A place absolutely worth visiting tomorrow and Friday (18th/19th of June) is Yafo, which will be holding the Blue Festival as part of Tel Aviv’s continuing centenary celebrations. It was, of course, from the 5000 year old port city of Yafo that the origins of Tel Aviv were born some 100 years ago.
The Blue Festival spreads out over two days and throughout various Yafo locations and is an attempt to highlight the diversity and spirit of Yafo. The Festival includes the following highlights:
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The Blue Route– A completely new tourist attraction set to be inaugurated on the 18th June at 5pm. This new route runs from the Yafo port and passes the famous old Clock Tower of Yafo, the Etzel museum, the Metzitzim beach and finishes at the Tel Aviv port further north.
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Blue Week– A celebration of cultural, culinary and commercial discounts from various businesses in Yafo, these discounts will actually be valid through to the 25th of June.
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Blue Music – Expect some great performances at Yafo port, including the kickoff show by legendary Algerian-born pianist/singer Maurice El Medioni, who was the winner of the 2007 BBC World Music award, at 6:30pm on Thursday.
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Yafo Flea Market– In addition to some late night bargain hunting, expect some late night goodies on Thursday in the flea market, including the Happy Days band playing some 60s classics at the Yafo cafe on Thursday night (9:30-11:30pm); on Friday at 1pm catch some gypsy jazz courtesy of the Caravan Trio. At the Margoza Bar, you can catch Black Dove on Thursday starting at 10pm, and Happy Poker starting at 11am on Friday.
- Yafo Cinema– The Nalaga’at Center will turn into a movie theater during the Blue Festival, and feature a large selection of films in Hebrew and Arabic – for adults and children – dealing with Yafo, Tel Aviv, and other themes. A special outdoor screening of The Band’s Visit, one of Israel’s most successful and critically acclaimed movies from the last few years, will be shown at 8:30pm in Kedumim Square.
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Food Market – Some of Yafo’s more renowned culinary establishments, including Dr Shakshuka and Cordelia (chef Nir Zook), will set up stalls along the beachfront.
For a complete list of events, including art exhibitions and theater performances, see the official Tel Aviv guide in English (in .doc format).