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

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 SaĂŤns, 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.