Cultural Icon, Talk Show Host, Rock Star: A Conversation with Yair Nitzani

Join us for a conversation with Israeli rock star, songwriter, comic, television host and cultural icon Yair Nitzani. We'll explore his distinctive take on life, his work with the hit Israel band T-Slam, his Jon Stewart-inspired news satire television show and the strange reality of being a rock and television star in the land of Israel.

Yair Nitzani: Known as the Israeli Jon Stewart, Yair Nitzani is a musician, writer, comic, and TV personality. Nitzani uses satire and comedy to present his distinctive take on life, fusing cynicism with endless optimism, moving forward while yearning for the good old times, and balancing his career in music production with the tribulations of being an 80s rock star. In recent years, Yair has entertained audiences all over Israel with his intimate and intelligent comedy. He is the host of the weekly television culture show “A Bit High,” and previously hosted the televsion show “Yanshufim,” for which he won the award for “Best TV Show” in 2011 and 2012. From 2003-2005, Nitzani wrote and hosted three seasons of “Ahorei HaChadashot,” or “Behind the News,” which was nominated for “Best Entertainment Show of the Year.” In the past, Yair has also joined the judges on “Kohav Nolad,” the Israeli version of American idol. He is the writer of a popular satirical column, “Raising an Eyebrow,” in the daily Hebrew-language newspaper, Israel Hayom, and which led to the publication of a successful book by the same name. Yair also supports a program for lone Israeli soldiers that was founded by his wife Drorit Nitzani.

Shirel Horovitz: Through sculpting, drawing and sound, Shirel Horovitz’s installations and performances explore the relations between cities and communities. She earned her BFA from Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, her MA from the Interdisciplinary Art Program at Tel Aviv University and has been studying and practicing Zen-Buddhist inquiry meditation since 2007. Her works have been exhibited in museums and galleries across Israel and the US. She is currently working on new sculptures and etchings in her studio in Tel Aviv.