ARTS&LIFE
SHAY FRANKO
MUSIC
Israeli singer Shiri Maimon performs as Roxie Hart in a production of the Broadway musical Chicago.
The ‘Beyoncé of Israel’
Shiri Maimon to guest at Temple Israel’s Laker Concert. SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
S
hiri Maimon, applauded as both the “Beyoncé of Israel” and a Broadway star, is this year’s guest entertainer appearing in the Laker Concert. A digital program because of the worldwide pandemic, the concert will feature her live vocals joined by a keyboard accompanist. It runs 4-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, and is hosted by Temple Israel. “Performing for Jewish communities around the world is always an honor and a pleasure,” said Maimon, who is expected to combine pop and blues Israeli songs with
34
|
DECEMBER 3 • 2020
numbers by Jewish composer John Kander and Jewish lyricist Fred Ebb for the musical Chicago, the show that brought her to New York to play lead character Roxie Hart. “I am always happy to bring the Israeli flavor abroad and see how the audience unites when I sing both songs from my repertoire as well as famous and known classic Israeli songs. “Normally, I get to meet the people, talk and hear their stories. Unfortunately, this time it will be contactless, and yet I am sure the warm welcoming I always get from the Jewish
communities will be felt. I will love to visit Detroit so, hopefully, we’ll have the chance to sing together face-to-face very, very soon.” Temple Israel Cantor Michael Smolash is at the center of arranging this annual event, which started in 1993 and is a Laker family gift to the community in honor of the late Sarah and Harry Laker. “Shiri Maimon is probably the most exciting act ever brought in for the Laker Concert,” Cantor Smolash said. “Strangely, the reason we could was probably because of COVID. We wanted to see what advantage virtual programming might give because of not dealing with flights and schedules in the normal way. “We decided not to limit our guest search even to North America, and we called on one of the biggest stars in Israel to see if that person would appear.” Maimon, who has recorded
six acclaimed albums and was a judge on the Israeli version of The Voice, will be making her Michigan debut. “A concert from Israel brings something special,” said the cantor, who reminds viewers that the varied live performances, scheduled close to Passover, had to be canceled this year because of the pandemic. “Shiri Maimon has a great Broadway voice, but when she does pop, she has a great R&B sound. She’s a really versatile singer. We always have our eyes out for Israeli entertainers who are [traveling in the United States].” Maimon, who grew up near Haifa, launched her career when she was 10 by appearing in a children’s musical. Drafted into military service in 2000, she became a vocalist in the Air Force Band. In 2003, Maimon auditioned for Israel’s version of American Idol and attained second place, gained public popularity and was signed by
