In these pages you will hopefully find interesting tips on how to take advantage of Cairo's many cultural opportunities, with particular attention to live events. Cairo Live Events Guide does not pretend to be exhaustive but will try to cover main events open to the public.

This is a private, independent, nonprofit endeavour. This blog was started in August 2008 by Cairowanderer who has been running it solo up to May 2011. Since then Cairene Beat contributes as well to the blog. If you have any comment, tip, or information you think might be relevant for the blog, please write to cairowanderer@gmail.com or cairenebeat@gmail.com.

Read about Cairo Live Events Guide on The Daily News Egypt

Thursday, October 30, 2008

AGENDA MUSIC Nov. 1 - Nov. 7

This is a very busy week with the 17th ARAB MUSIC FESTIVAL at the Opera House and the opening on the 5th of the JAZZ FACTORY, the first Jazz music festival to be held in Cairo.
The latter, which continues until November 15th, brings to the city a series of internationally acclaimed performers from several European countries (see full program here). I personally believe that, given also the beauty of several of the concert locations, attending one of these concert is a wonderful way to spend one of these last warm evenings of the year.
Enjoy!

Saturday, November 1, 2008
- Trygve Seim, Frode Haltli & Tora Augestad (Norway) playing with the Qithara Ensemble at the Geneina Theatre in the Al-Azhar Park 8:30 PM
- “17th ARAB MUSIC FESTIVAL” Inaguration with the piece Sout Al-Rabie, with Mohammad Sarwat and Karima Sqelli in the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- Beshir (Modern Egyptian Folk) at the Cairo Jazz Club 9:30 PM
- Sohba Group ( Egyptian Songs) at the El-Sawi Cultural Centre 8:00 PM

Sunday, November 2, 2008
- Trygve Seim, Frode Haltli & Tora Augestad (Norway) play modernized traditional Norwegian music and songs at El-Sawi Cultural Centre 8:00 PM
- “17th ARAB MUSIC FESTIVAL” Riham Abdel-Hakim (Egypt) in the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM
- Rashad Fahim Quartet (Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club 9:30 PM
- Fathy Salama and Alfred Gamil at the El-Sawi Cultural Centre 8:00 PM
- El-Nil Troupe for folk instruments (Folk music and songs) at Beit Al-Suheimi 8:00 PM

Monday, November 3, 2008
- “17th ARAB MUSIC FESTIVAL” Al-Farebi Troupe (Palestine), Mohamad Agha (Syria) and Ghada Ragab (Egypt) in the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM

Tuesday, November 4, 2008
- “17h ARAB MUSIC FESTIVAL” Omar Khairat and his group Combo in the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM
- Nass Makan at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM
- Screwdriver (Rock’n’roll music) at the Cairo Jazz Club 10:30 PM

Wednesday, November 5, 2008
- “JAZZ FACTORY” Wolfgang Haffner Band (Germany), Nardy Castellini (Spain), Nils Peter Molvaer (Norway), Fathy Salama and Sharkiat Band with Trygve Seim and Frode Haltli (Egypt/Norway) at the Manial Palace 1, Al-Saraya St. 7:00 PM or 9:00 PM. See post
- The Bibliotheca Alexandrina Choir and Children Choir with Haig Avakian (Pianist and Chorus Master) present works from Verdi, Bizet, Vivaldi, Mozart and J. Strauss in the Ewart Memorial Hall of the American University in Cairo
- Mazaher Ensemble (Music of the Delta) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM

Thursday, November 6, 2008
- “JAZZ FACTORY” Carlo Actis Dato Group (Italy), Trygve Seim & Frode Haltli (Norway), Nils Peter Mollvaer (Norway) at the Geneina Theatre in the Al-Azhar Park 7:00 PM
- Yehia Khalil (Oriental Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club 10:30 PM
- “JAZZ FACTORY” Kalman Olah Trio (Hungary), Akram Sharkawy Group (Egypt), Stepan Markovic Quintet (Czech Republic) and Jon Balke Trio (Norway) at the Manasterly Palace 7:00 PM

