Boys are beyond the range of anybody’s sure understanding, at least when they are between the ages of 18 months and 90 years.

Air – Sexy Boy

Kylie Minogue – One Boy Girl

Dana International – Love Boy

Pet Shop Boys – New York City Boy

Diana Krall – The Boy From Ipanema

‘Yom Hashloshim’

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1104635.html

A straight’s prayer for young Israelis shot for being gay

Mourn these young people

Liz Trobishi, 17, and Nir Katz, 26,

of blessed memory,

shot late Saturday by a gunman,

in a Tel Aviv club for gay teens,
for having chosen to practice

their own humanity.

Force me to see that

what I am so certain that I hate,

the clear, familiar targets of my fury,

are already inside me.

By Bradley Burston

כאן היתה שנאה, אהבה לא הורגת 

הזכות לאהוב מוקנה לכל אדם

Troubled times in our society

‘He always walked with his head high’

קשה מאוד להאמין שיכולה להיות כזאת רשעות, כזאת שטנה, לגדוע חיים של בני נוער שעדיין לא טעמו את טעם החיים

It is very hard to believe that can be such an evil, such a hate, to chop life of youth that did not yet taste the taste of life

There is NO Democracy withOUT Equality

YouTube – Dana International – Nitzachti (New Version 

14 Aug 2006 

Ani Nitzachti (I Won) – New Version

Sharon Cohen (Hebrew: דנה אינטרנשיונל‎), professionally known as Dana International (born Yaron Cohen, 2 February, 1972) is an Israeli pop singer of a Yemenite Jewish, and Romanian Jewish origin.

She is most famous for having won the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest with her song “Diva.” She is arguably one of the most famous transsexual celebrities in the world. Her career began in 1992, and since then she has released eight albums and three additional compilation albums, positioning herself as one of Israel’s most successful musical acts ever.

She was born Yaron Cohen to Yemenite parents as the youngest of three children after sister Limor and brother Nimrod. Cohen was named after an uncle who had been killed during a terrorist attack. Though born biologically male, Cohen identified as a female from a very young age. Cohen wanted to become a singer ever since she was eight-years-old and saw legendary Israeli singer Ofra Haza performing her song “Chai” in the 1983 Eurovision Song Contest. Although the family was quite poor, Cohen’s mother worked to pay for Cohen’s music lessons, and she has explained that her childhood was rather happy.

Cohen came out as transsexual at the age of 13.

The first tragedy in Cohen’s life was the death of her best friend Daniel, who died in an automobile accident. Cohen asserts that Daniel had prophesied that she would someday have a successful singing career, and claims that Daniel’s prediction is what pushed her to become the singer she wanted to be.

Lyrics 

The good and the bad look quite the same,

After all the things I’ve been gone through.

From all the loves and all the memories,

From the way I started to the way I ended up.

I do not know what other people think

Of the way which I walked in,

It doesn’t matter what they say.

I won. I won.

I’ve succeeded, failed, fell and raised.

I won. I won.

I’ve succeeded, failed, fell and raised.

I won. I won.

The justice and the crime look quite the same,

After all the things I’ve done.

The same stars in night and day are above the walls I’ve built.

I do not know what other people think

On the way which I walked in, it doesn’t matter what they say.

I won. I won.

I’ve succeeded, failed, fell and raised.

I won. I won.

I’ve succeeded, failed, fell and raised.

I was the most malicious person in the world.

I did the perfect journey.

I want it all.

I touched it all.

I won. I won.

I’ve succeeded, failed, fell and raised.

I won. I won.

I won. I won.

I’ve succeeded, failed, fell and raised.

I won. I won.

I won.

