Joe Cocker to perform at Gilboa Coexistence Festival
Jewish, Arab artists to perform in three-day August festival in north. Program includes: Performances, trips, family activities, food market and open houses
English rock star Joe Cocker is due to arrive in Israel for a unique performance as part of the Gilboa Coexistence Festival. The performance will be held on the opening night of the festival, Tuesday, August 26th. "I'm excited to perform in Israel and I believe the audience will enjoy an unforgettable show," said Cocker in the United States.
The Gilboa Coexistence Festival will take place on August 26-28 and will include joint performances by the best Jewish and Arab musicians in Israel. A majority of the shows have been produced especially for the festival.
In addition to the performances, the festival will include sporting activities, educational programs, and nature trips to be held in four separate locations in the Gilboa region.
The organizers promise that they will soon be able to announce the names of the leading Jewish and Arab performers who will participate in the festival as well.
The Gilboa Regional Council is planning an international event with dignitaries from around the world as well as Israeli government ministers, MK's, business people, mayors and NGO professionals in the field of coexistence.
"This will be one of the biggest events ever put on in Israel promoting coexistence," says Daniel Atar, head of the Gilboa Regional Council, "In the Gilboa, coexistence is our reality and proves that a way of life of brotherhood and equality forms a solid foundation for cooperation, understanding and mutual recognition that we believe can be established in all of Israel and beyond."
Some of the events being held in the scope of the festival are, Gilboa women's Jeep Challenge – two days of challenging jeep excursions for Jewish and Arab women, national finals for the Bible-Koran quiz in which children from across Israel will participate, joint bicycle expeditions, an open food market in Taybe and more.
Cocker, who was a performer at Woodstock in 1969, will arrive in Israel following a performance in Germany as part of his European tour.
Among Joe Cocker's hits are "You Can Leave Your Hat On," known from the movie "Nine and a Half Weeks;" "You are so beautiful;" "Up Where We Belong," theme song from the movie “An Officer and a Gentleman;” "Chain of Fools" from "The Commitments," and more.
