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

Friday, December 18, 2009

Cairo Live Events Guide gets a new author!

Dear friends of CLEG,
as of today there will be a new contributor to the pages of this blog. Don, who has already written reviews for these pages, will be writing posts adding more content to CLEG and minimizing holidays shutdowns. Thanks to Don, for the first time CLEG will not close for holidays despite the fact that I will be away. Hope this will be a welcome news to all CLEG readers, especially the ones who will spend Christmas and New Year in the city.

From me, Cairowanderer, a wonderful holiday season to you all and see you in 2010 for another exciting year of cultural events in Cairo.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC DEC. 19 - DEC. 25

Saturday, December 19, 2009
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marcello Mottadelli with soloists Ines Abdel Daïm (flute) and Peter Olah (flute) present works from Dvorak, Doppler and Rachmaninov in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Bell’s Ensemble Christmas concert at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- Salalem (Modern Egyptian folk) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM

Sunday, December 20, 2009
- Abdel Halim Nowera Ensemble for Arab music in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Christmas carols concert with Gala El Hadidi accompanied by David Hales (piano) in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Saint Augustinus Choir and the Hymned Heart Christmas concert at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- El Nil Troupe for Folk Instruments at Beit El Suheimi, 8:30 PM
- Bashir (Nubian music) at the After8 Pub, 10:00 PM
- The Blue Tone Quartet (Jazz standards) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- The Nubian Drums Troupe led by Intesar Abdel-Fattah at the Ghouri Palace, 7:00 PM

Monday, December 21, 2009
- Egyptian Philarmonic Society conducted by Ahmed Al Saedi with soloist Victoria Kapralova (cello) present Christmas Flair, works from Bach, Couperin and Vivaldi, in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Wust El Balad at the After8 Pub, 10:00 PM

Tuesday, December 22, 2009
- Nass Makan at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- Screwdriver (Rock’n’roll) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- One Voice Choir led by Mohab Atef present Christmas Carols at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Manal Mohieddin harp recital (accompanied by String Quartet) at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 7:00 PM

Wednesday, December 23, 2009
- El Resala Troupe Christmas Concert at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Tahmer Fahmy chamber music concert in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble (Zar music) at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM

Thursday, December 24, 2009
- Cairo Opera Ballet Company and Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nader Abbassi present Tchaikovsky’s ballet “The Nutcracker” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Neveen Allouba Christmas concert with special guest Ashraf Suwailam in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Sahra Band (Rai music) at the After8 Pub, 10:00 PM
- Crash Boom Bang (Funk and dance floor covers) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Eskendrella Band (Contemporary Egyptian music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM

Friday, December 25, 2009
- Cairo Opera Ballet Company and Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nader Abbassi present Tchaikovsky’s ballet “The Nutcracker” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Hassan Sharara (violin) Christmas concert in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Om El Nour Choir Christmas concert at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Salalem (Arabic music) at the After8 Pub, 10:00 PM
- Hossam Samir covers Farid El Atrash (Arabic music concert) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Resala Band Christmas concert at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

MEMORY and FUTURISM Festival Program for tonight, Wednesday December 16, 2009

This is the program for tonight at the Italian Cultural Institute 3, Sheikh El Marsafi st., Zamalek 7:00 PM:

Installation «Disposition», by Collectif Position (http://disposition.fr/)

followed by a French and Italian video screening:
- Abba Mao by Pascal Lièvre ( France , 2001) 4’
- Axis of evil- L’axe du mal by Pascal Lièvre ( France , 2003) 5’30
- Savoir aimer by Pascal Lièvre ( France , 2004) 1’45
Electronic poetry :
- Diavolo Figura by Antonio Poce, Elmerindo Fiore, Giampiero Gemini, Giovanni Fontana (Italy, 2008) 6’30
- Under construction by Zhenchen Liu (China/France, 2007) 10’
- Steps by Zbig Rybczynski (Pologne, 1987) 25’
- D’après le Cuirassé Potemkine (1925) by Sergei Eisentein.

Debate on video-art, futurism and cinema with screening of futuristic documents at the presence of Marc Mercier, director of Instants Vidéos, and Giovanni Lista, professor of contemporary art.

Fore more information please visit also http://www.zinclafriche.org/mef

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

ARABSHORTS.NET - Arabic indipendent films online

The Goethe Institute in Cairo launched the first website to feature Arabic independent films online. Click here to read an article on the subject featured on Al-Masry Al-Youm website.

I will put the link to Arabshorts website in the Useful Links column for permanent future reference.

The meeting with Michelangelo Pistoletto has been cancelled

I know it is late but just found this in the mailbox: 

With deep regret, the Italian Cultural Institute announces that, due to force majeure, the artist Michelangelo Pistoletto will not be able to perform at the 25th Alexandria Biennial for Mediterranean Countries, nor to attend the meeting scheduled on 15th December December 2009, at 7.00 pm, at the Theatre of the Italian Cultural Institute in Cairo.


Monday, December 14, 2009

MEMORY AND FUTURISM FESTIVAL at CFCC

The Memory and Futurism Festival consists of conferences, ateliers, seminars, various projects and visual art installations, aiming to introduce contemporary multimedia art to the audience. More specifically, Memory and Futurism aims to get to the core of visual art as conceived by the futuristic vision of reality.
There will be film screenings, debates about “Cinema, Video, Art and Futurism” and two ateliers opened to young artists. In the “Searching for Marinetti” atelier, Marc Mercier, artistic director of Instants Video, will talk about Marinetti with Giovanni Lista, an Italian prominent scholar and researcher of the history of Futurism. The “On Video Interaction” atelier will explore various forms of multimedia and interactive art with Renaud Vercey and Bruno Voillot, in collaboration with Mohamed Youssef, a plastic and multimedia artist.
The Festival will take place from December 6th to 13th at the Centre Français de Culture et Coopération in Alexandria, the native town of the founder of the Futurism Movement, Filippo Marinetti, who spent his childhood and youth there. On December 16th and 17th, the Festival will move to the Centre Français de Culture et Coopération in Cairo.  

For more information about the program, click here (French only)


Sunday, December 13, 2009

2nd EUROPEAN FILM FESTIVAL at City Stars Cinemas in Cairo from Wednesday December 16 to Tuesday December 22, 2009

With the support of: Europa Cinemas, Media International, The Egyptian Ministry of Culture, Egyptian Film Centre, French Cultural Centre, Unifrance, CNC, TV5 Monde, The Netherlands Embassy, Holland Film, Goethe Institute, British Council, Holiday Inn and Aroma, the 2nd European Film Festival will present the following movies at City Stars, Cinemania Theaters:

Many thanks to Tarek and Karima for drawing my attention to the festival and for providing the movie schedule.

