The cultural activities have started gradually to reopen in the country. The reopening has included theatres, museums, galleries, national circus, which operate under the culture ministry. In its first stage, the resumption of activities will be open at only 25 percent audience capacity across all venues Arab Music Institute 22 Ramsis St, Tel 02 2574 3373 Fri 18, 8pm: Said Othman and his Shomoaa (candles) band. Sun 20, 8pm: The Arab Music Heritage Ensemble in a repertoire of classical Arab songs.
The American University in Cairo Al-Sheikh Rihan St, off Tahrir Square, Tel 2615 2694/01280009077 Ewart Memorial Hall Thurs 17, 8pm and Fri 18, 10pm (Free admission & open to the public): Cairo Festival Chamber Orchestra, conducted by John Baboukis will perform works by Bach, Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, Orchestral Suite No. 1, and Handel. The livestreaming link and the concert programme will be posted soon on the event Facebook page. Sat 19, 7.30-9.50pm: come sing along to your favorite Christmas tunes with Dalia Farid and the band. (Ewart Hall is operating with 25% capacity. Hence seats are limited and only 25% of them will be sold. Make sure to book your seat as soon as possible to ensure your spot). Tickets link: https://ticketsmall.com/venues/DaliaFarid
Beit Al-Seheimi Al-Muaaz St, Al-Darb Al-Asfar Alley, Al-Gamalya District, Tel 02 2787 8865 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, 7.30pm: “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 17, 8pm: The National Arab Music ensemble performs classical Arab songs. Sat 19, 8pm: The Cairo Symphony Orchestra. Wed 23, Thurs 24, Fri 25, 8pm: The Cairo Opera Ballet Company, and the Cairo Opera Orchestra perform excerpts from The Nutcracker ballet. Small Hall Fri 18, 8pm: Sheikh Yassin Altohami in a concert of religious chanting. Mon 21, 8pm: A Christmas concert features international mezzo soprano Gala El-Hadidi.
Cairo Jazz Club 197, 26th July St, Agouza. Tel 02 3345 9939 Thurs 17, 9pm: Bahiyya band. Sat 19, 9pm: Vocalist Basheer from Upper Egypt utilizes his rich cultural heritage of Ja'ffary arts creating unique mélange of oriental sounds and modern fusions.
Darb 1718 Kasr El Shamaa St, Al Fakhareen, Old Cairo, near Mar Girgis Metro Station, Tel 02 2741 3053/ 0109 3766188 Fri 18, 7pm: The Tranquil Note band, led by pianist Mohamed Rifaat will perform a variety of popular standard jazz songs, Latin jazz songs, movie soundtracks, famous tango tracks and a carefully selected oriental songs will be also performed with a new arrangement.
Al-Gumhouriya Theatre 12 Al-Gumhouriya St, Abdin, Tel 02 2390 7707 Thurs 17, 8pm: The Modern Dance Theatre Company presents The Mermaid performance. Thurs 24, 8pm: The Abdel-Halim Noweira Arab Music Ensemble performs Umm Kolthoum songs.
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, 7pm).
Manasterly Palace 1 Al-Malek Al-Saleh St, Al-Roda Island, Manial, Tel 02 2363 1467 The International Music Centre Fri 18, 8pm: The Cairo Guitar Collective (CGC), featuring Pawe Kuźma from Poland, Mohamed Abo Rehab and Taha Almansy from Egypt, will perform works by Piazzolla, Scarlatti, Vivaldi, Tansman, Bach and others (wearing masks is mandatory).
Must Opera House Al-Motamayez District, next to Dar Al Fouad Hospital, 6th of October City, Giza, Tel 01094444273/4/5 Thurs 24, 8pm: Pop singer Bosy.
Room Art Space & Café 10 Etehaad Al Mohamin St, Garden City, Tel 01000 681539 Thurs 17, 9pm: Oud player Mario Said and Friends. Fri 18, 9pm: Aly Eissa Trio features Aly Eissa (Oud and composition), Soheib Elnaggar (Keys) and Andrew Nasser (Violin). New Cairo, The Spot Mall Fri 18, 8.30pm: Violin night with Amr Darwish. Sat 19, 8pm: Enjoy a special oriental singing and Oud night. Sun 20, 9pm: The Elite stand-up comedy show. Tues 22, 9pm: Circle of Four is a jazz quartet from Cairo that introduces jazz standards and the repertoire of the great American songbook with their own arrangements.
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 (No entry without a mask and the hall will be open at only 25 percent audience capacity) Thurs 17, 7pm: A singing recital by Mohamed Saeed. Fri 18, 7pm: Singer and religious chanter Ali Elhelbawi performs religious songs as well as his own songs. Mon 21, 7pm: Al Fan Al Aseel troupe performs classical Arab songs. Tues 22, 7pm: Fabrica band presents a Christmas concert. Wed 23, 6.30pm: A concert features singers Yasser Samir and Yehia Hany. Thurs 24, 7pm: Al-Hadra troupe performs Sufi chants. Wisdom Hall Thurs 17, 7.30pm: A singing recital by Neveen Ragab. Fri 18, 7pm: Singer Saad Al-Oud performs on oud, accompanied by his band. Sat 19, 7.30pm: Warda Project features singer Wegdan in a programme of songs of late legendary singer Warda. Thurs 24, 7.30pm: Mounib band revives the memory of legendary Nubian singer Ahmed Mounib performing his much-loved songs.
Zamalek Theatre 26 July St, Zamalek, Cairo Fri 18, 8pm: Famous Syrian-Armenian singer and producer Lena Chamamyan will give a concert.
ALEXANDRIA Alexandria Opera House (Sayed Darwish Theatre) Fouad St, Mahatat Al-Raml, Alexandria, Tel 03/486 5106 Thurs 17, 8pm: The Arab Music Heritage Ensemble performs classical Arab music and songs. Wed 23 and Thurs 24, 8pm: The Modern Dance Theatre Company presents The Mermaid performance.
*A version of this article appears in print in the 17 December, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
