Exactly one year ago I opened this blog with the intention of providing few friends with information about cultural events in Cairo. Since then, this site has recorded exactly 22,316 hits.
I had a lot of fun, increased enormously my knowledge of the local scene and received many mails of support and practical help. It gives me satisfaction to read that people have gone out in the evening, had fun, discovered new venues, enjoyed a movie, new bands and new music thanks to this blog. That's what it's all about after all.
Many thanks to all of you and all the artists and organizers of events in Cairo.
"The more you steep yourself in the culture of the host country, the more you will be able to steep yourself in your own"
Amin Maalouf
Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
OMAR KAMEL
Omar Kamel is a musician (and much else, as you will discover from his facebook page) based in Cairo. His music is a blend between rock, Arabic tunes, electro and has a wonderful violin creeping in here and there. I have to say that this is some of the most original stuff I have heard so far here in Egypt. I definitely like it.
Check for yourself at Omar Facebook Page where you can also download some of his works.
Omar will also play a couple of songs from his new album tomorrow Sunday, August 30 at El Sawi Cultural Centre, 10:00 PM as part of the Regional Fusion Tour (or Rhythm Meeting as it was introduced to me; that's the name you'll find in the weekly agenda).
Check for yourself at Omar Facebook Page where you can also download some of his works.
Omar will also play a couple of songs from his new album tomorrow Sunday, August 30 at El Sawi Cultural Centre, 10:00 PM as part of the Regional Fusion Tour (or Rhythm Meeting as it was introduced to me; that's the name you'll find in the weekly agenda).
Lena Chamamyan at the Geneina Theatre
Friends that have been to Lana Chamamyan concert last night at the Geneina Theatre in Al-Azhar Park told me that if was so full that many people could not manage to get in. For this reason the organizers and the artist have decided to hold another concert tonight. I have also been told that they were already selling tickets yesterday evening and that many people did buy them already, so it might not be easy to get in tonight after all. Tried to call Al Mawred to check if it's already sold out but the line is on fax.
I'm afraid the only way is to give it a try and I'll do that. If I don't manage to get in, I'll sit on a bench and try to catch as much of it as possible; hope the wind blows in the right direction (if it blows at all).
I'm afraid the only way is to give it a try and I'll do that. If I don't manage to get in, I'll sit on a bench and try to catch as much of it as possible; hope the wind blows in the right direction (if it blows at all).
Thursday, August 27, 2009
WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC AUG.29 - SEP. 4
I anticipated it, it will be hard to choose what to do this week.
Enjoy the Ramadan Nights.
Enjoy the Ramadan Nights.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
- George Kazazian (Oud) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 10:00 PM
- Donia Massoud (Folk Music) and Wust El-Balad (Modern Egyptian songs) at the Citadel, 10:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 9:00 PM
Sunday, August 30, 2009
- Black Theama in the Open Air Theatre of the Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Rhythm Meeting I with Ressala Band (Egypt), Aziz Maraka (Jordan) and Layla’s Project (Lebanon) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 10:00 PM
- Nesma Abdel-Aziz (Percussions) at the Cairo Citadel, 10:00 PM
- El Nil Troupe for folk instruments (Folk music and songs) at Beit Al-Harrawi 9:00 PM
Monday, August 31, 2009
- Nubian Drums Troupe at the Ghouri Palace, 9:00 PM
- Ossama El-Sherif Troupe at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 9:00 PM
- Troupe Antar (Andalousian music) at the Cervantes Institute, 9:00 PM
- Rhythm Meeting II with Aziz Maraka (Jordan) and El-Dar Band (Egypt) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 10:00 PM
