Guitar and Orchestra concert on Wednesday

The Egyptian Philharmonic Society presents a Joaquin Rodrigo concert of Aranjuez at the AUC Ewart Memorial Hall at the Downtown campus of AUC on Wednesday June 1, 2011, from 8:00 PM.

The concert will contain four Catalan songs for guitar and orchestra.

Soprano : Dolores Lahuerta
Guitar : Jaume Torrent
Conductor : Ahmed El Saedi

Entry is free. More details are available here.

Up On The Roof - Open Stage Night

Up on the Roof is an Arts Residency Cairo (ARC) event in association with Darb 1718. It is a platform for both amateurs and pros to showcase their talents in music, poetry, stand-up comedy, storytelling and dance in a supportive atmosphere. Performances can be in either Arabic or English.

The next event is on Friday June 3, 2011 from 7:30pm to 10:30pm, at Darb 1718.
More information on performers and event here.
People interested in performing need to contact Linda Cleary ahead of time: lindawildfire@hotmail.com.

Donation of 10 LE on entrance.

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC May 28 to June 3, 2011

Saturday, May 28, 2011

- Scheherazade, Symphonic Concert in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- Heritage Ensemble for Arab Music at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM

- Hungarian Nador Quartet in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM

- Rasayel Band in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM

- Malaleem debut (Oriental Jazz/Funk/Latin)at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM

- Fuego (Latino Gipsy music) at After Eight, 9:00 PM

- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 7:30 PM

Sunday, May 29, 2011

- Abdel Halim Nowera Ensemble for Arab Music in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- Nador Quartet in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- Bayan Haala in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM

- The Riff Band (Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM

- Bashir (Nubian Fusion) at After Eight, 9:00 PM

- Samaa’ Band led by Intesar Abdel-Fattah at the Ghouri Palace, 8:00 PM

- El-Nil Troupe for folk instruments (Folk music and songs) at Beit Al-Suheimi, 7:30 PM

Monday, May 30, 2011

- Talents Development Center Concert in Commemoration of the Martyr of the Egyptian Revolution Ziad Bakri in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- Oboe and Flute Recital, Wessam Ahmed (Oboe) and Peter Olah (Flute) in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- CairoKee (Alternative Arab Rock) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM

- Neobyrd and Ramsi Lehner (Techno-Electro) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:00 PM

-Fatema Ballet performs for "Peter and the Wolf" with music and text by Sergei Prokofie in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 11:00 AM update

- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 7:30 PM

- Resident DJ Wust El Balad (Rock) After Eight, 9:00 PM update

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

- Gala Concert – Mozart Night in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- Sakia’s String Orchestra presents Bastien & Bastienne in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM

- Fuego (Latino Gipsy music) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM

- DJ Dina El Ghareeb at the After Eight Club, 9:00 PM

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

- Moushira Issa in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- Musical event for Children “Ferdinand and the Bull” with Abeer Soliman in the garden of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 7:00 PM

- DJ RoRo Raouf Assaf (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:00 PM

- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 7:30 PM

- Mazaher Ensemble (Zar music) at the Makan, 8:00 PM

- City Band (Rock) at After Eight, 9:00 PM

Thursday, June 2, 2011

- National Arab Music Ensemble in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- Chamber Music Concert - Mohamed Zakereya in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- El Ahlam Ensemble with Ahlam Ahmed at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM

- Om Kulthum Puppet Theatre presents “El Hobb Kullu” and “Howaa Saheeh” in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM

- Mariam & Abou (Acoustic Arabic) and Wust El Balad (Rock) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 7:30 PM

- Rango (Sudanese music) at El Tanboura Hall, 8:30 PM

- Sahra Band (Rai music) at After Eight, 9:00 PM

Friday, June 3, 2011

- Omar Khairat in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- Piano Recital Hany El-Shabrawishy in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- DJ K-Z (House) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:00 PM

- Salalem (Blues/Funk/Rock) at After Eight, 9:00 PM

CLEG updates for May 26

Events for Thursday, May 26, 2011

- New update: El Mastaba presents Return of the Rango (Egyptian folk music) at el Tanboura Hall, 8:30 PM

- Cancelled! Didier Squiban (piano) with percussions at the Manial Palace, 8:00 PM

Cairowanderer's last ... WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC May 21 to May 27, 2011

