Arab Music Institute 22 Ramsis St. Tel 02 2574 3373 Fri 29, 8pm: Um Kolthoum songs. Sun 31, 8pm: Cairo Opera Company concert.
Beit Al-Sehemi Al-Gamaliya, Al-Darb Al-Asfar Alley, Al-Muaaz St, Tel 022591 3391 Every Sunday, 8.30pm: 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: A free public performance by clowns in Al-Muiz Street, “Al-Aragouz wa Khayal Al-Zel” (The Shadow Puppet) presented by Wamda and directed by Nabil Bahgat.
Cairo Opera House Gezira Exhibition Grounds, Tel 02 2737 0602/2736 0361, box office 2739 0132/0144 Main Hall Thurs 28, 8pm: The Modern Dance Theatre Company presents “The Dream of a Sculptor”, choreographed and directed by Walid Aouni. Fri 29, 8pm: Cairo Opera Orchestra presents a gala concert. Sat 30, 8pm: Cairo Symphony Orchestra. Sun 31, 8pm: Egypt Voice Orchestra, conducted by Ahmed Atef. Tues 2, Wed 3, Thurs 4, 8pm: Verdi's “Rigoletto” performed by the Cairo Opera Ballet Company, accompanied by the Cairo Opera Orchestra, together with the Cairo Opera Choir, conducted by David Creszenci and directed by Abdallah Saad. The story, based on a controversial play by Victor Hugo, tells of a hunchbacked jester who struggles to balance the duelling elements of beauty and evil in his life. Small Hall Thurs 28, 8pm: Percussionist Nesma Abdel-Aziz plays on marimba compositions by Omar Khayrat, Gamal Salama and others. Fri 29, 8pm: Eshraq (Brightness), led by Saber Abdel-Sattar, performs Egyptian songs. Sat 30, 8pm: Puccini's opera “Turandot” is aired live from the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Sun 31, 8pm: Piano recital by Mahmoud Mekhemar.
Cairo Jazz Club 197, 26th July St, Agouza, Tel 02 3345 9939 Thurs 28, 10.30pm: Massar Egbari band presents alternative rock, jazz and blues mixed with oriental music and Egyptian lyrics that reflect the social issues people face in their daily lives. Fri 29, 10pm: DJ Scarlet and singer Nu Al-Sherif perform at the Cairo Jazz Club,along with singers Sebzz and Baher Eid. Sat 30, 10.30pm: Wust Al-Balad band delivers a full spectrum of sounds, with expressive lyrics that are bound to stir your thoughts and emotions. Sun 31, 10.30pm: Composer, singer and songwriter Mustafa Rizk may have uprooted from Aswan many years back, but he has kept his authentic Upper Egyptian charm thriving in all his music. Blending jazz and blues with an oriental twist, this debut Jazz Sunday performance is one for your calendars.
Darb 1718 Kasr Al-Shamaa St, Al-Fakhareen, Old Cairo, near Mar Girgis Metro Station, Tel 02 2361 0511 Sun 31, 8pm: A multisensory experience with electronic music and videos, presented by Italian electronic musician Claudio Curciotti, who will share stories of his journeys through India, Nepal, Egypt, Italy and France.
Al-Ghouri Caravansary Mohamed Abdou St, off Al-Moaiz St and Al-Azhar St, Tel 02 2514 7475 every Sat, Mon & Wed, (9.30pm, free admission) Al-Tanourawhirling dervishes perform to live Sufi music.
Al-Gumhouriya Theatre 12 Al-Gumhouriya St, Abdin, Tel 02 2390 7707 Thurs 28, 8pm: Rajasthani, an Indian folk group, led by Eshak Khan, will present a dance and music performance. The troupe, featuring 10 members, will present different folk dance forms of Rajasthan, including Kalbeliya, Ghoomar, Bhavai, Kacchi-Ghodi, Fire and Terah Taal. Music will be performed by traditional musical instruments of Rajasthan, including the Algoza and Morchang. Fri 29, 8pm: Sahr Al-Sharq (Enchantment of the Orient) band features singer Bilal Al-Sheikh performing a selection of classical Arab songs. Sat 30, 8pm: Arab Takht, led by Yasser Moawad, performs classical Arab songs.
Makan Saad Zaghloul St, Al-Mounira, Cairo, Tel 02 2792 0878 Every Monday: (fixed event) Zikr and Sufi night. Every Tuesday, 9pm (doors open at 8.30pm): Mawawil and Gamalat Shiha present traditional music of the Nile Delta; Nubian Fadeka music and songs with Aragid, featuring Saleh Abbas 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 play traditional music from Eritrea. Every Wednesday, 9pm: Zar music and songs by Mazaher, featuring Umm Sameh, Umm Hassan and Nour Al-Sab.
El Mastaba Centre for Egyptian Folk Music 30 A Al-Balaqsa St, Abdeen, Downtown. Tel 011 50995354 Al-Dammah Theatre for Free Arts Thurs 28, 8pm: NubaNour performs traditional Nubian music, dances and songs.
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 29, 10am: The unique Korean Day is back, featuring amazing performances and your favourite Korean food, catered by Snackpedia. Thurs 4, 7pm: Marking the 27th anniversary of the death of singer Ahmed Mounib, the local band Mounib performs a number of his best songs. Wisdom Hall Fri 29, 8pm: Al-Hezb Al-Comedy, an independently organized open-mic platform, presents a stand-up comedy show. Sat 30, 8pm: Hekayat presents original songs combining Eastern style with Latin percussion, and songs made famous by such singers as Sayed Darwish and Sheikh Imam. The band features Shady Moanis (lute/singing), Ayman Sedki and Amir Ezzat (percussions), Ahmed Abdel-Sattar (violin), Ayman Mohie (contrabass), John Waheed (flute), Hossam Nahed (cello), Yasser Hamama (piano), lyrics by Said Abu-Taleb and Mustafa Ibrahim.
Sun 31, 8pm: Singer Ismail Sadek presents a selection of classical Arab songs. Tue 2, 8pm: A singing recital by Ahmed Al-Haggar. Wed 3, 8pm: A singing recital by Yasser Suleiman. Thurs 4, 6 and 8pm: El Sawy Culturewheel Puppet Theatre performs the diva Um Kolthoum's concerts, including two of her best-known love songs: “Alf Laila wi Laila” (Thousand Nights and One Night) and “Zalamt Al-Hob” (Misunderstood Love).
ALEXANDRIA
Alexandria Opera House (Sayed Darwish Theatre) Fouad St, Mahatat Al-Raml, Alexandria, Tel 03 486 5106 Thurs 28, 8pm: Alexandria Opera Company for Arab Music and Singing. Sat 6 and Sun 7, 8pm: The Modern Dance Theatre Company presents “The Dream of a Sculptor”, choreographed and directed by Walid Aouni.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina Chatby, Alexandria, Tel 03 4839999 Main Hall Sat 30, 7pm: Poetry recital by poet Hesham Al-Gakh accompanied by music (children under six years of age are not allowed). Small Hall Sat 30, 8pm: Puccini's opera “Turandot” is aired live in HD from the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.
