18 December 2004

Noa's performance at Vatican Christmas Concert (Vatican)







Noa at Vatican Christmas Concert. December 18th (duet with Massimo Ranieri) (the concert wasbroadcasted on italian tv and radio, on Dec. 24th)

Concerto di Natale in Vaticano all'insegna della pace di Serena Sartini/ 18/12/2004
Nell'atmosfera natalizia dell'Aula Paolo VI si è chiusa questa sera la dodicesima edizione del Concerto di Natale in Vaticano. Sul palco star d'eccezione che hanno proposto duetti inediti e brani originali.
Tre ore di splendida musica. Una scenografia molto originale. L'Aula Paolo VI è addobbata a festa, le luci e i colori si intrecciano. La sala è piena. C'è un unico messaggio, ripetuto da ciascun cantante: pace, a tutti e in tutto il mondo. E' questo l'augurio del natale 2004 e di un nuovo anno all'insegna della felicità, della pace, della speranza. Nel tradizionale concerto, che andrà in onda il 24 dicembre, alle 21.00 su Canale 5, e trasmesso da Rtl 102.5 oltre che con sistema wireless dai telefonini 3, sono stati molti i messaggi di pace e speranza richiamati da tutti gli artisti presenti: da Massimo Ranieri a Noa a Sergio Cammariere; tutti hanno comunicato con la loro musica questo augurio, accompagnati dal Maestro Renato Serio e dalla Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana.

Ed il Concerto di Natale in Vaticano non è solo musica, ma anche solidarietà, speranza, unione di religioni, di colori, di razze. Proprio come il brano che ha introdotto la serata: “Happy Christmas (War is over)'' di John Lennon, cantata da tutti gli artisti proprio per comunicare quel desiderio di pace tra i popoli. A condurre la serata, come di consueto, la brava Cristina Parodi.

Dopo il brano iniziale, a "rompere il ghiaccio" sul palcoscenico dell'Aula Paolo VI, è stato il napoletano Pino Daniele che si esibisce con parte della sua band, la "Ensemble". Al suo fianco ci sono Rossella Ruini e Fabrizio Palma, mentre l'orchestra è diretta dal maestro Gianluca Podio. L'artista partenopeo canta una versione melodica di "Quando", riarrangiata per un'occasione speciale. Una canzone a cui è molto legato - come lui stesso ha detto al termine dell'esibizione - dedicata ad un suo grande amico che non c'è più: Massimo Troisi. "Con questa canzone è un po' come se fosse qui con noi", ha aggiunto Pino Daniele.

L’atmosfera cresce, il pubblico fa sentire il suo calore. In Aula ci sono quasi 7.000 persone, di queste (ci confessano dall’organizzazione) meno di tremila hanno comprato il biglietto. Ma comunque la dodicesima edizione del Concerto in Vaticano ha avuto successo, più dello scorso anno.

A salire sul palco tocca a Massimo Ranieri, un altro napoletano doc. Suggestiva la sua interpretazione nell’edita versione di Magnificat, scritto da mons. Marco Frisina su testo tratto dal Vangelo secondo Luca. Ad interpretare il primo duetto della serata è proprio Massimo Ranieri che, insieme alla israeliana Noa, si esibisce con “Santa Lucia luntana”, un brano napoletano, cantato in un dialetto perfetto anche da Noa. Una canzone che parla della nostalgia e che richiama alla mente “i tanti migranti in giro per il mondo che non vanno dimenticati – sottolinea l’artista israeliana – occorre ricordare il sentimento di queste persone”. Quale è l’augurio di Noa per questo Natale? “Sono ebrea e il 25 dicembre per me non è una ricorrenza particolare. Ma ho un grande rispetto per questa serata e per voi. Nel mondo – ha aggiunto l’artista – ci sono diverse religione che devono convivere affinché a vincere sia la pace”. I due artisti sono in perfetta sintonia: ne esce un duetto eccezionale.


o strepitoso duetto di Massimo Ranieri e l’israeliana Noa. Insieme cantano un brano in dialetto napoletano: "Santa Lucia luntana"(Foto di Alessia Giuliani - Catholic Press Photo).