This is a very special posting for me as it is officially my last Weekly Agenda. When I started Cairo Live Events Guide almost three years ago, I never thought it would become so popular and that it would give me so many satisfactions. Then, I did not even think at the time I would have to leave Cairo, a city that I have thoroughly enjoyed and that will be forever in my memory. Alas, after five years, time has come for me to wander on, but Cairo’s vibrant art scene is going to stay, and so will CLEG. I am very happy that Cairene Beat has agreed to take over the blog with the same format and spirit that has made it so popular. We have been working together for the past month and the Weekly Agenda you find below is, in fact, entirely Cairene Beat work.
While I do not rule out to continue contributing the occasional post, day to day administration of CLEG will be from now on on Cairene Beat hands.
Many thanks to Cairene Beat, to you readers, and to all Egyptian artists that contribute to make Cairo’s art scene what it is. I will miss you all.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andreas Sporri and with soloist Magda Emara (piano) present a Symphonic Concert in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- Radiodervish (Italy) in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Piano, Cello & Traditional String Concert - Dimitris Mpasis at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Nasser Shamma (Iraq) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Ashara Gharby (Arabic Blues and Reggae) with guests Hany Adel (Wust El Balad), Ahmed Bahr (Black Theama), Amr Yehia (Crash Boom Bang), Amir Eid (Cairokee), Asfalt and Mekha in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Bashir (Nubian Fusion) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- Fuego (Latino Gipsy music) at After Eight, 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 7:30 PM

Sunday, May 22, 2011
- Cairo Opera Company and Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nayer Nagui present Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “Un Ballo in Maschera” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Al-Enshad Al-Dini Group led by Omar Farahat at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Bailando (Spanish music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Amadeus in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Cocoon (Latin Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- Bashir (Nubian Fusion) at After Eight, 9:00 PM
- Samaa’ Band led by Intesar Abdel-Fattah at the Ghouri Palace, 8:00 PM
- El-Nil Troupe for folk instruments (Folk music and songs) at Beit Al-Suheimi, 7:00 PM
- The Choir Project (Mashrou Choral) performs at Ewart Hall, Old Campus, AUC. (Time to be announced)

Monday, May 23, 2011
- Shwayet Fann (Arabic music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- El Moghany Khana (Arabic music) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- DJ Awadi Brothers (Funky House) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 7:30 PM
- Wust El Balad (Egyptian Rock) at After Eight, 9:00 PM

Tuesday, May 24, 2011
- El Mahatta Band in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- The Grand-Parents Festival in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 7:00 PM
- Bahaleel el Sultan (Arabic songs) in the Word Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Screwdriver (Rock’n’Roll) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- DJ Dina El Ghareeb at the After Eight Club, 9:00 PM
- Performance of The Choir Project (Mashrou Choral), timing to be announced.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011
- Violin & Piano Recital – Tahir Bakhtiar in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Ali El Haggar (Arabic music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- The Grand-Parents Festival in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 7:00 PM
- DJ Amr Hosny (Boogie Night) the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 7:30 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble (Zar music) at the Makan, 8:00 PM
- City Band (Rock) at After Eight, 9:00 PM

Thursday, May 26, 2011
- Medhat Saleh concert in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Sehr El Shark Ensemble - Belal El Sheikh in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:30 PM
- Abdel Halim Nowera Ensemble for Arab Music at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Mazamir El Nil at the Tanboura Hall, 8:30 PM
- Tony Kaldas and the band (Oriental Latin Jazz) at the Geneina Theatre in Al-Azhar Park, 8:00 PM

- Arild Andersen (Jazz / Norway) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM

- For Your Sake Egypt in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- French Cultural Institute presents Didier Squiban (piano) with percussions at the Manial Palace, 8:00 PM
- Sofia Gabinus (Poetic Music) and Michelle Rounds (RnB, Funk, Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 7:30 PM
- Sahra Band (Rai music) at After Eight, 9:00 PM

Friday, May 27, 2011
- Musical event for Children “Ferdinand and the Bull” with Abeer Soliman in the garden of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 7:00 PM
- Nagham Masry in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Soopar Lox debut (House) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- Salalem (Blues/Funk/Rock) at After Eight, 9:00 PM

Other interesting events:
Saturday 21 May 2011, Egyptian Metalhead Diary (Movie and Seminar on Metal) Sawi Culture Wheel, Word Hall, 7:00 PM
Sunday May 22 to May 24, 11th Independent Film Festival at the Goethe Institute, 6:30 PM. Program details here
Monday May 23 to June 1, World Revolution Film Series, 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Sunday May 22 to May 26, Tahrir Monologues at Rawabet, 7:00 PM

Maadi Community Choir

The Maadi Community Choir presents "A Celebration in Song" at St. John's Church (at the corner of Port Said and Rd. 17 in Maadi El Serayat) on Tuesday, May 24 & Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 7:30 PM. Free admission.