WED / MER 16
1:00 PM This is England (UK / Royaume-Uni)
3:30 PM Los Abrazos Rotos / Broken Embraces (Spain / Espagne)
6:30 PM Pranzo di Ferragosto / Mid-August Lunch (Italy / Italie)
9:30 PM Coco Avant Chanel / Coco Before Chanel (France)

THUR / JEU 17
10:30 AM Tiramisu (Netherlands / Pays-Bas)
1:00 PM Vier Minuten / Four Minutes (Germany / Allemagne)
3:30 PM Dunya & Desie (Netherlands / Pays-Bas)
6:30 PM La Journée de la Jupe / Skirt Day (France)
9:30 PM Los Abrazos Rotos / Broken Embraces (Spain / Espagne)

FRI / VEN 18
10:30 AM Vier Minuten / Four Minutes (Germany / Allemagne)
1:00 PM Tiramisu (Netherlands / Pays-Bas)
3:30 PM Coco Avant Chanel / Coco Before Chanel (France)
6:30 PM De laatste dagen van Emma Blank / The Last Days of Emma Blank (Netherlands / Pays-Bas)
9:30 PM Un Prophète / A Prophet (France)

SAT / SAM 19
10:30 AM De laatste dagen van Emma Blank / The Last Days of Emma Blank (Netherlands / Pays-Bas)
1:00 PM Le Temps qu'il Reste / The Time That Remains (France- Palestine)
3:30 PM La Journée de la Jupe / Skirt Day (France)
6:30 PM This is England (UK / Royaume-Uni)
9:30 PM Dunya & Desie (Netherlands / Pays-Bas)

SUN / DIM 20
10:30 AM Pranzo di Ferragosto / Mid-August Lunch (Italy / Italie)
1:00 PM Un Prophète / A Prophet (France)
3:30 PM De laatste dagen van Emma Blank / The Last Days of Emma Blank (Netherlands / Pays-Bas)
6:30 PM Los Abrazos Rotos / Broken Embraces (Spain / Espagne)
9:30 PM Le Temps qu'il Reste / The Time That Remains (France- Palestine)

MON / LUN 21
10:30 AM Dunya & Desie (Netherlands / Pays-Bas)
1:00 PM Coco Avant Chanel / Coco Before Chanel (France)
3:30 PM Pranzo di Ferragosto / Mid-August Lunch (Italy / Italie)
6:30 PM Tiramisu (Netherlands / Pays-Bas)
9:30 PM Vier Minuten / Four Minutes (Germany / Allemagne)

TUE / MAR 22
10:30 AM La Journée de la Jupe / Skirt Day (France)
1:00 PM Los Abrazos Rotos / Broken Embraces (Spain / Espagne)
3:30 PM Le Temps qu'il Reste / The Time That Remains (France- Palestine)
6:30 PM Un Prophète / A Prophet (France)
9:30 PM Agora (Spain / Espagne)



Click here to find programme schedule with available subtitles

Saturday, December 12, 2009

DON'S REVIEW - The CSO with Andreas Spörri and Yasser Ghoneim

The Cairo Symphony Orchestra shone under the welcome return of guest conductor Andreas Spörri in the concert of 5 December 2009.
The orchestra did a beautiful, stirring rendition of that perennial concert favorite, Mussorgsky's “A Night on Bare Mountain”. Many of us were first exposed to this piece in the chilling sequence in Walt Disney’s Fantasia, where the exultant bat-headed sorcerer, from on top of his mountain stronghold, conjured forth an orgiastic sequence of ghosts, bats, and demons. The film version is different, arranged by the conductor Leopold Stokowski, and has a more redemptive ending with a choir
Never afraid of difficult pieces (both technically and musically), Spörri next tackled Shostakovich’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No. 2 in C sharp minor, with Cairo’s own Yasser Ghoneim as soloist. This piece demands the very highest level of musicianship from the soloist playing in a key not natural for the violin.
At least from a technical viewpoint, Yasser mastered the extremely difficult score, but it took its toll – he was sweating profusely in the cold auditorium after the first movement. I doubt there are many real fans of this harsh, mournful piece and in fact it has largely fallen out of the repertoire. Although Ghoneim did not make a believer out of me or my friends, it must be said that the audience was highly appreciative of the performance and he was warmly applauded.
The concert closed with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 in e-minor, and in contrast with the previous concerto, is a much-beloved and often performed work. Here, Spörri guided the orchestra to play as one. A special notice for the horn soloist, who did a beautiful solo in the second movement.
We’ll hear more from Spörri this season.
Mark your calendars for February 27 or 28, when he will lead Cairo in a Berlioz, Khachaturian, and Shostakovich triple bill.
Don’t miss May 8, when Spörri pays tribute to the master, Richard Wagner, in selections from Rienzi, Lohengrin, Tristan and Isolde, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Parsifal, Die Walküre and Tannhäuser. Even if you hate opera, and even if you hate German opera, the orchestral highlights of Wagner’s operas are some of the most moving music ever written.
Finally, Spörri will conduct the 15 May concert performing one of his own pieces, along with selections from von Weber, Walton, and Mozart.
Ghoneim may not have another opportunity to solo this year, but he will very ably support the orchestra as second violin leader.

Friday, December 11, 2009

December 11, NAGUIB MAHFOUZ birthday

Today, the great Egyptian writer Naguib Mahfouz would have been 98 years old. He left us an incredible amount of wonderful books. I had read already some and admired him both as a writer and a person when I arrived in Cairo, just few days before his death. I remember watching his funerary procession live in the hotel television and I recall how moved I was.

