Arab Music Institute 22 Ramsis St, Tel 02 2574 3373 Fri 22 and Sat 23, 8pm: Fursan Al-Sharq lil Turaath wa Al-Raqs Al-Hadith (Knights of the Orient for Heritage and Modern Dance) company presents the “Misr Al-Mahrousa Folklore” show. Sun 24, 8pm: Al-Enshad Al-Dini (religious chanting) troupe performs religious songs. Thurs 28, 8pm: The Talents Development Centre concert.
Beit Al-Sehemi Al-Gamaliya, Al-Darb Al-Asfar Alley, Al-Muaaz St, Tel 02 2591 3391 Every Sunday, 8.30pm: TheNile 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-Muiz 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 21, 8pm: The Abdel-Halim Noweira Arab Music ensemble, conducted by Salah Ghoubashi,performs Um Kolthoum songs. Sat 23, 8pm: The Cairo Symphony Orchestra in a repertoire of international classics. Tues 26 (8pm), Wed 27 and Thurs 28 (12pm and 8pm) and Fri 29 (8pm): The 4thIndia by the Nile Festival presents the internationally acclaimed theatrical production “Love Story — A Bollywood Musical”. Open-Air Theatre Thurs 21, 8pm: The Coptic Eastern Feast featuring psalmistMarco Mamdouh performing Coptic songs and hymns. Fri 22, 8pm: A concert features Al-Tanbura band from Port-Said and Mazamer Al-Nile band from Upper Egypt. Sat 23, 8pm: “Senor de Tango” concert featuring Medhat Niazi. Thurs 28, 8pm: The Sphinx Orchestra, conducted by Hani Hassan. Small Hall Sat 23, 8pm: Pianist Fathi Salama and his Sharkiat band play east-meets-west compositions. Sun 24, 8pm: Violin recital by Hassan Sharara. Mon 25, 8pm: A concert of multimedia music composed by maestro Mohamed Abdel-Wahab and performed by pianists Marcel Matta, Meritte Hanna, accompanied by the chamber music orchestra group featuring violinist Amir Sorour, cellist Mohamed Ahmed and clarinist Amany Abdel-Gelil. Tues 26, 8pm: The Cairo Symphony Orchestra performs a selection of international classics.
Cairo Jazz Club 197, 26th July St, Agouza, Tel 02 3345 9939 Thurs 21, 10.30pm: The Egyptian rock band Khayal opens the evening, followed by the sensational Wust Al-Balad, one of Egypt's best indie bands, delivering their pop-rock songs, addressing social issues with catchy Egyptian lyrics and subtle oriental beats. Sat 23, 10.30pm: Osama Elhady is an independent Egyptian artist and songwriter. He started writing his own music five years ago, alongside his band of talented musicians, immersing jazz, blues and rock influences into their immense oriental melodies to create a new eclectic sound. Wed 27, 10pm: House music by Nakhla and Ramsi.
Darb 1718 Kasr Al-Shama'e Street, Al-Fakhareen, Old Cairo, near Mar Girgis Metro Station, Tel 02 2361 0511 Sat 23, 5pm: The first edition of“Fel Mix” (In the Mix), a series of music events. Two bands, Hawas and Meshwar, will present an interactive and unique experience for the audience.
Al-Gumhouriya Theatre 12 Al-Gumhouriya St, Abdin, Tel 02 2390 7707 Thurs 21 and Fri 22, 8pm: The Modern Dance Theatre Company presents the “Kolena Kaligola” (We Are All Kaligola) dance show, directed by Mahmoud Mustafa. Sat 23, 8pm: Um Al-Nour Orchestra, featuring singer Hanaa Tanious, in a programme of Coptic songs and hymns. Sun 24, 8pm: The National Arab Music Ensemble plays classical Arab songs. Mon 25, 8pm: The 4thIndia by the Nile Festival presents the Indian Ocean band, a pioneering fusion rock group that fuses raga (traditional Indian tunes) with rock music, guitars and drums, and Indian folk songs.
Al-Genaina Theatre Al-Azhar Park, Salah Salem Road, Darassa, Tel 02 2362 5057 Sat 23, 8pm: April's final concert features Algerian band Djmawi Africa. The band will present music from their two albums, “Mama” and “Avancez l'arrière”, including a mix of shaabi, rock, gnawa and reggae.
Al-Ghouri Caravansary Mohamed Abdou St, off Al-Moaiz St and Al-Azhar St, Tel 02 2514 7475 every Sat, Mon and Wed (9.30pm, free admission) Al-Tanourawhirling dervishes perform to live Sufi music.