הטוב והרע נראים לגמרי

אחרי כל הדברים שעברתי

מכל האהבות וכל הזיכרונות 

שגמרתי איך עד מאיך שהתחלתי

אחרים אני לא יודעת מה חושבים

שבה הלכתי הדרך על (כי)

לא חשוב לי מה אומרים

אני ניצחתי.  .ניצחתי אני

ניצחתי נכשלתי, נפלתי וקמתי          

אני ניצחתי.  .ניצחתי אני

(את) ניצחתי נכשלתי, נפלתי וקמתי              

הצדק והפשע נראים לגמרי

אחרי כל הדברים שעשיתי

כוכבים אותם ובלילה  ביום

מהחומות שבניתי

אחרים אני לא יודעת מה חושבים

שבה הלכתי הדרך על

לא חשוב לי מה אומרים

אני ניצחתי.  .ניצחתי אני

ניצחתי נכשלתי, נפלתי וקמתי          

אני ניצחתי.  .ניצחתי אני

ניצחתי נכשלתי, נפלתי וקמתי          

מכל האהבות וכל הזיכרונות 

שגמרתי איך עד מאיך שהתחלתי

אחרים אני לא יודעת מה חושבים

שבה הלכתי הדרך על

לא חשוב לי מה אומרים

אני ניצחתי.  .ניצחתי אני

ניצחתי נכשלתי, נפלתי וקמתי          

אני ניצחתי.  .ניצחתי אני

ניצחתי נכשלתי, נפלתי וקמתי          

הייתי אכי רעה בעולם

המשע המושלם עשיתי את

רציתי הכל

נגעתי בכל

אני ניצחתי.  .ניצחתי אני

ניצחתי נכשלתי, נפלתי וקמתי          

אני ניצחתי.  .ניצחתי אני

ניצחתי נכשלתי, נפלתי וקמתי          

אני ניצחתי.  .ניצחתי אני

אני ניצחתי.   

Portugal has always been the bridesmaid, never the bride. Despite entering some pretty good songs over the years, they’ve never won. But they keep coming back for more and for that alone, you have to admire them. Unlike certain countries (ahem, Italy) who stormed off when they failed to win, never to return, Portugal has been a fixture of the contest for decades now.

Here’s a nice little song from from the ‘98 contest, which was held in Birmingham. It’s Alma Lusa, singing “Se Eu Te Pudesse Abracar”. Despite the splendid array of interesting instruments (most of which I’ve never seen in a performance since) this failed to win. Portugal came twelfth out of twenty-five songs that year, which was disappointing. But you have to remember, they were up against the irrepressible Dana International, who won for Israel. How could this song beat a transsexual wearing feathers, singing about being a diva?

Por Mike Medianoche

España, Sur de Europa Occidental, mediados de los 90.  El grupo Camela vive el mayor apogeo de la technorrumba, relatando tragedias cotidianas en éxitos como Sueños inalcanzables. Aprovechando el tirón, su mismo productor y con idéntica fórmula lanza Calaitos, dos chicos y una chica que logran hits de gasolinera como Aún le sigues queriendo. Un grupo que, de diferentes modos, siempre estaría unido al Eurofestival, pero desde una segunda fila. ¡Besos Rebeca! ¡Besos, Mónica Naranjo Coral!

Calaitos, cual los festivaleros Mocedades, La Década Prodigiosa o Baccara, ha sufrido diversas reformas en sus componentes, lo que derivó en lazos de unión con el certamen musical. El trío inicial estuvo compuesta por Alberto Garrido, Pilar Valero (voces) y David Domínguez (teclado). Tras un primer trabajo, Alberto tuvo que irse a hacer la mili, como el moreno de los Pecos, periodo en el que Benjamín Paredes fue vocalista.

Alberto regresa, y Benjamín pasa a formar  junto a Gema Castaño el grupo Solo2. Editan el cd, Fruta Prohibida y con un tema homónimo, son finalistas de la preselección española de Eurovisión, al igual que lo fueron en Benidorm. Es 1998, el año en el cual Mikel Herzog preguntó en Birmingham ¿Qué voy a hacer sin ti?, lo que se tradujo en  21 puntos y el puesto 16. ¿Habríamos quedado peor con  Solo2? Posiblemente, no, pero era el año de Dana, así que poco teníamos que hacer.

Calaítos pasa a ser un dúo: DAvid abandona el barco y con AnaBEL Eurovisión ‘95 Conde funda el grupo Dabel, de corte tecnorrumba avanzada. En el año 2000, prueban suerte en la televisada preselección de España con el melódico y progre tema Sin Colores ni Fronteras, pero se lleva el gato al agua el Stevie Wonder Patrio, Serafín Zubiri.  Dabel, explotando el tirón de la vocalista entre los eurofanses, así, en plural, perversiona el clásico Vuelve Conmigo, realmente digno de oir.

