful experience of taste and networking
Israel's largest wine exhibition, the flagship event of the local wine industry, concluded this year as well with dizzying success, leaving behind the taste and aroma of fine wine and an unforgettable experience. The event, which has been taking place in the venue's arcades for over a decade, successfully combined the business world with an enjoyable experience in a perfect way.
At the booths of dozens of wine brands that were presented, the atmosphere was vibrant and inviting for thousands of visitors.
The guest audience included collectors, restaurateurs, sommeliers, chefs, hoteliers, buyers, wholesalers, wine merchants and a broad audience who enjoyed direct access to wineries, importers, distributors and winemakers. This was a golden opportunity to taste new wines, discover developing trends and expand professional knowledge, all in a light and festive atmosphere.
The exhibition provided an ultimate platform for eye-level meetings when the bustling tasting stations and comfortable meeting areas enabled the creation of new business connections and strengthening of existing relationships. The combination of fine wines, impressive design and quality audience turned the event into a particularly enjoyable cultural, culinary, multi-sensory experience.
Israel's largest wine exhibition once again proved its status as a must-attend event in the industry, successfully combining professionalism, innovation and an exceptional atmosphere. The positive feedback from participants testifies to its impressive success and leaves eager anticipation for the next event.
We look forward to seeing you next year as well, for an equally rich and exciting experience!
DRAG FEST 2025
January 22-24, 2025
Between January 22-24, DRAG FEST took place for the first time at Tel Aviv Culture Hall, in collaboration with production company ONE NIGHT ONLY and "Devek" on behalf of Tel Aviv Municipality. The festival, which took place in Zucker Hall, the Rock Club, and the arcades, included spectacular shows, workshops, lectures and open stage evenings featuring first-rate drag artists.
The audience experienced a colorful and creative experience, with brunch shows paying tribute to the great divas, a reunion of the ensemble "Sacred Wigs" and shows for Russian speakers. The festival marked 40 years of the AIDS Task Force through a new project called State of the art and collaborated with Israeli drag kings and queens. During the event, special awards were given to artists active and supportive of drag culture in Israel, and the event concluded with the "Nightpalooza" competition for Israel's new drag queens and kings.
The event was characterized by a colorful and pride-filled atmosphere, and contributed to connecting different audiences, while emphasizing the importance of culture and art in pride and the LGBTQ+ community. DRAG FEST proved itself as a groundbreaking event that left a strong impression on the audience and deepened the presence of drag in Israel's cultural scene.
Sylvester 2025
The venue's halls filled with an audience that came to bid farewell to the passing year and enjoy stand-up, country, and jazz performances.
Adir Miller's Stand-Up Show in Levi Hall The show took place in front of a completely sold-out hall and the audience was treated to a witty and entertaining performance, with personal insights and sharp humor. Miller's show, which has become something of an annual tradition at our venue, attracted a diverse audience.
Nashville Outlaws Band – Country Music at the Rock Club The authentic sound of American country music filled the club, and the energetic performance included songs by great artists like Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash. The atmosphere was warm, the meticulous production and tight performances created the feeling of having a good time at a real country club.
Degibri Big Band – in Zucker Hall The big band of international jazz musician Eli Degibri turned into an unforgettable dance party together with the lighting of the last Hanukkah candle. The show featured surprising guests like Alon Olearchik, Shlomo Gronich and Yoni Rechter and singers Anna Tabachnikov and Maya Gur. The ensemble brought spectacular performances of jazz pieces in special arrangements for this evening to the stage, and the audience didn't just listen – they also danced and enjoyed the bar that was available to the celebrants and contributed to the party atmosphere.
Historical Exhibition Marking 66 Years Since the Founding of Tel Aviv Culture Hall
The Culture Hall initiated a special and nostalgic exhibition "Once Upon a Time." The exhibition was launched in August 2024 as part of Tu B'Av events. In the exhibition, visitors embark on a fascinating journey following the rich and diverse cultural history of the venue.
The Culture Hall, which was inaugurated in October 1957, has since served as a warm home for Israeli music and cultural life in general. The exhibition displays photographs, documents, and posters documenting the establishment of the venue, the defining events that took place in it, and the great artists who performed on its stage over the years.