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 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, 9pm: Zar music and songs by Mazaher, featuring Umm Sameh, Umm Hassan and Nour Al-Sab.
Manasterly Palace The International Music Centre, 1 Al-Malek Al-Saleh St, Al-Roda Island, Manial, Tel 02 2363 1467 Thurs 21, 7pm: Awtar (Strings) band, conducted by maestro Amr Abdel-Moneim, honours the memory of late poets Abdel-Rahman Al-Abnoudi and Salah Jahin and composer Sayed Mekkawi by playing a number of their most-loved songs. A number of Al-Abnoudi and Jahin's poems will be recited by artists Iman Ghoneim, Taha Khalifa and Mustafa Samy.
Al-Mastaba Centre for Egyptian Folk Music 30A Al-Balaqsa St, Abdeen, Downtown. Tel 011 5099 5354 Al-Dammah Theatre for Free Arts Thurs 21, 8pm: Zar and Sufi music and singing presented by the exceptional Abul Gheit Dervishes band, provide an unusual evening — a spiritual experience, with Al-Tanoura whirling dervishes (Egyptian version of the whirling dervishes), an exciting fusion of Egyptian folk art.
Misr Opera House Al-Motamayez District, next to Dar Al-Fouad Hospital, 6th of October City, Giza, Tel 010 9444 4273/4/5 – 16828 Thurs 21, 8pm: The Selim Sahab Symphony Orchestra presents a concert featuring Kuwaiti singer Abdallah Al-Rowaished.
Salaheddin Citadel Salah Salem Rd, Mokattam, Cairo, Tel 02 2512 1735 The Fourth International Festival for Drums and Traditional Arts (closing 25 April) Baar Sabaa Theatre Thurs 21, Fri 22, Sat 23, Sun 24, Mon 25, 8pm: Under the title “The Dialogue of the Drums for Peace”, artists from 20 countries, including Mexico, Namibia, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Ethiopia, China, Egypt and India will perform their distinctive music.
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 Thurs 21, 6pm: A stand-up comedy show. Fri 22, 8pm:Ayamna Al-Helwaband, made up of 16 singers and led by maestro Mohamed Osman, performs a collection of old Egyptian songs. Sat 23, 5.30pm: The Metal Blast Festival gives metal bands from different countries and cultures the opportunity to share their different levels of experience and knowledge with fellow musicians. Sun 24, 7pm: Osama Elhady is an independent Egyptian artist and songwriter. He started writing his own music five years ago, alongside his band of talented musicians, immersing jazz, blues and rock influences into an immense oriental melodies to create a new eclectic sound. Thurs 28, 7pm: The Egyptian Mawlawiya troupe, led by Sufi singer Amer Al-Toni, performs Sufi songs and dances. Wisdom Hall Thurs 21, 7pm: The Culturewheel String Orchestra, conducted by Mohamed Saad Pasha, plays Mozart's “Concerto for Flute and Harp” and “Symphony No 29”. Sat 23, 8pm:Al-Dor Al-Awalband plays contemporary Egyptian songs. Wed 27, 9pm: Pop singer Ali Al-Haggar sings classical Arab songs as well as his own popular songs. Word Hall Thur 28, 8.30pm: “Al-Farah” (The Wedding), a stand-up comedy show featuring Walid Abul-Magd.
Talaat Harb Cultural Centre 1 Al-Sayeda Nafisa St, Zeinhom, infront of Fathi Sorour Compound, Tel 02 2362 2647/ 2362 8174 Sat 23, 6pm: Al-Simsimiya troupe from Suez celebrates Sinai Liberation Day and the World Day of Heritage with a performance of folk songs and dances.
ALEXANDRIA
Alexandria Opera House (Sayed Darwish Theatre) Fouad St, Mahatat Al-Raml, Alexandria, Tel 03 486 5106 Thurs 21, 8pm: A performance by theAlexandria Opera Company for Arab Music and Singing. Mon 25, 8pm: Ghenwa (Song) band plays contemporary Egyptian songs. Thurs 28, 8pm: Oriental jazz by Yehia Khalil.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina Chatby, Alexandria 21526, Tel (03) 483 9999 Sat 23-Wed 27: Under the title “Shakespeare 400: Forever and a Day,” the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA), along with the British Council of Egypt, is hosting a five-day festival to mark the 400th anniversary of the passing of the famous English poet and playwright William Shakespeare (1564-1616). Events include an international academic conference, cultural activities for young people and children, exhibitions, workshops, film screenings and theatrical performances by well-known international groups, including the K'antu Early Music Ensemble and The Hip-Hop Shakespeare Company Live.