Pilar Valero abandona Calaitos, y es sustituida por la PopStar Olga. Pilar entra una temporada en el remake del grupo que nos representó en Eurovision ‘88,  La Década Prodigiosa, y posteriormente prueba suerte en en el concurso de talentos Gente de Primera de TVE, donde se le cruza en su camino la futura euroaspirante Yanira Figueroa, quien se alza con la victoria.

Solo2 tras un segundo trabajo se separa. Gema continúa con el gusanillo y en 2005, participa en la preselección eurovisiva con Santo Job, una canción que sólo dio que hablar por el resbalón que la pobre Gema tuvo al entrar al escenario. Ya separados, Benjamín y Gema, presentarían sendos temas a la preselección del pasado 2008, con escaso éxito.

Y hasta aquí este breve cruces de caminos entre Calaítos y Eurovisiones. ¿Qué nos deparará el futuro? ¿Olga de Pop Star representando a Andorra? ¿Pilar Valero, ahora llamada Calaíta, de corista en un futuro trabajo de Soraya? ¿O acaso será la propia Anabel quien nos represente dignamente en 2010? Sólo el futuro responderá todas estas incógnitas. Y allí estará SEC para contarlo.

Foto: charlotteperrelli.chic.se

Soraya Arnelas ha comenzado este pasado fin de semana su gira internacional para promocionar el tema que representará a España en el Festival de Eurovisión Moscú 2009, “La noche es para mí“.

Unos días antes, el jueves 16 de abril grabó en el plató de “Los mejores años” junto a artistas invitados el programa ”Especial Eurovisión”, en homenaje al eurofestival, que emitirá La 1 de TVE antes de la final del 16 de mayo, probablemente el 12 de mayo después de la primera semifinal.

En esta grabación especial de Eurovisión de Los mejores años de nuestra vida, Soraya, interpretó la nueva versión de “La noche es para mí“. Esta nueva versión incluye un inicio del tema ralentizado, donde predomina el sonido de un violín y golpes de tambores, que da paso a un tema trepidante que acaba con unos acordes de Soraya mucho más agudos que en la versión que ya conocida. El ritmo suena más árabe.

Soraya cantará La noche es para mí también con el equipo de Los mejores años, los ex concursantes de Operación Triunfo, algunos compañeros suyos de edición, que le harán los coros. Probablemente ellos interpretarán algún popurri con temas eurovisivos.

Foto: eurovision-spain.com

Para este programa, Soraya ha cantado Hero a dúo y con mucha complicidad con Charlotte Perrel, ganadora del Festival de Eurovisión de 1999 y representante sueca en el festival del año pasado. Además de Hero, Charlotte, muy cercana con el público, ha cantadoTake me to your heaven, el tema con el que ganó Eurovisión hace 10 años.

Soraya también ha hecho un popurrí de tres temas eurovisivos:Nacida para amar, tema que defendió Nina en Eurovisión; La fiesta terrminó de Paloma San Basilio, y Eres tú de Mocedades.

También han actuado los representantes de otros países como el de Reino Unido Jade, que ha sorprendido a todos con su potente voz en el directo de It’s my time; Grecia, Sakis Rouvas, que cantó en playback This is our night; y Alemania, Oscar Loya, que derrochó simpatía en Barcelona y habla perfectamente castellano al ser de origen mexicano.

El programa ha reunido a muchos ganadores de Eurovisión, entre ellos, la israelí Dana International, que interpretó Divaen hebreo; el irlandés Johnny Logan y los ingleses Brotherhood of Man, que cantaron Save your kisses for me. También han acudido eurovisivos españoles como Anabel Conde, que ha interpretado de forma magistral Vuelve conmigo, el tema que quedó segunda en 1995; David Civera, aragonés que participó en 2001 quedando cuarto, quién cantó un tema en solitario y un dúo con Soraya de Volare, y Remedios Amaya (1983).

El programa también ha contado con La Terremoto de Alcorcón y Las Shimai, que han hecho versiones de éxitos eurovisivos como Poupée de cire, poupée de son que cantó France Gall representando a Luxemburgo en 1965, y Parlez-vous français, de Baccara.