NUBANOOR (NUBIAN LIGHTS)

"Amandujr" is an ancient Nubian legend about the Nile. It tells how people drowned beneath the currents of the world's greatest river never die and how their souls continue to live deep in the River bed.

Nubian people felt a great affinity with nature, living their lives in accordance with the seasons and continual ebb and flow of the Nile - the earliest Nubian songs were inspired by their farming origins. Nubian hand drums, known as "Duff" (fashioned from goat skins and wood) were thought to be a key link between their people and their environment, with the ability to produce the sounds of Fire, Water and Air through complex rhythms. In addition to songs for cultivation and harvesting the Nubian people sang epic poetry of Love and religion, recognising both Islam and Christianity.

Nubians regarded themselves as singers with songs for every occasion from birthing songs with accompanying rituals, in which a new born baby would have its face bathed in the Nile with food thrown into the river as an offering to the souls of spirits in the Nile, through to tender songs known as "Azaa", performed to mark the death of loved ones. Dance also played a central role in their culture with a dance called "Ferri" representing the movement of "Bulti" fish swimming through the waves.

The Nubian way of life remained relatively constant until the modern world began to encroach on the Nubian people's environment through the first stages of the construction of the Aswan dawn in 1902. Traditional lands and sacred areas were flooded during 1912 and 1933 leading to the displacement of the Nubians who began to migrate to other areas in Egypt, with an especially large concentration of Nubian people taking residence in Cairo. The Nubian homelands were lost forever in 1964 during the controversial construction of the Aswan High Dam during the Nasser period. While some migrants made new settlements elsewhere in Aswan, known somewhat unfortunately as the "Valley of Hell" the majority of the Nubian people sought refuge across Egypt in this final migration.

In Cairo Mr El Said Gamal established the first incarnation of the NubaNoor group in 1962. The ensemble was notable for featuring the finest Nubian singers and composers of the age including "Abdullah Batt", "Abou Mirghani", "Saleh Abbas". Generations later the band can still be found performing traditional Nubian music deep in the Cairo metropolis. Their repertoire may have expanded to include songs of the deep sorrows felt by the Nubians from the loss of their traditional lands, and nostalgia for their way of life however alongside this meditation on events of the 20th century; NubaNoor continue to perform poetic love and praise songs with their unique rhythms and cultural heritage.

NubaNoor will play on Thursday May 19, 2011 at 8.30 PM at El Tanboura Hall.

(This biography has been prepared by El Mastaba. For more information contact them at 010 3171 762 or write to info@elmastaba.org )

Inauguration "Tahrir Spirit" photo exhibition with concert by the duo Mariam and Abou

The recently opened Tahrir Lounge@Goethe located in 5, Bostan St. (Tahrir Square) will host the photographic exhibition "Tahrir Spirit" by the photographer Bishoy Fayez from Thursday May 19 to Wednesday May 25, 2011. The exhibition will be opened from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

The inauguration, under the motto “Photos and Music from Tahrir Square”, will take place on Thursday 19 at 7:00 PM with a concert by the duo Mariam and Abou.

Cairo Mediterranean Literary Festival (2nd edition)

Baad El Bahr Cultural Association presents the second edition of the Cairo Mediterranean Literary Festival which takes place in various venues around the city from Saturday May 21 to Wednesday May 25, 2011.

The opening event will be a concert by the Italian music group Radiodervish in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House at 8:00 PM.

The complete festival programme is available at the website: www.cairomedliteraryfestival.org

SAMI YUSUF in concert in Cairo

The British singer-songwriter star Sami Yusuf will hold a concert in Cairo, at the Gezira Youth Center in Zamalek, on Saturday June 11, 2011.

Tickets sell for 400 and 200 LE. They can be pre-booked online (click here) and will be available for collection at selected outlets after May 14.