Visitors can be impressed by the contribution of Fredric R. Mann, an American industrialist who was among the leaders of the venue's establishment, as well as the generous support of Tel Aviv Municipality. The exhibition emphasizes the importance given to culture in the young State of Israel and the profound impact it had on Israeli society.
The Culture Hall serves as the home hall of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.
Over the years, countless events and performances have taken place at Tel Aviv Culture Hall, featuring first-rate artists from Israel and abroad, a wide variety of concerts, musical theater, musical performances, conferences and festivals. The venue has become a cultural meeting place for Israeli society.
"Once Upon a Time" is more than a collection of photos and memories; it is a journey through time that reminds us of the importance of preserving our cultural heritage. The Culture Hall, as the exhibition testifies, is a symbol, a spiritual home for Israeli creation and culture.
Tu B'Av 2024
August 15-18, 2024
This year as well, despite the difficult year we all went through, we chose to mark Tu B'Av during a musical weekend of love.
On the opening evening, in Levi Hall, singer Ilanit, whose songs are the soundtrack of our lives, moved the audience.
The next day, Miri Masika hosted Ivri Lider and Shiri Maimon. Tamir Greenberg concluded the holiday performances with a special show for Tu B'Av, which included exposure to songs from the new album. In Zucker Hall, Alon Olearchik hosted Mazi Cohen for an inspiring evening of duets. We held a debut performance of "The Legend of Naomi," in memory of Naomi Polani, Israel Prize laureate, featuring Assaf Ashtar. Noam Rotem marked 30 years on stage with special guests – Hila Ruach and Amir Lev.
The closing evening starred members of the ensemble "Tefilah Shvura" (Broken Prayer) in eternal love songs: a tribute to Leonard Cohen.
During the Tu B'Av events, we launched a new exhibition "Once Upon a Time" – a historical exhibition marking 66 years since the founding of Tel Aviv Culture Hall.
SOMMELIER 2024
April 1-2, 2024
exhibition. As part of the event, awards were given to prominent people in the industry for their contribution and achievements.
For two days, thousands of visitors visited the exhibition including professionals, restaurateurs, hoteliers, winemakers, wine importers, distributors, buyers, shop owners, and wine enthusiasts.
Although wine was the main star of the exhibition, one could also find beer, tobacco, cheese, and chocolate stands at the exhibition that provided a complementary experience and variety.
Avishai Cohen Quartet and String Quartet in a Performance for Nir Oz
January 24, 2024
Avishai Cohen Quartet, accompanied by a string quartet from the Israel Philharmonic in a special performance, whose proceeds were donated for the rehabilitation of Kibbutz Nir Oz
This is the third performance in the series of performances initiated by Tel Aviv Culture Hall as a contribution to the Gaza envelope communities.
Kibbutz Nir Oz suffered a very severe blow on October 7th. One out of four residents in the kibbutz was kidnapped or murdered. The performance opened with remarks by Sharon Lifshitz, daughter of Yocheved Lifshitz who returned from captivity in Gaza. Sharon read on stage the names of the kidnapped from Nir Oz and called on decision-makers to bring them home above all else.
The performance featured a new instrumental piece "Kintsugi" – the piece was written under the influence and in the shadow of the events since that day. "Kintsugi" is the art of reconnecting broken pottery with gold (kin in Japanese = golden, tsugi = connection). An art that represents, among other things, Japanese thinking regarding traumas, dealing with crises and their impact on the human soul.
A string quartet from the Israel Philharmonic joined Avishai Cohen's ensemble for joint and special performances.
Avishai Cohen Quartet – Trumpet: Avishai Cohen | Piano: Yonathan Avishai | Double bass: Barak Mori | Drums: Ziv Ravitz
Israel Philharmonic String Quartet – Violin 1: Nitzan Kanti | Violin 2: Gilly Rivkin | Viola: Gilly Radian | Cello: Lia Perlov
String quartet arrangements: Evgeny Levitas
Concerto for Be'eri
December 12, 2023
From the moonlight of October 7th, the first rays of sun brought a different world, a world of pain, a world that changed everyone. I know personally that I don't play the same way since then, and I'm sure you don't listen to music the same way since then," said conductor, composer and pianist Gil Shohat as he opened "Concerto for Be'eri." The second performance in the series of performances whose proceeds are donated for the rehabilitation of the Gaza envelope communities.
