Amir Bashtak Palace Al-Muaaz St, Tel 02 2787 9187 Thurs 20, 7pm: The Arab Singing House presents the young talents in a repertoire of Umm Kolthoum songs.
Arab Music Institute 22 Ramsis St, Tel 02 2574 3373 Fri 21, 8pm: Said Osman and Shomoaa band. Sun 23, 8pm: The Arab Music Heritage Ensemble in a repertoire of classical Arab songs. Thurs 27, 8pm: Classical Arab music concert features Nehad Fathi. Fri 28, 8pm: Angham Al-Sharq troupe features singer Ibrahim Farouk. Mon 31, 8pm: The New Year concert presents Umm Kolthoum songs.
All Saints' Cathedral 5 Michel Lutfallah St, Zamalek, Tel 02 2736 3679 Main Theatre Sat 22, 7-10pm (students free entry): The Soft Power Production Company presents its annual Christmas concert featuring sopranos Dora Anwar, Dalia and Lily Farid Fadel, Maged Shafiq, Moudi Habib with guest of honour world class pianist Yasser Mokhtar playing your favourite Christmas carols and songs.
Beit Al-Seheimi Al-Muaaz St, Al-Darb Al-Asfar Alley, Al-Gamalya District, Tel 02 2591 3391 Every Sunday, 7.30pm: The Nile Troupe for Folk Instruments, conducted by Abdel-Rahman Al-Shafaai, performs dances and songs from Upper Egypt on mizmar, tabla and other traditional musical instruments. Every Friday, 8.30pm: “Al-Aragouz wa Khayal Al-Zel” (The Shadow Puppet), a free public performance by clowns in Al-Muaaz Street, presented by Wamda and directed by Nabil Bahgat.
Cairo Opera House Gezira Exhibition Grounds, Tel 02 2737 0602/2736 0361, box office 02 2739 0132/0144 Main Hall Thurs 20, 8pm: The Abdel-Halim Noweira Arab Music Ensemble. Fri 21, 8pm: Emad Al-Sharouni concert. Sat 22, 8pm: A Christmas concert presented by the Cairo Symphony Orchestra, conducted by maestro Roberto Molinelli and A Cappella Choir mastered by Maya Gvineria featuring clarinist Mohamed Hamdy, soprano Dina Iskander, alto Jolie Faizy, tenor Hany Al-Shafie, and bass Reda Al-Wakil. It will perform G. Rossini's Variations for Clarinet and Orchestra in C major "Petite Messe Solennelle" Oratorio for Soloists, Choir and Orchestra. Wed 26-Sun 30, 8pm: The Cairo Opera Orchestra and the Cairo Opera Ballet Company present The Nutcracker ballet. Mon 31, 8pm: The Cairo Symphony Orchestra presents the New Year's Eve concert. Small Hall Thurs 20, 8pm: Spanish folk dance performance by Mona Burkhardt. Fri 21, 8pm: A chamber music concert features Ashraf Sharara. Sat 22, 8pm: The Talents Development Centre's concert features the opera singing class, led by tenor Sobhi Bedeir. Sun 23, 8pm: Guitar recital by Emad Hamdy. Mon 24, 8pm: Sphinx Orchestra features Hany Hassan. Thurs 27, 8pm: A singing recital by Rahma, accompanied by guitarist Emad Hamdy. Fri 28, 8pm: A singing recital by Hannan Mady. Sat 29, 8pm: Singing and piano recital by Loba Hammad and Aya Shalaby. Sun 30, 8pm: A Christmas concert presents Walt Disney Cartoon songs. Mon 31, 8pm: The Talents Development Centre Children Choir concert.
Darb 1718 Kasr El Shamaa St, Al Fakhareen, Old Cairo, near Mar Girgis Metro Station, Tel 02 2741 3053/ 0109 3766188 Tues 25, 8pm: “ The Sinatras” Christmas Night. Fri 28, 8pm: Spanish folk dance performance by Mona Burkhardt and Las Encantadoras Orquesta.
Al-Ghouri Caravansary Mohamed Abdou St, off Al-Muaaz St and Al-Azhar St, Tel 02 2514 7475 Al-Tanoura whirling dervishes perform to live Sufi music (Performances every Sat, Mon, and Wed, 7.30pm).
Al-Gumhouriya Theatre 12 Al-Gumhouriya St, Abdin, Tel 02 2390 7707 Thurs 20, Fri 21, Sat 22, 8pm: Forsan Al-Sharq for Heritage (The Knights of the Orient) Dance Company presents Al-Hilaly dance show. Sun 23,8pm: Al-Enshad Al-Dini troupe performs religious chants. Tues 25, 8pm: Soprano Neveen Allouba features a Christmas concert. Thurs 27, 8pm: The National Arab Music Ensemble in a repertoire of classical Arab songs. Fri 28, 8pm: Al-Masryeen band, led by accordionist Hany Shenouda and featuring a number of budding stars performs contemporary Egyptian songs. Sat 29, 8pm: The Arab Takht Troupe for Arab Music and Singing, conducted by maestro Yasser Moawad performs classical Arab songs. Sun 30, 8pm: The Cairo Opera Children Choir concert. Mon 31, 8pm: Strawberry Swing band in a programme of international songs.