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC May 14 to May 20, 2011

Saturday, May 14, 2011
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ahmed El Saedi present “A Tribute to Gustav Mahler” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Wagner’s opera “Die Walküre” live in HD from the Metropolitan Opera in New York in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 6:00 PM
- Metropolis & Headstock (Metal) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Cairokee (Alternative Arabic Rock) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- Fuego (Latino Gipsy music) at After Eight, 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 7:30 PM

Sunday, May 15, 2011
- National Arab Music Ensemble at the Arab Institute, 8:00 PM
- Ahmed El Touni (Sufi Inshad) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Massar Egbari (Egyptian Rock) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Migimusic (Funk, Fusion, Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- Bashir (Nubian Fusion) at After Eight, 9:00 PM
- Samaa’ Band led by Intesar Abdel-Fattah at the Ghouri Palace, 8:00 PM
- El-Nil Troupe for folk instruments (Folk music and songs) at Beit Al-Suheimi, 7:00 PM

Monday, May 16, 2011
- National Arab Music Ensemble conducted by Selim Sahab in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Nazra Band (Contemporary Egyptian music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- The Percussion Show at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 7:30 PM
- Wust El Balad (Egyptian Rock) at After Eight, 9:00 PM

Tuesday, May 17, 2011
- The Cairo Choral Society conducted by John Baboukis and accompanied by David Hales and The Cairo Festival Orchestra led by Mounir Nasr El Din present Schubert’s “Mass in G” at All Saints Cathedral in Zamalek, 7:00 PM
- El Sakia String Orchestra conducted by Mohamed Saad Basha with soloist Tarek Raouf (Trumpet) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- El Sawaki Band for Folkloric Arts present “Songs of the Revolution” in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Crash Boom Bang (Funk, Rock’n’Roll, Latino) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- DJ Dina El Ghareeb at the After Eight Club, 9:00 PM

Wednesday, May 18, 2011
- Cairo Opera Company and Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nayer Nagui present Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “Un Ballo in Maschera” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Mona Wassef (Harp) and Dina Iskander (Soprano) recital in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- The Cairo Choral Society conducted by John Baboukis and accompanied by David Hales and The Cairo Festival Orchestra led by Mounir Nasr El Din present Schubert’s “Mass in G” in the Ewart Memorial Hall of AUC Tahrir Campus, 7:00 PM
- Mohamed Antar (Ney) concert at St. John’s Church in Maadi, 7:00 PM
- Simplexity (Metal/Progressive Rock) and Shady Ahmed in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- DJ Ramy (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 7:30 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble (Zar music) at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- City Band (Rock) at After Eight, 9:00 PM

Thursday, May 19, 2011
- Cairo Opera Company and Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nayer Nagui present Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “Un Ballo in Maschera” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra Chamber music recital in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Ahmed Rabie Band (Jazz) in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- National Arab Music Ensemble at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Eftekasat (Jazz) at the Geneina Theatre in Al Azhar Park, 8:00 PM
- Nubanoor (Nubian Lights) at the Tanboura Hall, 8:30 PM
- Ghona Raye’ (Contemporary Egyptian Music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Hany Mustafa (Acoustic Rock) and Hot Feet Band (Soul/Funk) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 7:30 PM
- Sahra Band (Rai music) at After Eight, 9:00 PM

Friday, May 20, 2011
- Cairo Opera Company and Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nayer Nagui present Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “Un Ballo in Maschera” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Osman El Mahdy (Violin) and Elena Dzamashvili (piano) recital with works from Paganini, Beethoven, Leclair, Mozart, Massenet and Glazunov in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- “I am Carmen” (more information about the play here) in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 7:00 PM
- Kolthoumiat at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Heritage Ensemble for Arab Music at the Arab Institute, 8:00 PM
- Massar Egbari (Egyptian Rock) at the Geneina Theatre in Al Azhar Park, 8:00 PM
- El Masreyyen Band in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- DJ Amr Hosny (House) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 7:00 PM
- Salalem (Blues/Funk/Rock) at After Eight, 9:00 PM

EL WAZIRY GROUP

"The three cities of the Canal (Port Said, Ismailiyya and Suez) share similar traditions of music and song, though each has its special features.
Three tributaries combined to bring these arts to Ismailiyya, which is located half-way along the Canal. The first of these was the Sudanese, who have lived in the oldest quarters of the city -the "Slave Stockades" ('arayshiyyit il-'abid) -since it was built in the last third of the nineteenth century. The second was the interaction of local musicians with others from Port Said or Suez, as well as with the ships passing through the Canal, which, at the end of the 1930's, brought the instrument known as the simsimiyya (a type of lyre). And the third was the influence of the other shores of Lake Manzalla, at one end of which Isma'iliyya lies, and especially that of the fishermen families living in 'Izbit el-Bahtini, who brought with them fishing songs and the songs of the damma ("street gathering"- a genre with its roots in Sufi music).
On the streets of the city, these tributaries mingled to produce what may be called "the popular art of Ismailiyya," which flourished from the beginning of the 1950's up to the war of June 1967.
After the war, the inhabitants of the city were forced to migrate to areas further inside Egypt, far from the battle line. In their diaspora, in the cities and villages and displacement camps, the people of Ismailiyya survived, and shared their singing with the displaced people from Port Said and Suez, to the accompaniment of the simsimiyya, which, with its songs expressive of their common concerns, played an important role in creating a bond among them.

