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Jacob's Ladder Festival Brings Music to Sea of Galilee (You'll find yourself in the lovely Galilee region, above, at Jacob's Ladder Festival) Jacob's Ladder Festival, held on the shores of Israel's Sea of Galilee, is a unique musical and social event for lovers of all aspects of folk music from Bluegrass to World music, from Irish jigs to Country Rock and from Blues to Renaissance. The joyous event, presenting great live music, dance workshops and fun activities for all ages, is held twice a year on the picturesque grounds of Nof Ginosar Hotel on the shores of Lake Kinneret, the biblical Sea of Galilee. Next Spring's Festival Next spring's festival, presenting 35 different musical performances, will take place on May 4-5, 2007. Guest artists from abroad will include The Abrams Brothers (Canada), Bruno Sabalat and Olivier Milchberg (France), Jonathan Miller (USA), Dave Deckelbaum (Canada) and Stephen Suffet (USA).
(Making music at Jacob's Ladder Music Festival) The next Jacob's Ladder Winter Weekend festival will take place on December 14-15, 2007. Guest artists from abroad include the internationally known folk singer and story teller, Colum Sands (Ireland). Details about other artists will be announced on the festival website. The veteran spring festival, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2006, is held usually in May. One ticket provides entrance to Concerts on 4 different stages, and also includes a Traditional Irish Session, Dance and Music Workshops, Storytelling, Jam Sessions, Tai Chi, Yoga, Juggling, Children's shows, Craft Fair, Swimming and Free Camping. Special Children's Art activities and Holistic treatments are available for an additional fee. The audience arrives from all over Israel's towns and villages to experience the very special Jacob's Ladder atmosphere of music, fun, and feeling of community. From senior citizens to young couples with tiny babies, teenagers, students, young soldiers on weekend leave and entire families with their grown up children and grandchildren fill up the hotel rooms or spread out on the lawns with their tents. All Ages Take Part All ages take part in the traditional opening square dances led by dance caller, American expatriate, Cyrelle Forman Soffer. On Friday evening, all ages can be seen dancing to Irish jigs, country and bluegrass tunes, joining in jam sessions, or simply relaxing on the lawns. On Saturday, patrons enjoy the various concerts, workshops, dance sessions, children's shows, colorful bazaar and the inviting cool waters of Lake Kinneret, two or three meters from the Main Stage.
(The audience enjoys the music at the winter festival) The main performers stem from a close knit community of English-speaking immigrants and Israeli born artists. New immigrants from various other countries and young Israeli performers bring in an exciting fusion of music from East and West, influenced by their own cultural heritage. In addition, each event hosts guest performers from the UK, USA and Europe. Well known artists and social activists, such as Tommy Sands (Ireland), Tom Paxton (USA), Rory McLeod (UK), Aoife Clancy (Ireland) and Bruno Sabalat (France) have honored and enriched the festivals with their presence. The more intimate Winter Weekend festival is a cozy, Hotel Weekend of live music and Jacob's Ladder style fun, usually held in December. Activities include concerts, sessions, singing, dancing, Open Stage, and a variety of workshops for adults and children. The winter event is held indoors. Free tractor and trailer tours around the neighboring kibbutz are available on Saturday, weather permitting. As in the spring festival, one ticket includes entrance to all activities. Festival Organizers Immigrants from England Both festivals are organized by Yehudit and Menachem Vinegrad, immigrants from England, leaders of the group who founded the original Jacob's Ladder Folk Club and Festival at Kibbutz Machanayim in the 1970s.
(Guests of Hotel Nof Ginosar enjoy the waters of the Sea of Galilee) Jacob's
Ladder Festival community supports preservation of the ecology and respects people
of every nation and faith. Sabbath observers may remain onsite till the Sabbath
is over. Some people choose to celebrate the commencement of the Sabbath in a
joyful open-to-all gathering of traditional music and songs on one of the lawns.
For information about onsite hotel rooms, note that early reservations are recommended as rooms tend to fill up months ahead. For accommodation, contact contact Kibbutz Nof Ginosar, at 972-4-6700320 or visit www.ginosar.co.il
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