Dopo una lunga giornata di prove si chiude il sipario della Sala Nervi. Un po’ di riposo per gli artisti e per il Maestro Renato Serio che quest’anno, per la prima volta, dirige l’Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana. Le prove continuano per tutta la mattina, fino alle 14.00. Poi, il pubblico comincerà a fare il suo ingresso per la serata musicale più stellare dell’anno.
©
TEXT & PHOTOS www.korazym.org



8 December 2004

Noa's concert in New York (USA)



* Tuesday December 8th - New York, NY
At 8.00pm Tickets from 32$ to 50$
Organized by Congregation Rodeph Sholom More info http://www.oyhoo.com

Israeli Pop Super-Star to Perform in New York December 8, 2004 - Main Event of 8 day Chanukah Music and Cultural Series
The American-Israeli singer-songwriter who has achieved world-wide acclaim both as an admired artist and as an activist for peace in the middle East will be making her only New York area appearance on December 8th, 2004.

(PRWEB) November 18, 2004 -- Noa, the international singing sensation has performed before many world leaders from former President Clinton at the White House to the Pope at the Vatican. The American-Israeli singer-songwriter who has achieved world-wide acclaim both as an admired artist and as an activist for peace in the middle East will be making her only New York area appearance on December 8th, 2004.

The concert will take place in the beautiful and historic sanctuary of Congregation Rodeph Shalom at 7 West 83rd Street off Central Park West. Noa’s performance is being presented by the Art Exchange in association with the New York Jewish Music and Heritage Festival and will feature Noa on vocals and percussion, Gil Dor on guitar and vocals, and Zohar Fresco on percussion and drums.

Noa, who is known in Israel as Achinoam Nini, returned to her native Israel at age 17 after being raised in New York by her Yemenite-Jewish family. Her career took off in the early 1990’s when guitarist Pat Metheny heard her perform in Israel and produced her first album for Geffen Records. Noa is a Universal Music artist and frequently performs throughout Europe and North Africa with her repertoire of original Hebrew and English songs performed in a pop genre with strong Middle Eastern flavoring. She has performed with Sting, Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow, Carlos Santana, Khaled, Quincy Jones, Zubin Mehta and the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra with which she recorded a best selling album in Israel.

Noa’s tour will take her to Mexico, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin Columbus, Chicago, Minneapolis, Philadelphia with a final stop in New York.

Tickets range from $32 to $50 and are available by calling 212-608-0555 or online at http://www.oyhoo.com

For More Information, please contact : Slava Gordon 212-608-0555 email protected from spam botso

7 December 2004

Noa's concert in Philadelphia (USA)


Noa's concert in Philadelphia, PA. USA December 7th

Monday December 7th - Philadelphia, PA -
Annanberg Center for the Arts
http://www.annenbergcenter.org
Venue: The Zellerbach Theatre
3680 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
This concert is part of the Festival of Lights
Tickets: from 21$ to 43$


OPULAR ISRAELI-AMERICAN SINGER NOA PERFORMS HER “FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS CONCERT” AS PART OF PENN PRESENTS®' WORLD DISCOVERY SERIES
PHILADELPHIA, PA — A singer/songwriter with a universal perspective, Noa will bring her singular style to Philadelphia, as part of the Penn Presents 2004-05 World Discovery Series, on Tuesday, December 7, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. in the Zellerbach Theatre of the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 3680 Walnut Street. Entitled "A Festival of Lights Concert," the performance will reflect Noa's source of creative inspiration - not just music, but beauty from the world around her. It is the perfect celebration to begin the Chanukah holiday, which begins December 8. Noa (whose birth name is Achinoam Nini) is fast attaining an international reputation for fusing different music styles together into one tantilizing sound - particularly Middle Eastern beats and Jazz. Tickets for the performance are $43, $38, $31 and $21. There are discounts for seniors, students, groups, and Penn alumni, as well as the TIAA-CREF university faculty/staff discount. For tickets or more information, call 215-898-3900, or visit online at www.pennpresents.org. Media Sponsor: METRO Philadelphia. There will be a free pre-show lecture at 6:30 p.m., place TBA.