With the end of the war and the return of the displaced to their cities, things were different, in Ismailiyya as in the rest of Egypt. When the "open door" economic policy was adopted, social values changed and, at the beginning of the 1970's, the trend towards commercialism started to take over the old artistic tradition. Competition for the rich pickings of the wedding market intensified, leading to the withdrawal from this field of the authentic musicians, as some died and others retired.
Only one, the musician Muhammad El-Waziri, refused to retire into obscurity and continued to cherish his own simsimiyya, though he had no idea what to do with it on his own. Things changed when El-Waziri met Zakaria Ibrahim, and embarked on a relationship with the Tanbura troupe experiment in Port Said, which attempted to collect the music and songs of Port Said by bringing together the old musicians, who, like their fellows in Ismailiyya, had gone into retirement.

The legend "Muhammad El-Waziery", the king of simsimiyya of the Canal zone, passed away in 2008 at the age of 73, cuddling the simsimiyya instrument and leaving the heritage of Ismailia city in the hand of his troupe which he was the leader of, (Souhgbagya group), who subsequently changed its name to "El Waziery group" in recognition of his history and of the accomplishment of saving the heritage of Ismailia city.
Now there was hope that what had happened in Port Said might happen in Ismailiyya, as, together, we were able in the same year to begin the foundation of the El Waziery Group, by bringing together the old popular musicians of Ismailiyya to prevent the loss of this heritage.
To date the El Waziri Group have performed a number of times, in Ismailiyya itself and in Port Said, Suez and Cairo, gaining new friends all the time."

(This biography has been prepared by El Mastaba. For more information contact them at 010 3171 762 or write to info@elmastaba.org )

noTHEREthere: A Festival of One-Act plays

The American University in Cairo Department of Performing and Visual Arts is organizing "noTHEREthere" a Festival of One-Act Plays that will take place from Wednesday May 11 to Wednesday May 18, 2011 (no performances on May 13 and 15) in the Malak Gabr Arts Theatre of AUC New Cairo Campus.

"noTHEREthere" includes "Labyrinth", by Fernando Arrabal, directed by Seif Abdel Salaam; "A Separate Peace", by Tom Stoppard, directed by Nadeen Lotayef; "Tragedy: A Tragedy", by Will Eno, directed by Berfu Turkmenoglu; and "Families", an original piece by AUC student Moustafa Khalil, directed by Nezar Alderazi.
"Labyrinth", "A Separate Peace", and "Tragedy: A Tragedy" will be performed in English while "Families" will be in Arabic.
For the complete schedule of the event, see poster below (click on it to see it bigger)

They Said It's Here or "Alooli Hena"

"They Said It's Here!" is a silent 55-minute performance on the theme of tolerance in different situations. It is showing at the Rawabet Theatre from Monday May 9 to May 12, 2011. 9pm to 10pm.

The play is directed by Guido Kleene and Jochem Stavenuiter and comes out of workshop conducted by Cairo Acting School (CAS), a program of the Dutch embassy.

Actors include Amr Abed, Hamdy Eltounsy, Hany ElMetennawy, Ibrahim Salah, Karim Kassem, Mariam Saleh, May Salem and Mustafa El Munufi.

Rawabet Theatre, 2 Hussein El Me'mar st. off Mahmoud Bassiouni st., beside Townhouse Gallery
Admission is free.

WEEKLY AGENDA LATEST UPDATES

Tuesday, May 10, 2011
- Johan Sara & Sayed Rekaby (Nomadic tribes music from Sami tribes/Norway and Jaafra tribes/Egypt) at the Makan, 9:00 PM new!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

- Mazaher Ensemble (Zar music) at the Makan, 8:00 PM 9:00 PM time update

Thursday, May 12, 2011

- Secousse (Tropical Trance/France) at the French Institute in Mounira, 9:00 PM new

13th Open Mic Cairo

Microphone Al Mareekh (formerly known as Project Yourself) is organizing the 13th edition of Open Mic Cairo, the stage for all amateur talents based in Cairo.
The event will take place at Darb 1718 on Friday May 13, 2011 from 5:30 PM to 10:30 PM.
For more information, click here (Facebook page).

