Kazamada with Donia Massud in concert in Cairo

Just in!!! The group Kazamada, with the participation of Egyptian talent Donia Massud are due to play three concerts in Cairo, according to eka3 website. One is already gone, but you still have the opportunitiy to catch up the performances at the Cairo Jazz Club on Monday, November 1 and at the Geneina Theatre on Thursday, November 4, 2010 at 9:00 8:00 PM.

Just a warning: the website of Cairo Jazz Club is not listing this concert, but it is also true that there are no other events scheduled for the evening of Monday. I do not have the time to double check before posting. I suggest that you confirm with them before heading for the concert.

Many thanks to Karima for passing me this information.

Screening of the film "Heliopolis"

The AUC Department of Performing and Visual Arts will present the film "Heliopolis" by Ahmad Abdalla in the Film Screening Room of the PVA Building in AUC New Cairo Campus on Wednesday October November 3, 2010 at 6:30 PM.
The screening will be followed by a discussion with the director and with the actor Khaled Abol Naga.

3rd Panorama of the European Film

Misr International Films will bring to Cairo for the third time a selection of some of the best new European movies, all of them not (yet?) released on the Egyptian market.
The screenings will take place from Wednesday November 3 to Tuesday November 9, 2010 at the Galaxy Cinema on Manial Island and at Stars Cinema in Citystar Centre Nasr City.
You will find (hopefully soon) the complete schedule of the screenings, venues information, special guests and more here.
For the Facebook page of the event, click here.

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC Oct. 30 - Nov. 5, 2010

Saturday, October 30, 2010
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Lars Erik ter-Jung with soloist Geir Botnen (piano) presents work by Tveitt, Grieg, Nordheim and Sibelius in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Ahmed Ali El Haggar & Band (Egyptian music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center, 8:00 PM
- Skin Deep (Funky) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 9:00 PM

Sunday, October 31, 2010
- The Lions of Cairo directed by John Baboukis in the Sharjah Art Gallery of AUC New Cairo Campus, 5:30 PM
- Tony Kaldas in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Kas we Laz (Contemporary Egyptian music) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center, 8:00 PM
- Shafiq Kotry (Piano) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center, 8:30 PM
- Ali El Farouk Trio (Contemporary jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Bashir (Nubian music) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM
- Peace Message with Samaa and Indonesian Troupe at the Ghouri Palace, 8:00 PM
- El-Nil Troupe for folk instruments (Folk music and songs) at Beit Al-Suheimi 9:30 PM

Monday, November 1, 2010
- 19^th Arab Music Festival in the Main Hall and Small Hall of Cairo Opera House and at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Unit Asia in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Anne Ricquebourg (France/Harp) with Harpists of the Cairo Conservatory in the Oriental Hall of AUC Downtown Campus, 8:00 PM
- Wust El Balad (Oriental Jazz) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM

Tuesday, November 2, 2010
- 19^th Arab Music Festival in the Main Hall and Small Hall of Cairo Opera House and at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM (Detailed program not available yet)
- Unit Asia in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Omar El Samra in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 7:00 PM
- Nass Makan (Nubian music, Zikr and Sufi songs, Sudanese music and songs) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM
- Liberty Jazz (Nigeria/African Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Wednesday, November 3, 2010
- 19^th Arab Music Festival in the Main Hall and Small Hall of Cairo Opera House and at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM (Detailed program not available yet)
- Hussein Saber (Oud) recital in the Malak Gabr Arts Theater of AUC New Cairo Campus, 1:00 PM
- Elena Dzamashvili (Piano), Hassan Sharara (Violin) and Dina Iskander (Soprano) present a program of Schumann works in the Ewart Memorial Hall of AUC Downtown Campus, 8:00 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 9:00 PM
- DJ Amr Hosny (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Thursday, November 4, 2010
- 19^th Arab Music Festival in the Main Hall and Small Hall of Cairo Opera House and at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Fathy Salama' Sharkiat with The Source (Norway) in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- The Riff Band (Jazz Cabaret Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Sahra Band (Rai music) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM
- Kazamada with Donia Massud at the Geneina Theatre, 9:00 8:00 PM
Friday, November 5, 2010
- Kazamada with Donia Massud at the Geneina Theatre, 9:00 PM Sorry, it is Thursday, November 4!!!
- 19^th Arab Music Festival in the Main Hall and Small Hall of Cairo Opera House and at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Mounir Nasr Eldin’s Sweet Sound Band in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Tranzestor (Contemporary Egyptian music) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre, 8:30 PM
- El Share’ Band (Poetry by Ahmed El Haddad and Music by Hazen Shaheen) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- DJ Carlos (Underground sound) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Salalem (Egyptian music) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM

Characters of Egypt Festival 2010

I know it is perhaps a bit late for organizing a trip down to Marsa Alam for the weekend, but for those free spirits not burdened by work, family and other various commitments, there could probably not be a better weekend on offer than a trip to Wadi El Gemal for the 3rd edition of Characters of Egypt Festival.
Having not been able to attend on the previous two occasions (and not being able this time as well), I can only redirect you to the excellent website of the festival and their Facebook page where you can find all the information about this wonderful event.
The Festival runs from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 October, 2010. If you only have a chance, do not miss it!  

The Cinema of Wim Wenders

The Goethe Institutes in Cairo and Alexandria offer a retrospective of movies from the great German director Wim Wenders. The series starts today (sorry for the late posting) Monday October 25 and lasts until Tuesday November 9, 2010 (as far as Cairo is concerned).
In Cairo screenings will take place at the Goethe Institute in Dokki in Tahrir - 5, Sharia El-Bustan at 7:00 PM, free entry. All movies are in original German language with Arabic or English subtitles (click on each single movie to see which applies).
For the full program of the event, click here.

