The Culture Ministry applies all precautionary and preventive measures with daily sterilization of the theatres in order to ensure the safety of the public, artists and workers. Al-Qobba Palace Sarray Al-Qobba area, Cairo Fri 2, 8.30pm: Qasr Al-Qobba (Al-Qobba Palace) opens its doors for the first time in more than half a century, crowned by the legendary, angelic, Lebanese voice of Majida El-Roumi in a live concert, joined by the Philharmony Union Orchestra, conducted by maestro Nader Abbassi, with a mesmerizing mix of oriental, western, classical and modern music on the 2nd of April, (For more information and tickets call 16826 or go to https://www.ticketsmarche.com).
Arab Music Institute 22 Ramsis St, Tel 02 2574 3373 Sun 4, 8pm: The National Arab Music Ensemble performs Abdel-Wahab songs.
American University in Cairo Al-Sheikh Rihan St, off Tahrir Square, Tel 2615 2694/01280009077 Ewart Memorial Hall Thurs 1, 8pm: The Isis String Orchestra performs from classical to American music. For this programme, the orchestra, conducted by its founder AUC professor Khaled Saleh will perform American music from different genres. This concert will livestream/Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/3Ga6WgaP6 Thurs 8, 8pm: The Cairo Festival Chamber Orchestra will perform two sparkling masterworks for small orchestra by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: his Piano Concerto No. 16, with soloist Elena Grechenko, and his monumental Symphony No. 40, works full of grace, vigor, and the driving energy of one of the greatest of classical composers. The performance is conducted by John Baboukis. Livestreaming and open to live audience/ Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/Krt37lgv Both concerts will livestream and be open to the public, admission is free.
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, 7pm: "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 1, 8pm: A concert of songs by late singer Abdel-Halim Hafez. Tues 6, Wed 7, Thurs 8, Fri 9, 8pm: The Cairo Opera Orchestra and the Cairo Opera Ballet Company present Don Quixote ballet. Open-Air Theatre Thurs 1, 8pm: Al-Tanboura troupe from Port-Said performs the folk songs and dances of the Suez-Canal cities. Small Hall Thurs 1, 8pm: A concert features artist Ali Eissa. Fri 2, 8pm: A chamber music concert features Doaa Saber. Thurs 8, 8pm: Flute, singing and harp recitals by Riham Fayed, Amira Selim and Mona.
Al-Gumhouriya Theatre 12 Al-Gumhouriya St, Abdin, Tel 02 2390 7707 Thurs 1, Fri 2, Sat 3, 8pm: The Modern Dance Theatre Company presents Defile 19 performance, directed by Walid Aouni. Thurs 8, 8pm: The Arab Music Heritage Ensemble.
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 and Wed, 7.30pm).
Italian Cultural Institute The collaboration with Makan - Egyptian Centre for Culture and Arts continues online from March until May 2021. Egyptian musicians will virtually meet Italian counterparts to create synergies in the field of traditional and folk music.
Room Art Space & Café 10 Etehaad Al Mohamin St, Garden City, Tel 01000 681539 Thurs 1, 9pm: Arabic Indie Pop Rock band Dabbet Namla. Fri 2, 9pm: Menna Hussein Ft. BalQeis live in an electro oriental fusion night. Thurs 8, 9pm: A Pink Floyd tribute night with Gravy Train. New Cairo, The Spot Mall Fri 2, 8.30pm: Violin night with Amr Darwish. Sat 3, 8pm: Enjoy a special oriental singing and oud night. Sun 4, 9pm: A stand-up comedy show by The Comedy Bunch. Wed 7, 9pm: Warda Tribute Night with singer Wegdan.
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 1, 6 and 8pm: El-Sawy Culturewheel Puppet Theatre show revives the concerts of diva Umm Kolthoum performing two of her much-loved songs Sert Al Hob (the story of love) and Bead Aanak (far from you). Fri 2, 3.30 and 7pm: Egyptian poet Amr Hassan will perform new poems, accompanied by a musical band. Sat 3, 6pm: Three rock and roll bands in one live concert: U.K Rock Night Vol 12, Paranoid Eyes, and 404 band. Mon 5, 7.30pm: Mostafa Hussein band combines between the traditional, folkloric and western music in their songs. Tues 6, 7.30pm: Voice band. Thurs 8, 8pm: Singing recital by Omnia Hassan. Wisdom Hall Thurs 8, 7.30pm: A stand-up comedy show by The Elite.
ALEXANDRIA Alexandria Opera House (Sayed Darwish Theatre) Fouad St, Mahatat Al-Raml, Alexandria, Tel 03/486 5106 Thurs 1, 8pm: Alexandria Opera Company for Arab Music and Singing. Fri 2, 8pm: Oriental jazz by Yehia Khalil and his band. Sat 3, 8pm: Alexandria Opera Strings Orchestra. Sun 4, 8pm: A concert of songs by late singer Abdel-Halim Hafez. Wed 7, 8pm: Alexandria Talents Development Centre concert. Thurs 8, 8pm: The National Arab Music Ensemble in a repertoire of classical Arab songs.
*A version of this article appears in print in the 1 April, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
