Shlomo Artzi in Concert

What a perk when your daughter manages events at Binyanei Hauma, Jerusalem's International Convention Center, and can get you free tickets to a Shlomo Artzi concert!

The first time I saw Shlomo Artzi perform was 50 years ago on that very same stage in Binyanei Hauma. Other performing musicians that night, if I recall correctly, were Ruti Navon and Miri Aloni. I was in high school and a classmate's brother had produced the concert at the huge Jerusalem hall, hoping to make a name for himself in the Israeli music industry.  The night didn't go as he had hoped.

Only some 75 tickets to the concert were sold. I think this was because of the lack of publicity and the fact that another huge event had been staged a few nights before. The small crowd sat in the first few rows of the hall, which can seat 3,000 people. I remember that Shlomo Artzi was unfazed by the low turnout, and he played a very good set.

Over the years, Jodie had I have seen Elton John and Paul Simon perform in that same hall. And we attended an outdoor Shlomo Artzi concert at Sultan's Pool a number of years ago.

The concert last night was fun. He performed many of his greatest hits, connecting them together with short tales of his career. He mentioned performing at Binyanei Hauma as a soldier, but didn't mention the concert I had attended for some reason.

Shlomo Artzi is one of Israel's leading folk rock musicians and composers. He is incredibly talented and the band that accompanied him was incredible. A totally enjoyable concert and it came as a treat from our daughter Merav!