- Hekaya troupe with Sherif Mustafa (Guitar) at the Amir Taz Palace, 9:30 PM
- Mohamed Abdel Sattar at Beit Al Suheimi, 9:30 PM
- Tannoura Dance Troupe at the Cairo Citadel, 10:00 PM
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
- El Sheykh Fayed, Mohamed Fayed (Zikr and Sufi songs) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM
- Samaa Troupe (Sufi music and Chant) at the Ghouri Palace, 9:00 PM
- Pharaoniya Troupe of Ashraf Mahrous (Piano) at Beit Al-Harrawi, 9:00 PM
- Upper Egypt Choral Society at the Amir Taz Palace, 9:30 PM
- Taxi band at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 9:00 PM
- Beni Suef Troup (Folk music) at the Cervantes Institute, 9:00 PM
- Said Al Artist in the Open Air Theatre of the Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Sowar El Yasmine (Religious Inshad concert) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 10:00 PM
- Sobhi Bidair (Tenor) at the Ceramic Centre in the grounds of the Cairo Opera House, 9:30 PM
- Aswan Folks Art Troupe and the National Arab Music Ensemble at the Cairo Citadel, 10:00 PM
- Al-Enshad Al-Dini Troupe (Religios songs) at the Gomhouria Theatre, 9:30 PM
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
- Karam Murad (Nubian music) at the Amir Taz Palace, 9:30 PM
- Madayeh with Mazaher Ensemble (Music of the Delta) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM
- Nadia Mustafa (Arabic pop) at Beit El Harrawi, 9:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 9:00 PM
- Ana Al-Masri Band at Beit Al Suheimi, 9:30 PM
- The Nubian Drums led by Intesar Abdel-Fattah (the same great group that performs normally at the Ghouri Palace) at the Cervantes Institute in Dokki, 9:00 PM
- Ali El-Haggar (Arabic pop) at the Ghouri Palace, 9:00 PM
- Al-Enshad Al-Dini Troupe (Religious songs) and the National Troupe for Folk Music at the Cairo Citadel, 10:00 PM
Thursday, September 3, 2009
- Aziz Maraka and Razz Band (Jordan/Fusion Oriental, Jazz Rock) at the Genaina Theatre in Al Azhar Park, 9:30 PM
- Ghemiza Band (Contemporary Egyptian Music) at Beit El Harrawi, 9:30 PM
- Omar Khayrat (Piano) at the Fustat Traditional Craft Center at 9:30 PM
- Basata Band at the Amir Taz Palace, 9:30 PM
- Tannoura Dance Group at the Cervantes Institute in Dokki, 9:00 PM
- Ahmed Ibrahim (Classical Arab songs) at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 9:00 PM
- Al-Sharkiya Folk Art Troupe and singer Mohamed Tharwat at the Cairo Citadel, 10:00 PM
- Medhat Saleh (Arabic pop) in the Open Air Theatre of the Cairo Opera House, 9:30 PM
Friday, September 4, 2009
- Fayruz Karawaya (Oriental fusion) in the Garden of the British Council in Agouza, 10:00 PM
- Waed Bouhassoun (Syria/Sufi singer & Oud player) at El Genaina Theatre in Al Azhar Park, 9:30 PM
- Manal and her Troupe (Religious chant) at the Cervantes Institute, 9:00 PM
- Tahfeel Masry and Limouzine (Contemporary Egyptian Songs) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 10:00 PM
Monday, August 24, 2009
The first CD from an Egyptian Heavy Metal band?
Well, I have to admit that Heavy Metal is not really my cup of tea, but I stumbled across this article in the Community Times and, music being music, I read it and found it interesting and well written.
Good luck, WYVERN!
PS: COMMUNITY TIMES is a wonderful publication full of interesting articles and useful tips for Cairo residents. Do support them buying the hard copy (15 EGP only) and you will not regret it.
Good luck, WYVERN!
PS: COMMUNITY TIMES is a wonderful publication full of interesting articles and useful tips for Cairo residents. Do support them buying the hard copy (15 EGP only) and you will not regret it.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Tannoura Performances at the Ghouri Caravansaray
A reader has kindly informed me that yesterday the performance of the Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group started at 9:00 and not 8:30 as customary. Apparently this new timing will apply to the whole month of Ramadan.
