Naseer Shamma

Naseer Shamma is a renowned Iraqi oud player. He began studying the oud at the age of 12 in Baghdad, and in 1985, at the age of 22 he played his own compositions at his first concert, attended by several renowned Iraqi artists. At the time, he worked closely with the late Iraqi master Munir Bashir but then carried on to developed a very personal style . After receiving his diploma from the Baghdad Academy of Music in 1987, he began to teach oud first at the Institute itself, then in Tunisia and, since 1999 in Cairo, where he holds the post of Director of the Arab House of Oud (in arabic Beit Al-Oud, located inside the historical Beit Al-Harrawi, near the Al-Azhar mosque). In addition to teaching and holding concerts, Shamma composes music for films, plays and television. Naseer Shamma has also created an eight-string oud following the manuscript of the 9th-century music theorist Al-Farabi. This new design (eight instead of six strings) expanded the musical range of the instrument and gave it a distinct tonality. His innovations also include a new method of playing the oud with only one hand, which was originally invented by Salim Abdulkarim, so that children and soldiers injured during the Gulf War could play and enjoy.
For more information, see his website at http://www.naseershamma.com/ 

Articles:
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/758/profile.htm

MOVIE ... in French

For all cinema lovers who can speak French - or can at least read it - the French Cultural Centre offers an Hommage to the great Egyptian Director Youssef Chahine, who passed away recently, screening one of his gems:

- LE DESTIN (ARE-1997)

Original version in Arabic with French subtitles

Historical Drama, winner of a special price at the Cannes Festival in 1997

Au XIIème siècle en Andalousie, le philosophe Ibn Rushd ‘Averroès’ premier conseiller du calife, est reconnu pour sa sagesse, sa tolérance et son équité. Que va-t-il faire face à des adversaires qui utilisent l’Islam dans leur quête de pouvoir absolu ?

Wednesday, September 10 and Thursday 11 at 9:30 in the Auditorium of the French Cultural Centre (CFCC) 1, Madraset El Huquq El Ferensia, Mounira Tel. 27915800

Al-Ghouri Caravansaray

The mamluk-era Al-Ghouri caravansaray is one of Cairo's best preserved examples of a medieval hotel (Wikala in Arabic). Built in the early 16^th century it has now been converted, after restoration, into a cultural center hosting concerts and dance performances. It is a magnificent building with wonderful mashrabiya windows and can be visited also during the day paying an entry fee. For sure the atmosphere at night is much more evocative and romantic so I suggest you go and see a concert or, even better, attend a Tanoura Dance, or a Whirling Dervishes performance there.

The Ghouri Caravansaray lies in a small alley in front of the main entrance of Khan El- Khalili, on the opposite side of Sharia al-Azhar. If you come with your own car you have to park in the designated parking lot of Khan el Khalili at the top of Sharia al-Azhar (or in one of the spots run by parking whallas next to it). Walk back direction Khan el-Khalili but on the opposite side of the road (left, or Al-Azhar side to be clear). Turn left in the alley that brings you to the entrance of Al-Azhar mosque. Walk along the alley with its numerous small shops and at the T-junction at the end of it turn right. You will walk past a traditional vegetable market on your left side and after that you’ll find caravansaray, whose huge wooden portal entrance is after 50 meters.

If you come by taxi it is best to be dropped in front of the Ghuriya in Sharia al-Azhar, just where the footbridge is. Facing the Ghuriya, turn left (east) and walk around one hundred meters keeping straight in the small alley when the main road arches left. You will see immediately the building of the Caravansaray with its unmistakable mashrabiya windows on your right side.

I know it sounds complicated, but it really isn’t. If you have some time at hand, get hold of a good map (the SPARE maps are the best for walking tours) and enjoy the atmosphere of the area. It is really wonderful in the evening.

Address: Sheikh Mohamed Abdu St., Islamic Cairo, Tel. 25111497

Amir Taz Palace

This house, built in 1352 by the mamluk amir Taz in celebration of his marriage with the daughter of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad was largely destroyed during the October 1992 earthquake but has been recently renovated and its main courtyard hosts concerts during the fall and spring season. It is a very nice setting.

The Amir Taz Palace lies on Sharia Suyufiya, roughly between the Sultan Hassan and the Ibn Tulun mosques. From Muhammad Ali Square (the one of the Sultan Hassan mosque) take Sharia Saliba - as if you want to go to the Ibn Tulun mosque - and turn right in a narrow alley when you see the Sabil (ancient public drinking fountain) of Umm Abbas in a corner. This is Sahria Suyufiya and is (or should be) a one way street on your direction. The palace entrance is approximately after 200 meters on your right side, before you reach the first junction with another street (of which I do not know the name).

Parking can be a real hassle as the streets are narrow and crowded. Once I could not find a parking and had to park in front of Ibn Tulun (where it is not difficult to find a place in the evening) and walked back to the palace. A nice walk, but if you are not practical with the area, I suggest you go by taxi. 

Address: 27, Al-Syoufiya St., Al-Khalifa district, Tel. 25142581

AGENDA MUSIC September 6 - September 11, 2008

It's September, and it's Ramadan time. All musical performances are concentrated on Egyptian and Arabic music. There is a full calendar of events with very interesting performances. Most concerts are open air and in very interesting venues providing a good opportunity for spending a nice, original, evening out.

Saturday, September 6, 2008
- Qithara Ensemble at the open Air Theatre of the Cairo Opera House 9:00 PM
- Sharara Sextet at the Amir Taz Palace 9:00 PM
- Al-Tanoura Whirling Dervishes at the Ghouri Caravanserai 10:00 PM
- Sahara Band (Contemporary Oriental songs and music) at El-Sawi Wisdom Hall 9:30 PM

Sunday, September 7, 2008
- Sayed El-Shaer at the Amir Taz Palace 9:00 PM
- Aghani Zaman Troupe (Classical Arab songs) at Beit Al-Harawi 10:00 PM
- Al-Nil Troupe for folk instruments at Beit Al-Suheimi 10:00 PM
- Nasseer Shamma Oud recital at El-Sawi Wisdom Hall 10:00 PM

Monday, September 8, 2008
- El Tanbura Ensemble at the Hanaguer Centre Cairo Opera House 9:30 PM
- Assia (Sudanese female singer) at the Amir Taz Palace 9:00 PM
- Modaser Abul-Wafaa Oud recital at the Ghouri Caravanserai 9:00 PM
- Arabesque Troupe at the Beit Al-Suheimi 10:00 PM

Tuesday, September 9, 2008
- Qithara Ensemble at the Beit Al-Harawi 9:00 PM
- Black Tehama Band at the Beit Al-Suheimi 10:00 PM
- Sherif Mustafa Guitar recital at the Ghouri Caravanserai 9:00 PM

Wednesday, September 10, 2008
- Mazaher Ensemble (Music of the Delta) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM
- Nubian Drums Troupe at the Ghouri Palace 9:00 PM
- Nasseer Shamma Oud recital at the Manasterly Palace 10:00 PM
- Ahmed Ali El-Haggar sings poems of Mahmoud Darwish at El-Sawi Wisdom Hall 10:00 PM

Thursday, September 11, 2008
- Gemiza Band (Nubia) at the Beit Al-Harawi 10:00 PM
- El Tanbura Ensemble at the Al-Geneina Theatre 9:00 PM
- National Arab Music Ensemble at the Gomhouria Theatre 9:30 PM
- Marwa Naguie performs Umm Kolthoum songs at the Manasterly Palace 10:00 PM

See Bios and Venues in Labels for informations about artists and locations (Sorry, you will not find all of them. I am still inserting them)

Al-Geneina Theatre

The Al-Geneina Theatre is an open air amphitheatre situated inside the Al-Azhar Park on Salah Salem Road. It is located by the Ayyubid Wall exactly on the opposite site of the Main Entrance and has the peculiarity of being not visible until you are practically inside it.
If you are coming by car, enter the Main Gate (that happens to be the only Gate as far as I know) and pay 5 EGP for the parking. Once inside, turn either right or left, park and walk back to the Main Entrance. Buy your ticket for the Park (do not forget to ask for the Park map at the Ticket Counter) and literally cross it if you want to go straight for the Theatre. But if you are particularly romantic, I suggest to arrive at dusk, get to the hilltop at the center of the park and enjoy the view over the Islamic Quarter. You can stroll around or sit and have a drink at the Trianon or at Alain Le Nôtre while waiting for the performances to begin.
If you are not particularly romantic, if late, or if for whatever other reason you want to get closer to the amphitheatre, turn right (north) after you've entered the Main Gate and drive until the parking of the Citadel View Restaurant. From there walk back south down the slopes toward the Ayyubid Wall. Please beware that if you take this option you will still have to stop and buy the tickets at the Main Entrance as they will be checked at a checkpoint halfway down the road and there is no possibility to buy them there.
When there are performances at the Al-Geneina I have also seen cars driving right in front of the staircase that brings you to the amphitheatre but, if you do not have some form of disability, ... what's the point, honestly!
Most performances at the Al-Geneina Theatre are for free. They get full so I suggest to be there at least 15 minutes before.
Entrance to the park cost 3 EGP during weekdays and 5 EGP at weekends.
Address: Al-Azhar Park, Salah Salem Road, Darassa Tel. 23625057

EL TANBURA Live

Do not miss the opportunity to see one of the best and most entertaining Egyptian Folkloristic Music Ensemble live in Cairo next week.
Monday, September 8 at 9:30 PM at the Hanaguer Centre, Cairo Opera House Zamalek
Thursday, September 11 at 9:00 PM at the Al-Geneina Theatre, inside the Al-Azhar Park.
See Venues and Bio in Labels for more information about locations and artists.