He wrote in one of his books "Seeing that everything eventually disappears, sorrow will certainly not be the exception to the rule". He might be right, but today, more than three years later, I am still sorry he is not with us anymore.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC Dec. 12 - Dec. 18

Saturday, December 12, 2009
- Christmas Concert with soloist of the Cairo Opera Company and the Cairo Celebration Choir conducted by Nayer Nagui in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM
- Massar Egbari (Contemporary Egyptian rock) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- PVA Arabic Music Ensemble conducted by Wael El Mahallawi in the Malak Gabr Theatre of AUC New Cairo Campus, 5:00 PM

Sunday, December 13, 2009
- Wang Jue (China/Piano) plays music from Ravel and Brahms in the Golden Room of the Mohamed Ali Palace in Manial, 8:00 PM
- Horus Ensemble (Germany) baroque concert in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Alexandria Opera Ensemble for music and Arab singing at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Ryan Skinner (USA) kora recital in the Sharjah Gallery in AUC New Cairo Campus, 7:00 PM
- El Nil Troupe for Folk Instruments at Beit El Suheimi, 8:30 PM
- Samaa Sufi Inshad Troupe led by Intesar Abdel-Fattah at the Ghouri Palace, 8:00 PM
- Bashir (Nubian music) at the After8 Pub, 10:00 PM
- Offbeat (Rock) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- The Riff Band Christmas Special at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM

Monday, December 14, 2009
- Salalem & Autostrad (Jordan/Arabic rock) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Wust El Balad at the After8 Pub, 10:00 PM
- Al-Hadra Troupe led by Sheikh Goda Heykal (Sufi music) at Beit El Suheimi, 7:00 PM

Tuesday, December 15, 2009
- Cairo Opera Company, Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nader Abbassi and Cairo Opera Choir present Giacomo Puccini’s opera “La Bohème” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Michael Quinn & the Bourbon Kings (Americana/Roots music and rock) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Nass Makan at the Makan, 9:00 PM

Wednesday, December 16, 2009
- Cairo Opera Company, Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nader Abbassi and Cairo Opera Choir present Giacomo Puccini’s opera “La Bohème” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Elena Dzamashvili piano recital in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble (Zar music) at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- Ali El Haggar (Arabic music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM

Thursday, December 17, 2009
- Cairo Opera Company, Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nader Abbassi and Cairo Opera Choir present Giacomo Puccini’s opera “La Bohème” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Yahya Khalil Ensemble (Jazz) in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- National Arab Music Ensemble conducted by Selim Sahab at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Sahra Band (Rai music) at the After8 Pub, 10:00 PM
- Azrak Samawi (Rock) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Habashi and the Jazz Caterers (Upbeat Funk Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Al-Ashq Al-Mohamady troupe led by Sheikh Walid Shahin (Sufi songs) at the Taalat Harb Cultural Centre, 7:00 PM

Friday, December 18, 2009
- Cairo Opera Company, Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nader Abbassi and Cairo Opera Choir present Giacomo Puccini’s opera “La Bohème” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Omar Khairat (Piano) at El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- Sweet Sound Ensemble with Mounir Nasr El Din in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Bell Group Christmas recital at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Salalem (Arabic music) at the After8 Pub, 10:00 PM

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

The renowned Italian artist MICHELANGELO PISTOLETTO in Cairo

On Tuesday 15th December, at 7.00 pm, at the Theatre of the Italian Cultural Institute in Cairo, there will be a meeting with Michelangelo Pistoletto, guest of honour at the 25th Alexandria Biennale for Mediterranean Countries, which will be held from 17th December 2009 until 31st January 2010. The Biennale is one of the leading art events in the world and its aim is to fortify the cultural and artistic dialog not only between Egypt and its neighboring Mediterranean countries but to extend it all over the world as well. Thanks to Love Difference, a movement founded by Pistoletto, in 2002, it was possible to host him in Egypt, presenting, at the Biennale, the installation: Ten Less One.
The large framed mirrors placed around the walls of the room are intact, at first. The mirror offers its surface to physical life, as a witness to its unlimited extent in space and time.
When the mirror is shattered its reflective power is not lost, it is multiplied, as many times there are fragments. During the performance, the breaking of each framed mirror is like a small galactic explosion that multiplies the particles of reflection, and remains in the exhibition as the memory of a precise instant of the past ceaselessly reflected in a new present.
One mirror remains intact in reference to the seed of the unending regeneration of light and life. There is a dramatic power in this virtual, art process that corresponds to the real. Yet the drama is resolved in emotional moments that, by reflection, lead us to think of our own existence. 

Michelangelo Pistoletto was born in Biella in 1993; he was an animating force and a leading figure of the Arte Povera, like Anselmo, Boetti, Kounellis, Merz, Paolini e Zorio; he is considered one of the greatest artist in the worldwide artistic scene, frequently invited from the major museums, he took part in the most important group exhibitions (Documenta, Münster and Biennale).

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

About the MAKAN

Last issue of Al-Ahram Weekly had a great article by Osama Kamel about the MAKAN. Now you can find it in the online version as well.
Click here to read it.

Monday, December 7, 2009

ITALIAN MOVIE AT AUC

The American University in Cairo, Office of Student Development, and ITACA, present Gabriele Muccino's movie "L'ULTIMO BACIO" (THE LAST KISS),  2001, tomorrow Tuesday December 8, 2009 at 7:00 PM in Room CP17 SSE, of AUC New Cairo Campus. Free entry.
The movie will be introduced by Vincenzo Mattei and presented with English subtitles.
 

L'ultimo bacio narrates episodes in the lives of four friends in their early thirties, scared by fatherhood and wishing to escape… escape, either far away or back into an eternal adolescence. Contemporary Italian society is portrayed in this movie with a post-modern filter, enacting the irreconciled tension between the sake of perfection and the reality of life.




Sunday, December 6, 2009

Classical Music Scene in Egypt on Facebook

Musicians and classical music lovers in Egypt have created an open group on Facebook.
You can find like-minded virtual friends, information about performances, articles, pictures, and whatever rotates around classical music in general.

The address is http://en-gb.facebook.com/group.php?v=info&gid=18766715856

Friday, December 4, 2009

YASSER GHONEIM

Considered one of the young stars of Egyptian classical music, the violinist Yasser Ghoneim joined the Cairo Conservatoire at the age of seven and studied with several professors, amongst which the late secretary general of the Tchaikovsky Competition, Irakly Bridzy. He is currently studying with Marlis Yones-Khan.
He made several tours with the Conservatoire Orchestra, including one to Germany in 1998, and played with the Mediterranean Sea Orchestra. He also gave concerts as soloist with the Akhenaton Chamber Music Orchestra at the Sayed Darwish Theatre in Alexandria and at the Cairo Opera House.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC Dec. 5 - Dec. 11

Saturday, December 5, 2009
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andreas Spörri with soloist Yasser Ghoneim (Violin) present works from Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky and Shostakovich in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Jesus’Heart Choir Christmas Concert in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Yehya Khalil (Jazz) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Farid El Bably (Iraq/Oud) and his group at the Gomhouria Theatre, 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