Makan Saad Zaghloul St, Al-Mounira, Cairo, Tel 02 2792 0878 Every Monday: (fixed event) Zikr and Sufi night. Every Tuesday, 8pm (doors open at 7.30pm and reservations is canceled at 7.30pm): Mawawil and Gamalat Shiha present traditional music of the Nile Delta; Nubian Fadeka music and songs with Aragid, featuring Saleh Abbass and Farah Al-Masri; traditional Sudanese music and songs performed by Queen of Henna Settouna; Al-Jaafra music played by musicians from Aswan; Nass Makan (People from Makan) and Sanet perform traditional music from Eritrea. Every Wednesday, 8pm: Zar music and songs by Mazaher, featuring Umm Sameh, Umm Hassan and Nour Al-Sab. El Mastaba Centre for Egyptian Folk Music 30 A El-Balaqsa St, Abdeen, Downtown, Tel 011 50995354 Al Dammah Theatre for Free Arts Thurs 20, 9pm: NubaNour presents traditional Nubian music, dances, and songs.
Must Opera House Al-Motamayez District, next to Dar Al Fouad Hospital, 6th of October City, Giza, Tel 01094444273/4/5 – 16828 Mon 24, 8pm: The Christmas concert features singer Medhat Saleh.
El-Sawy Culturewheel End of 26th of July St, under the 15th of May Bridge, Zamalek, Tel 02 2736 8881/6178/2737 4448 River Hall Fri 21, 7pm: Religious chanter Ali Al-Helbawi in a concert of religious chanting. Sat 22, 3 & 7pm: Cairokee band performs contemporary Egyptian songs. Wed 26, 9pm: Singer Ali Al-Haggar performs classical Arab songs as well as a number of his much-loved songs. Thurs 27, 7pm: Al-Mawlawiya Al-Masriya troupe, led by Sufi chanter Amer Al-Toni performs Sufi dances and chants. Fri 28, 4pm (standing): Wust Al-Balad band performs amazing blend of sounds, combining traditional Arabic music with a modern and western twist. Fri 28, 5pm: Arageed band performs Nubian music and songs. Sat 29, 7.30pm: Religious chanting by Al-Hadra troupe Wisdom Hall Thurs 20, 8pm: A singing recital by Yehia Nadeem. Fri 21, 8pm: Egyptian songs by Eskendrela band. Sat 22, 8pm: Tunisian singer Mohamed Bin Saleh. Sun 23, 7pm: Celebrating Christmas and holidays, the Egyptian Christian Orthodox band Hosanna will perform a collection of hymns. Tues 25, 8pm: Classic band, led by Tamer Brazily plays famous English, Spanish, Italian, and French songs. Thurs 27, 8pm: A Tribute night for the legendary and timeless Fairouz, will present a number of the most prominent gems with the voice of Nouran Abu-Taleb, bass with Samer Goerge, clarinet with Mostafa Said and Hany Bedeir on percussion. Thurs 3, 6 & 8pm: El-Sawy Culturewheel Puppet Theatre show revives the concerts of the diva Umm Kolthoum performing two of her much-loved songs.
Umm Kolthoum Museum 1 Al Malek Al Saleh St, Manial Al-Roda, Tel 02 2363 1467 Thurs 20, 7pm: Awtar band, conducted by maestro Amr Abdel-Moneim performs Umm Kolthoum's songs.
ALEXANDRIA
Alexandria Opera House (Sayed Darwish Theatre) 22 Fouad St, Mahatat Al-Raml, Al-Horiyya Road, Alexandria, Tel 03/486 5106 Sat 22, 8pm: Singer and composer Hisham Kharma. Sun 23, 8pm: Alexandria Opera Company for Arab Music and Singing. Mon 24 & Tues 25, 8pm: Forsan Al-Sharq for Heritage (The Knights of the Orient) Dance Company presents Al-Hilaly dance show. Thurs 27, 8pm: A concert of Umm Kolthoum songs. Fri 28, 8pm: Christmas concert features soprano Neveen Allouba. Sun 30, 8pm: Alexandria Talents Development Centre concert. Mon 31, 8pm: The New Year concert features Alexandria Opera Company for Arab Music and Singing.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina Chatby, Alexandria 21526, Tel (03) 4839999 Main Hall Sun 23, 7pm: Mohamed Ben Saleh (Tunisia). Wed 26, 7pm: Arts School: Suzuki concert, under the supervision of Nevine Elmahmoudy. Sat 29, 7pm: Christmas and New Year's concert presented by BA Orchestra, BA Youth Orchestra, BA Symphonic Choir, conducted by Shady Abdel-Salam and BA Choir, led by Donia A. Deghedy featuring soprano Mirhan Damir and mezzo soprano Mireille Banoub. Small Hall Sat 22, 7pm: A Christmas concert features violinist Yasser Al-Serafi and harpist Mona Wassef.