MOVIE AT THE ITALIAN CULTURAL CENTRE
Tonight, August 23, 2009 at 9:00 PM, in the Theatre of the Italian Cultural Centre in Zamalek will be shown the movie
DON CAMILLO, Director: Julien Duvivier. Starring: Fernandel, Gino Cervi, Franco Interlenghi, Saro Urzì, Leda Gloria, Vera Falqui, Charles Vissière. Comedy, running time: 100 minutes. Italy - France, 1952.
The story is set in Brescello, a small village in the open countryside of Reggio Emilia, where the parish priest and the communist mayor are always fighting to gain leadership of the community. They spend their time thwarting/frustrating each other, even though in the end they always manage to come to a fair (oppure reasonable) compromise/agreement. Don Camillo has a fiery temperament and because of this he is often reprimanded by the Crucifix set in the major altar of the church. Italian with English subtitles.Free Entry.
DON CAMILLO, Director: Julien Duvivier. Starring: Fernandel, Gino Cervi, Franco Interlenghi, Saro Urzì, Leda Gloria, Vera Falqui, Charles Vissière. Comedy, running time: 100 minutes. Italy - France, 1952.
The story is set in Brescello, a small village in the open countryside of Reggio Emilia, where the parish priest and the communist mayor are always fighting to gain leadership of the community. They spend their time thwarting/frustrating each other, even though in the end they always manage to come to a fair (oppure reasonable) compromise/agreement. Don Camillo has a fiery temperament and because of this he is often reprimanded by the Crucifix set in the major altar of the church. Italian with English subtitles.Free Entry.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Comment on next week music agenda
This comment should have been the preface of the Agenda that you'll find if you scroll down to the next post, but somehow I could not manage to insert it and it was not showing. I do not know if it is me or the technology, but sometimes weird thing happen in the mysterious world of blogging (OK, I know, it's me. I'll try to improve)
Anyway, what I wanted to say is that the first week of Ramadan has always been a bit poor on offers on the concert side but that this year, probably because it falls in August, is particularly poor. Do not despair though, September will bring us the Ramadan Nights of the French Cultural Centre, Makan and Geneina Theatre among others. In fact, the Hayy Festival of El Genaina starts already next Thursday with the concert of the beloved Wust El Balad, continuing on Friday with the Syrian singer Lena Chamamyan. That might be enough to rescue the week after all.
Happy Ramadan to you all.
Anyway, what I wanted to say is that the first week of Ramadan has always been a bit poor on offers on the concert side but that this year, probably because it falls in August, is particularly poor. Do not despair though, September will bring us the Ramadan Nights of the French Cultural Centre, Makan and Geneina Theatre among others. In fact, the Hayy Festival of El Genaina starts already next Thursday with the concert of the beloved Wust El Balad, continuing on Friday with the Syrian singer Lena Chamamyan. That might be enough to rescue the week after all.
Happy Ramadan to you all.
WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC AUG 22 - AUG 27
Saturday, August 22, 2009
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
- Ali El-Haggar in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
Thursday, August 27, 2009
- Wust El Balad at the Geneina Theatre in Al Azhar Park, 9:30 PM
- Nasser Shamma (Iraq) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek
Friday, August 28, 2009
- Lena Chamamyan (Syria) at the Geneina Theatre in Al Azhar Park, 9:30 PM
- Ali El Haggar in the gardens of the British Council in Agouza, 10:00 PM
- Hekayat Band at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 10:00 PM
Monday, August 17, 2009
Citadel Music Festival
Yesterday evening I could finally find the time to visit the Citadel Music Festival and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Musical experience aside, it was great to be in these wonderful surroundings at night, an opportunity that does not come by very often.
