El Genaina Theatre in Al-Azhar Park will host a series of Hay annual concerts starting August 11 to August 26. The Hay program series will include concerts from artists from Tunisia, Spain, Algeria, Palestine, India and Egypt, all of whom will be performing for the first time at El Gemaina Theatre. The series will launch with a concert by Spanish singer Ara Musa Honra, a musician who blends Spanish and Jazz. Honra has won prizes for her musicianship at the Trebufestival, in Trebujena, Spain, as well as second prize in a competition in Guadalajara. The concert will be hosted with the support of the Spanish embassy in Cairo. Egyptian singer Mariam Saleh will perform on August 12. Saleh founded several bands, including Sadah, We Mazbout, Gawaz Safar and Sheikh Zein. Saleh is now working a new project titled, “I'm Not Singing.” Tunisian Badiaa Bouhrizi, an artist who specializes in Jazz, Rock and Reggae, and the creator of Neyssatou, will perform on August 18. Bouhrizi composes and writes all of her songs, many of which are the combination of classical and electronic music. Bouhrizi won the Production Award from Al-Mawred Al-Thakafy in 2011. Karima Nayt, an Algerian artist, and Fathy Salama will perform on August 19. Nayt began her career as a dancer, but in 1998 moved to Cairo and met Salama, the Grammy Award-winning artist, and joined the group “Sharkiat.” Nayt recorded her first song, “Jerusalem,” in 2000, and was chosen as one of the best voices in Cairo. She also won the National Institute Prize in Algeria. Nai Barghouthi, the 14-year-old Palestinian composer, singer and flautist will perform on Thursday, August 25. Barghouthi completed her flute studies in April 2011 at the Edward Said National Music Institute. She also won first prize in the Palestine National Competition of Music in 2006, 2008 and placed second in 2010. Barhouthi has composed six pieces of music for the flute. Susheela Raman, a British citizen with Indian roots, will have the honor of concluding the program on August 26. Raman began her career with the classical music of South India before moving into the Blues. Raman has recorded four albums.
