The original Woodstock festival happened a long time ago, and whilst the festival no longer lives on, the music does. In Israel the mix of music from the summer of ‘69 remains ever-popular, combined with modern-day hits. And its for that reason that tomorrow, on Wednesday 5 August, Jerusalem will play host to a 5-hour music marathon on Tu B’Av, the traditional Jewish day of love. The event also commemorates 40 years since the historic 3-day Woodstock Festival in New York, in the summer of ‘69.

Israeli home-grown bands will perform their own covers of the legendary songs of the likes of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan and The Doors.

Taking place at the Kraft Family Stadium in Jerusalem, the concert is going to benefit concert the non-profit American Football in Israel (AFI) organization that recently saw its national women’s team take first place at the Big Bowl tournament in Germany. Israel will be sending both its women’s and men’s national teams to Belfast in September for the European Championships.

“I missed the original Woodstock Festival, and have regretted it ever since,” says stadium director Steve Leibowitz. “I believe that the music of Woodstock impacted Western culture in a way that no music festival or performer ever has since”. “I think it’s fitting that our Woodstock Revival is happening on Tu B’Av”, adds Danny Gewirtz, the concert organizer, “and we hope that the stadium will be full of Peace, Love and Rock ‘n’ Roll. In any case, we promise to provide the Rock ‘n’ Roll!”

The Jerusalem Woodstock Revival line up includes renowned Israeli artist, Geva Alon, paying tribute to Neil Young; celebrated blues guitarist, Ronnie Peterson, playing Bob Dylan; singer-guitarist Lazer Lloyd from the rock band “Yood” with some of Jimi Hendrix’s classics; and the nationally acclaimed Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young tribute band “Long Time Gone”.

“The Doors will be set on fire by the band, Crystal Ship in the spirit of Woodstock,” adds Carmi Wurtman, the event promoter who brought Macy Gray to the capital last month for Students’ Day, “because, like The Beatles and a few other world famous bands, The Doors weren’t at Woodstock, but they SHOULD have been!”

For further information, see the website at www.israel-coupons.com/woodstock

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