Friday, November 7, 2008
- Salvatore Raiola Group (Italian Folk Music) In the Open Air Theatre of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM
- "JAZZ FACTORY" Stepan Markovic Quintet(Czech Republic), Ahmad El-Sawi "Zad" (Egypt), Nardy Castellini Quintet (Spain) at the Geneina Theatre in the Al-Azhar Park 7:00 PM
- “JAZZ FACTORY” Carlo Actis Dato Group (Italy) & Nass Makan Jam Session at Makan 11:00 PM
- "JAZZ FACTORY" Siwan with Jon Balke (Norway) at the Arabic Music institute 8:00 PM
- 9th SOS MUSIC FESTIVAL with Wust El-Balad, Nagham Masry, Eftekasat, Sahra, Black Bulletz, Wyvern, Ghetto Pharoz, Kravin, El Dor El Awal, The Percussion Show in the Chinese Garden (Cairo International Conference Centre) starting from 4:00 PM

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Ismailia International Documentary and Short Film Festival in Cairo

The French Cultural Centre in Mounira, in cooperation with the organizers of the 12th Ismailia International Documentary and Short Film Festival, brings to Cairo a selection of films (in original language with English subtitles) presented in the recently held competition. There are many little gems and this is – sadly - probably our one and only chance to see them.


For a complete program of the event, that runs until Thursday, October 30, see http://www.ambafrance-eg.org/cfcc/article.php3?id_article=2431

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Characters of Egypt Festival

The First festival celebrating Tribal Culture is due to take place this coming weekend in Fustat Wadi El Gemal National Park near Marsa Alam.
According to the organizers, the participants to this three day festival will experience tribal culture through music, poetry, games, food tasting, camel racing and educational workshops. They have surely put up a good promotion for the event with a nice website and flyers available at various cultural centres.

All is set to make this a very interesting event and hopefully one that will be repeated regularly. I cannot attend, but if any of you goes I will be glad to receive your comments at cairowanderer@gmail.com

CHARACTERS OF EGYPT will take place from the 29th to the 31st of October 2008
For info contact 0165899361 or 0174385865

Monday, October 27, 2008

Ghouri Complex - Qubbet Al-Ghouri

In the lovely setting of the Khanqah Hall of the 16th century Ghouri Complex take regularly place musical performances of the Nubian Drum Band and Orchestra, and of the Sama’ Troupe for Sufi and Religious singing. The T-shaped hall, with marvelous ceilings and cupola, is fitted with theatre- like seating arrangements for around 150 spectators.
The entrance to the complex is on Sharia Al-Azhar, just in front of the pedestrian flyover, on the left corner (if you face the building), and is easily recognizable because it is below street level.
The entrance to the building itself is a few meter walk down an open air corridor. After you’ve cleared the S-shaped entrance you’ll find yourself in an imposing open courtyard. Here you are usually asked to wait - while waiting for the performers to be ready – before being led up the stone staircase to the Khanqah Hall.
You’ll find toilet facilities in the far end of the courtyard on the left.
Address: 111 Al-Azhar St. Al-Ghouriya, Tel. 25060227

Thursday, October 23, 2008

AGENDA MUSIC October 25 - October 31


Saturday, October 25, 2008

- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Hisham Gabr with soloist Wessam Ahmed (Oboe) presents works from Beethoven, Mozart and Brahms in the Small Hall of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM

- Omar Khayrat Piano Recital in the River Hall of El-Sawi Cultural Centre 8:30 PM

- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Troupe at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM


Sunday, October 26, 2008

- China National Opera House conducted by Yu Feng presents Giacomo Puccini’s “Turandot” in the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM

- Heritage Ensemble for Arab Music conducted by Farouk El Bably at the Arab Music Institute 8:00 PM

- Arab Takht Ensemble led by Yasser Moawad at the Gomhouria Theatre 8:00 PM

- El-Nil Troupe for folk instruments (Folk music and songs) at Beit Al-Suheimi 8:00 PM

- Sout Al-Ganoub (The South Voice) Band (Contemporary Egyptian Songs) in the River Hall of El-Sawi Cultural Centre 8:30 PM

- Saber Abd El Satar Zyther Recital at Beit El-Harrawi 7:30 PM

- The Nubian Drum Band and Orchestra at the Qubbet Al-Ghouri 7:30 PM


Monday, October 27, 2008

- Klaus Paier Trio (Austria) with Klaus Paier (Accordion), Stefan Gferrer (Bass) and Roman Werni (Percussion) in the Open Air Theatre of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM

- David Pavlovitch (Hungary) Guitar Recital featuring works from Bach, Albeniz, Tarrega and Amir Awad in the Small Hall of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM

- China National Opera House conducted by Yu Feng presents Giacomo Puccini’s “Turandot” in the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM

- El Dor El Awal at After 8 10:00 PM

- Mahmoud Afifi Oud Recital in the Word Hall of El-Sawi Cultural Centre 8:00 PM


Tuesday, October 28, 2008

- China National Opera House conducted by Yu Feng presents Giacomo Puccini’s “Turandot” in the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM

- George Kazazian “Sajaya” Oud Recital in the Wisdom Hall of El-Sawi Cultural Centre 8:00 PM

- Nass Makan at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM

- Cairo Opera Company presents Giovanni Battista Pergolesi’s opera “La Serva Padrona” and Giancarlo Menotti’s opera “The Telephone” at the Ghomouria Theatre 8:00 PM


Wednesday, October 29, 2008

- China National Opera House conducted by Yu Feng presents Giacomo Puccini’s “Turandot” in the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM

- Mazaher Ensemble (Music of the Delta) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM

- Rap All Night – An Arabic rap battle featuring Asfalt, MC Kordy, MC Amin, K.nights and Arabian Knightz in the Wisdom Hall of El-Sawi Cultural Centre 8:30 PM

- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Troupe at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM

- Cairo Opera Company presents Giovanni Battista Pergolesi’s opera “La Serva Padrona” and Giancarlo Menotti’s opera “The Telephone” at the Gomhouria Theatre 8:00 PM


Thursday, October 30, 2008

- Oshaq Al-Nagham Troupe (Singing Lovers - Classical Arab Songs) in the Wisdom Hall of El-Sawi Cultural Centre 8:00 PM

- A Norwegian Classical Music and Arabic Music Fusion Night with the Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Christian Eggen and Trygve Seim, Frode Haltli, and Tora Augestad performing together with Egyptian musicians Fathy Salama and Alfred Gameel at the Gomhouria Thatre 8:00 PM


Friday, October 31, 2008

- Rim Banna – Songs from Palestine at El-Geneina Theatre in Al-Azhar Park 8:00 PM

- Reedemers & Silent Echo (Rock Music) in the River Hall of El-Sawi Cultural Centre 8:00 PM

- Fathy Salama Sharkiat in the Open Air Theatre of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM

- Sama’Troupe for Sufi and Religious Singing in the Qubbet Al-Ghouri 7:30 PM

- Boghdady Band (Jazz) in the Small Hall of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM

"Abla's Interactive Method" Workshop

Ever dreamed of picking up brush and colours and paint something on a canvas that can be looked at without choking? Do not know how to bring out the artist in you?

The internationally renowned Egyptian artist Mohamed Abla, founder of the Fayoum International Art Center and Professor at the International Art Academy in Salzburg (Austria), gives you a chance with his “Abla’s Interactive Method” workshop. All you need to do is pack a brush, an acrylic colour of your choice and head for the Mahmoud Mokhtar Cultural Centre - 5, Tahrir St. (beside El-Qahira Club) this coming Saturday, October 25 at 6:00 PM.

Free and open to all ages. Have fun!

MAKAN

This place is the closest you get to the feeling of attending a real underground performance. The cellar-like atmosphere blends perfectly with the performances of the Mazaher Ensemble rendered regularly in this venue and conjure to make it a mesmerizing experience.
The hall is nothing more than a big living room with carpets to sit on just in front of the performers for the ones more inclined towards the “baladi” experience, and chairs for the others. There is as well a gallery with chairs along the balustrade. I would say that the place does not contain more than a hundred people. The atmosphere is very relaxed and invites you to “belong” to the place. Tea and karkade are on offer for free in the intermission of the show, which starts at 9:00 PM and goes on until around 11:00 PM. Entrance fee is 30 EGP if you buy the ticket at the door or 20 EGP if you reserve beforehand (at makan@egyptmusic.org ). Reservation are kept until 9:00 PM. Smoking not allowed. There are toilet facilities inside. A/C and fans makes sure that there is a nice, if a bit chilly, temperature inside the hall; I advise those sensible to air currents to bring a shawl or a scarf. CDs of the Mazaher Ensemble and of other artists are on sale at the ticket counter.