Noa's life experience - which resonates in her music - has taken her around the world and back again. She was born in Israel to parents of Yemenese descent, raised in the Bronx, New York, and repatriated to Israel in her late teens. To date she has released four international albums, has eight Israeli recordings, and has performed around the world for dignitaries and common folk alike, striking them with her earnest, heart-felt interpretations and compositions. Her most recent compilation is Now (2002). Among her strongest musical influences are Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Leonard Cohen and Paul Simon.

She started singing at the age of three, a time when her parents encouraged her talent by putting her on a table with a carrot in her hand as a microphone. By the age of seven she was writing songs - about God, cockroaches, trees and love. She says she has been writing songs (the content of which changes as she does...) and singing them ever since. "I consider that an incredible privilege," the exotic beauty states.

Noa spent two years in the Israeli military singing for soldiers, then enrolled in the Rimon School of Music where she met Gil Dor, a musician who would ultimately help shape her sound and professional career. They have been artistic partners ever since.

Always mindful of the blessing her voice and her music has been to her, she is proud of the hundreds of concerts she has had around the world and the "endless encounters with remarkable people…I have sung for the Pope, Bill Clinton, Steven Spielberg and Yitzhak Rabin to name a few," she says, "&3133;and been on stage with Sting, Stevie Wonder, Carlos Santana, Quincy Jones, Sheryl Crow, and so many other amazingly talented people from all over the world."

Poetry has also influenced her music. "I love poetry, especially e.e. cummings and Octavio Paz," she says, "…but I have taken material and inspiration from so many places and people: I just try to keep my eyes and ears, and especially my heart, wide open all the time."

Noa has garnered fans from around the world with her open, frank, sensual and inviting style.

In 2001, she became a mother to a son, and considers that event to be the greatest influence ever on her music and her life.

For more information about Noa, please visit www.noasmusic.com.

5 December 2004

Noa's concert in Minneapolis (MN) USA.

Noa's concert in Minneapolis (MN) USA. Dec 5th

* Sunday December 5th - Minneapolis, MN
Organized by Israel Programs Center & Adath Jeshurun Tamid Committee
Time: 7.00 pm
Location: Adath Jeshurun
10500 Hillside Lane
Minnetonka, Minnesota 55305
Tickets: general $20.00; Reserved+reception $36.00; Child+senior $15.00
Event Contact: Itai Tennenbaum
Phone: (952) 381-3551
http://jewishminnesota.org/

4 December 2004

Noa's concert in Evanston (Illinois - Chicago) USA


Speaking with 'Noa' December 3, 2004 by Lisa Frydman

Achinoam Nini, known internationally as "Noa," is a human tornado in concert. Her luscious cape of curls flows around her as she whirls from song to almost any instrument (she's brilliant on the Darbukkah, a hand-held Arabic drum), blending her signature style of folk, jazz and Middle Eastern rhythms in Hebrew and in English.

Considered the hottest female pop artist in Israel, Nini plays to sellout crowds in her native country, the United States and
worldwide -- not to mention repeated gigs at the Vatican. She laughs during a phone interview from the Holy Land, that she, a
Yemenite Jew from Israel, is considered a "Vatican favorite."

Born in Israel and raised in New York, Nini, 35, studied at the High School for the Performing Arts in New York City. She chose to return to Israel when she was 17 to serve in the army, singing for the soldiers in the Northern Command Ensemble. After her military service, Nini studied at the Rimon School of Music in Israel. It was there that she met Gil Dor, a highly accomplished guitarist, and began their 14-year musical partnership.

NOA 8 p.m. Saturday
Cahn Auditorium, Northwestern University Campus, 600 E. Emerson,Evanston
Tickets, $50
(847) 498-8218

Nini became a sensation in Israel, but the turning point in her career was when she and Dor collaborated with jazz guitarist Pat
Metheny to release "Noa," her first international album, in 1994. Nini, married and mother of two, will be performing at Northwestern University on Saturday night.

HERE'S WHAT NINI HAD TO SAY:

On the ultimate balancing act -- kids & career: I have a 3-year-old son, and I just gave birth to my second child three months ago. We named our daughter Enea, which means "seeing the world through her own eyes." It is a name inspired by the hope for peace -- to see the world not in any old way, but a better way.

On performing in Chicago: I love Chicago. A very good friend of mine lives here. He's an extraordinary musician whom I met through Pat Metheny. As for the city, I'm in love with the Art Institute, and of course, I'll take my son to Navy Pier.