Zucker Hall filled with an audience that came to a unique concert in an atmosphere of hope, brotherhood and giving, conducted by Gil Shohat, together with soprano singer Daniella Lugassy. Additionally participating were: Nati Cohen on drums, Haya Yosha on double bass and the Polyphonia ensemble.
The performance offered enjoyment from performances of various styles: classical, pop, jazz and Israeli songs. From Schubert to Leonard Cohen, from Avinu Malkeinu to Albéniz's Asturias.
The sounds and harmonies mixed with pain, at the moment when Dafna Admati, who survived the massacre at Be'eri, took the stage. Dafna told her story from Be'eri and about the day we woke up to hell. Alongside the pain, she shared with the audience much optimism and plans for the future. Later she performed a moving duet with Daniella Lugassy to the song "Ein Li Eretz Acheret" (I Have No Other Country).
BRING THEM HOME
November 29, 2023
About a month and a half after the events of October 7th, a series of performances began at the Culture Hall aimed at helping rehabilitate the Gaza envelope communities, which suffered severe damage.
The first performance in the list of important performances was a joint performance by the Eli Degibri Quartet, together with a string quartet from the Israel Philharmonic. The performance was opened by Avi Shamriz, a resident of Kfar Aza, whose son Alon fell into Hamas captivity. Shamriz spoke about the dimensions of the disaster in Kfar Aza and about the struggle of the kidnapped families. Immediately after him, Eli Degibri took the stage and performed "Hatikvah," which was accompanied by audience singing. Then, the other musicians joined him and together they performed new and moving arrangements of several of Degibri's works. The performance harmoniously combined jazz music with classical music, when the peak of the evening was the premiere performance of the piece "BRING THEM HOME," which Degibri wrote after the difficult events.
Participating in the performance were: Eli Degibri – musical direction and saxophones, Tomer Bar – piano, Alon Nir – bass, Daniel Dor – drums, Nitzan Kanti – violin 1, Gilly Rivkin – violin 2, Gilly Radin – viola and Lia Perlov – cello.
The performance proceeds were donated to the rehabilitation of Kfar Aza.
Tu B'Av 2023
August 1-5, 2023
Tel Aviv Culture Hall celebrated the holiday of love for five days with performances by the finest artists in moving duets and love songs.
Arkadi Duchin celebrated his 60th birthday with a special performance featuring a plethora of love songs. He hosted Shlomi Shabat, Karen Peles, Shlomi Shaban, and also surprised the audience with a special guest – Yehuda Poliker, who two days earlier celebrated in Greek in Levi Hall with the show 'Thessaloniki – Haifa – Tel Aviv', and together with Haim Romano played the joyful and beloved sounds.
In Zucker Hall, Revenge of the Tractor performed in the show "Acoustic Kitchen," in a slightly different version and intimate setting for the band's songs, and hosted Efrat Ben Tzur; Uzi Navon and Anat Francis on two pianos; Nurit Galron in a new and moving show "Calling Me to Come" with new arrangements for beloved songs, in the musical production of Guy Weichel; Gal de Paz performed with a host of guests including: Guy Mazig, Maor Cohen, Gal Nisman and others in intimate versions of her songs and those of the guests; Rona Kinan performing songs from the acclaimed album "City Without Longing" with special guests: Jane Bordeaux who joined joint performances of love songs from the diverse repertoire.
SOMMELIER 2023
February 14-15, 2023
Israel's largest wine exhibition was held this year as well at Tel Aviv Culture Hall.
Thousands of industry professionals, wineries, wine enthusiasts, chefs and many others visited the venue for two days, where they were exposed to the latest innovations in the field of wines, and mainly tasted a lot of local and international wine
Pecha Kucha
February 6-7, 2023
In keeping with tradition, this year as well, for two days the Culture Hall was filled to capacity with guests who came to watch, experience and feel the art and culture project "Pecha Kucha."