Movie evening at the Italian Cultural Center in Zamalek

On Sunday May 8, 2011 at 6.00 and 8.00 PM the theatre of the Italian Cultural Center in Zamalek will host the screening of the comedy "LA FEBBRE" (Italy 2005), directed by Alessandro D'Alatri, with Fabio Volo, Valeria Solarino, Arnoldo Foà, Julie Depardieu, Cochi Ponzoni.
Italian with English subtitles

Mario Bettini, a 30-year-old building surveyor living in Cremona, gets a job at the town hall but his willingness to work hard is obstructed by his boss who seems happier to see him fail than to see him succeed. He will eventually run into the paradoxes of Italian bureaucracy.

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC May 7 to May 13, 2011

Saturday, May 7, 2011
- Mashrou’ Leila (Arabic Rock/Lebanon) at the Geneina Theatre in Al Azhar Park, 8:00 PM
- Al Fan Midan Festival with music, dance and other activities for adults and children in Abdeen Square, 12:30 PM to 6:30 PM
- “Man in the Mirror”, a Michael Jackson Tribute Show in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marcello Mottadelli with soloist Yasser El Sarafi (Violin) present music from Lalo and Tchaikovsky at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Sakia’s Adult Choir led by Hossam Samir present an evening dedicated to Mohamed Abdelk Wahab in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Ashara Gharby (Arabic Blues and Reggae) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- Fuego (Latino Gipsy music) at After Eight, 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 7:30 PM

Sunday, May 8, 2011
- Wust El Balad (Arabic Rock) at the Geneina Theatre in Al Azhar Park, 8:00 PM
- “Man in the Mirror”, a Michael Jackson Tribute Show in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM
- National Arab Music Ensemble in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Sahra Band in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Mashrou’ Leila (Arabic Rock/Lebanon) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- Bashir (Nubian Fusion) at After Eight, 9:00 PM
- Samaa’ Band led by Intesar Abdel-Fattah at the Ghouri Palace, 8:00 PM
El-Nil Troupe for folk instruments (Folk music and songs) at Beit Al-Suheimi, 7:00 PM

Monday, May 9, 2011
- Dhafer Youssef (Progressive and Oriental Jazz/Tunisia) at the Geneina Theatre in Al Azhar Park, 8:00 PM
- “Man in the Mirror”, a Michael Jackson Tribute Show in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM
- Mahmoud Mohseb (Nubian music) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 7:30 PM
- Wust El Balad (Arabic Rock) at After Eight, 9:00 PM
- El Sheikh Gouda and El Hadara at the Talaat Harb Cultural Centre, 7:00 PM

Tuesday, May 10, 2011
- Johan Sara & Sayed Rekaby (Nomadic tribes music from Sami tribes/Norway and Jaafra tribes/Egypt) at the Makan, 9:00 PM new!
- Mohamed Wehedy Band (Arabic music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Station Band (Fusion and World Music) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- DJ Dina El Ghareeb at the After Eight Club, 9:00 PM

Wednesday, May 11, 2011
- Yehya Khalil (Jazz) in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Manal Mohie El Din Ensemble in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Ali El Haggar and Ahmed El Haggar (Arabic music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- DJ Amr Hosny (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 7:30 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble (Zar music) at the Makan, 8:00 PM 9:00 PM update
- City Band (Rock) at After Eight, 9:00 PM

Thursday, May 12, 2011
- Secousse (Tropical Trance/France) at the French Institute in Mounira, 9:00 PM new
- Gemiza Ensemble (Nubian music) in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Alexandria Opera Ensemble for Music and Arab Singing at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Eftekasat (Jazz) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Top Hat Rats (Rockabilly) and Bluenotes (Blues) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 7:30 PM
- El Wazery Group (Folkloric music) at El Tanboura Hall, 8:30 PM
- Sahra Band (Rai music) at After Eight, 9:00 PM

Friday, May 13, 2011
- National Arab Music Ensemble conducted by Salah Ghobashi in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Sobhi Bidair and Friends in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Heritage Ensemble for Arab Music at the Arab Music Institute, 8:00 PM
- Awtaar Band led by Dr. Amro Abdel Monem (Oriental music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Wust El Balad (Contemporary Egyptian music) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Shady Ahmed (Acoustic Rock) and DJ Junior (House) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 7:30 PM
- Salalem (Blues/Funk/Rock) at After Eight, 9:00 PM