The monuments are beautifully lit for the occasion and the atmosphere is festive, warm and relaxed. If you drive there, you can bring the car up to the parking lot just in front of the entrance of the Citadel taking the first ramp on the Salah Salem Rd. (sign for the Military Museum). You enter from the main entrance and after a security check you are free to wander inside the huge area (no access to the Mohamed Ali and Nasir Mohamed mosques, but the beautiful mosque of Sulayman Pasha was open yesterday). There is no entrance fee and you are free to attend any of the concerts on the program or indeed, as I did, spend a little time in each of them. The cafeteria is open and in addition there are several stands selling water, soft drinks, chips and biscuits.
I do hope this becomes a regular yearly feature of Cairo's cultural life and I think we shall be really thankful to everybody who made this event possible.
The Citadel Music Festival runs until Thursday, August 20 and you find the program of the next evenings here.
Whether you think you'll like the music on the program or not, this is going to be a wonderful night out.
The monuments are beautifully lit for the occasion and the atmosphere is festive, warm and relaxed. If you drive there, you can bring the car up to the parking lot just in front of the entrance of the Citadel taking the first ramp on the Salah Salem Rd. (sign for the Military Museum). You enter from the main entrance and after a security check you are free to wander inside the huge area (no access to the Mohamed Ali and Nasir Mohamed mosques, but the beautiful mosque of Sulayman Pasha was open yesterday). There is no entrance fee and you are free to attend any of the concerts on the program or indeed, as I did, spend a little time in each of them. The cafeteria is open and in addition there are several stands selling water, soft drinks, chips and biscuits.
I do hope this becomes a regular yearly feature of Cairo's cultural life and I think we shall be really thankful to everybody who made this event possible.
The Citadel Music Festival runs until Thursday, August 20 and you find the program of the next evenings here.
Whether you think you'll like the music on the program or not, this is going to be a wonderful night out.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
WEEKLY AGENDA - MUSIC AUG 15 - AUG 21, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
- 19th CITADEL MUSIC FESTIVAL:
– Panorama Theatre 1: Banat Al-Nil Troupe, 9:00 PM
– Panorama Theatre 2: Oriental Takht troupe featuring Mustafa Ahmed and Azza Nasr, 9:00 PM
– Sarayat Al-Gabal Theatre: Manal Mohieddin Harp recital, 9:00 PM
– Al-Mahka Theatre: Medhat Saleh (Contemporary Egyptian songs), 9:00 PM
- Sobhi Bidair and Friends in the Open Air Theatre of the Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Redeemers (Metal Rock) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- The Sunflower Worshippers (Songs and music from the Palestinina Heritage) at El-Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- 2Al 3Ahwa (Modern Egyptian Songs) Debut Performance at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- Hekaya band (Egyptian songs) at the Genaina Theatre in Al- Azhar park, 9:00 PM
Sunday, August 16, 2009
19th CITADEL MUSIC FESTIVAL:
– Sarayat Al-Gabal Theatre: Cairo Festival Orchestra conducted by Nayer Nagui presents “Shehrazade” by Rimsky Korsakoff, 9:00 PM
– Panorama Theatre 1: Sattouna (Sudanese folk and traditional songs), 9:00 PM
– Panorama Theatre 2: Oriental Takht troupe, 9:00 PM
– Al-Mahka Theatre: Nadia Mustafa and her band, 9:00 PM
- Yasmine Samy (Violin) and Mina Karam (Flute) Recital with music from Debussy, Sarasate and Kreisler at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- March (Rock) in the Open Air theatre of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Rashad Fahim trio (Jazz standards) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- Bisheer (Nubian Music) at After8, 10:00 PM
- El-Nil Troupe for folk instruments (Folk music and songs) at Beit Al-Suheimi 8:30 PM
- The Nubian Rhythm band conducted by Intesar Abdel-Fattah at the Ghouri Palace, 9:00 PM
Monday, August 17, 2009
19th CITADEL MUSIC FESTIVAL:
– Panorama Theatre 2: Oriental Takht Choir, 9:00 PM
– Sarayat Al-Gabal Theatre: Nesma Abdel-Aziz (Percussions), 9:00 PM
– Al-Mahka Theatre: Khaled Selim (Contemporary Egyptian songs), 9:00 PM
- Ressala (Contemporary Egyptian songs) in the Open Air Theatre of the Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Clacket (Contemporary Egyptian Songs) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Wust El Balad at After8, 10:00 PM
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
19th CITADEL MUSIC FESTIVAL:
– Panorama Theatre 1: Said El-Artist band, 9:00 PM
– Panorama Theatre 2: Fatema Eid and her band, 9:00 PM
– Sarayat Al-Gabal Theatre: Al-Nour Wa Al-Amal Orchestra, 9:00 PM
– Al-Mahka Theatre: Mohamed El-Helw, 9:00 PM
- Nass Makan (Nubian music, Zikr and Sufi songs, Sudanese music and songs) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM
- Andromida Band (Rock) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- The Hot Potato Project (Jazz fusion) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
19th CITADEL MUSIC FESTIVAL:
– Panorama Theatre 2: Manal and her band, 9:00 PM
– Sarayat Al-Gabal Theatre: Boghdady Jazz Band, 9:00 PM
– Al-Mahka Theatre: Oriental Takht, 9:00 PM
- Fairouz Karaweya (Egyptian Songs) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- 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, August 20, 2009
19th CITADEL MUSIC FESTIVAL:
– Panorama Theatre 1: Sharara Sextet, 9:00 PM
– Panorama Theatre 2: Rahma and her band, 9:00 PM
– Sarayat Al-Gabal Theatre: Ahmed Rabie and his band (Jazz fusion), 9:00 PM
– Al-Mahka Theatre: Ihab Tawfiq (Contemporary Egyptian Songs), 9:00 PM
- Omar Khairat in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Lisa Shaker (Sudanese music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- Sobha & Limouzine Bands (Contemporary Egyptian music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
Friday, August 21, 2009
No musical event scheduled
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
CLEG is back!
Welcome back to CLEG to you all!
Despite the heat, the humidity, the traffic and the other "usual suspects" I love to complain about, I was really glad to "touch base" again yesterday; I love Cairo and, especially after a prolonged absence, I am willing to forgive her many of her faults.
I already started to scan the "local scene"and am pretty confident I will be able to come out with a weekly Agenda for the coming week. One event though I want to highlight already, the Citadel Music Festival. It was inaugurated Monday evening and will run until August 20 with performances taking place daily in four different stage locations. It sounds great and I am looking forward to visiting it in the coming days so that I can write more about it (one question that is puzzling me: where do they allow to park the car?).
The program for tonight, Wednesday, August 12 is as follows:
- Panorama 1 Theatre, 8:00 PM
Ahmad Al-Khalawi Troupe (Religious Chants)
- Panorama 2 Theatre, 8:00 PM
Oriental Takht
- Sarayat al-Gabal Theatre, 8:00 PM
Fathy Salama
- Al-Mahka Theatre, 9:00 PM
Ali Al-Haggar
Despite the heat, the humidity, the traffic and the other "usual suspects" I love to complain about, I was really glad to "touch base" again yesterday; I love Cairo and, especially after a prolonged absence, I am willing to forgive her many of her faults.
I already started to scan the "local scene"and am pretty confident I will be able to come out with a weekly Agenda for the coming week. One event though I want to highlight already, the Citadel Music Festival. It was inaugurated Monday evening and will run until August 20 with performances taking place daily in four different stage locations. It sounds great and I am looking forward to visiting it in the coming days so that I can write more about it (one question that is puzzling me: where do they allow to park the car?).
The program for tonight, Wednesday, August 12 is as follows:
- Panorama 1 Theatre, 8:00 PM
Ahmad Al-Khalawi Troupe (Religious Chants)
- Panorama 2 Theatre, 8:00 PM
Oriental Takht
- Sarayat al-Gabal Theatre, 8:00 PM
Fathy Salama
- Al-Mahka Theatre, 9:00 PM
Ali Al-Haggar
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