Sunday, December 6, 2009
- Fathy Salama’s Sharkiat (North African fusion) in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Odessa String Quartet (Ukraine) with Mohamed Hamdy (Clarinet) in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Ashra Gharby (Conemporary Egyptian music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- El Nil Troupe for Folk Instruments at Beit El Suheimi, 8:30 PM
- Bashir (Nubian music) at the After8 Pub, 10:00 PM
- Rashad Fahim Trio (Jazz standards and originals) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM

- The Nubian Drums led by Intesar Abdel-Fattah at the Ghouri Palace, 8:00 PM

Monday, December 7, 2009
- Wust El Balad at the After8 Pub, 10:00 PM

- Conservatoire Orchestra conducted by Mahmoud Bayoumi present works by Haydn, Mozart, Strauss, Händel and Sayyed Darwish in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

Tuesday, December 8, 2009
- “Take the Floor” (USA/Ballroom, Latin and Theatrical Dance) in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- City Band (Contemporary Egyptian music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Nass Makan at the Makan, 9:00 PM

- Cairo Choral Society conducted by John Baboukis presents Joseph Haydn's Creation in All Saint's Cathedral in Zamalek, 8:00 PM

Wednesday, December 9, 2009
- “Take the Floor” (USA/Ballroom, Latin and Theatrical Dance) in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 6:00 PM & 9:00 PM
- Cairo Choral Society conducted by John Baboukis presents Joseph Haydn’s Creation in the Malak Gabr Theatre at AUC New Cairo Campus, 7:00 PM
- Yazan Al Roussan & Autostrad (Jordan/Arabic rock) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble (Zar music) at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- Klaket (Egyptian songs) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- DJ Ramsi Lehner at the Goethe Institute in Dokki, 8:00 PM

Thursday, December 10, 2009
- “Take the Floor” (USA/Ballroom, Latin and Theatrical Dance) in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 6:00 PM & 9:00 PM)
- Heritage Ensemble for Arab Music at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Sahra Band (Rai music) at the After8 Pub, 10:00 PM
- The Riff Band at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM

Friday, December 11, 2009
- “Take the Floor” (USA/Ballroom, Latin and Theatrical Dance) in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Cairo Choral Society conducted by John Baboukis presents Joseph Haydn’s Creation in the Ewart Memorial Hall at AUC Downtown campus, 8:00 PM
- Jong Ki Choi, (Principal clarinetist of Cairo Symphony Orchestra) recital at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Salalem (Arabic music) at the After8 Pub, 10:00 PM

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

YEHYA KHALIL at the Cairo Jazz Club

Tomorrow, Thursday December 3, 2009 at 10:30 PM the famous jazz percussionist Yehya Khalil will perform at the Cairo Jazz Club.
For reservations and house rules, click here.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Spiritual Music Concert at the Cairo Opera House

Tomorrow, Tuesday December 1, 2009 the Egyptian composer Basem Darwish and the German pianist Matthias Frey will perform in a spiritual music evening in the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House at 8:00 PM.
The concert will feature Egyptian singers Sheikh and Ali El-Helbawi and Maher Fayez's group
"El Karouz".
You'll find plenty of information about the concert and the musicians in this facebook page (scroll down for the English version).

MOHAMED BESHIR (BASHIR)

As I did not have yet the opportunity to go and hear him live, I have been looking for quite some time in the net and among friends for information about the nubian singer Bashir, who regularly performs at the After8 Club downtown and at the Cairo Jazz Club.
At last, an article on this week issue of Al-Ahram weekly provides a useful portrait of the artist.
You can read it clicking here.
You can also read band lineup and listen to some songs clicking here.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

CLEG on holiday

Due to the forthcoming long holiday weekend, CLEG will not be updated until next Tuesday, December 1, 2009.
Happy Eid to all CLEG readers. 

Monday, November 23, 2009

Mario Monicelli's "AMICI MIEI" at AUC

The American University in Cairo, Office of Student Development, and ITACA, present Mario Monicelli's movie "AMICI MIEI" (1975) tomorrow, Tuesday November 24, 2009 at 7:00 PM in Room 210, Main Building -Tahrir Campus. Free entry.
The movie will be introduced by Vincenzo Mattei and presented with English subtitles.

"Amici miei" (Italian for "My Friends") is considered by many the masterpiece of Mario Monicelli. The film was followed by two sequels, and is an interesting excerpt from popular Italian culture of the seventies. It tells the story of four men in their fifties: forgetful of their families they spend their time organizing ingenious jokes, in a mixture of childish and adult behaviour. Amici Miei portrays their life with humor, but is also a reflection on freedom, society and life as a whole.




Thursday, November 19, 2009

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC NOV. 21 - NOV. 27


Saturday, November 21, 2009
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marcello Mottadelli with soloist Moushira Hissa (Piano) present works from Mendellsohn, Beethoven and Verdi in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Casser le Mur (Spain/Morocco Electronic fusion) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- Religious Songs Ensemble in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- Ahmed El Haggar (Arabic music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM

Sunday, November 22, 2009
- Sindbad with Ahmad El Sawy (Oud, voice, electronics) and video projection by Christoph Oertli (Switzerland) at the Rawabet Theatre, 8:00 PM 
- Sincronie Music Ensemble (Italy/Electro-acoustic music and video installation) in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- National Arab Music Ensemble at the Arab Institute, 8:00 PM
- Neveen Allouba (Voice recital) in the Malak Gabr Arts Theatre of AUC New Cairo Campus, 7:00 PM
- El Nil Troupe for Folk Instruments at Beit El Suheimi, 8:30 PM
- Bisheer (Nubian music) at the After8 Pub, 10:00 PM
- Medic & Key Stone (Rock) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Taxi Band (Contemporary Egyptian music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- F.Y.I. (Latin jazz fusion) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM

Monday, November 23, 2009
- MOMIX Ballet Company directed by Moses Pendleton (USA) presents “Best of MOMIX” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Egyptian Philarmonic Society conducted by Ahmed El Saedi with soloist Wael Farouk (Piano) present works from Haydn, Beethoven and Grieg, in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:0 PM
- Karimouche (France/Chanson) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- Wust El Balad at the After8 Pub, 10:00 PM