On the venue's stage, artists, animators, photographers, industrial designers, performers, musicians and those who simply refuse to fall under a clear definition presented their work. Creators from different and diverse fields each received allocated time of 6:40 minutes to present to the audience original, fascinating and intriguing work that stimulates the mind and heart.
Participants: Uri Shifrin Anavi, Meital Raz, Nitzan Miost, Barak Heiman, Ben Eilon, Liat Danieli, Adi Feld Fleisher, Ada Rimon and Ofek Shemer Melhamami, and Chill Phil. Pecha Kucha came to Tel Aviv in the suitcase of Anat Sapran who called on Itai Mautner to join, and since then the two have been curating and hosting this cultural phenomenon together. The two maintain contact with the bubbling local creative world, and the best and most interesting things they see they bring to the Pecha Kucha stage. Another side of the local Pecha triangle is the quality production company Faza which extended its patronage over it starting from the second evening in the series out of great faith and love for local creation.
Micha Figa
May 2022
A cultural project initiated and under the artistic direction of Yehezkel Lazarov, inviting the audience to experience the depth of a theatrical creation process and dive into the worlds of inspiration, questions and cultural contexts from which a play is created.
Micha Figa celebrated its beginning with a multidisciplinary event including performance, installation, video art, philosophical enrichment and a sleepover party. At the heart of the event: the theater play "The Superfluous Man," adapted and directed by Lazarov from the Russian classic "Oblomov" by writer Ivan Goncharov. These took place in the various spaces of Tel Aviv Culture Hall, which provided the project with a home during its activity
Mozart Days Festival
January 27-29, 2022
Zucker Hall filled with classical music lovers who came to listen to the performance of the gifted composer's works performed on period instruments within the framework of "Mozart Days Festival 2022."
22 concerts featuring international soloists and musicians, under the musical direction of Zvi Meniker.
The festival program included, among others, the Gran Partita, the Requiem, flute quartets, clarinet and horn quintets, symphonies, opera excerpts and more.
Rashomon - Illustration Exhibition, Visual Communication Department, Bezalel
August 5, 2021
Third-year students in the Visual Communication Department at Bezalel bring back to life the magnificent tradition of illustrated posters.
The peak of the "Illustration and Design" studio, guided by illustrator Orit Bergman, is in the project given each year, in which students illustrate a series of three posters touching on the worlds of cinema and theater.
Hitchcock, Almodóvar, Kubrick, Tarantino, and Jarmusch are just part of the great film directors for whom the students illustrated and designed posters. Through the use of illustrative language, an intriguing, fresh, and surprising interpretation of familiar films and plays is made possible, while corresponding with the visual and thematic worlds of the creators, and forming a distinct graphic language that unites illustration and design.
They Say It Was Happy Here - Exhibition by Moshe Shai
January 30, 2020
The exhibition "They Say It Was Happy Here" provides a one-time and unique glimpse behind the scenes of Israeli culture heroes in the eighties and nineties. This exhibition is a representative sample from photographer Moshe Shai's new photography book, which brings together magical moments as captured by his camera lens, and offers a kind of "time capsule" of Israeli cultural life in the eighties and of figures who became treasured assets in our lives here. The photographs convey the special flavor of the period, which was a transitional time between innocence and disillusionment, between the veteran generation and the continuing generation in Israeli culture
Niggunim B'Tzedek at the Hall
December 14, 2022
As part of a three-day festival throughout Tel Aviv "Niggunim B'Tzedek," an event took place at the venue that was entirely a celebration of Hebrew Judaism, music and thought.
This is the fourth year the festival has taken place and presents an impressive and original artistic program and offers an interesting perspective on Jewish culture.