On politics: I'm very political. Everyone in Israel knows exactly where I stand. I'm very outspoken. In fact, I sang at the peace rally where [the late prime minister of Israel] Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated. Ten minutes after I performed, he was shot dead. It was devastating.

On her special relationship with the pope: I've met the pope several times, and sang for him. I'm what you'd call a "Vatican favorite" [laughs]. It's just so ironic, being Jewish and a Yemenite Israeli, I'm so far removed from Catholicism. I recorded my own version of "Ave Maria" during the Gulf War on my first international album, which was produced by Pat Metheny. I sang the song at the Vatican. The performance was televised worldwide. My appearance was considered very controversial in Israel. Many Israelis were proud that I was a Jewish singer from Israel singing in front of the pope. Others here were not as open-minded and accepting.

On discussions with the Pope: He's a very gentle, intelligent man. He made it a point to tell me that he believes in reconciliation between Judaism and Christianity, and believes in peace. Look, I don't agree with everything he does, but he is one of the most important religious leaders in the world, and he's made very symbolic gestures to Israel. And when it comes to peace, the pope is right on the ball.

A brush with Hollywood: I'm not prone to stage fright. I'm very comfortable singing in front of anybody. But there I was in Majorca, performing in the Cultural Arts Center, and Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones were seated right in front of me, first row. It was horrible and wonderful. Catherine was the nicest person. She invited me and the whole band to a cocktail party after the show, and later e-mailed me how much she enjoyed my music. It was a thrilling experience.

On her fantasy performance: I end all my concerts with a Paul Simon song. Hands down, it would be singing anything with Paul Simon.

____________________________________________

By PAUL WIEDER

Although she plays percussion and guitar, Noa’s primary instrument is her voice. Both powerful and beautiful, it is in a league with those of Linda Ronstadt and Barbara Streisand. It is a voice that can be as delicate as an orchid and as overwhelming as a sunset sometimes, in the same song.

Her third English-language album is called Both Sides of the Sea, and that is an accurate depiction of Noa’s biography: I was born in Israel in 1969 When I was 2 years old, my parents moved to the Bronx I returned to Israel alone, at 17, she says. Like most Israelis that age, she entered the army, serving in an entertainment unit. Afterward, she studied in a music school, where she met guitarist Gil Dor. After a 1990 concert together, they began collaborating, as they have been ever since.

Noa is an Israeli nickname; her full name is Achinoam Nini. She used Noa for the title of her 1994 debut album, produced by the man who was to bring her to the attention of the world, jazz guitarist Pat Metheny. Her second English album, Calling, was produced by Rupert Hine, who has also recently worked with Suzanne Vega.

Like Ofra Haza, Noa is of Yemenite origin. Also like Haza, she merges East and West and old and new in every song. On her albums, Noa is accompanied by everything from an entire orchestra to a Sephardi-Mizrachi ensemble to just Gil Dor’s tender guitar.

Dor still does much of the accompanying and arranging, and Noa takes many of her lyrics from the great Israeli poet Leah Goldberg. She does, however, write many of her own songs; her influences are singer-songwriters Joni Mitchell and James Taylor, as well as Paul Simon and Leonard Cohen. Her favorite poets are e.e. cummings and Octavio Paz. But I have taken material and inspiration from so many people and places, she confesses, adding, I just try to keep my eyes and ears, and especially my heart, wide open all the time.

Noa has recorded in both Hebrew and English, in both the U.S. and Israel. After Haza’s untimely passing, Noa has emerged as Israel’s premier voice to the world. Her audiences have included Stephen Spielberg, Bill Clinton, and the Pope. She has shared the stage with stars ranging from Quincy Jones and Stevie Wonder to Carlos Santana and Sheryl Crow; and both she and David Broza, Israel’s best-known guitarist, have performed with world-music fan Sting.

Her greatest achievement, Noa feels, is being a mother to Ayehli, her son, born in early 2001. She considers this the most challenging and beautiful experience in my life. For all her success and acclaim, she feels, being a mother is perhaps the greatest privilege of all.

