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 Sun 17, 8pm: Al-Enshad Al-Dini troupe performs religious songs. 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 The Ministry of Culture continues its electronic initiative “Stay at Home ... Culture in your Hands” on the Internet. The initiative broadcasts anecdotes of the archives of the national, contemporary and traditional creativity through the YouTube channel of the Ministry of Culture and its social media accounts. The initiative also brings theatre performances, concerts and other cultural events to audiences. The free digital service has started on Tuesday 24 March 2020 and updates about its library will be revealed soon. It is worth noting that the materials are available on the website of the Ministry of Culture: http://www.moc.gov.eg/ar/home and YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8McPibRT36QSjnt4eGucNw and social networking site Facebook account https://m.facebook.com/EgyptianMOC/?epa=SEARCH_BOX Main Hall Thurs 14, 8pm: The National Arab Music Ensemble, conducted by maestro Selim Sahab, in a repertoire of classical Arab songs. Thurs 21, 8pm: A concert of classical Arab music and songs, conducted by maestro Selim Sahab. Small Hall Mon 18, 8pm: Guitar recital. Darb 1718 Kasr El Shamaa St, Al Fakhareen, Old Cairo, near Mar Girgis Metro Station, Tel 02 2741 3053/ 0109 3766188 Thurs 14, 8pm: Oriental metal night with Tafaqum band. An Egyptian Oriental metal band, Tafaqum is better known for the Egyptian Arabic lyrics combined with metal music. The band's name Tafaqum which means “worsen” in English is inspired by the misconceptions of the Egyptian society about metal music having its abnormal customs and traditions. Al-Gumhouriya Theatre 12 Al-Gumhouriya St, Abdin, Tel 02 2390 7707 Thurs 14, 8pm: Singer Maged Oraby in a programme of classical Arab songs. Fri 15, 8pm: A concert of late composer Baligh Hamdy's best 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). Room Art Space & Café 10 Etehaad Al Mohamin St, Garden City, Tel 01000 681539 Thurs 14, 9pm: Zamackan is an Egyptian band officially launched in 2019 offering fusion music combining pop, jazz, rock with oriental music. The band consists of five musicians: Ahmed Sedfy (Lead singer, rhythm guitarist and pianist), Youssef Eid (Composer and second vocal), Youssef Moustafa (Violin and electric guitar), Mostafa Elbadry (Drums) and Mohamed Altannir (Clarinet). Thurs 21, 9pm: JIGGY is an Egyptian band from Cairo formed in 2019, playing funk, rock music covering icons like James Brown, Jimi Hendrix and more. The band features Saad Elfiky (Guitars and back vocal), Rami Ramadan (Lead Vocals & Guitars), Amgad Abdelbary (Bass and back vocal) Mohamed Raafat (Keyboards) and Seif Fawaz (Drums and back vocal). New Cairo, The Spot Mall Fri 15, 8.30pm: Violin night with Amr Darwish. Sat 16, 8pm: Enjoy a special oriental singing and oud night. Mon 18, 8.30pm: Open Mic Night. Tues 19, 9pm: Oriental metal night with Tafaqum band.
El-Sawy Culturewheel End of 26th of July St, under the 15th of May Bridge, Zamalek, Tel 02 2736 8881/6178/2737 4448 (No entry without a mask and the hall will be open at only 25 percent audience capacity) River Hall Thurs 14, 8pm: Singer Nouran Abu-Taleb and her band. Fri 15, 7.30pm: A singing recital by Ali El-Helbawi. Sun 17, 8pm: Kerdan band, led by Ali Almansy, performs different cover songs from the eighties and nineties. Mon 18, 7pm: Singer Yasser Fouad performs classical Arab music on his oud. Wisdom Hall Thurs 14, 7pm: El-Sawy Culturewheel Puppet Theatre show presents a concert for Mohamed Mounir and his band. Thurs 21, 5 and 8pm: A concert features a galaxy of the best young singers on the music scene with some of the best contemporary musicians with musical director Wagdy Alfawy. ALEXANDRIA Alexandria Opera House (Sayed Darwish Theatre) Fouad St, Mahatat Al-Raml, Alexandria, Tel 03/486 5106 Thurs 14, 8pm: The Alexandria Opera Company for Arab Music and Singing performs classical Arab songs. Fri 15, 8pm: Oriental jazz performed by Yehia Khalil and his band.
*A version of this article appears in print in the 14 January, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.
