The local celebration of Israel at 60 will take a funky and danceable turn when leading Israeli band Hadag Nahash performs at the Gosman Amphitheatre at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach on Saturday, February 2.

The band plays a unique style of music that blends hip hop, funk, jazz, electronica and rock with a touch of Middle Eastern flavor. This musical fusion has garnered Hadag Nahash a large fan base in Israel and abroad.

Hadag Nahash was formed in Jerusalem in 1996. After touring Israel for more then four years and generating a large following, they released their first album, “Hamechona Shel HaGroove” (Hebrew for “The Groove Machine”) in September 2000, and have been topping the charts ever since. In 2003,  the band released their second album, “Lazuz” (“To Move”), produced by internationally acclaimed musician Yossi Fine. The album had four # 1 hits in Israel and achieved gold status.

In 2004, Hadag Nahash released their third album, “Homer Mekomi” (“Local Stuff”). This album, also produced by Fine, went platinum within a few weeks and established Hadag Nahash as one of Israel’s leading bands. At the end of 2004, Hadag Nahash won “Band of the Year,” “Album of the Year,” and “Song of the Year” awards from virtually every newspaper, Internet site, radio and TV station in Israel.

All the band members are social activists and they are famous for organizing “Festival for one Shekel,” which brings top artists to the outposts of the country for one shekel (25 cents) a ticket.

Their recent release, “BeEzrat HaJam” (“With the Help of the Jam”), has produced three hits and achieved platinum status in Israel.

Hadag Nahash represents the critical voice of young Israelis. Through its live jazzy, funky rhythms, the group has made its reputation with raps about Israel's domestic issues. The lyrics always contain messages about tolerance, equality and peace. For example, their hit “Shirat HaSticker” (“The Sticker Song”) is made up of different political statements and opinions compiled from bumper sticker slogans.

On stage, Hadag Nahash engulfs its audience in upbeat rhythm, swinging sounds and funky lyrics, leaving them entranced and swaying along with the groove. As the refrain from their famous song “Lazuz” goes, “Hadag Nahash invites you to move, move, move..!”