NIS 10 million. That is set to be the most expensive party in Israel’s high-tech sector. Wiz will hold its flagship annual Purim celebration Thursday night at Pavilion 2 at Expo Tel Aviv — unless Donald Trump changes plans — with more than 20 top-tier performers taking the stage in one of the most elaborate productions seen in Israel.
According to industry sources, the lineup is expected to include Omer Cohen, Eden Golan, Sarit Hadad, Odaya, Ivri Lider, Eden Ben Zaken, Dana International and — in a surprise reunion — former “Kochav Nolad” (“A Star Is Born”) contestants Shiri Maimon and Ninet, Harel Skaat and Harel Moyal.
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Odaya, Ninet and Ivri Lider; also set to take part in the party
(Photos: Anat Mosberg, Orel Cohen, Amir Meiri)
The party’s concept is a tribute to ABBA, with each Israeli artist performing a cover of one hit by the Swedish pop group. Market estimates suggest performers will earn anywhere from tens of thousands of shekels to more than NIS 100,000 for a performance lasting just a few minutes. The goal is to thrill employees of the company that pulled off the largest exit in Israeli history, selling to Google for an astronomical $32 billion.
Wiz’s party — with owner and CEO Assaf Rappaport closely involved in its planning — is part of a broader trend of multimillion-shekel mega-productions staged by Israel’s leading high-tech firms. Each company is striving to outdo the others with ever bigger and flashier events. Forget lavish buffets, office inflatables and active cocktail bars — the hot trend is large-scale, high-energy musical extravaganzas.
Recent examples include Monday.com’s Halloween-themed mega-party a few months ago and Microsoft’s gala two weeks ago, featuring Ravid Plotnik, Noa Kirel, Odaya and Harel Skaat, among other A-list performers. At last year’s Wiz Purim party, the theme was a Madonna tribute, with performers including Omer Adam, Rita, HaYehudim, Mergui and Anna Zak, who joined forces for a one-time collaboration. This year, Wiz promises to surpass last Purim’s record investment.
Behind the productions for Wiz, Monday.com, Palo Alto and other leading tech firms is VIVO Productions, owned by Avi Ben Shitrit and Asher Ilan.
One area where, according to industry sources, Israeli high-tech companies have yet to soar is booking international artists for their mega-events. Ben Shitrit has attempted to bring performers such as Jennifer Lopez, the Backstreet Boys, Katy Perry, Pink and Cher to Israel, but has encountered refusals because of the war — “no matter the fee, out of concern for their careers.”