Jerusalem's Top Events for the week of July 7

> Jerusalem's Top Events for the week of July 7

The summer of 2011 is now officially in full swing here in Jerusalem, with the Film Festival's opening night taking place tonight. Among the other gems on offer this week are Afro-Cuban jams, a block party celebration of the Yellow Submarine's 20th anniversary and Fantasy Island-themed children's theater.

We're not sure when sirs onion and garlic were knighted, but we do know they've contributod more to merry old England than Elton John or Paul McCartney ever did. A culinary workshop at Beit Avi Chai on Thursday (and again on Tuesday) explains why.

On Friday, Tomer Yosef, of Balkan Beat Box fame and now a solo artist as well, rocks the Front Stage street party to mark the Yellow Submarine's 20th birthday, together with the Apples, Yemen Blues and local electro post-pop buzz band Umlala (pictured).

During selected days in July and August, including this Saturday, Mini Israel presents Circus Y's The Butterfly Effect as the inaugural production of the park's amphitheater. With its original score, laser lights, CGI video projections and jaw-dropping acrobatics, The Butterfly Effect tells the story of two ancient cultures which battle over the control of light.

Normally, catching a movie is a pretty ho-hum way to spend a Saturday night in Jerusalem, unless it's the second week in July, which means the Jerusalem Film Festival is in town. Over 150 films - covering the gamut of documentaries, digital video shorts, meditations on the Jewish experience and much more - are screened at venues around town, incluidng cineplexes, theater auditoriums, outdoor screens and the Cinematheque.

On Sunday, check out the new Fantasy Island comedy theater production at the Bloomfield Science Museum. You just might learn something too.

Like Afro-Cuban music but think its hot beats are just too newfangled? On Monday, Beit Avi Chai hosts Chorole, a melding of the aforementioned Latin grooves with classical melodies.

Is one square meter enough breathing room for you? Explore the concept of space as a commodity at the K'tovet Poetry Group's fourth annual One Meter Square Poetry Festival. Held this year at Jerusalem's Botanical Gardens, the festival features prominent poetry and musical talents, starting Tuesday and running through Thursday.

Having a small baby doesn't mean you have to huddle indoors waiting for feeding time. Get out to Malcha Mall on Wednesday for Mommy and Baby encounter workshops there.

Each Wednesday in July, the Tower of David presents a Love in Jerusalem tour. From the Tower of David Museum to David's Village, Mishkenot Sha'ananim and Yemin Moshe, the tour covers tales of impossible and forbidden love, heart wrenching affairs, and "happily ever after" stories of Jerusalem. The Night Spectacular show follows the tour.

And check out everything else going on at our full events section.

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