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April 22, 2011
It’s time to celebrate Israel
Up-and-coming young singers will energize the Centre.
CYNTHIA RAMSAY
“Mozaica is a vibrant group of young Israeli performers, many of whom are already making names for themselves through their solo careers. As an example, Hovi Sekulets Star, one of the Mozaica members, was a finalist on Kochav Nolad (Israeli Idol). He’s so popular in Israel right now that he has to dress in disguise when he travels to Mozaica rehearsals; otherwise, he’s mobbed by fans.”
The local community will have the chance to experience the excitement, energy and talent described by Stephen Gaerber, co-chair of this year’s Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration with his brother, Allen, when Star and his six equally talented co-performers come to the Vancouver Centre for the Performing Arts on May 9, 7:30 p.m.
“Mozaica was formed in the rich tradition of the Israel Defence Forces entertainment troupes, and its members are graduates of those units,” explained Gaerber. “Vancouver Yom Ha’atzmaut audiences have shown that they really enjoy these performances, based on the great reaction to Dor Chadash and Kan Noladeti, two groups we’ve brought in the past that also came out of the IDF entertainment troupes. Since it’s been a few years since we’ve had the chance to see true up-and-coming performers, 2011 seemed like the perfect time to feature Mozaica. As their careers and popularity continue to grow, our community will be able to say, ‘I saw them back when....’”
Mozaica is comprised of some of the best performers of the recent year’s Israeli army singing groups, confirmed manager Eti Lam in an e-mail interview with the Independent. “Our goal is to bring the spirit of Israel’s Independence Day celebrations to the Jewish community in the Diaspora in the same way it is celebrated in Israel. We welcome the opportunity to include our extended family in the joy as we celebrate our existence, our strengths and our future, and we know that everyone who joins us will feel a part of the celebration and excitement. The energy and vivaciousness of the young performers will capture and uplift your heart.”
The group will also be performing in Edmonton on this trip, and Lam said the repertoire will feature “well-known pop and folk tunes representing Israeli culture, including some traditional Jewish tunes and modern Israeli songs.”
In Mozaica are Lior Shlik, Hagit Yasou, Adi Argelazi, Simon Shaw, Natanel Bassil, Elad Shore and Star. All of them began singing or playing instruments at a young age, and have performed not only in IDF bands, but other groups as well. Here is a little about each of them, as they shared with the Independent:
Shlik is from Ramat-Gan; her mother was born in Israel but her family is from Iraq, and her father is from Latvia. She has performed all over Israel and in the United States, Rome and Geneva. Currently, she is a music student at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance.
Yasou, from Sderot, is the daughter of olim from Ethiopia. Finishing her army service three months ago, she is now a singer in a Sderot musical ensemble.
Argelazi, from Kibbutz Matzuva in the north, has been part of a rock band since the age of 14, though she has a classical music education. One highlight of her career has been to sing Hatikvah at the Israeli championship basketball games.
Shaw is a guitarist and singer-songwriter, who was born in Sydney, Australia, and moved to Israel when he was two, growing up in Jerusalem. After finishing a bachelor’s in jazz guitar performance, he moved to Hollywood and studied at the Musicians Institute, but returned to Israel after a year. For the past two years, he has been performing all around Israel as part of many different projects and has recorded his first solo album.
Bassil is the lead singer of an ensemble named Champagne, which has performed at private events in Israel, Europe and the United States. He has acted in musical theatre, performed on cruise lines and participated in several singing competitions, as well as been a choreographer for youth bands in Israel.
Shore, who plays the piano, acoustic guitar, bass guitar and saxophone, has established his own recording studio and produced various bands. He also has written music for various types of media, theatre, etc.
And, last but not least, Star auditioned for and got into the top 10 of Israeli Idol 7. He has toured throughout Israel with the solo show Playing Dangerous, hosted the show Star Live and taken part in other programs, in addition to a lot of other musical and television productions. Star, who is a composer and lyricist, is now working on a solo album.
As for the Yom Ha’atzmaut organizing committee, this year, as always, it is made up of a cross-section of community members. “Many have been involved with the event for several years and some even since my involvement began 10 years ago,” said Gaerber. “Since the event is presented by the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, the committee’s efforts are supported by a number of federation professionals.”
In addition to the Gaerber brothers, also on the committee are Shari Gaerber, Allex Schastlivenko, Daniella Givon, Claudia Givon, Geoffrey Druker, Heather Glassman Berkowitz, Jonathan Berkowitz, Micky Goldwein, Neal Chark, Sigal Matthews and Yair Tabenkin.
In past years, there has a been local component to the show, but Gaerber wouldn’t give much away. “There is always a surprise element to our Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration and this year is no exception,” he said. “I can’t tell you the details or it wouldn’t be a surprise, but I can share with you that it will be light-hearted, presented live, and will make you proud of a very important element of our shared heritage.
“Also, congregations Schara Tzedeck and Beth Hamidrash are once again hosting a festive Yom Ha’atzmaut arvit service at the theatre immediately following the concert.”
When asked if there was anything else he’d like to share with Independent readers, Gaerber said, “The vibe and energy of 1,500 people celebrating Israel together, singing along and dancing in the aisles, is absolutely incredible. Yom Ha’atzmaut is one of our community’s best-attended and most popular annual events and is supported by 59 local Jewish organizations, making it a true community event in every sense. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate Israel and to feel part of the community.”
He also noted that, because of the sponsorship support that Federation has received from many families, there are, once again, distributed through organizations such as Jewish Family Service Agency and Shalom B.C., hundreds of tickets available through the Tickets to Inclusion program for those who cannot afford to purchase them.
“A new feature this year is that tickets can be purchased exclusively through the Jewish Federation website, jewishvancouver.com,” concluded Gaerber. “The benefit to purchasers is that there are no additional service fees added onto the ticket price. Every year, one of our priorities is to make tickets as affordable as possible and this is one more way we have found to do that.”
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