14 Jerusalem Scenes Past and Future

Last week in Jerusalem, Israel,

during the rainy weather days

top of bridge in weather

it was possible to take a color photo of the new String Bridge,

 that looked like it was black and white.

But then the sun came out,

cat

 Jerusalem’s street cats returned to bask in the sun,

cat at Beit Hanasi

and this cat was back on guard at Beit Hanasi,

the Israeli President’s residence.

Families with school-age children

education sign up

are busy trying to find the best school

for their child’s education, and space is limited.

But for others,

there was time to go by Teddy Park

Teddy Park

and watch the water in the fountain rise and fall.

The weather was sunny,

cool enough,

Teddy Park fountain

no one went into the water,

Muslim couple in Teddy Park

but nice enough to just sit on the ground and relax,

in this new park across from the Old City walls.

Cloud formations this time of year make for interesting photos.

The views of Jerusalem are constantly changing:

Center of Jerusalem construction

this large fenced-off cleared area

Jerusalem construction new statioin

and construction site across from the Central Bus Station

are signs of work well under way.

sign new city center

Posters are up announcing plans for

drastic changes to the entrance of Jerusalem,

with multiple building towers and a new fast rail system.

construction Jerusalem

City construction goes on deep underground

long before it is obvious to passers-by above.

Jerusalem Jaffa Street

Meanwhile, a walk along Jaffa Road

shows new construction rising from the old

Opening from Jaffa road to Nahlaot

and some familiar old scenes.

old building Jerusalem

Jerusalem of old

Segway riders

is constantly changing.

When the sun shines,

it is time to get out and get around.

Isn’t it time for you to see it for yourself.

More Piano, Like You Would Never Imagine in Jerusalem

December 24, 2015, in Jerusalem, Israel.

Damascus Gate

All was quiet near Sha’ar Shechem, the Damascus Gate.

A short distance away is

Zedekiah’s Cave or as sometimes called,

King Solomon’s Quarries.

entrance to King Solomon's Quarry

This is the opening of the cave in the Wall of the Old City.

For Israelis, who do not have Sundays off from work,

the closest thing to a long weekend is Thursday night

through Shabbat, known as Hamshush.

For the past several years,

Jerusalem has had a December weekend festival

called Hamshushalyim, with hotel and restaurant deals,

and hundreds of cultural events, including free late night ones.

Piano Hamshushalayim

 Hamshushalyim ended this year with a unique gala event

King Solomon's Quarry

in the quarry.

Solomon stables, Zedekiah Cave lighting for event

Guests walked down and down,

cave

to the main cave where a piano was set up on stage.

solomon's cave

Not your usual venue for a concert,

dressing room in cave

not your usual dressing room,

sign for emergency exit

and not your usual emergency exit.

Gil Shohat and Nurit Gilron

Three hundred chairs were set for the full-house crowd.

dignitaries at cave piano

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and MK Ze’ev Elkin

 gave opening greetings after a wine and sushi buffet.

Gil Shohat

 Gil Shohat playing and

Nurit Gilron

Nurit Galron singing

performers in cave

made for an unforgettable show in this incredible venue.

When you go please note, caves are warm and humid.

Pianist Gil Shohat complained that the humidity

had affected the piano keys.

But even Chopin would have been pleased

and certainly impressed by this musical performance.

King Solomon's Quarry

The audience slowly exited along the candlelit path.

The view from the street outside

Notre Dame at night

was of the Notre Dame Center

lit with holiday lights.

In the cool night air,

while waiting for a shuttle bus back to Kikar Safra,

I had time to compare to the Pianos at Jerusalem Theater,

and my first time in the caves during the Light Festival in 2013.

What will they think of next?

Plan a December trip and see for yourselves.

As always, much is happening in Jerusalem, Israel,

but these special events are not considered news.

Pianos in Jerusalem

Pianos, so many pianos.

‘Three Days Pianos’ was a festival at

The Jerusalem Theater.

Jerusalem theater night outside

For three days and late nights the theater was alive,

student playing piano in lobby of Jerusalem Theater

as people even played piano in the lobby.

Piano art theme in Jerusalem Theter

Art work lined many walls,

lobby of Jerusalem Theatre art display

much of it on a piano theme,

Jerusalem Theater main hall

with some works overhead.

The opening event,

in the Henry Crown Hall,

Jerusalem theater Piano festival

with international pianists,

piano

began with a brilliant 40 minute duet,

with Duo Lutoslawski each at a piano,

grand piano with 4 stools

and ended with four stools,

piano with four players

for four in a humorous finale.

Many performances were held in the various halls

of the Jerusalem Theater beginning on Wednesday.

lobby set with chairs for piano fetival

 Late into the night this lobby filled

 with sounds of beautiful music

Lobby Jerusalem theater

and people of all ages.

The festival ended with Kabbalat Shabat,

on Friday afternoon,

with artistic director Michael Wolpe.

Pianos.

So many pianos this week in Jerusalem,

Bach, Chopin, Mozart, Schubert, the list goes on,

watch and listen for even more next year.