Noa will appear at Northwestern University’s Cahn Auditorium in Evanston, on Saturday, Dec. 4. The event is a benefit for Shir Chadash Reconstructionist Synagogue on its 10th anniversary, and is presented under the auspices of the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest. Tickets are $50; call Shir Chadash at (847) 4

2 December 2004

Noa's concert in Columbus (Oh) USA

Noa's concert in Columbus (Oh) USA Dec 2nd

* Thursday December 2nd - Columbus, OH
Organized by the Congregation Tifereth Israel
1354 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43205
Phone: 614-253-8523
http://www.tiferethisrael.org/

Concert by NOA-Achinoam Nini-Thursday, December 2, 7:30 p.m. at the Riffe Center Theatre. Noa is Israel's acclaimed singer of many different styles and genres of music. One of the nation's great stars, she is beloved throughout the world. She has performed before thousands upon thousands of people at the Vatican, on TV throughout Europe, and around the world. An outspoken advocate of peace and reconciliation between peoples, she sings, plays guitar, piano and congas and is just amazing. She will be
featured in the Spotlight Series Program of Congregation Tifereth Israel. Tickets are $38 -- $18 for students. Tickets can be purchased through the CAPA Ticket office, Ticketmaster or from Congregation Tifereth Israel. Call 253-8524, x. 160 for more information. To see more, check
out her website: www.noasmusic.com
For more information, please contact Cantor Jack Chomsky .

1 December 2004

Noa leads The Jerusalem AIDS Campaign together with Inbal Gur-Arie (Israel)




"We all care" - Noa (Achinoam Nini) and Inbal Gur-Arie by IsraAID (www.israaid.org.il)

‘We All Care’ - Israeli group campaigns for World AIDS Day 1 Dec 2004
This year's World AIDS Campaign focus is on Women and HIV. The Jerusalem AIDS Project brought together two special Israeli women to lead the campaign.

‘We All Care’ - Israeli group campaigns for World AIDS Day 1 Dec 2004
This year's World AIDS Campaign focus is on Women and HIV. The Jerusalem AIDS Project brought together two special Israeli women to lead the campaign.


This year's World AIDS Campaign focus is on Women and HIV.

The Jerusalem AIDS Project brought together two special Israeli women to lead the campaign, Noa (known in Israel as Achinoam Nini), a singer and a recently appointed Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Food Program, and Inbal Gur-Arie, a 30-year-old Israeli women infected with HIV, who was appointed as UNAIDS Campaigner for 2003-2004. Both appear on an Israeli World AIDS Day poster and a stamp.

The poster and stamp send across the message "We all care" for those infected, ill and those whom we must prevent from being infected.

The world is this week marking World AIDS Day (1 December). 23 years since AIDS was first known as a disease that affects mostly gay men, HIV - the virus that causes AIDS - knows no borders. Almost 40 million people are living today with HIV worldwide, and the current rate of new infections is 14,000 a day.

In Israel, official reports estimate the number of Israelis living with HIV to be 4,300. Many believe this is an underestimate, due to the basic fact that most Israelis do not test themselves for HIV.

The Jerusalem AIDS Project (JAIP) is focusing its efforts all year round in targeting youth with a comprehensive model for education on HIV prevention. Schools, army camps, universities and out of school groups are being educated by JAIP volunteers on how to prevent themselves from being infected and infecting others.

The Jerusalem AIDS Project is also involved in the international commemoration of World AIDS Day, through its network and worldwide contacts. In Africa, volunteers of JAIP are conducting this week educational sessions in local communities. In Europe, JAIP educational materials are presented amongst other multi-cultural materials in exhibitions and events organized by the European AIDS Forum.

In Jerusalem, JAIP is especially active this year in contributing to the discussions at the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, on HIV/AIDS. Also, JAIP is a partner to the municipality of Jerusalem in holding its major World AIDS Day event on 1 December.

Being part of faith-based initiatives on HIV/AIDS, The Jerusalem AIDS Project is supporting Christian, Jewish and Muslim groups in developing their action against HIV/AIDS. JAIP is part of an ecumenical initiative in this area.

The Jerusalem AIDS Project is a member of IsraAID: The Israel Forum for International Humanitarian Aid. IsraAID is a coordinating body of Israeli Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) based in Israel who are active in development and relief work and concerned about global issues ("Tikkun Olam").