Amir Taz Palace 27 Al-Syoufiya St, off Al-Salebiya St, Al-Khalifa district, Tel 02 2514 2581 Thurs 1, 9.30pm: The Egyptian Al-Mawlawiya troupe, led by Sufi singer Amer Al-Toni in a repertoire of Sufi songs and dances. Fri 2, 9.30pm: Sheikh Mahmoud Al-Tohami and his entourage in a programme of religious chants. Sat 3, 9.30pm: The Arab Oud House Orchestra, led by oud master Nasseer Shamma. Sun 4, 9.30pm: Angham Al-Shabab band. Mon 5, 9.30pm: Khalid Mounib. Tues 6, 9.30pm: Harpist Manal Mohieddin. Wed 7, 9.30pm: Singer Fayrouz Karawiya. Thurs 8, 9.30pm: An evening of poetry features a galaxy of poets followed by Oshaq Al-Nagham (Singing Lovers) band, conducted by Mohamed Abdel-Sattar. Beit Al-Seheimi Al-Muaaz St, Al-Darb Al Asfar Alley, Al-Gamalya District, Tel 02 2591 3391 Every Sunday, 9.30pm: 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, 9.30pm: “Al-Aragouz wa Khayal Al-Zel” (The Shadow Puppet), a free public performance by clowns in Al-Muizz Street, presented by Wamda and directed by Nabil Bahgat. Asyad Al-Zar Cairo Opera House Gezira Exhibition Grounds. Info 339 8144, box office 02 2739 0132/0144 Open-Air Theatre Wed 7, 9.30pm: Al-Hadra troupe for Sufi chanting. Thurs 8, 9.30pm: Singer Dina Al-Wedidi and her band. 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, 9.30pm, free admission). Al-Ghouri Dome 111 Al-Azhar St, Al-Ghouriya, Tel 02 2506 0227 Tues 6, 9.30pm: Spiritual music nights (the ascension rituals). Al-Gumhouriya Theatre 12 Al-Gumhouriya St, Abdin, Tel 02 2390 7707 Thurs 1, 9.30pm: Al-Enshad Al-Dini troupe, conducted by maestro Alaa Abdel-Salam, performs religious songs celebrating the holy month of Ramadan. Ihab Nada Makan 1 Saad Zaghloul St, Al-Mounira, Cairo. Tel 02 2792 0878 Every Wednesday, 9pm: Zar music and songs by Mazaher ensemble. El Mastaba Centre for Egyptian Folk Music 30 A El-Balaqsa St, Abdeen, Downtown. Tel 011 50995354/ 02 2392 6768 Al Dammah Theatre for Free Arts Thurs 1, 9.30pm: Al-Tanbura troupe was established by Zakaria Ibrahim in 1989 in Port Said, when he brought together the masters of the simsimia, encouraging them in the revival of their musical heritage. Today, Al Tanbura includes 20 members: master musicians, singers, philosophers, as well as fishermen, builders, plumbers and vendors, ranging in age from 25 to 84 years. Their instruments are their voices, the Simsimia, the Tanbura (big lyre), Nay also Kawala (end-blown, reed flute), tabla (vase-shaped drum), triangle, Sagat (small cymbals), Shakhalil (kind of castanets) and Riqq (open, wooden frame drum with jingling discs in the frame). Their collected oral repertoire consists of more than 20 hours of traditional songs and much remains to be documented. Sat 3, 9.30pm: Asyad Al-Zar (The Zar Masters) band is comprised of some of the few remaining Egyptian and Sudanese Zar performers (some of them are members of Rango band), playing the tanbura, the toza ( small 2 sides percussion) the mangour (a wide belt of goat hooves worn around the hips), the marakesh (hand-held rattles) and the tambourine. El Sawy Culturewheel End of 26th of July St, under the 15th of May Bridge, Zamalek, Tel 02 2736 8881/6178/2737 4448 The Garden Fri 2, 9.30pm: Celebrating the Portugese Language Day, the Embassy of Portugal in Egypt presents a concert to be featured by a Portuguese singer and her band. Wisdom Hall Thurs 1, 9.30pm: El Sawy Culturewheel Puppet Theatre Show revives the concerts of late diva Um Kolthoum playing two of her much-loved songs. Fri 2, 9.30pm: Stand-up comedy show features Ali Qandil. Sat 3, 9.30pm: Munshid (religious chanter) Ali Al-Helbawi in a repertoire of religious songs. Sun 4, 9.30pm: Sherif Abul-Aala sings religious songs. Tues 6, 9.30pm: A classical Arab music concert features singer Ibrahim Farouk. Wed 7, 9.30pm: A concert presents Al-Hour, the first religious singing band in Egypt that includes only girls. Talaat Harb Cultural Centre 1 Al-Sayeda Nafisa St, Zeinhom, infront of Fathi Sorour Compound, Tel 02 2362 2647/ 2362 8174 Sat 3, 9.30pm: Bahgat Al-Rouh Salon introduces poet Mohamed Bahgat and the Centre's Children Choir, conducted by Doaa Attiya. ALEXANDRIA Bibliotheca Alexandrina Chatby, Alexandria 21526, Tel (03) 4839999 BACC Main Hall Thurs 8, 9pm: The Egyptian Al-Mawlawiya troupe, led by Sufi singer Amer Al-Toni in a repertoire of Sufi songs and dances. Freedom Centre for Creativity in Alexandria 1 Fouad St, next to Sherif Police Station, Alexandria, Tel (03) 3495 6633 Thurs 8, 9.30pm: Sheikh Mahmoud Al-Tohami and his entourage in a programme of religious chants.
