Tel Aviv, Israel — Though the phrase “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it” may have originally been uttered to describe a coal-burning stove in Marietta, Georgia, in the 1830’s, Tel Aviv has taken it to apply to their most widely used appliance of today, that being a techno dance party. A few months back, some enterprising young event planners decided to have a street fair on Rothschild Boulevard, but Tel Aviv style, meaning you can shove those craft dream-catchers and smooth jazz where the sun don’t shine because a Tel Aviv street fair essentially means a day rave. Upon the runaway success of the first event, the Rothschild Street Party of December 2009 has become now an almost monthly affair. No complaints about that here: who doesn’t love the soothing sounds of “Stereo Love” to wash down my Goldstar on a very, very hungover Friday morning?
The Rothschild Street Party is really the exemplary Tel Aviv experience. If you were to arrive at the swankiest boulevard in the city with your Mr. Gadget suit on and a clipboard, you’d see that everything necessary to identify this prototypical Israeli event would be covered. Let’s take a gander:
Booming techno music on several stages: CHECK.
Tasty snacks, lots of beer, and Arak Man, handing out Arak shots to pretty girls: CHECK.
Impossible beautiful, extraordinarily unapproachable-looking people: CHECK.
Those people bringing their small, small children and babies to dance to the techno music around drunk people: CHECK.
Also bringing their frightened puppies?: CHECK.
Hundreds of men dancing by themselves, one arm pumping the beat into the air, no girls allowed: CHECK.
Snipers on every building and soldiers walking around with grenade-launching capable guns? CHECK.
Black hats giving teffilin to drunk and probably drugged-up partygoers (but only men! Don’t you short-sleeve wearing sluts even dare try!): CHECK.
And, because no party would really be complete without some Hare Krishnas?: Absolutely CHECK.
And a glorious Friday afternoon tradition is born.
1 year ago • Notes