Within the framework of the fascinating day, three special events took place: the first, 'Masechet Playech, Tel Aviv' – a tour following Bialik with Avishai Wall. Later that same evening we held in Levi Hall the main and national performance "The Stars Deceived Me" in honor of the 150th anniversary celebrations of the birth of national poet Haim Nahman Bialik. In the performance, together with the Israeli Andalusian Orchestra Ashdod and conducted by Elad Levi, Bialik's familiar and beloved poems were performed alongside songs composed especially for the performance. During the show, special video art works were integrated on the screens, as well as documentary items and photographs that connected the audience to Bialik's personal story. The moving performance featured: Rita, Berry Sakharof, Shlomi Shaban, Esther Rada, Alon Olearchik, Teddy Negussie, Klipa Theater and Bat Kol Choir. In the Rock Hall – Rabbi Spiegel Neuman Ayal in a fascinating lecture: 'Meeting Between Hebrew and the Idea of Redemption in Kabbalah
3 Cohens
August 13, 2022
Chemistry. Alchemy. Telepathy. All fitting words to describe the quality of this ensemble," DownBeat magazine
The Israeli jazz family that conquered prestigious stages returned for a performance in Israel at Zucker Hall. Anat, Yuval and Avishai, the three musician siblings of the Cohen family, developed professionally in parallel ways, each of them developing a rich musical career in the international jazz scene. Since 2004, the three Cohens have released four albums, all receiving enthusiastic reviews. The musical connection between the three is intuitive, primal and complementary. They have their own language and space and it is magnetic. Sometimes it seems as if they relate to their wind instruments as if they were singing voices and they sound like an instrumental a cappella. The Israeli-French pianist Yonathan Avishai joined the trio, with whom they have been playing, as friends and colleagues, for close to three decades, and only recently this ensemble returned from a successful European tour.
Summer Festival
August 5-6, 2021
Tel Aviv Culture Hall celebrated summer with a series of performances on the first weekend of August.
- Shlomi Shabat launched his new album "Shlomi and Friends" in a special evening with guests. In the performance he performed his greatest hits from his extensive career, alongside songs that stood out over the years in his various albums, which achieved great success: "Bringing Down the Moon," "Why Are You Leaving," "Come Home," "What Are You Going Through" and more.
- Ilan Virtzberg and his band hosted Daniel Solomon and Dana Adini in the show "Good Vintage" to this day. This is a new band performance celebrating 40 years of the anonymous album, the album considered one of the best rock albums made in Israel, and includes his finest songs, combined with songs from his entire creative period from the 70s to today, songs from solo albums and songs he wrote for others: "I Couldn't Do Anything," "Oh Tziporah," "Everything Stands in Place" and many other familiar and beloved songs.
- Carolina in her new intimate show "So Close," when she's alone with a guitar on stage, presented a new and intimate interpretation of the finest songs she has accumulated over the years. The show, which as its name suggests – so close, provided an opportunity for the audience to experience a sweeping, moving and one-time musical experience of direct connection and closeness to Carolina.
- Gil Shohat returned with the beloved pianos show with his singer and pianist friends from the first row. Seven hundred keys, seven gleaming grand pianos, seven international virtuoso pianists, who played together in a crazy celebration of the sounds of the king of instruments. The beloved songs, the virtuosic works, musical power of genius. The show hosted the band Shalva which moved millions of people around the world. Participating in the show were: Rami Kleinstein, Shlomo Gronich, Daniella Lugassy, Leonid Pechka, Victor Stanislavsky, Lior Pari, Michael Zartzkel, Yehonatan Perlman and Andrei Plätbau
Live at Gimel - Shlomi Shaban Hosts Artists
June 5, 2020
The Corona period was challenging for Israeli society. The culture industry was damaged and closed its doors for a long period. During this time, we launched at the Culture Hall "Live at Gimel," a unique television program hosted by Shlomi Shaban, in which he hosts a variety of artists from the world of Israeli culture for a program that weaves fascinating stories in intimate conversation about the songs that were created, combined with rare performances.
The program lasted two seasons. The first season included twelve episodes featuring Shalom Hanoch, Chava Alberstein, Ninette Tayeb, Assaf Amdursky, Yoni Rechter, Shlomi Shabat, Shai Tzabari, Rona Kinan, Alon Eder, Shlomo Gronich, Marina Maximilian and Shuli Rand. Watch episodes >>
The second season included nine episodes featuring: Aviv Gefen, Carolina, Avithar Banai, Amir Benayoun, Gal Toren, Dudu Tassa, Yasmin Moalem, Riki Gal and additional guests. – Watch episodes>>
The program is a joint project of Kan-Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation and Tel Aviv Culture Hall, in collaboration with Hamon Volume