Makan is on 1, Saad Zaghloul St., 11461, El Dawaween, Tel. 27920878. It is not a problem to park there at the time of the performances but it is so close to the Metro Station that I prefer to use this form of transportation. To reach “The Place” (that’s what Makan means in Arabic), get out at the Saad Zaghloul Station, then follow the exit indication for Sharia Mansour. Once above ground, locate the well lit Mausoleum of Saad Zaghloul and walk toward its entrance. Walk past it and continue until you reach the corner of the plot. In front of you, on the opposite side of the road stands Makan. It has a sign and you will surely see people standing there waiting for the performance to begin.

Press articles:
Al Ahram Weekly, December 2009
Al Masry Al Youm, August 2010

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

JAZZ FACTORY - Anticipation ... Expectation ...

The news has been in the air for some time but, even given the caliber of the institutions involved in the organization, it somehow looked too good to be true. Now that a press conference has been announced to present the event, it looks as if the first JAZZ FACTORY in Cairo is a reality. From the 5th to the 14th of November 2008, Cairo will host some of the most famous contemporary jazz music artists in the world who will give a series of concerts in various venues in the city.


Rather than list names, I send you to the exhaustive presentation page in the Culture Resource website and to the page of the Italian Cultural Institute from where you can download the “Final” program of the event (Final it may be but I still suggest you still check Cairo Live Events Guide from time to time).


This is an event of a kind, don’t miss it.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

AL-GHOURI TANNOURA DANCE TROUPE


If you happen to be in the area of Khan el-Khalili or Al-Azhar mosque one Saturday, Monday or Wednesday evening, do not lose the opportunity to spend a wonderful evening of free music and dances at the nearby Ghouri Caravansaray.
The Al-Ghouri Troupe is a group of around twenty dedicated performers who, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, present a show of music on traditional instruments, chants and Tannoura dances. Tannoura is a kind of dance akin to the one performed by the Mevlevi Whirling Dervishes but indigenous to Egypt and, although permeated by religious chanting and distinctly religious elements, not rooted in the Sufi tradition. In fact, according to some historians, its use in Moulids predates the Mevlevi form.
The show starts with musicians playing traditional tunes on nay, rabab and percussions, then, introduced by a religious chant, the first solo Tannoura dancer, with his green dress and striped gown takes to the stage and starts whirling. And it whirls and whirls continuously, accompanied by an entrancing melody, for about 20 minutes. The show proceeds with another session of music performed by a group of players on Nay and other wood instruments before three more dancers come on stage and start another amazing dance with various figures aimed at displaying their equilibristic prowess.
The shows start at 8:30, but if you want to be sure of a good place, try to be there at least 30 min. before. The caravansaray court is large but every time I went it was packed. Taking pictures is allowed but no filming during performances. No food and drink on sale inside. Toilet facilities are available, on the right side once inside while on the left side you will find a shop with a good selection of CDs and DVDs of traditional music (although unfortunately none of the Troupe you are going to see!) at very affordable prices.

The Al-Ghouri Tannoura Group performs every Saturday, Monday and Wednesday at 8:30 PM at the Ghouri Caravansaray. Door open at 7:30 PM. Performances are regularly on (save the occasional cancellation for other engagements of the troupe). See the Agenda for updates or contact Mahmoud Eissa (Director AL TANNOURA TROUPE):
Email: eissa_tannoura@yahoo.com
FoneP +2 -0125903737
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=101703375365

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Théâtre Nout presents Jean Cocteau

In the frame of the 20th Cairo International Experimental Theatre Festival, the French company Théâtre Nout is presenting an adaptation of Jean Cocteau's L’école des veuves. This little known, rather funny text from Cocteau deals with the attachment to material things, love, and faithfulness, is played by only five actors and lasts around one hour. The company has been presenting this show in Paris for quite a while and has received good reviews.

The text is going to be in French and I personally do not think there will be an onsite translation available.