Fuente: Rtve, Eurovision-spain

- Ce ai pus în supa asta? Îl întreb pe Leon. Ce aromă!… E grozav de bună. Asta e una din specialităţile la care se pricepe, precizează Miriam, bucuroasă că slăbănoaga de Yael a golit farfuria (nu de gura ei, ci de dragul lui taică-su). De felul doi oricum nu se atinge. Numai la gândul că a fost tăiat ceva viu, o pasăre sau animal ca să ajungă un şniţel la ea în farfurie i se face greaţă! Leon îmi înşiră ingredientele în cantităţile şi ordinea în care trebuie puse la fiert, precizând şi durata de fierbere necesară pentru fiecare. În compoziţie, pe lângă porumb, cartofi, ceapă, condimente, lapte intră şi bulion de pasăre. (Bine că Yael nu ştie asta, zice Miriam).  Ceapa verde tăiată mărunt, la urmă. Şi, bineînţeles, dragoste, mai adaugă Leon. Asta-i cel mai important.
Yael se pregăteşte să iasă cu prietenii. Arată senzaţional, îmbrăcată într-o rochie lungă, de culoare închisă, care o face şi mai subţire. Îşi piaptănă cu o mână buclele lungi, ondulate, abia spălate, în timp ce, cu cealaltă, ţine la ureche, telefonul. Uite, zice Miriam, săraca, a-nceput să-i cadă şi părul. Yael se opreşte o clipă şi îşi aruncă ochii la pieptene. Continuă convorbirea la telefon. Dacă nu mănâncă şi proteine o să rămînă cheală, continuă Miriam. Eu i-am spus… – De asta a rămas tata chel, nu-i aşa? Sare Yael, închizând telefonul, cu ochii numai fulgere. Leon râde. Începuse un spectacol TV de divertisment. “Şi ăia se ciorovăiesc”. Pe ecranul televizorului regele Ahaşveroş cu pipă şi în blugi se certa straşnic cu Vashti, nevastă-sa pe chestiuni casnice, gospodăreşti. Un show de Purim, “Esther Internaţional”, duminică seara, 23 martie. În rolul regelui Ahaşveroş, un actor de origine română, acelaşi care prezintă în fiecare duminică un program de divertisment. Un canal destul de popular, pe care mai apar şi alţi actori şi prezentatori  de origine română,  îmi spune Miriam. Biblicul rege, declară publicului că el se-nţelege cu peste o sută de ţări, numai cu Vashti, nevastă-sa, nu. Fiindcă după ce că e certăreaţă e şi prea pudică. Nicicum nu vrea să-l lase s-o vadă dezbrăcată. Drept care, el temutul rege, se va îndrăgosti de altcineva… Dar de cine? De dansatoarea dolofană în văluri transparente cu buricul gol care se unduie, pe muzică orientală, în faţa lui?… Sau, de “femeia gumă” în stare să facă nişte contorsiuni de şarpe de li se taie răsuflarea curtenilor?… Ahaşveroş e tot mai posomorât. Nu-i place nici una. Se-nfurie. Peţitoarea e disperată, nu mai ştie pe cine să-i prezinte. O paşte ştreangul ca şi pe Mordehai, evreul de la curtea regelui şi pe toţi evreii din provinciile regatului. Totul fusese deja organizat de dregătorul Haman care era un foarte bun manager. Situaţia părea fără ieşire, noroc că Mordehai îşi aduce aminte de Esther, nepoată-sa. O fată plină de calităţi: nu mănâncă, e supusă şi e virgină. Unde mai găseşti o virgină în ziua de azi?… Neapărat trebuia s-o vadă Ahaşveroş! Subţirică, cu picioare lungi, graţioasă şi cu o voce excepţională, Esther îi cade cu tronc regelui. Mordehai nu minţise: Esther, era virgină. Superba dansatoare şi cântăreaţă din show-ul TV, îmi explică Leon râzând, suferise de curând o operaţie de schimbare de sex.
Peste două luni, Esther (Yaron cum se numise ca băiat) adică Dana Internaţional, îi căzu cu tronc şi Eurovizionului din 1998 de la Birmingham şi câştigă concursul.

I don’t remember ever having a day so full of activities like the one I had yesterday – which reminds me that I definitely should get some hobbies or go back to school to feel my much to extra time so my life would have some sort of meaning…

But, of course, I need money for that, meaning I need to get a job, a well-paid job, before looking out for hobbies.

