Jerusalem hotels, restaurants, attractions, tours & events. Helping since 2008

Ah, love is in the brisk wintry air. Many Israelis are oblivious to Cupid's arrows and the finer subtleties of Valentine's Day, but they do love any excuse they can get for romance-themed fun. In Jerusalem, restaurants and cultural venues are gearing up for so many love-themed offerings that it seems they're bent on turning the city into the Paris of the East. It seems that we just can't wait until Tu B'av or even Sweetest Day to shower our beloveds with all things lovey-dovey. We hope this list of activities (both de-lovely and de-lightful) happening around town sets your heart a-flutter.

• Jim Henson's Muppets have nothing on these guys. Spawned out of a Tel Aviv street performance troupe, Red Band is a motley crew of foul-mouthed and hard-rocking puppets who make Animal look like Al Gore. So it's not hard to see why Red Band has become a cult hit on TV and stage. Promoting season two of their TV show, the group and their puppeteers appears live for a concert of folk and rock at HaMa'abada on Thursday.

• It's only Friday, but HaTza'atzua is already getting its Valentine's Day on, with special romantic themed décor and themes for a weekend of love. Friday night also serves as the warm up for the bar's third birthday bash, with a bevy of DJs, drink deals and more over its multiple levels. Elsewhere, the Inbal Hotel's special Valentine's-themed package deal includes a romantic dinner, a room with a view, spa treatments and breakfast.
  

• Like many aspects of Israeli culture, local music hasn't always been recognized as a cohesive canon, as it was created by the coalescing of sounds from the exiles ingathered from around the world. Hear just how that happened with a concert at the Bible Lands Museum Saturday night covering Songs that Made Aliya.

• Nothing says love like a little mood lighting - or even no lights at all. That's probably not what the family-friendly people at the Bloomfield Science Museum had in mind when they put up their new Flashlight in the Dark exhibit, but it's a good excuse to learn a little bit more about the confluence of night-time perception and reality.

• On Monday, celebrate the holiday of love in one of the most romantic spots in the city, the Tower of David, where the rooftop of the ancient citadel is opened up for sunset viewing. Plus, you get to catch the always awesome Night Spectacular show - and, who knows, maybe even set up a romantic rendezvous among the old stones. Wrap up the evening with a special Valentine's-themed cream pastry and glass of sparkling white wine from Spain, courtesy of the Lara restaurant downtown. Dessert isn't quite enough to satiate your loving belly? Check out the romantic package-deal three-course meal on offer at the David Citadel Hotel's Scala restaurant, which includes cocktails, sirloin carpaccio, duck liver, steaks, gnocci, bonbons and pastries.
  

• Sports commentator Dan Cook once famously quipped, "It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings." But when it comes to Are You Happy Now, a comedic play about the life and times of an overweight woman currently being staged by the Khan Theater, it hasn't started until the fat lady lets loose.

• Forgot about Valentine's Day, or just looking to extend that loving feeling? You're in luck with Darna's winter special, offering a prix fixe of fancy Moroccan food for you and your Kahina at a lovely price.

And you'll love everything else there is to check out around town this week and beyond - it's all listed in our full events section.