Sunday, October 19 at 8:00 PM and Monday, October 20 at 12:00 PM in the Small Hall of the Cairo Opera House

Friday, October 17, 2008

AGENDA MUSIC October 18-October 24

The highlights of this week include the International Music Center’s season opening concert at the Manasterly Palace, the Greek classical music evening presented by the Cairo Symphony Orchestra, a visit from a German chamber music duo and the concerts of El Dor El Awal and Wust El Balad.
And there are still few days (it closes on the 20th) for attending one of the many performances of the participants to the International Festival for Experimental Theatre (see schedule here).
Have a nice week.

Saturday, October 18, 2008
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra directed by George Chlitsios with soloists Danai Souli (piano) and Hassan Sharara (violin) present an evening of Greek Classical music with works from Kydoniatis, Sharara and Skalkottas in the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM
- Cairo-Kee & El Dor El Awal double-bill concert in the River Hall of El-Sawi Cultural Centre 8:30 PM
- Al-Tanoura whirling dervishes at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- Nagham Masry (Modern Egyptian folk) at the Cairo Jazz Club 9:30 PM

Sunday, October 19, 2008
- Harry (Piano/GB) at the Manasterly Palace 8:00 PM
- El Fihaa Choir (Libya) at the Gomhouria Theatre 8:00 PM
- HaRaKa, six selected video dances from Slovenia curated by Barbara Borcic at the Townhouse Gallery, Hussein Me’amar St. Downtown 7:00 PM
- Kolthomiat by Abdel Halim Noweira Ensemble for Arab Music at the Arab Music Institute 8:00 PM
- El-Nil Troupe for folk instruments (Folk music and songs) at Beit Al-Suheimi 8:00 PM

Monday, October 20, 2008
- Wust El Balad at After 8 10:00 PM

Tuesday, October 21, 2008
- The Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nader Abbassi present a Gala Concert with renowned local opera singers, featuring works by Strauss, Gounod, Dvorak, Bizet, Mozart, Verdi in the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM
- Hassan Troupe for Egyptian Tradition in the River Hall of El-Sawi Cultural Centre 8:30 PM

Wednesday, October 22, 2008
- Mazaher Ensemble (Music of the Delta) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM
- Egy Rap School (Egyptian Rap) in the River Hall of El-Sawi Cultural Centre 8:00 PM
- Al-Tanoura whirling dervishes at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- Ali El-Haggar (Oriental music) in the Wisdom Hall of El-Sawi Cultural Centre 8:30 PM

Thursday, October 23, 2008
- Michael Jelden and Maki Hayashida (Germany) Violin and Piano Recital in the Small Hall of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM
- Adwaa El Noba Troupe (Nubian Folklore) in the River Hall of El-Sawi Cultural Centre 8:30 PM
- Farid El Bably Ensemble at the Arab Music Institute 8:00 PM
- Al Mawlawyah (Sufi dance and singing) at Beit Al-Suheimi 8:00 PM

Friday, October 24, 2008
- Yehia Khalil in the Small Hall of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM
- Wust El Balad in the River Hall of El-Sawi Cultural Centre 8:30 PM
- The Upper Egypt Choir (Music, Dance and Story-Telling) at Al-Genaina Theatre in Al-Azhar Park 8:00 PM
- Religious Song Ensemble conducted by Essam Abdel Moneim at the Gomhouria Theatre 8:00 PM

Thursday, October 16, 2008

THE MEN OF EL-ALAMEIN

The Italian Institute of Culture on the occasion of the 66th Anniversary of the Battle of El-Alamein holds a slide presentation and readings from the personal diaries of Italian soldiers who fought the Desert war.


Jill Edwards, Historian from American University in Cairo, will give the introduction to the conference. The event is open to all and a brochure with text in English, Italian and Arabic will be distributed.


I love history and I believe that this is going to be a nice and most instructive event on several levels, not only for those interested in Military History. Therefore I thought there might be somebody among my readers interested and decided to post it. After all, this is definitely a live event!


Sunday, October 19 2008 at the Italian Institute of Culture - 3, El Sheikh El Marsafi St., Zamalek 6:30 PM

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

BAD APPLE

Rock in Egypt? I am by disposition very open toward different music styles but I have to admit that I sort of neglected the local rock music scene until I heard these five young musicians. And what a discovery it was! Despite being a relatively young band, they are gradually steering away from cover works (that seems to be a widely popular way of making music here. But why? I am sure there is enough creativity out there!) and make a very good job writing their own original songs. They also set up an entertaining live show in which they are often accompanied by guest musicians.
Their professionalism is further underscored by their creation of a nice website where you can find plenty of information and listen to some of their songs.
Good job, Bad Apple, keep it on!