So, about yesterday:

My day started around 7 oclock in the morning when I woke up early so I could drive mom to work and have the car for the whole day. When I got back home, I went straight to the shower, got dressed and for the first time ever (!!!!) I put on some makeup on my face – I’ve definitely picked the time to start wearing makeup since it was the first day of Purim when almost everyone wears makeup. I’ve brushed my teeth before putting on lipstick and was overall satisfied with the outcome – except with the Mascara which I think I put too much which caused my eyelashes hairs got glued together, totally annoying.

My first station – or 2nd since driving mom was the first… oh, who cares – After I was ready to go, I took off to the job interview at the import office in Hertzeliyah. Of course that with my luck I’ve missed a exit at the road 2 highway and had to drive till I got to a turn on which I could U-turn and go back – which, obviously, caused me to be five minutes late but I did call when I realized I’ve missed the exit to let the office know I’ll be late, so it was OK.

I got to the office and woman to whom I talked on the phone recieved me and started telling me about the office and the job and the zillion of responsibilities that goes with it. I got totally stoked about it, because I am looking for an interesting challenging job and I completely know I’m up for it. After that, we’ve switched seats and she let me sit infront of the computer and she gave me a small test in English – since the whole work in the office is in English – and dictated me a few lines in English and after that a few lines in Hebrew which I was supposed to translate in English and I did it flawlessly. After that she led me to the CEO office where I met the CEO and talked with him a bit and I told him that all the talk about the many responsibilities only got me more excited to work with them instead of scaring me away.

I can totally see myself working there and doing beautifully, don’t even have the slightest doubt in my mind.

He said he’ll give me an answer by the end of this week. so, we’ll see.

When I was heading back to the car, I called the office from which I got fired and asked if the salary is ready since I’m already in the area. The CEO answered and said I can come and pick it up from the accountant. So I did. I went straight to her and took the envelope with my pay-check.

I got back to the car and went home and had almost two hours to rest before I had to go out again. This time to the doctor for a checkup – I’m fine, don’t worry.

I got home again, changed clothes and went out again to TLV for the catering gig I got through a friend and I was soooooo happy to see a familiar face from my previous catering job (Saar, it was awesome to see you there!!!) so I didn’t feel like a total stranger, you know what I mean? Anyway, it was a business event and since it’s Purim everyone wore costumes, and some were very creative. I got one of the buffets where I stood and served chicken noodles and veggi noodles for almost two hours. After the buffets were closed I joined everybody who ran everywhere clearing empty and dirty dishes from the tables and then I was given a huge tray with almond and berrys pastrys and gave them around.

During the event there was a performance of an acrobat on velvet rope, which was awesome – and the main event of the evening, the performance of the one and only diva -> Dana International! when she was presented by the host, I thought at the beginning that they’ll bring a mimic artist, but that was the real person and she looks amazing up close and personal and she got everyone on their feet dancing and singing her hits.

It was over around 1:30 in the morning and we had to clean and close the kitchen which took us about an hour. When we finally were told to take off the uniforms, I went straight to the bathroom to change and one the way I saw another familiar face! Yaniv Swissa from Y CIRCUS who I met at the previous catering job. He recognized me immediately and we were so happy to see eachother. I told him about the past three months and the fact that I lost the job and got back to catering temporarly until I could find a decent steadier job and even asked him if he’s looking to hire, but he said that he’s not hiring any new people but wished me the best of luck. I’ve congratulated him again for his marriage (already did through FACEBOOK) and said goodbye and hurried to the restrooms to change and when I got out, I saw that all the waiters were already gone which kinda sucked cause now I had to walk by myself to the parking lot.

But I’m a big girl. I took my stuff and walked quickly to the parking lot, got into the car and drove home – got there around 3am and went to sleep about forty minutes later – hey, I had to wash off the makeup I was wearing. I didn’t do a good job with the mascara because later on that morning when I woke up and went to the bathroom, I’ve found two dark circles around my eyes.

Mom helped me to take it all off. She and my sister were very happy to hear that I finally wore makeup.

