EDWARD SAID MEMORIAL LECTURE 2009 at AUC

Dutch professor and composer Rokus de Groot will deliver the 2009 Edward Said Memorial Lecture titled "Contrapuntal Intellectual - Edward Said and Music" on Saturday, October 30, 2009  in the Oriental Hall of AUC Downtown Campus at 6:00 PM.

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC OCT. 31 - NOV. 6

 
Saturday, October 31, 2009
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Yasser Al-Serafi with soloists Yasser Al- Serafi (Violin), Sebastan Jollis and Raissa Kulik (Cello) present “A Vivaldi Concert” in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- 18th Festival of Arab Music in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Yorka Band (Andalusian music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Riff Band (Vocal Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM

Sunday, November 1, 2009
- 18th Festival of Arab Music in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Ehna Band (Contemporary Egyptian music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- O’ner (Hip Hop Sudanese music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- El Nil Troupe for Folk Instruments at Beit El Suheimi, 8:30 PM
- The Latin Jazz Project at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM
- Bisheer at After8, 10:00 PM

Monday, November 2, 2009
- 18th Festival of Arab Music in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- 18th Festival of Arab Music at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Taa’fel Masry and Maraya Band (Contemporary Egyptian music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Ousso (Electric guitar) in “The Ousso Jam” in the Oriental Hall of AUC Tahrir Campus, 8:00 PM
- Wust El Balad at After8, 10:00 PM

Tuesday, November 3, 2009
- 18th Festival of Arab Music in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Clarinet and Piano Recital with Shaimaa El-Bahiry and Kholood Safwan at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- The Percussion Show at the Geneina Theatre in Al-Azhar Park, 8:00 PM
- Kas we Laz (Contemporary Egyptian music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Nass Makan at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- Habashi and the Jazz Caterers (Upbeat Funk Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Wednesday, November 4, 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
- Mazaher Ensemble (Zar music) at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- El Warsha Group with Mohamed Rashad (Flute) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- Boghdady Jazz Band in the Ewart Memorial Hall of AUC Downtown Campus, 8:00 PM

Thursday, November 5, 2009
- 18th Festival of Arab Music in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- 18th Festival of Arab Music at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Sebo Ensemble (Hungary/Folk music) at the Geneina Theatre in Al-Azhar Park, 8:00 PM

Friday, November 6, 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
- Pony Bravo (Spain/Experimental Folkrock) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- Sfaddin (Rap) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Salalem at After8, 10:00 PM
- Fathy Salama, Trygve Seim, Oywind Braekke, Lars Andreas Haug (Norway) and Sharkiat with young musicians from Norway and Egypt at the Geneina Theatre in Al-Azhar Park, 8:00 PM

................ and Beyonce Knowles at Port Ghalib, around 11:00 PM

PS: For 18th Arab Music Festival daily programs click on the link of the day you're interested in

The Sächsiche Staatskapelle Dresden's Egypt concerts saga

It is now official: the two concerts scheduled in Alexandria and Cairo of the Saxon State Orchestra Dresden, one of the oldest in the world and for the first time on tour in Egypt, are "deferred" and will not take place on October 31 and November 2.

The first public announcement of the cancellation came out on the press last Sunday, but the ticket office of the Opera House would refuse to reimburse tickets because "it was not official yet", and in fact, until yesterday, ads of the events were running in local English newspapers.

Yesterday though, according to a front page article of today's Egyptian Gazette (not yet online at time of posting), the press conference due to announce the details of the visit was canceled two hours before it was due to begin. A press release confirmed that the performances were postponed over security fears related to the trial over the murder of Egyptian Marwa el-Sherbini (the murder happened, and the trial take place, in the same city from where the orchestra is coming). 
Opera House officials are negotiating with the Orchestra's officials trying to find new dates for the visit.

You'll find the complete article on the front page of today's Egyptian Gazette.

18th FESTIVAL & CONFERENCE OF ARAB MUSIC

If you do not speak Arabic and have tried in the past years to get information about the annual festival and conference of Arab music, you must, like me, have felt helpless. Snaps of information from Egyptian friends, the majority of which are not interested in "this kind of music" and do not phatom why should a westerner be, was all I got. Well, this year the people at the Cairo Opera House have done a great job and put online at their website a full schedule of the festival IN ENGLISH as well as Arabic.

Though featuring, apparently, only Egyptian musicians, or Egypt based ones as in the case of Nasseer Shamma (and this seems to be a major departure from previous years), the festival showcases what is arguably the best of the genre on the Egyptian scene.
Whether you like Arab classic music or do not know a lot about it, this is a major event worth spending an evening at.

The 18th Festival & Conference of Arab Music will take place at the Cairo Opera House and at the Gomhouria Theatre between Friday October 30 and Sunday, November 8, 2009. 

See full schedule of the event (in English) here.

MOVIE "I VITELLONI" at AUC

The American University in Cairo, Office of Student Development, and ITACA, present Federico Fellini's movie "I VITELLONI" (1953) tomorrow, Tuesday October 27, 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.

An Italian comedy, I Vitelloni has been Federico Fellini's first successful motion picture. Fausto is an inveterate skirt chaser, unemployed, living off his parents. Together with his twenty-something friends he kills time shuffling from cafés to purposeful walks across desolate windswept beaches. As summer draws to a close, rumours fly that the beautiful Sandra Rubini, elected "Miss Siren of 1953", is expecting a baby…

BLUES ON THE NILE/"Bluesapalooza" concerts in Cairo

Don has made some research and came out with this comprehensive information about the "Blues on the Nile" tour:

Blues on the Nile/“Bluesapalooza” 27 October through 2 November
Starring ZAC HARMON & DEANNA BOGART with special guests TERRY "HARMONICA" BEAN and The Blues Boss himself STEVE SIMON

Showdates in Egypt: 
Tuesday - October 27th, 2009 - Cairo University, 6 p.m., Dome Hall, Tuesday, FREE
Wednesday - October 28th, 2009 - The Cairo Opera House, 8 pm Open Air Theater
Thursday - October 29th, 2009 - Maadi House (members and their guests only)
Friday - October 30th, 2009 - The Great Pyramids - Sound & Light Stage, 4 p.m. FREE

About the Artists:
Zac Harmon was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, Harmon. During the 50’s and 60’s Harmon hung out at his father’s pharmacy in Jackson, soaking up the aura and sounds of the musician customers while developing his skills as a guitarist, organist and vocalist. Go to http://www.myspace.com/zacharmon for a preview of his electrifying blues guitar.

Saxophonist and pianist Deanna Bogart blends boogie-woogie, blues, country, and jazz. From a Downbeat review “Deanna possesses a gift for approaching blues, soul and R&B material with warmth and firmness. Her originals, in particular the beautifully sung, intelligent ballads "Blue By Night" and "Tender Days," sound as fresh as if she'd magically plucked them out of the air. " Preview her at http://www.myspace.com/deannabogart

Terry “Harmonica” Bean, another Mississippi bluesman, still works fulltime at a furniture factory, but has found time to perfect his vision of the traditional blues. Here’s a video clip of Terry at the National Folk Festival in Butte Montana (USA) http://www.video4viet.com/watchvideo.html?id=TAZJJfPyR0w&title=Terry+%22harmonica%22+Bean 

The “Blues on the Nile Tour” was pulled together by Caribbean blues producer Steve Simon, who has dedicated his career to bringing the blues to the world. For more information contact Steve at :
stevesimonlive@yahoo.com

KAMEL SALAH ELDIN

Born in Cairo, began studying cello at the age of nine in the children's school of the Cairo Conservatoire. In 1979 he graduated from the Conservatoire with honors and was appointed to a teaching position there. From 1983 to 1986 he conducted post-graduate studies at the Frankfurt Academy of Music with G. Mantel and, after further studies, obtained from the same school the "Soloist Diploma" in 1988. He continued simultaneous studies with H. Shapiro (USA) and D. Shafran (USSR).
He has been appointed co-leader of the cellos of the Frankfurt Opera Orchestra in 1988. His vast solo and chamber music repertoire ranges from historic works to world premieres of contemporary music, some of which were written for, and dedicated to, him. He appeared in numerous radio and television recordings in the Middle East, Europe and the United States of America. He has conducted orchestral concerts where he featured as cello soloist at the same time. He is currently a member of the "Balthasar-Neumann Ensemble" performing on historical instruments and directed by Thomas Hengelbrock.

(This biography is taken from the libretto distributed on the occasion of the 2009 edition of the "Arab Perspectives Music Festival")

"TORINO-CAIRO Round Trip". Along Rice and Silk Routes

In the framework of the Italo-Egyptian year of Science and Technology, the Italian region Piedmont is bringing to Cairo a festival featuring literature readings (in Italian language), art installations, performances and conferences aimed at celebrating rice, silk and wool, products that have been of capital importance in the inter-cultural exchange that has developed in the  Mediterranean basin through the years.
Every evening will be closed by a degustation of gastronomical products from the Piedmont region.

The event will be held at the Italian Social Club, next to the Italian Consulate, 24 El Gaala Street, Boulaq starting at 7:00 PM from Sunday, October 25 to Tuesday October 27, 2009.
 
Free entry but, in order to arrange the degustation, participants are required to register their presence by sending a mail to stagista3.cairo@esteri.it specifying the day in which they wish to attend and their number (rather easy, no?).

For a full program of the event click here

2nd "CHARACTERS OF EGYPT" Festival

Following last year success, the second edition of "Characters of Egypt", a festival celebrating Tribal Culture, is due to take place this year from Thursday October 29 to Saturday, October 31 at the Fustat Wadi El Gemal National Park near Marsa Alam.

Representatives from several Tribes, from Sinai, to Farafra to as far away as Siwa, will participate in this three day festival. The guests will experience tribal culture through music, poetry, games, food tasting, camel racing and educational workshops.
To know more, visit the excellent website created for the event where you will find details on how to reach there and accomodation options.

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC Oct. 24 - Oct. 30

Saturday, October 24, 2009
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ahmed El Saedi with soloist Kamel Salah Eldin (Cello) present works from Scriabin, Shostakovich and Brahms in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Maria del Mar Moreno Flamenco Company (Spain) at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Ehaab Abdou in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 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
- Bisheer (Nubian music) at the After8 Club, 10:30 PM

Sunday, October 25, 2009
- Cairo Opera Ballet Company and Orchestra conducted by Nayer Nagui present the ballet “Romeo and Juliet” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Cairo Youth Ensemble for Chamber Music conducted by Mahmoud Osman with soloist Ahmed Ramzy (Violin), present works from Mikuli, Mendellsohn and Schubert in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- 3G Band At El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- El Nil Troupe for Folk Instruments at Beit El Suheimi, 8:30 PM
- Cocoon Band (Latin Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM

Monday, October 26, 2009
- Harp Recital with Mona Wassef and others in the Oriental Hall of AUC Downtown Campus, 8:00 PM
- Jezek Jazz Quartet in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Wust El Balad (Modern Oriental and Jazz Fusion) at the After8 Club, 10:30 PM

Tuesday, October 27, 2009
- The Mikis Theodorakis Orchestra (Greece)  “The Mythical Dimension”, Dramatic Poetry on Stage by Yannis Ritsos (1909-2009) with Alkyoni Malekaki (Musical Setting and Piano) at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Sehr El Sharq Band (Arabic music) in the Wisdom Hall of EL Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Nass Makan at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- Crash Boom Bang (Funk and Dancefloor covers) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Wednesday, October 28, 2009
- “Blues on the Nile” with Memphis Blues (USA) in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Osiris Singers recital in the Small 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 (Classical Arabic music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- DJ Selim (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Thursday, October 29, 2009
- Basata Band (Contemporary Egyptian music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Wust El Balad (Modern Oriental and Jazz Fusion) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Hany El Shabrawishy Piano recital at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM

 Friday, October 30, 2009
- Ahmed Rabie Band in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

No Concert from the MAZAHER ENSEMBLE tonight

The concert of the MAZAHER ENSEMBLE at the MAKAN will not take place place tonight as scheduled. Instead there will be an interesting "jam session" together with the Italian group OFFICINA ZOÈ on Friday October 23, still at the MAKAN ... and still at 9:00 PM. 

DON'S REVIEW: "Romeo and Juliet" at the Cairo Opera House

 
Cairo Opera Ballet and Orchestra
16, 18, 21, 22, 23, 25 October 2009
Ticket information: 2739 0114

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet contains some of the most evocative, beautiful lines ever written in the English language. For Prokofiev to even attempt to translate this in to the language of music took a great deal of audacity, but the score manages to convey a theatrical sweep and expressive power so admired that the orchestral suites from the ballet are frequently performed in concert programs.

The COB’s production was collaboratively developed with the National Dance Company of Mexico, and the choreography wonderfully reflects a Latin/Mediterranean synthesis.

The ravishing Serbian ballerina, Anja Ahein, in the role of Juliet, showed great poise and charm, although with a oddly inappropriate cheerfulness in parts of Acts I and II (the Tashkenti Olga Dirda also dances the role some nights). Egypt’s own Ahmed Yehia as Romeo was excellent as always (Zorab Mikeladze on some nights). The other standout was Ahmed Nabil (Mercutio), who had a fantastic stage presence; he is a superb actor as well as a very fine dancer (Mamdoh Hassan on some nights). The dreadfully miscast Amir Farouk (Tybalt), on the other hand, went through the steps with little passion, let alone the bloodthirstiness called for in the role of Juliet’s hot-headed cousin (Ahmed Saleh on some nights). Man up, Amir! With a few noticeable exceptions, the rest of the company struggled – they seem undertrained and under-rehearsed. The COB Orchestra led by Nayer Nagui had some difficulties with the score, particularly the brass and woodwind sections, but their less than stellar performance did little to detract from the dancing.

For those of you who have not yet seen a performance at the Cairo Opera House. Go!

It is comfortable, clean, easily accessible, and a lovely place to see music and dance. See the excellent venue description in the blog before you go.

Note that tickets for performances can be purchased at the box office at the Opera House right before the performance – although the COB and gala productions do “sell out” (including a large fraction of the tickets given away to VIPs that are maddeningly not used), so if you can, it’s a good idea to buy tickets early for these performances. When at the box office, don’t take no for an answer! Be polite and persistent and keep waiting and you’ll almost always get a seat. While the Opera House website has a “online tickets” link, it doesn’t work, and apparently never has worked!
 

ELIANA BURKI & BAND in concert tomorrow

The Alphorn is traditionally associated with tough mustached men in lederhosen blowing into their instruments atop of the Alps. The young Swiss musician Eliana Burki is as far as you can get from this stereotype. In few years she has established her name bringing this most peculiar instrument to a new young audience more attuned to the sound of rock, blues and funk than that of folk music.
Having seen her at a private concert last Sunday, I can assure you that you will be mesmerized by what she can do with the set of alphorns she brought along in Egypt. She and her band of young accomplished musicians will definitely rock you.
Do not miss this unique chance of seeing them tomorrow, Wednesday October 21, 2009 in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek at 8:30 PM.

DON'S REVIEW - Youngho Kim at the Mohammed Ali Palace

This is the first of what I hope will be a long series of reviews kindly contributed to CLEG by Don Greenberg. His knowledge of music and mastery of prose are not only a valuable addition to the pages of this blog but a helpful tool for all readers, and I am very grateful to him.
All reviews will be collected under the label "Don's Reviews".


Kim Youngho’s Beethoven/Schumann piano recital of Sunday 18 October is the first of a three part piano recital series by the famed International Music Center of Cairo.

Normally held at the Manasterly Palace, now under renovation, the IMC series is now held at the Manial Palace on Rhoda island. Built for Prince Mohamed Ali, an uncle of King Farouk, the Manial palace is one of Cairo’s more eccentric tourist sites. It is closed now for renovation, which in Cairo can take years. So, you can only get access if you go to one of the IMC concerts, and a chance to see the Palace and the grounds is alone worth the price of admission (50 LE).

The Golden Hall, where the concerts are being held, is a really fantastic blend of European rococo with Moorish, Persian, and Ottoman features. If you arrive early, and can sort out the somewhat lackadaisical security guards, you can wander through the magnificent Planet gardens, full of rare plants collected by Prince Ali, and stroll under acres of banyan and palm trees.

Now, the music. Mr Youngho gave a technically masterful and impassioned interpretation of the beloved “Moonlight Sonata”, followed an equally lovely performance of the Beethoven’s “Waldstein “ sonata, one of Beethoven’s most challenging compositions. But the real treat of the evening was the Davidbundlertanze, a suite of 18 “dances” that showcase the lyrical and impetuous side of Schumann. The highly appreciative crowd demanded an encore, and was rewarded with a stellar rendition of Chopin’s Polonaise in A-flat major.

Mark your calendars for the 15 November concert by the Iranian/French pianist Nima Sarkechik, and for 13 December for Wang Jue from China. You may be able to buy tickets in advance at the Opera House, but better to call in advance. Try these numbers: 27357001/27354234/27352287 or 27370603/27350911/27390362. Mr. Youngho’s concert was full, but not sold out, so you can also just go early, get your tickets, and enjoy the Palace and its grounds.

Don

13th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Ismailia at the French Cultural Centre in Mounira

From tomorrow Monday, October 19 until Wednesday, October 21, 2009 a series of documentaries and short movies participating in the Ismailia International Festival will be screened at the French Cultural Centre in Mounira.
All movies subtitled in English. Screening starts at 7:00 PM.
For a full program of the evenings click here.

MARGARET MEAD TRAVELING FILM & VIDEO FESTIVAL at AUC

In the frame of the Margaret Mead Traveling Film & Video Festival the movies "Peace with Seals" and "Don't Let It All Unravel" will be screened tomorrow, Sunday, October 18 2009 starting at 6:00 PM in the Oriental Hall of AUC Downtown Campus.
The event is free and open to all.

EGYPT ART ZONE 1st Art Exhibition

On Monday, October 19, 2009 at 7:00 PM will open the 1st EGYPT ART ZONE art exhibition featuring more than 50 artworks from 35 artists. The exhibition is sponsored by the ZAMALEK ART GALLERY and will run daily until October 29, from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
The address is 35, Misr Helwan Agricultural Road - Maadi

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC Oct. 17 - Oct. 23

Saturday, October 17, 2009

- Cairo Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Hisham Gabr with soloist Hossam Shehata (Violin), presents works from Shostakovich, Bruch and Tchaikovsky in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM

- Sakia’s 1^st Festival of Rock Music closing night with performance of Andromida Band at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM

- Limouzine Band (Contemporary Egyptian music) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM

Sunday, October 18, 2009

- Youngho Kim (South Korea/Piano) presents works from Beethoven and Schumann at the Mohamed Ali Palace, 8:00 PM

- Cairo Opera Ballet Company and Orchestra conducted by Nayer Nagui present the ballet “Romeo and Juliet” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- El Banadra Band (Egyptian Popular music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM

- El Nil Troupe for Folk Instruments at Beit El Suheimi, 8:30 PM

- F.Y.I. (Latin Jazz Fusion) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM

- Bisheer (Nubian music) at After8, 10:00 PM

- Sayed Darwish Society troupe led by Mohamed Hassan Sayed Darwish at the Amir Taz Palace, 8:00 PM

Monday, October 19, 2009

- Mohamed Sawah Electronic Trio at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM

- Wust El Balad (Modern Oriental Jazz fusion) at After8, 10:00 PM

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

- Nass Makan at the Makan, 9:00 PM

- The Hot Potato Project (Jazz Fusion) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

- Cairo Opera Ballet Company and Orchestra conducted by Nayer Nagui present the ballet “Romeo and Juliet” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- Ghada Shaker Piano Recital in the Small Hal of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- Eliana Burki & Band (Switzerland/Funky Swiss Alphorn) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM

- Ana Masry (Egyptian multicultural fusion) in the Ewart Hall of AUC Downtown Campus, 8:00 PM

- Ayamna El Halwa (Classical Arab music) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM

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

- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM

- Boom Boom Crash (Contemporary Egyptian music) at After8, 10:00 PM

Thursday, October 22, 2009

- Cairo Opera Ballet Company and Orchestra conducted by Nayer Nagui present the ballet “Romeo and Juliet” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- Officina Zoè (Italy/Italian Folk music) in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- Anna Lena (Sweden) at the Geneina Theatre in Al Azhar Park, 8:00 PM

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

- Don Rimini and Antoine Kenobi (France/Dj Electro) at the French Cultural Centre in Mounira, 9:00 PM

- Ana Otero (Spain/Flamenco Fusion) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM

- Union the Band (Beatles cover) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM

- Emergen C# (Latin Jazz/Afro Beat) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Friday, October 23, 2009

- Cairo Opera Ballet Company and Orchestra conducted by Nayer Nagui present the ballet “Romeo and Juliet” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- Redeemers (Rock) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM

- Issa Ghandour & El Medina Group (Lebanon) present Sayed Darwish masterpieces at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM

- Ehaab Abdou at the Geneina Theatre in Al Azhar Park, 8:00 PM

EKA3 Productions

Some of you might have attended the EKA3 Productions promotional tour in El Sawi about a month ago and know already what is it all about, but for the ones who have not, I suggest having a look at their website, and lending a ear to their music (many tracks available on streaming). They have some really interesting stuff in an amazing variety of genres, from Classical to Electronica to Jazz, Theatre incidental music and Soundtrack to children books.
And by the way, if you think a full 60 min. of solo Ney is pure madness, listen to Mohammed Antar "The Arab Maqam" ... and you might change your mind. 

Find EKA3 productions and news at: http://www.eka3productions.com/

GO NAGAI lecture

The famous Japanese manga artist Go Nagai, creator of Mazinger and Grendizer, will give a lecture and a screening of one of the latest episodes of the Mazinger saga tomorrow Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 6:00 PM at the Artistic Creativity Center (Cairo Opera House grounds).
Free admission

BEYONCÉ in concert in EGYPT: PORT GHALIB

For all pop music fans out there, this is probably going to be the concert of the year: Beyoncé is going to bring to Port Ghalib her "I am ... Sasha Fierce" tour on Friday, November 6, 2009.

For detailed information about tickets and program click here.

SCHEDULE of the 21st Cairo Festival of Experimental Theatre

Click here to find the schedule for the Festival.

Public lecture "The Genius of Michael Faraday"

Tomorrow, Sunday, October 11, 2009 at 5:00 PM, the Oriental Hall of the American University in Cairo will host a public lecture delivered by Sir John Meurig Thomas, world renowned chemist and professor at the University of Cambridge.
The topic of the lecture will be the life of the famous chemist and physicist Michael Faraday.
For more info, click here.

21st Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre

Tomorrow Saturday, October 10, 2009 will open the 21st Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre. The Festival will run until October 20 and will host performances of 24 Egyptian and 36 International theatre groups. The Festival has a website that sadly, at present, does not have yet the schedule of performances. 
As far as I know, the venues will be the Cairo Opera House and the Gomhouria theatre.
If interested, keep checking the website of the Festival or call the opera house for details at 27398144 or 27390144. If get hold of a program in English I will post it.

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC OCT. 10 - OCT. 16

Saturday, October 10, 2009

- El Dor El Awal (Mediterranean Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM

- Hossam Samir (Arabic music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM

- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 8:30 PM

Sunday, October 11, 2009

- Egyptian Philarmonic Society conducted by Ahmed El Saedi with soloist Laura Mikkola (piano) will present works from Mozart and Schubert  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

- Bisheer (Nubian music) at After8, 10:00 PM

- Kolthomiat at the Arab Institute, 8:00 PM

- El Nil Troupe for Folk Instruments at Beit El Suheimi, 8:30 PM

Monday, October 12, 2009

- Alim Qasimov (Azerbaijan), Charbel Rohuana (Lebanon) and REMIX ASIA musicians at the Geneina Theatre in Al Azhar Park, 8:00 PM

- Karma (Rock/Metal) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM

- Wust El Balad (Oriental Jazz fusion) at After8, 10:00 PM

Tuesday, Otober 13, 2009

- Alim Qasimov (Azerbaijan), Khaled Mohamed Ali (Iraq) and REMIX ASIA musicians at the Geneina Theatre in Al Azhar Park, 8:00 PM

- Funkallisto (Italy/Funk) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:00 PM

- Sahra (Rai music) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM

- Nass Makan at the Makan, 9:00 PM

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

- Sakia’s 1^st Festival of Rock Music at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM

- Rania Yehia (Flute) and Rasha Yehia (Viola) recital at the Ewart Memorial Hall of AUC, 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

Thursday, October 15, 2009

- Sakia’s 1^st Festival of Rock Music at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM

- Screwdriver (Rock’n Roll) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Friday, October 16, 2009

- Cairo Opera Company and Orchestra present the ballet “Romeo and Juliet” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- May Nasr (Lebanon) at the Geneina Theatre in Al Azhar Park, 8:00 PM

- Sakia’s 1^st Festival of Rock Music at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Malek Jandali and CSO at the Cairo Opera House - UPDATE

It seems that the concert of the Cairo Symphony Orchestra with Syrian pianist Malek Jandali, originally scheduled to take place tonight in the Small Hall of the Opera House, has been merged into the program of the celebrations for the  21st Anniversary of the Cairo Opera House that will take place in the Main Hall (still at 8:00 PM).
The program will feature as well a performance of the Cairo Opera Ballet Company, Arabic music, and the 4th movement of Beethoven's 9th Symphony.

Not much of a change, logistically speaking, but ... don't forget your tie and suit.  

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC OCT. 3 - OCT. 9

Saturday, October 3, 2009

- Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch (Germany) present “Bamboo Blues” and “Le Sacre du Printemps” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- Machine Eat Man (Electronic music) in “A tribute to Brian Eno” at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM

- Bisheer (Nubian music) at After8, 10:00 PM

-Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM

Sunday, October 4, 2009

- Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch (Germany) present “Bamboo Blues” and “Le Sacre du Printemps” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- Tide of Septum (Rock music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM

- Blue Tone Quartet (Jazz standards) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM

- El Nil Troupe for Folk Instruments at Beit El Suheimi, 8:30 PM

Monday, October 5, 2009

- Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Ahmed Hamdy with soloist Stéphane Chapuis (Accordion) present “The best of Tango” music from Piazzolla, Anderson and De Abreu in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- Cairo Opera Company accompanied by Greig Martin (Piano) present the one-act opera by Gioachino Rossini “L’inganno felice” at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM

- Telanto (Contemporary Egyptian music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM

- Wust El Balad at After8, 10:00 PM

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

- Cairo Opera Company accompanied by Greig Martin (Piano) present the one-act opera by Gioachino Rossini “L’inganno felice” at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:30 PM

- SMS (Contemporary Egyptian music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM

- Crash Boom Bang (Funk & dance floor covers) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:30 PM

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM

- Hala Kifna (Contemporary Egyptian music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM

- Ghassan Al-Youssef & Dina Abdel-Hamid (Syria/Egypt/Oud) at the Ewart Memorial Hall of AUC downtown campus, 8:00 PM

Thursday, October 8, 2009

- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Tarek Mahran with soloist Malek Jandali (Syria/Piano) present works of Malek Jandali and Schubert in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- Omar Khairat (Piano) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:00 PM

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

- Yehya Khalil (Percussions) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Friday, October 9, 2009

- El Dor El Awal (Oriental Jazz) at El Geneina Theatre in Al-Azhar Park, 8:00 PM

- Awtar (Arabic music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM

For the aspiring musicians among us: Music Workshop in Cairo

Al Mawred Al Thaqafy in coperation with the Norwegian Embassy in Cairo has organized a music workshop with Egyptian and Norwegian musicians under the supervision of Fathy Salama from October 24 to November 4, 2009.
You'll find deadlines for application, condition for admittance and other information at the following link.

Good luck ... and see you at the concert.