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

Saturday, June 29, 2013

MAWAWEEL FESTIVAL 2013


Mark your calendars!
Following the successes of the 2010 and 2012 editions, Cairo Jazz Club Agency’s ‘Mawaweel’ festival will hold its third edition for three consecutive Fridays during Ramadan, starting from 19th July and ending on 2nd August, 2013 at Darb 1718, Egyptian Contemporary Art and Culture Center.

Mawaweel offers a fresh alternative Ramadan experience, rich in culture and entertainment value. The program includes art exhibitions, crafts, workshops by Grammy Award winner Fathy Salama, theatrical and musical performances, as well as diverse bazaars. Friends and families from all walks of life can mingle and enjoy a fun packed program while indulging in an array of delicious oriental nibbles and beverages to get a proper taste of Middle Eastern flavours.

CLEG will keep you posted with the complete program and schedules once we receive it from the organizers. For live updates, click here to visit Mawaweel Facebook page.


Thursday, June 27, 2013

UPDATE: KAFAFA TROUPE concert cancelled

El Mastaba Center for Egyptian Folk Music has just announced that, due to current political events, they are going to cancel this evening performance of the KAFAFA TROUPE at El Dammah Theater.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

KAFAFA TROUPE at El Dammah Theatre


El Mastaba Center for Folk Music presents the KAFAFA TROUPE from Upper Egypt, led by singer Abdel Wahed al-Banna, on Thursday June 27, 2013 at 9:00 PM at El Dammah Theater.

KAFAFA (from "kaf" or "palm") takes its name from the clapping rhythms of the singers and dancers. The Kaf performed in southern Upper Egypt in the villages around Aswan, Luxor, and Qena mostly relies on a strong use of heritage and the singer's ability to improvise. The kafafa, who dance in front of the singer moving in one rhythm while usually clapping their hands, are those who offer the singer the topic of his performance.
Traditionally performed at weddings, the kafafa come from the audience. Their task is to sing one sentence directed at the singer, who is referred to as "the artist." The sentence is a lead which inspires the singer's lyrics to flow. Throughout the performance the kafafa can offer the singer more than one topic. The lead inspiring the artist usually comes as a riddle, explains an expert on the art of Kaf, Ahmed Abu-Khnegar. "The sentence sang by the kafafa refer to a topic or a known folk story which the group has agreed the singer should tackle in his lyrics. If they feel he got the topic wrong and that's not what they wanted him to sing about they can go on repeating the sentence until he gets it right" said Khnegar.
The Kaf borrows from and merges other folk art forms of the area, including Moulid, Namim, Waw, and El-Sira. It refers to stories from the area's heritage and tackles all aspects of life and culture, including morals, love, hate and [more recently] politics and other concepts.
In the past, before Kaf became a professional form of art, a woman used to dance during the performance. Traditionally only percussion instruments were used; the addition of the Oud (lute) is a recent innovation as is the absence of the female dancer. The common melodic modes (maqam) used in the singing are Rast and Ajam .

Tickets at the counter 30 EGP, by reservation 20 EGP. For reservations write to info@el-mastaba.org or call 01150995354 or 0223926768. Reservations will be cancelled at 9:00 PM.
Door opens at 8:30 PM
For more information please visit www.el-mastaba.org



Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Cairo Jazz Club update


Due to the uncertainties surrounding Sunday 30th June, the Cairo Jazz Club has announced that they will be closed for the evening. Entertainment should resume the following day, depending on the circumstances that will follow.
Below you will find the entertainment line-up for the first week of July.

Monday 1st July: Misty & Hafez (Vocal, Electro Tech House), starting from 10:00pm
Tuesday 2nd July: The Cadillacs (Rockabilly) starting from 9:00pm followed by Crash Boom Cirque (Pop, Rock, Funk - Circus theme), starting from 10:00pm
Wednesdays 3rd July: Supa Dupa Fly ft. DJ Feedo (RnB & Hip Hop), starting from 11:00pm
Thursday 4th July: Karkadan (Debut: Cat Stevens Tribute), starting from 9:00pm followed by Glass Onion (Beatles Tribute), starting from 11:00pm
Friday 5th July: Rolling in the Deep ft. Minus T (Deep House), starting from 10:00pm
Saturday 6th July: DJ Mohasseb (Uplifting Progressive House), starting from 10:00pm
Sunday 7th July: DJ Ramy (House), starting from 10:00pm

Friday, June 21, 2013

The Egyptian ballet's challenges in the post-revolution era - Article


I arrived somehow late at this interesting article by Ati Metwaly, but if you haven't read it yet, and you are interested in the future of ballet in Egypt (and you should be if you read this blog!), click here to be redirected to the article itself.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

SORAYA FAHMY at Al Kahila Art Gallery


Al Kahila Art Gallery invites all art lovers to the opening of the Art Exhibition "L'Égypte d'antan" by Soraya Fahmy. The  vernissage will take place on Saturday June 22, 2013 at 6:00 PM.