Tuesday, November 24, 2009
- MOMIX Ballet Company directed by Moses Pendleton (USA) presents “Best of MOMIX” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Nass Makan at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- Heritage Ensemble for Arab Music at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Hekayat & Shady Moones (Egyptian music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Crash Boom Bang (Funk and dance floor covers) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Wednesday, November 25, 2009
- MOMIX Ballet Company directed by Moses Pendleton (USA) presents “Best of MOMIX” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble (Zar music) at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- Ali El Haggar (Arabic songs) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM

Thursday, November 26, 2009
- MOMIX Ballet Company directed by Moses Pendleton (USA) presents “Best of MOMIX” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Osman El Mahdy (Violin) and Wael Farouk (Piano) perform sonatas from Beethoven and Frank in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Sahra Band (Rai music) at the After8 Pub, 10:00 PM
- Yorka & Abd El Moneim Saeed (Andalusian music) in the Wisdom Hall of EL Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Karma (Rock) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek

Friday, November 27, 2009

Monday, November 16, 2009

SOS Music Festival Vol. 11

In case you've missed the announcement in the Weekly Agenda, it's time for another SOS music festival!
The 11th edition (or Vol. 11 as the organizers like to call it) will take place next Friday, November 20 2009 at the El Gezira Youth Center (Markaz Shabab El Gezira), the same open air venue of last spring wonderful Vol. 10.
I attended last festival and was really surprised by the organization, the sound quality and the excellent atmosphere, with a crowd far more relaxed and "polite" than the one you'll find at similar open air events in Europe.    
It is an excellent opportunity to hear in one go some of the best local groups and a pair of foreign act as well. My advice is ... GO, you won't regret it.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

"CHILDREN OF HEAVEN" at AUC

I am sorry to be a bit late with this post but if you are still looking for a way to escape the feverish "football atmosphere" gripping the town, this evening you can lock yourself (not literally) inside the Ewart Memorial Hall of AUC Downtown campus and watch the beautifully poetic movie "Children of Heaven" by Iranian film maker Majid Majidi. The1997 movie was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1998.

Screening starts at 7:00 PM (if you're lucky you'll be home before the end of the football match). Free entrance.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC NOV. 14 - NOV. 20

Saturday, November 14, 2009
- “Gala Concert celebrating Fullbright Commission 60th Anniversary”, with Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marcello Mottadelli and several guests soloist (see program). Works by Verdi, Poulenc, Puccini, Gershwin and others. Main Hall of 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

Sunday, November 15, 2009
- Nima Sarkechik (Iran-France/piano) present works by Beethoven, Brahms, Bach and Prokofiev in the Golden Room of the Mohammed Ali Palace, 8:00 PM
- Cairo Opera Company with Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nader Abbassi and Cairo Opera Choir (Choir Master Aldo Magnato) present Puccini’s opera “Tosca” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Akram El Sharkawi (Oriental and contemporary jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- El Nil Troupe for Folk Instruments at Beit El Suheimi, 8:30 PM
- Bisheer (Nubian music) at the After8 Pub, 10:00 PM
- Silent Echo (Rock) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Sohba Band (Arabic music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Kholtomiat at the Arab Music Institute, 8:00 PM

Monday, November 16, 2009
- Cairo Opera Company with Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nader Abbassi and Cairo Opera Choir (Choir Master Aldo Magnato) present Puccini’s opera “Tosca” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Mohamed Harb (Violin) and Sherif Mostafa (Piano) recital in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Amr Abulnaga Cairo Brass Quintet in the Oriental Hall of AUC Downtown Campus, 8:00 PM
- Arab Rap Family (Rap music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Galgamesh with singer Michelle Rounds (Jazz) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Bikya (Electronic and trip-hop) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- Wust El Balad at the After8 Pub, 10:00 PM

Tuesday, November 17, 2009
- Michael Quinn and the Bourbon Kings (Americana, roots music and rock) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Nass Makan at the Makan, 9:00 PM

Wednesday, November 18, 2009
- Kuban Ensemble for Circassian Folklore (Jordan) present “Sabre of Peace”in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Philarmonic Chamber Orchestra conducted by Ahmed El Saedi presents works from Piazzolla in the Ewart Memorial Hall of AUC Downtown Campus, 8:00 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble (Zar music) at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- Ahmed Wahdan (Oud) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- The Egyptians at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM

Thursday, November 19, 2009
- Merry Go Round (Rock’n’Roll) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- National Arab Music Ensemble at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Sahra Band (Rai music) at the Geneina Theatre in Al Azhar Park, 8:00 PM

Friday, November 20, 2009
- SOS Music Festival Vol.11 with Nagham Masry, DJ Feedo & Asfalt, The Percussion Show, Ressala, Eftekasat, Bad Apple, Ode, Babak Maddah, Merry Go Round and Casser le Mur (Spain/Morocco) at the Gezira Youth Center starting at 3:00 PM
- Salalem (Arabic music) at the After8 Pub, 10:00 PM
- Salma (Fairuz covers) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

MATHIAS PFEIFFER's "Desert Sea Light" Exhibition

"Desert Sea Light", an exhibition of works by Mathias Pfeiffer will open at the Mashrabia Gallery of Contemporary Art on Sunday, November 15 2009 at 7:00 PM with the presence of the artist.
I really like his works and this is an unique opportunity to see them in Cairo. And beside the pleasure for the eyes, who knows ... maybe you'll find that "very special" Christmas present you were looking for.
The exhibition remains open until December 10.





In his artworks made of porcelain, the German ceramist Mathias Pfeiffer presents design and home accessories, intending to give the objects of everyday use an emission of nature without loosing their functional aspects. The subtle, expressive colours provide the room with a chance for the exploration of manifold surface structures and details. The transparency of lighting objects maintains the ability to change according to light incidence, turning them from cool smooth objects into warm bodies where organic outlines are emphasized.
The artwork of Mathias Pfeiffer was shown in several galleries in Europe, Africa, South America and the USA.

The MASHRABIA GALLERY of Contemporary Art is at 8, Champollion Street - Cairo - Downtown
Tel. 5784494 - Mob.: 010 1704554
Open daily except Fridays: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Monday, November 9, 2009

2009 Cairo International Film Festival Program

In what I consider a marked improvement, this year the festival program is out on the CIFF website a full day before the actual start of the festival! Take out the agenda and start to dig into this treasure chest.
Click here to go directly to the program page.

PS: Thanks Muhyidin for taking the time to write and letting me know.

