Stars to shine at Yom Ha’atzmaut

AN eight-year-old Mount Scopus student is set to shine in the spotlight at this year’s Yom Ha’atzmaut Community Concert after entering The AJN and Zionist Council of Victoria’s GhettoBlasterz – Kochav Nolad competition.

Tess Wexler was chosen by musical director Adam Starr to take to the stage at St Kilda’s National Theatre on April 25, after submitting a video of herself performing a song she had written for the contest.

“I am very impressed with this young talent, she has enormous potential for her development. We will see a bubbly upbeat performance at the concert and I have very much enjoyed working with Tess thus far,” Starr said.

Musical talent runs in Tess’s family. Both her sister and her mother used to sing, while her grandmother was a professional singer.

“I think it will be a most fantastic thing to see her up there. She’s always had a talent for music but this opportunity has really got her exited and motivated, and she is working on it very hard,” said Tess’s father Geoff.

Tess won’t be the only star on the night though. Other performers at the event, jointly hosted by the ZCV, JNF and UIA include last year’s Kochav Nolad winners Yarden and Carmel Raz, young vocalist Edward Lichtig, Emily Lubitz of Tinpan Orange, Israeli songstress Vered Harel, jazz musician Rita Satch, pianist Matan Franco and soul singer Nissim Ben-Salamon.

“An incredible range of talent will be performing on one stage on this one special night” said ZCV executive director and concert producer Jane Rapke.

The day after the concert, Yom Ha’atzmaut festivities are set to continue at Luna Park with a family festival, including a “Buy Israeli”, marketplace offering a range of products such as jewellery, fashion and beauty products and Judaica. A flag parade will also be held around the carousel at 5pm.

To book tickets for the Yom Ha’atzmaut Community Concert, call the National Theatre on (03) 9525 4611. To book tickets for the Yom Ha’atzmaut event at Luna Park, visit yomhaatzmaut.eventix.com.au. Businesses interested in contributing to the “Buy Israeli” market should contact Elly Shalev: eshalev@zcv.org.au.

TIMNA JACKS