As musically hip as many of us fancy ourselves to be, it's a safe bet that Israeli performers are not commonly catalogued in one's pop knowledge base. For the past several years, Annette Zrihen has been trying to change all that. This Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at Dionysos Greek Restaurant in Cambridge, she will continue her mission of exposing Boston audiences to some of the best recording artists from the Holy Land.

The show will feature the premiere local appearance of Avner Gadassi, who has produced nine albums of hits over a 30-year period. His repertoire spans the classical and contemporary musical genres of Mizrachi tunes, Israeli pop, rock 'n roll, Spanish folk, blues, R&B, and soulful nostalgia.The evening, produced by HaKesher Organization and the Brookline Community Center for the Arts (BCCA) in collaboration with George Kariotis of Dionysos, will feature live music, open dancing, and Greek cuisine and drinks available for purchase. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the BCCA.

Gadassi, a native of Shechunat Hatikvah, won a major talent show at the age of 18. In 1972, he recorded his first hit, "Nifradnu Kach" ("The Way We Separated"), which he performed for the Yom Kippur soldiers. Gadassi went on to crank out numerous hits which have included: "Gvarim Bochim Balaila" (Men Cry at Night), "Lolita", "Neara Misfarad" (A Young Woman from Spain), "Sharona", "Eyneyha Kar'ou Li" (Her Eyes Called Me), "Menagen Veshar" (Plays and Sings), "Betshuvah Letfilati" (As An Answer to My Prayer), and "Yesh Li Neara" (I Have a Young Woman). Gadassi recently produced a live concert recording of a performance with Avihu Medina and Chaim Moshe, as well as four other renowned Israeli singers: Shlomi Shabbat, Margalit Tsanani, Yoav Yitchak, and Yishai Levi. The CD is considered to be a lasting testament to Mizrachi music. His stage act is known for its soul, passion, and humor.

"One of the great unifying aspects of our Israeli/Jewish community and others in Boston is our affinity for community gatherings and events," said Zrihen, who began collaborating with the BCCA two years ago. Their former location at 14 Green St. housed events she produced with the Israeli Consulate, which included Rogalach, Yehonatan Geffen, Shuki & Dorit (Nana muskuri style), Classical Israeli Folk Dance Nights, bi-weekly Israeli Movie Nights, International Women's Day Celebration and holiday parties which included a Middle Eastern Mimouna Celebration. While the BCCA readies new digs (according to spokesman Dan Marshall, the group is finalizing a Comm. Ave. location in Allston), she has been able to continue at Dionysos. Jeff Sussman provides logistical support for the events.

"Although the Boston area does not host as many Israeli/Jewish performances as New York or Los Angeles, we have nevertheless enjoyed countless famous entertainers from Israel's past and present," said Zrihen, who went on to cite numerous performers brought in by the Israeli Consulate and World Music, as well as she and other promoters: Yehoram Gaon (twice), Avihu Medina (three times), Ran Eliran, Shimi Tavori, Izhar Ashdot and friends of T-slam, Kobi Oz and T-Packs, Mickey Gabrielov, Parvarim, David Broza (eight times), Emil Zrihan, Jo Amar, Machina, Gidi Gov and his band (twice), Chava Alberstein (over ten times), Dudu Fisher (twice), Idan Reichel, Hadag Nahash, Aviv Geffen (twice), Shlomo Bar and Habrera Hativit (four times), Shlomo Bar and David Da'or, Dani Robas and Dani Litani, Tuvia Tsvir Dani Robas, Me'ir Banai, Yehudith Ravitz, Band in JCC, Einat Seruf, Noa (Ahinoam Nini) (three times), Rami Kleinstein (three times), Shlomit Ahoran and Hacol Over Habibi, Naor Tzion, Hana Laslow, Zev Revach (Sala Shabati), and Yoram Tahar Lev. "Even Hagashosh has come to Boston," she added, "not to mention the great Ofra Haza, Z'L rest her soul". Zrihen's series recently featured Arkudi Duchin and Rami Danoch.

Many organizations and synagogues have hosted other Israeli-themed events, Zrihen noted. "As you can see, Boston can be proud of its variety of culture and entertainment." She said that while some performers might at first bypass Boston, they eventually appear because of community support. However, she advocates a geographic mix: "I feel that we should space out the Israeli performances to provide the opportunity for local talents to shine, as well as produce other activities that promote a stronger, close-knit community," she said.

Dionysos Greek Restaurant is located at 777 Memorial Drive in Cambridge, at the Radisson Hotel, by the River St. intersection. Tickets are $25 at the door and $20 in advance (group and student discounts are available). For tickets and information, please contact Zrihen at 617-738-5038 or at SmartIsrapages@Earthlink.net. Tickets are also available at Bler Travel, Brookline, 617-738-0500, Israel Book Store, Brookline, 617-566-7113, Flowers by Ami, Canton, 781-821-2948, Shuki at JCC, Newton, 617-558-6493 and Hair by Hanna, Newton, 617-965-3012. For directions, call Dionysos at 617-661-6800.