Federico Fellini's masterpiece "LA DOLCE VITA" at AUC

The American University in Cairo, Office of Student Development, and ITACA, present Federico Fellini's movie "LA DOLCE VITA" (1960) tomorrow, Tuesday November 10, 2009 at 7:00 PM in Room 210, Main Building -Tahrir Campus. Free entry.
The movie will be introduced by Vincenzo Mattei and presented with English subtitles.

La Dolce Vita (Italian for "The Sweet Life") is a 1960 film by Federico Fellini. The film won the Cannes Palme d'Or and it is considered as one of the greatest achievements in world cinema. La Dolce Vita marks an important step in Fellini's career, for he abandons the neorealist style. A landmark of Italian vitellonismo, the Dolce Vita also portrays youth's permanent sufferance, suspended between teenager dreams and adult world, which Fellini masterly describes in his surrealistic visions.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

BEYONCÈ's concert review

Whether you like her or not, what's interesting about this article published on the Daily News is that yesterday things seemed to have run really smooth and professionally, ... unlike on Cairo's AKON disaster.
Shall Egyptian fans prepare themselves to seeing every major pop music act in Port Ghalib? I wonder what the nearby dugongs thought about all the traffic and the noise, .... pardon, music.

About Ramzy Yassa concert on Monday, November 9 2009

There has been a bit of confusion regarding tomorrow's concert. I was a bit puzzled when I did not find it on the International Music Centre website but received definite confirmation that the concert was indeed going to take place. What I was not informed about is the fact that it is a charity event (and therefore not an IMC event) and that the ticket seem to be priced at 350 EGP.
In order to avoid surprises about availability of tickets on the evening and price of the same, you can call the following number for more information: 012 7731814

Thursday, November 5, 2009

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC: Nov. 7 - Nov. 13

Saturday, November 7, 2009
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nayer Nagui with soloist Ignes Abdel Daim (Flute) present “A Latin American Night” with works by Moncayo, Piazzolla, Ginastera and Revueltas at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- 18th Festival of Arab Music in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- 18th Festival of Arab Music in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- Tony Kaldas (Contemporary Egyptian music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Nagham Masry (Modern Egyptian folk) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM

Sunday, November 8, 2009
- 18th Festival of Arab Music in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- 18th Festival of Arab Music in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- El Nil Troupe for Folk Instruments at Beit El Suheimi, 8:30 PM
- The Blue Tone Quartet (Standard jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- Bisheer (Nubian music) at the After8 Pub, 10:00 PM
- El Sakia Choir with Hossam Samir at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM

Monday, November 9, 2009
- Ramzi Yassa Piano Recital with works from Beethoven, Mozart, Saint Saëns, Bach, Chopin and Liszt in the Golden Hall of Mohamed Ali Palace, 7:30 PM
- El Mahatta (Contemporary Egyptian music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- DJ’s Awadi Bros (House music) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- Wust El Balad at the After8 Pub, 10:00 PM

- David Pavlovits Guitar Recital (Hungary) in the Oriental Hall of AUC Tahrir Campus, 8:00 PM

Tuesday, November 10, 2009
- Nass Makan at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- Dima Band (Egyptian modern music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Screwdriver (Rock’n ‘Roll) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Wednesday, November 11, 2009
- Mazaher Ensemble (Zar music) at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- Off Beat Band at the After8 Pub, 10:00 PM
- Emam Hamdy Guitar Recital in the Ewart Memorial Hall of AUC Tahrir Campus, 8:00 PM

Thursday, November 12, 2009
- Marwa Samy’s Ishrakat Musical Troupe present “Musical Fusions” at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Gemiza Band (Contemporary Egyptian music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- The Riff Band (Vocal jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Sahra Band (Rai music) at the After8 Pub, 10:00 PM
- Nass Makan meets Norwegian musicians Nils Aukland (Fiddles), Rolf E. Nystrom (Sax) and Per O. Johansen (Drums) at the Makan, 9:00 PM

Friday, November 13, 2009
- Cairo Opera Company with Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nader Abbassi and Cairo Opera Choir (Choir Master Aldo Magnato) present Puccini’s opera “Tosca” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Payam Band & Babak Maddah (Netherlands/Jazz and Persian arranged songs) at the Geneina Theatre in Al-Azhar Park, 8:00 PM
- Konouz Ensemble for Arab Music – Mahmoud Darwish at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- The Riff Band at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Salalem (Arabic music) at the After8 Pub, 10:00 PM

33rd CAIRO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

I was holding this post for the fatidic moment in which the program of the Festival would magically appear on the Festival's website but friends eventually convinced me of the utility to send out a warning that the Festival is approaching.
Well, it is approaching indeed as it is scheduled to take place from November 10 to November 20, 2009, but at time of posting the official program has not appeared yet. If I well recall, last year it was posted one day after the festival actually started. I am still hoping for a little improvement this year; what about a day before? It's not asking for much, I think.
In case I get distracted by other things, here is the link to the Film Festival website, so you can check for yourself if the program comes out. Drop me a mail if you spot it before I do.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Closing event of the 2009 MARGARET MEAD Traveling Film and Video Festival at AUC

On Thursday November 5, 2009 at 6:30 PM, the wonderful Oriental Hall of AUC Tahrir Campus will host the screening of "Umbrella", a documentary film about the effects of industrialization in China. This is going to be the last event of the 2009 Margaret Mead Traveling Film and Video Festival.
Free entry.

Monday, November 2, 2009

"WHERE ARE YOU?"

"Where are you?" a group exhibition with participants of the Artist-in-Residence exchange programme initiated by the Cairo liaison office of Pro Helvetia, Swiss Art Council, started yesterday, Sunday November 1 and will run till Sunday, November 22, 2009.
The exhibition takes place at the Townhouse Gallery and features 14 artists from Switzerland, Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan.
The event will be closed by a musical live performance with Ahmad El-Sawi (Oud, voice, electronics, composition) and video-projection by Christoph Oertli on Sunday, November 22 at 8:00 PM at the Rawabet Theatre.
For a description of the event and introduction of works, click here.

Classes of Italian Cuisine at AUC

The Italian Student Association at AUC is back again with a new season of entertaining cooking classes. Tuesday November 3 at 7:00 PM at Tabasco, in the new AUC campus, the writer Vincenzo Mattei will "show and tell" all you need to know to prepare a perfect Pasta with Shrimps and Zucchini.