Bad Apple will perform Saturday, October 17 at 8:30 PM in the River Hall of El-Sawi Cultural Centre

"SAMSARA" - Correction

Tonight's performance of the Victor Ullate's Company Ballet "Samsara" is due to begin at 9:00 PM and not 8:00 as written in the Agenda. Thursday and Friday performances will begin at 8:00 PM.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

VICTOR ULLATE BALLET

One of the season highlights is without doubt the performance of the famous Victor Ullate Ballet from Spain. Former principal of Maurice Bejar’s Ballet and of the Ballet Nacional de Espana, in 1983 Ullate started coreographing and founded his own school and ballet company, Ballet de Victor Ullate. Their repertoire includes works by Balanchine, van Manen, Nils Christe, Jan Linkens, and Micha van Hoecke, as well as contemporary ballets by Ullate himself. Ullate has formed and trained some of today's most famous ballet dancers.

Victor Ullate's work “Samsara”, merging influences from Egypt, Iran and the Far East with Ullate's own traditions of classical ballet and contemporary dance, will be presented for the first time in Egypt in the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House from Wednesday, October 15 to Friday, October 17.

To know more about the work (in Spanish), go to http://www.victorullateballet.com/index.php?lang=es&ids=298

To look at a preview of the performance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ-EcfvqSVc

Monday, October 13, 2008

20th Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre

The 20th Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre has opened on October 10th with the performance of the Italian Mistral Company for Modern Dance in the Cairo Opera House.
The 64 troupes from all over the world who participate in the festival will present over 70 works in the span of 10 days in several venues across the city. Workshop and conferences with artists and experts will take place for the duration of the festival. A big thing. And one served, quite remarkably, by a good website where you can find the performance schedule, a daily bulletin and brief information about the groups and works.

Sadly, I am not very much into this art form and am definitely not in a position to offer advice, but I think that an endeavor as such should be encouraged and I will do my best to attend one or more performances. You might not know all the venues where the performances take place (as I do not), but you will surely know the Cairo Opera House and the Ghomouria Theatre (if not, follow the link), so, give a look at the schedule and you might find something worth giving a try.
I heard, for instance, that tonight performance by the Egyptian Modern Dance Theatre Company "The Virgin Butterfly Story" (or "The Tale of the Deadly Butterfly" according to the official website), is very interesting. They will be performing at the Arabic Music Institute 22, Ramses St. at 8:00 PM

Sunday, October 12, 2008

EL DOR EL AWAL


Oriental Jazz and Fusion is a broad term that is commonly used for music performed by indigenous group that are incorporating western jazz, new age and electronic language into their own musical traditions. The results are often interesting and original, if a bit bizarre for the average western ear.
El Dor El Awal, with their blend of saxophone, flute and violin on a bed of oriental style beating percussions are, along with Eftekasat and Wust el Balad, the best examples of this musical genre Cairo has presently to offer. The band, renowned for its good stage act, has a good following and published a CD titled “Qarar Izala” for the Incognito label.
For more info and to listen to some of their pieces in streaming go to:
Articles about the band:
http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/news/late-night-session-el-dor-el-awal

Thursday, October 9, 2008

AGENDA MUSIC October 11-October 17

Another interesting week for people who are into ballet and dance with the performances of the Victor Ullate Ballet from Spain and of the Egyptian Modern Dance Theatre Company. On the music side, the Cairo Symphony Orchestra will present the second concert of the season with their new Italian director Marcello Mottadelli, plus concerts from the local darlings El Dor El Awal and Ana Masry.

