For the first time ever the Genaina theatre in al-Azhar park will host Shaabi music concerts. Shaabi is the music of the Egyptian working class, traditionally played in street weddings. Unpretentious and lively, it is typified by its irreverence, use of slang and double entendre. The musical phenomenon emerged in working class neighborhoods like Imbaba, Ain Shams, and al-Salam. It eventually spread beyond street weddings into the mainstream. Inspired by the spirit of the January 25 Revolution, the concert is entitled "Out of the Picture." It seeks to break boundaries by exposing regular Genaina theatre audiences to a different kind of popular music expressing a different aspect of the Egyptian cultural scene beyond pop and underground music. The concerts will feature some of the rising stars of Shaabi music, including DJ Amr Haha accompanied by the popular stars Figo, Alaa Fifty, and El-Sadat Rap on Thursday Oct. 20. This concert will followed by a show on Saturday Oct. 22, featuring the young star Ola El-Mansoura, her band, and DJ Islam Chipsy with drummers Khaled Mando and Islam Toto.