Places are limited, entertainment guaranteed. To reserve a seat, send an e-mail to itaca.auc@google.com

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Note from a life of music - Selim Sednaoui on Edward Said

If you happen to live in Cairo, like music and admire the late Edward Said, you will love this excellent article from an Al-Ahram Weekly of 2005, featuring an interview with Selim Sednaoui who remembers his friend.
I stumbled on it by accident and could not take my eyes off the screen till I reached the end (and it is long!).
Excellent stuff and a perfect reading to remember this great man of culture on the very day of what would have been his 74th birthday.

Friday, October 30, 2009

EDWARD SAID MEMORIAL LECTURE 2009 at AUC

Dutch professor and composer Rokus de Groot will deliver the 2009 Edward Said Memorial Lecture titled "Contrapuntal Intellectual - Edward Said and Music" on Saturday, October 30, 2009  in the Oriental Hall of AUC Downtown Campus at 6:00 PM.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC OCT. 31 - NOV. 6

 
Saturday, October 31, 2009
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Yasser Al-Serafi with soloists Yasser Al- Serafi (Violin), Sebastan Jollis and Raissa Kulik (Cello) present “A Vivaldi Concert” in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- 18th Festival of Arab Music in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Yorka Band (Andalusian music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Riff Band (Vocal Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM

Sunday, November 1, 2009
- 18th Festival of Arab Music in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Ehna Band (Contemporary Egyptian music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- O’ner (Hip Hop Sudanese music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- El Nil Troupe for Folk Instruments at Beit El Suheimi, 8:30 PM
- The Latin Jazz Project at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- Bisheer at After8, 10:00 PM

Monday, November 2, 2009
- 18th Festival of Arab Music in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- 18th Festival of Arab Music at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Taa’fel Masry and Maraya Band (Contemporary Egyptian music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Ousso (Electric guitar) in “The Ousso Jam” in the Oriental Hall of AUC Tahrir Campus, 8:00 PM
- Wust El Balad at After8, 10:00 PM

Tuesday, November 3, 2009
- 18th Festival of Arab Music in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Clarinet and Piano Recital with Shaimaa El-Bahiry and Kholood Safwan at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- The Percussion Show at the Geneina Theatre in Al-Azhar Park, 8:00 PM
- Kas we Laz (Contemporary Egyptian music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Nass Makan at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- Habashi and the Jazz Caterers (Upbeat Funk Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Wednesday, November 4, 2009
- 18th Festival of Arab Music in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- 18th Festival of Arab Music in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble (Zar music) at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- El Warsha Group with Mohamed Rashad (Flute) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- Boghdady Jazz Band in the Ewart Memorial Hall of AUC Downtown Campus, 8:00 PM

Thursday, November 5, 2009
- 18th Festival of Arab Music in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- 18th Festival of Arab Music at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Sebo Ensemble (Hungary/Folk music) at the Geneina Theatre in Al-Azhar Park, 8:00 PM

Friday, November 6, 2009
- 18th Festival of Arab Music in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- 18th Festival of Arab Music in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Pony Bravo (Spain/Experimental Folkrock) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- Sfaddin (Rap) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Salalem at After8, 10:00 PM
- Fathy Salama, Trygve Seim, Oywind Braekke, Lars Andreas Haug (Norway) and Sharkiat with young musicians from Norway and Egypt at the Geneina Theatre in Al-Azhar Park, 8:00 PM

................ and Beyonce Knowles at Port Ghalib, around 11:00 PM

PS: For 18th Arab Music Festival daily programs click on the link of the day you're interested in


The Sächsiche Staatskapelle Dresden's Egypt concerts saga

It is now official: the two concerts scheduled in Alexandria and Cairo of the Saxon State Orchestra Dresden, one of the oldest in the world and for the first time on tour in Egypt, are "deferred" and will not take place on October 31 and November 2.

The first public announcement of the cancellation came out on the press last Sunday, but the ticket office of the Opera House would refuse to reimburse tickets because "it was not official yet", and in fact, until yesterday, ads of the events were running in local English newspapers.

Yesterday though, according to a front page article of today's Egyptian Gazette (not yet online at time of posting), the press conference due to announce the details of the visit was canceled two hours before it was due to begin. A press release confirmed that the performances were postponed over security fears related to the trial over the murder of Egyptian Marwa el-Sherbini (the murder happened, and the trial take place, in the same city from where the orchestra is coming). 
Opera House officials are negotiating with the Orchestra's officials trying to find new dates for the visit.

You'll find the complete article on the front page of today's Egyptian Gazette.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

18th FESTIVAL & CONFERENCE OF ARAB MUSIC

If you do not speak Arabic and have tried in the past years to get information about the annual festival and conference of Arab music, you must, like me, have felt helpless. Snaps of information from Egyptian friends, the majority of which are not interested in "this kind of music" and do not phatom why should a westerner be, was all I got. Well, this year the people at the Cairo Opera House have done a great job and put online at their website a full schedule of the festival IN ENGLISH as well as Arabic.

Though featuring, apparently, only Egyptian musicians, or Egypt based ones as in the case of Nasseer Shamma (and this seems to be a major departure from previous years), the festival showcases what is arguably the best of the genre on the Egyptian scene.
Whether you like Arab classic music or do not know a lot about it, this is a major event worth spending an evening at.

The 18th Festival & Conference of Arab Music will take place at the Cairo Opera House and at the Gomhouria Theatre between Friday October 30 and Sunday, November 8, 2009

See full schedule of the event (in English) here.

Monday, October 26, 2009

MOVIE "I VITELLONI" at AUC

The American University in Cairo, Office of Student Development, and ITACA, present Federico Fellini's movie "I VITELLONI" (1953) tomorrow, Tuesday October 27, 2009 at 7:00 PM in Room 210, Main Building -Tahrir Campus. Free entry. 
The movie will be introduced by Vincenzo Mattei and presented with English subtitles.

