Jerusalem: come for the terror -- stay for the culture!

No, really. I mean it:

• Israelis may have the blues, but they don't play the blues, which is why they have to rely on Americans to do it for them. Get low down in the (Nile?) Delta with the Jerusalem Blues Project tonight at Mike's Place.

• But if the idea of Anglo-Israeli blues inspires some understandable trepidation, bring the kids to a screening of Madagascar at the Merkaz in the German Colony.

• On Friday, bid fond farewell to the Summer Nights at the Yellow Submarine with a free lineup of world music acts. Or check out Russian boppers Robert Anchipolovski and Leonid Decelman grooving high at D. Grey.

• Shaanan Street, lord and master of chartbusting hip-hop/funk outfit Hadag Nachash, has gone solo for some reason and will be performing live at Beit Avi Chai at 22:30 on Saturday night in support of his just-released album.

• There's something appealingly incongruous about Hebrew-language stage adaptations of popular American films - and if you need an example, look no further than the Jerusalem Theatre's winning production of Rain Man, also on Saturday night.

• Sunday marks the 39th anniversary of the moon landing. Commemorate that triumph of science with a visit to the Bloomfield Science Museum, currently running exhibits on kitchen science and book-making; or just raise a toast to Neil Armstrong while Boston-based Israeli indie rocker Michael Gottlieb plays a free set at HaTaklit.

• On Monday, swing by the Musrara art school to admire the works of its talented students at a special class gallery showing, and wind down the evening with cocktails and the smoky vocal stylings of young chanteuse Shelly Tzarafi at Birman.

• Admire the grace of some of Israel's hottest young dancers Tuesday at a performance by the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company at the Israel Museum. Be aware, though: unlike the Calatrava Bridge opening ceremony, no modesty smocks and beanies here.

• And finally, on Wednesday, explore the last love of Anton Chekhov via a play at the reliably high-quality Khan Theater.

There's plenty more happening throughout the city, and as always, all you need to do is click over to the Events section to find it. Have a great weekend.

H-T: http://www.jerusalemite.net/blog/

And this is just a few of the, oh, 'bout a thousand reasons why I frikin' love the place. No, really. I'm not kidding.