Soraya Fahmy is an Egyptian contemporary artist, born in Athens in 1968. She always had the chance to travel the world since she was a child thanks to her parents' job. She graduated from the University of Geneva, after being educated in five different Lycée Francais schools worldwide. She has been painting since she was very young.

"My paintings are an emotional response to memory of people, places and of times spent with friends and family . The pleasure and joy is in the making, the layering, and the final reflection of the soul of people I met. I tell stories with my brush. Slowly, layer by layer the spirit flows into the painting. Eventually something pure seems to breathe below the layers. The time is frozen. How did the story begin? Who are these people ? I am walking in big footsteps. My footprints might be still small, but they are of importance to me and to the one whose heart is marked by my paintings".

The exhibition will run until June 29, and can be visited daily from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

FÊTE DE LA MUSIQUE 2013


After one year break, the FÊTE DE LA MUSIQUE is back to Cairo's Citadel.
This music festival, organized by the French Cultural Centers, and taking place (almost) simultaneously in several countries around the world will take place on Thursday June 20, 2013 starting from 8:00 PM. This year's lineup comprises the bands DARWASHA, SALALEM, and EGYPTIAN PROJECT.
FREE ENTRY.

For more information, in French, and some video of the participating bands, click here. For more information in English, click here.

Monday, June 17, 2013

RANGO "The Masters of All Spirits"


In Sudanese Zar tradition, the "Sanga" is the spiritual mediator between the visible and the invisible. The "Sanga" plays the tanbura, a large-sized lyre shaped like a simsimia. This instrument was brought to Egypt by successive waves of Sudanese immigrants who came to Egypt after Mohamed Ali conquered Sudan under the leadership of Ibrahim, Mohamed Ali's son. Until the middle of last century there were many tanbura players. However, new generations lacked interest in learning and playing this instrument and the tanbura all but disappeared until Zakaria Ibrahim rediscovered the last remaining players and, with the founding of the Rango band, revived its practice.
Hassan Bergamoon and El Arby Jakamo are two of the last four tanbura players in Egypt and they will be hosting a performance of Sudanese Zar music at El Rango's performance at al Dammah Theatre on Thursday June 20, 2013 at 9:00 PM.

Tickets at the counter 30 EGP, by reservation 20 EGP. For reservations write to info@el-mastaba.org or call 01150995354 or 0223926768. Reservations will be cancelled at 9:00 PM.
Door opens at 8:30 PM
For more information please visit www.el-mastaba.org

To know more about RANGO check El Mastaba Center - Rango group & 30IPS - Rango group

Saturday, June 15, 2013

VISEGRAD PRESS PHOTO EXHIBITION


The Visegrad Group four members countries (Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic) invite all photojournalism enthusiasts to a PRESS PHOTO EXHIBITION whose opening will take place on Wednesday June 19, 2013 at 7:30 PM at the Gezira Art Center -1, El Marsafy St., Zamalek.
The exhibition will continue until Thursday July 4th , 2013.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Czech viola player ZUZANA PERINOVA at the Cairo Opera House


The Cairo Opera House, in cooperation with the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Cairo presents a symphonic concert with the Czech viola player Zuzana Perinova as soloist. Ms. Perinova is recognized as one of the finest among the young generation of players. The Cairo Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by its Principal Conductor and Artistic Director Mr Jiri Petrdlik (www.jiripetrdlik.cz).

The program includes Arthur HONEGGER's "Pacific 231", Claude DEBUSSY's "Prélude a l´apres-midi d´un faune", Paul DUKAS' "L´apprenti sorcier", and Hector BERLIOZ's "Harold in Italy, Symphony with Solo Viola, Op. 16".

The concert will be held on Saturday June 15, 2013 at 8:00 PM in the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House, Gezira Island, Cairo.

Friday, June 7, 2013

Closing Event of the first "ACTION FOR HOPE" initiative and ... a Sudanese music concert


Culture Resource cordially invites you to the closing event of the first Action for Hope in Ezbet Khairallah and Establ Antar areas, held in El Gabakhana, Old Cairo, on Tuesday 11 June 2013 at 7:00 PM.
This event is organized, in cooperation with Tawasol NGO for Developing Establ Antar, and will include an exhibition of the outcome of the workshops with the participation of the residents, circus and percussion performances by the students of the Darb Al Ahmar Arts School , and a concert by Mohamed Mohsen along with an exhibition of handicrafts on the side.
Due to the difficult access, Culture Resource offers bus rides to transport the audience from in front of Sea Horse restaurant on Maadi Kornishe to the venue of the event, from 6pm to 7pm, every 15 minutes.
The volunteer artists, doctors, teachers and athletes who took part in the action are: Ahmed Ezzat (Egypt), Osama El Metwaly (Egypt), Basma El Husseiny (Egypt), Hassan Amin (Egtpt), Hassan Soliman (Syria), Sayf Aldin Al Jelassi (Tunisia), Tarek Abdullah (Egypt), Ali Bouzoidh (Tunisia), Fadwa Meerkhan (Syria), Maan Hasbani (Syria), Mona Shemi (Egypt), Hala Galal (Egypt), Wael Allakkak (Syria) and Yasser Allam (Egypt).
Action for Hope is a new initiative launched by Culture Resource to offer relief cultural programs for communities in crisis in Egypt and Syria, by providing them with a comprehensive package of services and activities that address their material, moral and emotional needs. For more info please join Action for Hope FB page.

I also take this opportunity to remind you that the June program of El Genaina theatre features tonight Friday June 7, 2013 a Sudanese concert with performances from ASIA MADANI and ABAZAR ABD EL BAKI. The concert starts at 8.30 PM and will take place in the Genaina Theatre in Al Azhar Park, Salah Salem Rd., Darassa.
For more info please visit www.mawred.org or call 02 23637081.
Please Note that smoking, eating and drinking are prohibited inside the theatre.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

"Young Female Egyptian Musicians Break Barriers" an article by Janne Louise Andersen


I think many of you will find this article extremely interesting: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/egypt-female-musicians-break-barriers.html

"RHINO STORY" by Ahmed Sabry, based on the book by Mohammed Abdelkarim, at the Mashrabia Gallery


Mashrabia Gallery of Contemporary Art invites you to attend the opening of the exhibition "Rhino Story",  paintings by Ahmed Sabry based on the book by Mohamed Abdelkarim, on Sunday, June 9 2013, at 7: 00 PM.

"If the world is divided between the totalitarian attack of progressive ideas and the defensive reactionism of traditional ideas, then enlightenment would lie in the creation of absurdity itself." (Mohamed Abdelkarim)
The Rhino story was written by Mohamed Abdelkarim during his study in Beirut/Lebanon in 2012.
He is now working on publishing a book that would include this story along with other narratives in addition to some painted pictures. This book will be presented during the exhibition.
“A hexagonal box, a blue wig and a spiral medal,the rhino is trying to keep that heritage from tampering, while the people are eagerly awaiting rhino appearance, but can they recognize the expected one?”
The anecdotal texts or narratives are the main pillars on which Ahmed Sabry decided to create this narrative collection of "The Rhino Story" as a kind of visual narratives with symbolic logic. The visual narrative structure may surpass the limits of the written scene, so the story doesn't necessarily mean the literal given meaning whether on the surface level or the symbolic level, hence, it can be said that the hermeneutical construction of the text is completed and fully delivered.
The exhibition runs until July 4, 2013.

Mashrabia Gallery of Contemporary Art
8, Champollion St., Downtown Cairo
Phone 02 25784494 Mobile 0100 1704554
Opening hours: Daily except Friday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
www.mashrabiagallery.org

Monday, June 3, 2013

100Live Electronic Music Festival


The annual electronic music festival 100Live (click here for more info) is back with a series of international (including world-renowned UK sonic artist and electronic musician Kode9) and Egyptian artists. The festival will take place on Thursday June 6 and Friday June 7, 2013 at the Rawabet Theatre, 3 Hussein el Maamar st., off Mahmoud Basiony st. Downtown Cairo.
FREE ENTRY!

The line up of the festival is as follows:
Thursday 6: CELLAR DOOR (electronic), ZULI (deep/dass), KODE 9 (dub), EL MADFA3GEYA (shaabi), BRUTUZZ (dubstep), 100LIVE DJ: Ismael Hosny
Friday 7: RAYMOND M (electro), TELEPOETIC (psychedelic rock), ISLAM CHIPSY (hardcore shaabi), NEOBYRD (electro pop), 100LIVE DJ: Ismael Hosny

Saturday, June 1, 2013

SARAH EL GOHARY (Egypt) and RIBAB FUSION (Morocco) at the Cairo Jazz Club


Cairo Jazz Club bids farewell to their contemporary Middle Eastern Music series, 'El Fusion' with the fourth and final installment on Tuesday May 4, 2013 starting at 10:00 PM.
Each Tuesday, for the past three weeks, "El Fusion" featured some of Egypt's best bands as well as different musical sensations from all over the Middle East. This time it is the turn of Egyptian songwriter SARAH EL GOHARY https://www.facebook.com/SarahElGoharyOfficial  & https://soundcloud.com/sarah-el-gohary  and of Moroccan band RIBAB FUSION https://www.facebook.com/ribabfusion?fref=ts  & https://soundcloud.com/search?q=Ribab%20Fusion .

For reservations please contact 010 6880 4767
Reservation lines are open daily from 5pm - 9pm

Cairo Jazz Club LLC |197, 26th July St., Agouza (Sphinx Sq)
www.cairojazzclub.com/location.htm