An Italian comedy, I Vitelloni has been Federico Fellini's first successful motion picture. Fausto is an inveterate skirt chaser, unemployed, living off his parents. Together with his twenty-something friends he kills time shuffling from cafés to purposeful walks across desolate windswept beaches. As summer draws to a close, rumours fly that the beautiful Sandra Rubini, elected "Miss Siren of 1953", is expecting a baby…

Sunday, October 25, 2009

BLUES ON THE NILE/"Bluesapalooza" concerts in Cairo

Don has made some research and came out with this comprehensive information about the "Blues on the Nile" tour:

Blues on the Nile/“Bluesapalooza” 27 October through 2 November
Starring ZAC HARMON & DEANNA BOGART with special guests TERRY "HARMONICA" BEAN and The Blues Boss himself STEVE SIMON

Showdates in Egypt: 

Tuesday - October 27th, 2009 - Cairo University, 6 p.m., Dome Hall, Tuesday, FREE
Wednesday - October 28th, 2009 - The Cairo Opera House, 8 pm Open Air Theater
Thursday - October 29th, 2009 - Maadi House (members and their guests only)
Friday - October 30th, 2009 - The Great Pyramids - Sound & Light Stage, 4 p.m. FREE

About the Artists:
Zac Harmon was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, Harmon. During the 50’s and 60’s Harmon hung out at his father’s pharmacy in Jackson, soaking up the aura and sounds of the musician customers while developing his skills as a guitarist, organist and vocalist. Go to http://www.myspace.com/zacharmon for a preview of his electrifying blues guitar.

Saxophonist and pianist Deanna Bogart blends boogie-woogie, blues, country, and jazz. From a Downbeat review “Deanna possesses a gift for approaching blues, soul and R&B material with warmth and firmness. Her originals, in particular the beautifully sung, intelligent ballads "Blue By Night" and "Tender Days," sound as fresh as if she'd magically plucked them out of the air. " Preview her at http://www.myspace.com/deannabogart

Terry “Harmonica” Bean, another Mississippi bluesman, still works fulltime at a furniture factory, but has found time to perfect his vision of the traditional blues. Here’s a video clip of Terry at the National Folk Festival in Butte Montana (USA) http://www.video4viet.com/watchvideo.html?id=TAZJJfPyR0w&title=Terry+%22harmonica%22+Bean 


The “Blues on the Nile Tour” was pulled together by Caribbean blues producer Steve Simon, who has dedicated his career to bringing the blues to the world. For more information contact Steve at :
stevesimonlive@yahoo.com

Saturday, October 24, 2009

KAMEL SALAH ELDIN

Born in Cairo, began studying cello at the age of nine in the children's school of the Cairo Conservatoire. In 1979 he graduated from the Conservatoire with honors and was appointed to a teaching position there. From 1983 to 1986 he conducted post-graduate studies at the Frankfurt Academy of Music with G. Mantel and, after further studies, obtained from the same school the "Soloist Diploma" in 1988. He continued simultaneous studies with H. Shapiro (USA) and D. Shafran (USSR).
He has been appointed co-leader of the cellos of the Frankfurt Opera Orchestra in 1988. His vast solo and chamber music repertoire ranges from historic works to world premieres of contemporary music, some of which were written for, and dedicated to, him. He appeared in numerous radio and television recordings in the Middle East, Europe and the United States of America. He has conducted orchestral concerts where he featured as cello soloist at the same time. He is currently a member of the "Balthasar-Neumann Ensemble" performing on historical instruments and directed by Thomas Hengelbrock.

(This biography is taken from the libretto distributed on the occasion of the 2009 edition of the "Arab Perspectives Music Festival")

Friday, October 23, 2009

"TORINO-CAIRO Round Trip". Along Rice and Silk Routes

In the framework of the Italo-Egyptian year of Science and Technology, the Italian region Piedmont is bringing to Cairo a festival featuring literature readings (in Italian language), art installations, performances and conferences aimed at celebrating rice, silk and wool, products that have been of capital importance in the inter-cultural exchange that has developed in the  Mediterranean basin through the years.
Every evening will be closed by a degustation of gastronomical products from the Piedmont region.

The event will be held at the Italian Social Club, next to the Italian Consulate, 24 El Gaala Street, Boulaq starting at 7:00 PM from Sunday, October 25 to Tuesday October 27, 2009.
 
Free entry but, in order to arrange the degustation, participants are required to register their presence by sending a mail to stagista3.cairo@esteri.it specifying the day in which they wish to attend and their number (rather easy, no?).

For a full program of the event click here

2nd "CHARACTERS OF EGYPT" Festival

Following last year success, the second edition of "Characters of Egypt", a festival celebrating Tribal Culture, is due to take place this year from Thursday October 29 to Saturday, October 31 at the Fustat Wadi El Gemal National Park near Marsa Alam.

Representatives from several Tribes, from Sinai, to Farafra to as far away as Siwa, will participate in this three day festival. The guests will experience tribal culture through music, poetry, games, food tasting, camel racing and educational workshops.
To know more, visit the excellent website created for the event where you will find details on how to reach there and accomodation options.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC Oct. 24 - Oct. 30

Saturday, October 24, 2009
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ahmed El Saedi with soloist Kamel Salah Eldin (Cello) present works from Scriabin, Shostakovich and Brahms in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Maria del Mar Moreno Flamenco Company (Spain) at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Ehaab Abdou in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 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
- Bisheer (Nubian music) at the After8 Club, 10:30 PM


Sunday, October 25, 2009
- Cairo Opera Ballet Company and Orchestra conducted by Nayer Nagui present the ballet “Romeo and Juliet” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Cairo Youth Ensemble for Chamber Music conducted by Mahmoud Osman with soloist Ahmed Ramzy (Violin), present works from Mikuli, Mendellsohn and Schubert in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- 3G Band At El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- El Nil Troupe for Folk Instruments at Beit El Suheimi, 8:30 PM
- Cocoon Band (Latin Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM


Monday, October 26, 2009
- Harp Recital with Mona Wassef and others in the Oriental Hall of AUC Downtown Campus, 8:00 PM
- Jezek Jazz Quartet in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Wust El Balad (Modern Oriental and Jazz Fusion) at the After8 Club, 10:30 PM

Tuesday, October 27, 2009
- The Mikis Theodorakis Orchestra (Greece)  “The Mythical Dimension”, Dramatic Poetry on Stage by Yannis Ritsos (1909-2009) with Alkyoni Malekaki (Musical Setting and Piano) at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Sehr El Sharq Band (Arabic music) in the Wisdom Hall of EL Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Nass Makan at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- Crash Boom Bang (Funk and Dancefloor covers) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Wednesday, October 28, 2009
- “Blues on the Nile” with Memphis Blues (USA) in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Osiris Singers recital in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble (Zar music) at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- Ali El Haggar (Classical Arabic music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- DJ Selim (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Thursday, October 29, 2009
- Basata Band (Contemporary Egyptian music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Wust El Balad (Modern Oriental and Jazz Fusion) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Hany El Shabrawishy Piano recital at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM

 Friday, October 30, 2009
- Ahmed Rabie Band in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM