"In Search of Music" movie series

From Monday May 31 to Thursday, June 3, 2010 the Goethe Institute in Dokki will present every evening two movies about music. These are not concert movies, even if concert cuts will be featured in many of them, but rather movies about the interaction between music, people and society.
From Wim Wender's widely acclaimed Buena Vista Social Club" to Fatih Akin's "Crossing the Bridge" passing through Nabiha Lofty's "Remains of a Certain Time", the series offer more than a valid reason to spend an evening at the Goethe, well ... actually two!
For the complete programme of the event and a more detailed description (German and Arabic only), click here.
Free entry.

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC May 29 - Jun 4

Saturday, May 29, 2010
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marcello Mottadelli present Gustav Mahler’s  “Das Lied von der Erde”  in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- El Dor El Awal (Mediterranean Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM

Sunday, May 30, 2010
- Laura Mikkola (Piano/Finland) and the Egyptian Philarmonic Society conducted by Ahmed El Saedi present works from Von Suppè, Mozart and Beethoven in the Golden Hall of the Mohamed Ali Palace, 8:00 PM
- The Riff Band (Vocal Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 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 8:00 PM

Monday, May 31, 2010
- Egyptian Modern Dance Company directed by Walid Aouni presents “Sheherazade” with music by N. Rimsky Korsakov in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Ashek El Nahr El Khaled (Arabic music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- DJ Amir Sharara (Funky House) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM

Tuesday,  June 1, 2010
- Nomads Intercontinental (World Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Nass Makan (Nubian music, Zikr and Sufi songs, Sudanese music and songs) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM

Wednesday,  June 2, 2010
- Traditional Dance Company (Korea) with the Cairo Opera Ballet Company in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble (Music of the Delta) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- DJ Ramy (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Thursday,  June 3, 2010
- Soprano Iman Mustafa song recital in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Naked Earth (Rock) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- Bikya (Electronic music) at the Geneina Theatre in Al Azhar Park, 9:00 PM
- Autostrad (Jordan/Arabic Rock) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Friday, June 4, 2010
- National Arab Music Ensemble conducted by Selim Sahab in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Abdo Dagher and his Band in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Yazan al Rousan and Autostrad (Jordan) at El Genaina Theatre in Al Azhar Park, 9:00 PM
- Wust El Balad (Contemporary Egyptian music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:00 PM

- DJ Carlos (Underground Sound) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Culturewheel's White Circle Festival

El Sawi Culturewheel in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, WHO, USAID and John Hopkins University will celebrate the International Day for Fighting Tobacco on Friday May 28, 2010 at the Cairo International Stadium (Parking Area).
The event starts at 5:00 PM and runs until 11:00 PM with entertaining activities, sport, games and live concerts from Eftekasat and Wust El Balad.
Free entry.

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2010 at Al-Azhar Park

I received and proceed to post with great pleasure the following event promotion. These people are doing a great job and this will be a wonderful occasion to spend a day out for the whole family, learning more about the environment thus leading to a better appreciation and respect for it.

 

World Environment Day 2010

“Many species, one planet, one future” 

In partnership, The Ministry of States for Environmental Affairs (MSEA) and Wadi Environmental Science Centre (WESC) will host the World Environment Day (WED) on 5 June 2010 at Cairo’s Al-Azhar Park, open to the entire community, under the theme “Many species, one planet, one future”. 

The objectives of this event are to raise public awareness of the community’s pivotal capability in playing a positive role to save the planet, the Ministry of States for Environmental Affairs and WESC – WED partners since last year – are committed to supporting the community’s active involvement by addressing environmental issues and empowering people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable growth. The celebration of WED 2010 will focus on the abundance and diversity of living organisms known as biodiversity, together with genetic diversity, assemblages of organisms and natural processes. Biodiversity sustains human life and well-being by providing the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the trees that re-oxygenate the air we breathe and the plants that are the source of our medicines, among countless vital benefits. 

By inviting the public to “Many species, one planet, one future” we seize the opportunity to inspire people by the diversity, beauty and uniqueness of nature, as well as culturally contemplate the myriad ways to (re)integrate it into our lives as modern Egyptians: such as riding bicycles to work, adopting roof gardening and organic foods, considering various forms of sustainable tourism, and reducing our negative impacts by choosing a sustainable lifestyle. 

Based on last year’s success, on WED 2010 we expect approximately 5,000 visitors compared to 4,000 visitors at our last event, these visitors are from schools, universities, environmental activists, civil society, VIPS, and the general public. This year’s exciting event will attract people from all over Egypt and offer them a place to learn, in an amusing and engaging way, about our environment. Cutting-edge technology, and a variety of activities, games, art exhibits, film presentations, discussion panels and other activities which will ensure a memorable and educational day for all. WED will also provide an avenue for environmental institutions, NGOs, donors, associations, and other groups working in environmental fields to exhibit their work, network with each other, and get their message across to participants, dignitaries, and the media.

The day is filled with fun educational hands-on activities for adults and young children. Everyone can join us on the day; the event is open to everybody for free.

 More information is available on the World Environment Day website 

www.wedegypt.com

Xavier Puigmartí "The Thousand and One Nights"

The Cervantes Institute in Cairo and the National Center for Children's Culture will present on Wednesday May 26, 2010 five episodes of "The Thousand and One Nights", shot in Egypt in 2009 by the Spamish artist Xavier Puigmartí. The short movies, realised for the Televisió de Catalunya (TV3) will be screened at 6:00 PM at the Supreme Council of Culture on the Cairo Opera House grounds.

The movies will be in Catalan with comments in Spanish and Arabic language by the director Xavier Puigmartí and by Nabila Hasan, director of the National Center for Children's Culture.

The soothing power of music: Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra back on stage.

I was surprised and amazed when I heard that the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra is back on stage. I cannot imagine how tough must it be for the musicians to arrange the logistic, take care of their instruments, and find the right mood just to go out there and reharse. But perhaps this is just what musicians and spectators alike actually need, a soothing experience that bring you closer to the beauty of life, even if just for a couple of hours.
Good luck, INSO.

AUC Annual Festival on al-Mu'izz street

I do not know if you already had the opportunity to visit al-Mu'izz street since the reopening, after more of a decade of renovations, of the Sultan Qalawun complex and Sultan Barquq mausoleum (click here for map). If you haven't, you have a truly golden opportunity to do so.
On Sunday, May 30, 2010 starting at 6:30 PM, the American University in Cairo will hold its Annual Book, Art and Music Festival exactly in this glorious spot. For the occasion, guided tours will be led to the above mentioned monuments and to the Textile Museum (that happen to be just on the opposite side of the road).
The AUC annual festival is a most interesting event in itself, with books presentation and the participation of many authors of this great publishing house, but this year the choice of the location will make it really unmissable.
For more information about the event, click here. 

PS: If you really cannot make it on the 30th, you can visit these magnificent monuments every day till 10:00 PM (my favourite time to visit is at dawn). You won't regret it. And, oh ... there are no entrance fees, and nobody comes to look for a tip. Fancy that!

Sharqstan Ensemble tonight at the Makan

Sorry, I got information of this only now, but this evening Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 9:00 PM, a very interesting concert takes place at the Makan. The "Sharqstan Ensemble" features Edward Powell at the Ragmakamtar (no, I did not misspelled it ... more about it later), the Ney player Mohammed Antar and Waeel Al Sayyid at the percussions.

Edward Powell is not only a player but also an instrument-maker. the specific instrument he will play at this concert, this mysterious Ragmakamtar is a combination between an Indian Sarod, a Turkish Oud and a Fretless Guitar (talking about multiculturalism?).
If you want to know more about Edward Powell, his instruments and his music, click here. 

HASSAN SHARARA

Hassan Sharara was born into a family of musicians in Cairo in 1949. He started studying the violin at the age of nine with his father Attia Sharara, himself a renowned violinist and composer, and was admitted to the Cairo Conservatoire in 1959. He appeared on stage for the first time in the old Cairo Opera House in 1969.
In 1971 he graduated with excellence and was granted a scholarship to study at the prestigious Tchaikovsky Conservatoire in Moscow from where he received a PhD in 1974. Back to Cairo he joined the Cairo Conservatoire where he took the position of violin professor and went on to become Head of the String Department and eventually Dean (position he no longer holds).
Hassan Sharara took part in several international competitions and was awarded prizes in the Emily Anderson, Jacques Thibault, and Tchaikovsky competitions. He gave many recitals and concerts in Egypt and in Europe. From 1976 to 1982 he was concert master of the Cairo Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra and became master of the Cairo Symphony Orchestra in 1982. He is also a member of the “Sharara Sextet” performing national Arab music in Egypt and abroad.


Sharara Sextet Facebook Page

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC May 22 - May 28, 2010

Saturday, May 22, 2010
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marcello Mottadelli with soloist Hassan Sharara (Violin) present music from Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Hossam Samir Oud Recital in commemoration of Abdel Wahab at El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 8:00 PM 
- Wust el Balad (Egyptian music) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Thandiswa (South Africa) at the Genaina Theatre in Al Azhar Park, 8:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM

Sunday, May 23, 2010
- The Yinchuan Dance Troupe (China) presents the drama “The Moon Over the Helan Mountain” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:30 PM
- National Arab Music Ensemble in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Yehya Khalil (Oriental Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- The Nubian Drums 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 8:00 PM
- Kolthomiat at the Arab Music Institute, 9:00 PM

Monday, May 24, 2010
- The Yinchuan Dance Troupe (China) presents the drama “The Moon Over the Helan Mountain” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:30 PM
- Ali El Alfi and Faisal Fouad (Contemporary Egyptian music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- DJ Roro (Groovy House) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM

Tuesday, May 25, 2010
- Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Benoit Willmann present a Violin Gala Concert with different soloists performing music from Faurè, Bach, Vivaldi and Bizet in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Elhamy Amin (Classic songs) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Screwdriver (Rock’n’Roll) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Nass Makan (Nubian music, Zikr and Sufi songs, Sudanese music and songs) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM

Wednesday, May 26, 2010
- Julio Iglesias (Spain) at the Pyramids, 6:00 PM
- “Egyptian Centennial Performance” by the Egyptian Modern Dance Company in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Munich Percussion Ensemble (Germany) in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Ali El Haggar (Arabic music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble (Music of the Delta) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- DJ Amr Hosny (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Thursday, May 27, 2010
- Nassir Shamma (Iraq) Oud Recital at El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Amal El Shahed Piano recital in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Abdel Halim Nowera Ensemble for Arab Music in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Mohamed Adaweya (Arabic music) at El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- Rawa’e El Nagham Ensemble conducted by Reem Kamal at the Gomhouria Theatre, 9:00 PM
- Crash Boom Bang (Funk and Dance Floor covers) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Friday, May 28, 2010
- Egyptian Modern Dance Company directed by Walid Aouni presents “Sheherazade” with music by N. Rimsky Korsakov in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Jorge Perez Violin Recital in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Heritage Ensemble for Arab Music at the Gomhouria Theatre, 9:00 PM
- Amira Reda (Soprano) and Ragaa El Din (Tenor) Opera Recital at El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Digla (Rock) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- DJ Ouzo (House music) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Sama'Khana aka Sufi Theatre

The Sama'Khana (Hall of Listening), also known as Sufi Theatre, is a construction from 1810 that housed the "Cairo confraternity" of the Mevlevi Sufi Order founded by the Persian poet, theologian and Sufi mystic Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi (1207-1273). Better known in the West as "Whirling Dervishes", the members of this Sufi order use dancing and chanting as a meditative ritual, ritual that is carried out in a dedicated circular space of which this is the only example left in Cairo.
The buiding, in use till 1942, has been wonderfully restored under the direction of Italian architects and is a real jewel. You can visit it during the day, when the light show the decorations at their best, but it is more and more utilized for public evening performances. As the circular stage occupies much of the area of the theatre and the gallery is not usually open during performances, this means that there is limited space available so plan to arrive early if you want to be sure to get in. Another word of warning: the theatre does not have air conditioning system, meaning that in the late spring/summer seasons it can get quite hot inside.

The Sama'Khana is located in Sharia Suyufiya, in the Al Khalifa District, north/west of the Sultan Hassan Mosque and in the same street where the Amir Taz palace is located, just few meters down the road on the same side (right side if you come, as you probably will, from Sharia Saliba).
No chance to go there by Metro, and parking is a gamble. A taxi is probably the best option. If at the end of the performance you do not find taxis outside (often times you do, as they know there is something on and bet on somebody without driver like us needing their services), you can walk up to Salah al-Din Square where you can easily catch a taxi even late at night.

Sama’ Khana: 31 El Siyufiah St., Helmia Gedida 

Tel 02 2510 7806

If you wish to know more about the architectural importance of the building, click here.
Articles on the press:
Al-Masry Al-Youm

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Dear readers,

As some of you have already noticed, a new subscription application, powered by Feedburner, has appeared on the homepage of the blog. This application gives you the possibility to subscribe in a reader, as before, but also the choice of getting every new post delivered conveniently to your mailbox. It's easy, you'll never miss a post again, and ... you can unsuscribe at any moment.

As you know I am a bit of a nut with IT, and therefore am not sure what's going to happen to readers who subscribed with the old application once I delete the old app. I will wait till the summer closure of CLEG before doing this and I suggest you subscribe to the new one before that date.
 
Many thanks to Pak, a CLEG reader who has given me the idea and provided me with the "technical assistance" online to carry on this upgrade.

"ENTRE CINEASTAS" - 3rd Arab-Hispanic Women Film Festival

The 3rd Arab-Hispanic Women Film Festival with movies from Egypt, Spain, Palestine, Tunisia, Mexico, Jordan, Syria, Sudan, Argentina and Cuba, kicks off on Monday May 17 and will run until Friday May 21, 2010 at the Creativity Center in the Cairo Opera Grounds.
Movies in Arabic will be subtitled in Spanish and the ones in Spanish language .... in Arabic, of course.
For a full programme of the event (Arabic and Spanish), click here.

Movie Night in the theatre of the Italian Cultural Center in Zamalek

The Italian Cultural Center will present the drama "IL PASSATO È UNA TERRA STRANIERA" (THE PAST IS A FOREIGN LAND) (Italy 2008) directed by Daniele Vicari  on Sunday May 16, 2010 at 6.00 PM and 8.00 PM.

Based on a best-selling novel by Gianrico Carofiglio, this is a compulsive thriller about the dangerous relationship that begins between a young law student, Giorgio and an unscrupulous card shark, Francesco. Initially, the pair team up to play poker and make extra money but gradually they move into deeper criminality, rigging all their games and, as the money gets bigger, their lifestyle becomes more outlandish and the opportunity for bigger scams appears. As the prospect of drug dealing opens up, Giorgio becomes more and more estranged from his comfortable middle-class family and Francesco begins to reveal a darker, much more disturbed, violent side to his personality.

Italian with English subtitles. Free entry.

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC May 15 - May 21, 2010

Saturday, May 15, 2010
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andreas Spörri present Richard Strauss’ “Eine Alpensfinfonie”  in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Ras Nas (Norway/Tanzania) at the Genaina Theatre in Al Azhar Park, 8:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM

Sunday, May 16, 2010
- Cairo Opera Company with Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Peter Tiboris present Bizet opera “Carmen” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Cairo Choral Society conducted by John Baboukis present works Dvorak’s “Mass in D” at the Malak Gabr Arts Theater of AUC New Cairo Campus, 7:00 PM
- Heritage Ensemble for Arab Music at the Arab Music Institute, 9:00 PM
- Cocoon (Latin Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Mascara (Egypt), Scarlet Drop (Sweden) and FourEver (Sweden) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- The Nubian Drums 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 8:00 PM

Monday, May 17, 2010

- Maghna Band (Arabic music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- El Fosool el Arbaa Band at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- DJ Ramsi (Funky House) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM

Tuesday, May 18, 2010
- Gala Dance In Memoriam “Petipa” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Arab Music Ensemble conducted by Wael El Mahallawy at the Malak Gabr Arts Theatre in AUC New Cairo campus, 7:00 PM
- Awtar Band (Arabic music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Super Fly (Pop Rock covers) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Nass Makan (Nubian music, Zikr and Sufi songs, Sudanese music and songs) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM

Wednesday, May 19, 2010
- Gala Dance In Memoriam “Petipa” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Doaa Abd Rabbo (Flute) and Mona Wassef (Harp) recital with music from Faurè, Hasselmans, Piazzolla, Sukkarieh and Ibert in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Jirtik (Reggae music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble (Music of the Delta) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- DJ Ramy (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Thursday, May 20, 2010
- Ziya Azazi (Contemporary Dance Dervish) at the Sama’Khana, 8:00 PM
- Moushira Issa presents young talents performing Scriabin in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- AUC Chamber Singers with AUC Chamber Orchestra conducted by John Baboukis present Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and other works at the Malak Gabr Arts Theatre in AUC New Cairo Campus, 7:00 PM
- DJ Edjotronic (France) at the French Cultural Centre in Mounira, 9:00 PM
- Abdel Halim Nowera Ensemble for Arab Music at the Gomhouria Theatre, 9:00 PM
- 19^th Band (70s Rock) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Friday, May 21, 2010
- SWR Symphony Orchestra Baden Baden and Freiburg conducted by Silvyan Cambreling present music from von Weber, Bartok and Schubert in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Baranà Quintet (Turkey/The Netherlands) at El Genaina Theatre in Al Azhar Park, 8:00 PM
- Hee Jong Ahn piano recital at the Gomhouria Theatre, 9:00 PM
- The Riff Band at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 7:00 PM

- DJ Masters at Funk (Funk Latin House) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Benjamin Zephaniah Dub Poetry Performance

The British poet and performer Benjamin Zephaniah will put his show on at the Genaina Theatre in Al Azhar Park tonight Thursday May 13, 2010 at 8:00 PM. There are not many events of this kind touring this part of the world; if you have the chance, don`t miss it!

CHOPIN's CONCERT at the Cairo Opera House

The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Cairo and the Cairo Opera House have organized a Chopin's concert to commemorate the victims of the tragic plane crash near Smolensk. The concert will be performed by artists of the Cairo Conservatoire and will take place on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 9:00 in the Small Hall of the Cairo Opera House.

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC May 8 - May 14, 2010

Saturday, May 8, 2010
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andreas Spörri with soloists Iman Moustafa (Soprano) present “A Tribute to Richard Wagner” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Iva Bittova (Czech Republic/Violin) and Anwar Abudragh (Iraq/Oud) recital at the Sama’Khana, 8:00 PM
- Eftekasat (Jazz) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Sahra (Rai music) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 8:30 PM

Sunday, May 9, 2010
- Cairo Ensemble conducted by Hisham Gabr with soloist Amira Fouad (Piano) present works from Rossini, Mozart and Haydn in the Golden Hall of Mohammed Ali Palace, 8:00 PM
- Maurizio Lazzaro and Cairo Jazz Quartet (Oriental Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Tranzestor (Contemporary Egyptian music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- El Banadra (Egyptian Folklore) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 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 8:00 PM
- Bashir (Nubian music) at the After8 Club, 10:00 PM

Monday, May 10, 2010
- Egyptian Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Ahmed Al Saedi with soloist Gulzhamilya Kadyrbekova (Piano) present "Master Works for Chamber Orchestra" with works from Bach, Mendellsohn, El Saedi and Shostakovich in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Abazar Hamid (Sudanese music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- DJ Tito (Minimal House) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30
- Wust El Balad (Modern oriental and jazz fusion) at the After8 Club, 10:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM

Tuesday, May 11, 2010
- Chopin's concert by artists of the Cairo Conservatoire in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Mohammed El Sawah (Arabic music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- El Mahatta (Contemporary Egyptian music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- Bullets in Jeans (Rock) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Nass Makan (Nubian music, Zikr and Sufi songs, Sudanese music and songs) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM
- DJ Dina El Ghareeb at After8, 10:00 PM

Wednesday, May 12, 2010
- Cairo Opera Company with Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Peter Tiboris present Bizet opera “Carmen” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Cairo Choral Society conducted by John Baboukis present works Dvorak’s “Mass in D” in the Ewart Memorial Hall of AUC Tahrir Campus, 8:00 PM
- Al Nour wa Al Amal Orchestra in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 9:00 PM
- Rana Samaha (Arabic music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble (Music of the Delta) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- DJ Amr Hosny (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- DJ Doody at After8, 10:00 PM

Thursday, May 13, 2010
- Cairo Opera Company with Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Peter Tiboris present Bizet opera “Carmen” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Sahar El Layali Band (Arabic music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Ahmed El Touni (Sufi Inshad) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- National Arab Music Ensemble at the Gomhouria Theatre, 9:00 PM
- +Energy (Funk Acid Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Sahra (Rai music) at the After8 Pub, 10:00 PM

Friday, May 14, 2010
- Cairo Opera Company with Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Peter Tiboris present Bizet opera “Carmen” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Jan Jelinek (Germany/Electronic music) at Darb 1718, 5:00 PM
- Sobhi Bidair and Friends in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Salalem (Arabic music) at the After8 Pub, 10:00 PM

- DJ T-Kat (Electro House) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

MAURIZIO LAZZARO CAIRO JAZZ BAND in concert

Maurizio Lazzaro and his Cairo Jazz Band are back in town and will perform on Thursday, May 6 at 9:30 PM at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek and on Sunday, May 9, 2010 at 10:30 PM at the Cairo Jazz Club.

According to the band press release, this is "a project of fusion between Arabic and European music based on jazz improvisation with the aim to create a background on which the musicians of both cultural areas can express themselves in a free and cohesive way. The choice of the repertoire and the arrangements applied are the base and the most important elements on which the project is built. Among the members of the group (three Egyptian and two Italians) a change of rules has to be found; some of the instruments played by the Italian musicians originate from the Arabic tradition while the two Egyptian musicians play instruments from a more European tradition".

Band members are:
Maurizio Lazzaro- oud and guitar
Mohammad Sami- violin
Ahmad Hani- bass
Fulvio Maras- percussions
Hany Adel- voice -special guest

"Nuovo Cinema Paradiso" at AUC

ITACA presents "Nuovo Cinema Paradiso" by Giuseppe Tornatore, one of the best Italian movies of all times, on Tuesday May 4, 2010 at 6:00 PM in Room 508 of the Falaki Building in AUC Tahrir Campus.
The movie will be in Italian language with English Subtitles and will be presented by Vincenzo Mattei.
Free entry.

A famous film director, Salvatore returns to his Sicilian native town after thirty years of absence. While modernity has now changed the town he used to know, Salvatore remembers his childhood at the Nuovo Cinema Paradiso, the local movie house, and its owner Alfredo. Released in 1988, the film re-evokes Italian life during the Fascist period and ponders on Italy's dramatic social change throughout the century. Through the life of an Italian emigrant, Giuseppe Tornatore writes a cinematic poem on the dialectics between the past and present, censorship and freedom.

Al Mawred Al Thaqafy (Culture Resource Organization) Spring Festival 2010

Also this year Al Mawred Al Thaqafy will bring to Cairo a great set up of musicians for their annual Spring Festival. From Thursday May 6 to Saturday May 22, 2010 artists from Afghanistan, Cuba, Czech Republic and Iraq to name a few, will play in some of the most suggestive venues in town like the Amir Taz palace, the Sama' Khana and the Geneina Theatre in Al Azhar Park.
For more information and a full programme of the event, click here.