Inte sedan Dana International 1998 har jag upptäckt något bra i Melodifestivalen, igår hände det igen. Malena Ernmans La Voix är en blandning mellan pop och opera och är precis vad jag tycker om. Så släpper Malena ett album så kommer jag att köpa det. La Voix är skriven av Fredrik Kempe som själv spelat in liknande musik, men då Malena är mezzo-soprano så kan hon gå från riktigt mörkt till ljust och wow, vilken effekt hennes röst får live. Här får ni också se hennes framträdande från igår:

Segons sembla, pels primers resultats a peu d’urna, el governant partit de centre dreta Kadima hauria guanyat les eleccions a Israel, la qual cosa, dintre del que cap, és una bona noticia entre cometes, ja que hauria estat molt pitjor un retorn al poder del extremisme més ultra del Likud de Benjamin Netanyahu., a qui els bombardejos sobre Gaza li van semblar poc.

Però vaja, tampoc és per tirar coets, precisament! Amb un partit laborista endormiscat, arraconat a un quart terme i agenollat als designis de la dreta més genocida, el sistema polític del estat jueu no presenta cap alternativa a la massacre desproporcionada com a solució de qualsevol conflicte, i al fanatisme religiós com a base del sistema social, econòmic i legislatiu. On son els jueus laics de Tel Aviv? Els progressistes que varen fundar les comunes igualitaristes dels kibutz? Els objectors de consciència fugits del exèrcit per no voler assassinar palestins? Els que varen escollir a la transsexual Dana International com a representant a Eurovisió? Se’ls ha empassat la terra??

Sempre he dit que jo no odio a cap poble, ni cultura, els jueus com a comunitat no m’han fet res, però com a persona d’esquerres no puc deixar de sentir fastig per un estat en el que les tres primeres forces parlamentaries representen un espectre polític que al nostre país ocupa Democràcia Nacional o la Falange.

Espero que Tzipi Livni sàpiga configurar un govern sense necessitat d’aliar-se amb els grupúsculs ultra-extremistes crescuts d’Israel Beiteinu i el Likud (cosa difícil, sens dubte) i l’administració Obama-Biden-Clinton, que ja han estes la ma a Iran, siguin capaços d’ assentar els bases per un veritable procés de Pau

Ett par öronpastiller för oss Dana International-älskare.

Hold Me är en helt ny popbit. Kommande albumet ryktas (tyvärr) vara engelskspråkigt. Lite fin låt, dock bör ju Dana hålla sig till sitt modersmål.

Babayit Sheli (i mitt hem) är en dänga som inte fick plats på superalbumet Hakol Ze Letova.

Une publicité pour un bouquet cinéma sur le câble qui réunit Dana International et Wentworth Miller.

Tous le monde connait Prison Break ou au moins de nom… je ne suis pas branché série mais je vois défiler des noms et je m’en souviens par la suite.

Je suis tombé sur cette pub pas mal qui a pour thème un passage de la série Prison Break ou le personnage principale doit prendre la fuite, et la pour la pub, il tombe sur Dana International.

Je pense que tous le monde, à peu prêt, doit connaître au moins de nom cette personne, surtout si vous venez sur mon blog ; c’est une Trans Israélienne qui a gagnait l’eurovision en 1998 (si je me souviens bien).

C’est une jolie Trans, j’aime pas trop ses yeux, son regard que je trouve un peu dur (ce n’est que mon avis) mais c’est clairement une très belle Trans qui a beaucoup de chance dans la vie ; s’il y a quelqu’un qui a tout eu, c’est bien elle ; elle a pu changer de Homme en Femme et le montrer au grand jour et le tout avec un résultat hallucinant de crédibilité, ensuite, elle gagne l’eurovision, c’est un détail mais quand même, et puis elle est richissime… bref, peut on rêver mieux comme vie ?

Je ne crois pas ; moi c’est tous le contraire : je dois vivre caché, je suis sans le sous, pas de boulot… ouin ^^

Ishtar wie?? Hind? Oh ja, wacht, die deden mee voor België en Nederland gisteren?

Sorry mensen, écht het enige land dat we hebben kunnen onthouden is Israël. Boaz Mauda heet hij dus. En de tekst komt van Dana International – jaja, dat is die van 10 jaar geleden.

Oh ja, hij kan blijkbaar ook nog zingen en wat op de gitaar tokkelen. Maar dat is bijzaak, toch?