Saturday, October 11, 2008
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marcello Mottadelli and accompanied by pianists Mohamed Shams and Wael Farouk present works from Rageh Dawoud, Poulenc and Brahms in the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM
- Baraka Band (Arab Traditional music) at the Rawabet Theatre 8:00 PM
- Al-Tanoura whirling dervishes at the Ghouri Caravansaray 9:00 PM
- Beshir (Modern Egyptian Folk) at the Cairo Jazz Club 9:30 PM

Sunday, October 12, 2008
- National Arab Music Ensemble conducted by Selim Sahab in the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM
- Egyptian Modern Dance Theatre Company present “The Virgin Butterfly Story” (choreography by Walid Aouni) at the Arabic Music Institute 8:00 PM
- El-Nil Troupe for folk instruments at Beit Al-Suheimi 8:00 PM

Monday, October 13, 2008
- El Dor El Awal at After 8 10:00 PM
- Cairo Opera Orchestra with Omar Khairat (piano) in the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM
- Egyptian Modern Dance Theatre Company present “The Virgin Butterfly Story” (choreography by Walid Aouni) at the Arabic Music Institute 8:00 PM

Tuesday, October 14, 2008
- Arab Music Heritage Ensemble conducted by Farouk El-Babli (Classical Arab songs) at the Arabic Music Institute 8:00 PM
- Mezmar Baladi Troupe led by Sayyed El-Husseini (Egyptian Folklore) at the El-Sawi Cultural Centre 8:30 PM
- Ana Masry (Arabic modern music) in the Wisdom Hall of the El-Sawi Cultural Centre 8:00 PM

Wednesday, October 15, 2008
- Victor Ullate Ballet (Spain) present “SAMSARA” in the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble (Music of the Delta) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM
- Omar Khairat Piano Recital in the Wisdom Hall of the El-Sawi Cultural Centre 8:30 PM
- Al-Tanoura whirling dervishes at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- Unfold and Invaders in concert (Rock music) in the River Hall of the El-SAwi Cultural Centre 8:30 PM

Thursday, October 16, 2008
- Victor Ullate Ballet (Spain) present “SAMSARA” in the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM

Friday, October 17, 2008
- Victor Ullate Ballet (Spain) present “SAMSARA” in the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM
- National Arab Music Ensemble conducted by Selim Sahab at the Arab Music Institute
- Bad Apple Band in concert (Rock music) in the River Hall of the El-Sawi Cultural Centre 8:30 PM
- Mustafa Said with Aseel Band at the Geneina Theatre in the Al-Azhar Park 8:00 PM

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

AGENDA MUSIC October 7- October 10

Welcome back! Hope you had a relaxing holiday.
Cairo Live Events Guide is back with a shortened version of its weekly agenda. Short but very interesting! From the Swiss DRIFT Company modern dance play "Unbreakable", to the last days of the Dance Opera "Odysseus", to the Opening Night of the International Festival of Experimental Theatre with an Italian group, these first post-Eid evenings are going to be all but dull.


Tuesday, October 7, 2008

- Cairo Opera Ballet Company with the Opera Singers and Choir present “Odysseus” in the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM


Wednesday, October 8, 2008

- André Sigone (Double Bass) and his Be-Bop inspired Jazz Trio at the Heliopolis French Cultural Centre 5, Shafik el-Dib St., Ard el-Golf 7:00 PM

- Mazaher Ensemble (Music of the Delta) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM

- Kayan Band (Rock music) in the River Hall of El-Sawi Cultural Centre 8:00 PM

- Al-Tanoura whirling dervishes at the Ghouri Caravansaray 9:00 PM

- Cairo Opera Ballet Company with the Opera Singers and Choir present “Odysseus” in the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM


Thursday, October 9, 2008

- Drift Company (Switzerland) present “Unbreakable” at the Gomhouria Theatre 8:00 PM

- United Nile Band (Reggae music) in the River Hall of El-Sawi Cultural Centre 8:00 PM

- Yehia Khalil at the Cairo Jazz Club 197, 26th July St., Agouza 10:30 PM


Friday, October 10, 2008

- Akram El-Sharkawi band (Oriental and Contemporary Jazz) in the Wisdom Hall of the El-Sawi Cultural Centre 8:00 PM

- Drift Company (Switzerland) present “Unbreakable” at the Gomhouria Theatre 8:00 PM

- Brain Candy (Rock music) in the River Hall of El-Sawi Cultural Centre 8:30 PM

- International Festival for Experimental Theatre Opening Night – The Modern Dance Company Mistral presents “Il racconto di Antigone – Antigone`s Tale” in Italian language with English subtitles in the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House 8:00 PM