Thanks to Attila who has brought this event to my attention.

UNIT ASIA in concert in Cairo

The jazz band Unit Asia will be in Cairo for two concerts on Monday November 1 and Tuesday November 2, 2010 at 8:30 PM in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek.

The five musicians of Unit Asia are Isao Sankichi Miyoshi (Guitar /Japan), Tay Cher Siang (Piano / Malaysia), Koh Mr. Saxman (Saxophone / Thailand), Shigeki Ippon (Bass / Japan) and Hiroyuki Noritake (Drums / Japan). They will be joined by guest musicians from the Egyptian band Eftekasat.

For more information, click here.

3rd Annual New Arab Cinema Series at AUC

The Department of Performing and Visual Arts of American University in Cairo will hold its Third Annual New Arab Cinema Series from Sunday October 24 to Saturday October 30, 2010 at the Malak Gabr Arts Theatre in AUC New Cairo Campus  (tel: 2615 1000). The program is as follows:

Sunday October 24, 5:00 PM: Opening Reception with the Filmmaker Hesham Issawi followed by the screening of his movie "American East" (2007), a Muslim family man who wants to open an authentic Middle Eastern restaurant in Los Angeles with his best friend, a Jewish businessman. The film is English language.
Monday October 25, 6:30 PM: "The Forgotten" (2010), directed by Hassan Benjelloun. The film portrays Moroccan reality and tackles the issue of illegal immigration. French with English subtitles.
Tuesday October 26, 6:30 PM: “Laila's Birthday” (2008), directed by Rashid Masharawi. Abu Laila used to be a judge, but because the government does not have the means to renew his assignment he is forced to work as a taxi driver. The day his daughter turns seven, his wife insists that he comes home early with a cake, but daily life in Palestine is unpredictable. Arabic with English subtitles.
Wednesday October 27, 6:30 PM: “Cairo Time” (2009), directed by Ruba Nadda. A Canadian magazine editor arrives in Cairo for a vacation with her husband and find herself falling in love with the city and with an Egyptian man. The film is English language.
Thursday October 28, 6:30 PM: “A Time That Remains” (2009), directed by Elia Suleiman. An intimate, semi-biographical portrait of Palestinians living as a minority in their own homeland between 1948 and the present day, Arabic with English subtitles.
Saturday October 30, 6:30 PM: “Violence and Sarcasm” (2003), directed by Asmaa El-Bakry. Controversial movie depicting a fictional account of the lives of a group of Alexandrians trying to bring forward political reforms. Arabic with English subtitles.

Click here to view the festival poster.

Hiroshima: Japanese Film Festival 2010

A Japanese Film Festival will take place from Sunday October 24 to Wednesday October 27, 2010 at the Artistic Creativity Center, on the Cairo Opera House Grounds (if you are in the opera parking lot, it is the building on the opposite side of the Opera building, adjacent to the street).
Admission is free but tickets must be obtained from the ticket office on the left site of the entrance of the center. Organizers advise spectators to arrive at least 30 minutes early to guarantee a seat, since the number of seats is limited to 200, and standing in the theater is not allowed.
All movies have Arabic subtitles

For a full program and synopsis of the movies, click here.

Egyptian Contemporary Music Ensemble

I received and I gladly forward to all CLEG readers the following press release about the inaugural concert of the Egyptian Contemporary Music Ensemble. Contemporary music might not be everybody's cup of tea and I do have to admit that I still struggle with dodecaphonic compositions and atonality, but it is also true that I found true musical gems in the treasure chest of the 20th century (anybody interested should read Alex's Ross brilliant and most accessible book "The Rest is Noise - Listening to the Twentieth Century"). I find that it is essential to be provided with an introduction that put works into context and to have the possibility to hear a live performance; a cd, at least at the beginning, won't do.
I am really looking forward to this concert.      

This October sees the birth of a new Chamber Ensemble dedicated to the classical music of the 20th and 21st Centuries. This group of leading Egyptian musicians, resident both in Egypt and abroad, is being hosted by the AUC as a specialist ensemble. Under the direction of Professor Müller-Hornbach, of Frankfurt Germany, a new programme of Austrian – German 20th Century works from Schönberg, Henze and Haas will be performed.

Like a journey, contemporary music is something to be experienced first hand; questions may arise, serene places found and sometimes surprising or even shocking elements may confront. All belong to a journey and we are left with a new experience to reflect upon. To lead audience members through this perhaps unfamiliar territory, Dr Christian Meyer from the Schönberg Centre, Vienna, Austria will introduce the composers and the context of their works, highlighting special aspects of both the composition and performance.

Each of the sessions of the ECME will be directed by a specialist in an area of 20th and 21st Century music, with each preparing a programme focusing on a particular theme. The Ensemble wishes to contribute a new motivation to the cultural life of Egypt, illustrating the world of contemporary music for audiences in a way which enhances understanding and appreciation of this area of performance.

This October the inaugural session of the ECME will be presented by the AUC together with the recently formed non-profit organisation, the European – Egyptian Contemporary Music Society e.V.. This new endeavour supported by the Austrian Culture Forum is hosted by The Department of Performing and Visual Arts at the AUC in prestigious Ewart Memorial Hall.

Come join us for the beginning of this adventure into the realm of Contemporary Music!

Contact:
Sherif el Razzaz, EECMS Artistic Director, email: razzaz@eecms.eu
Mohamed Ezz Aldin, EECMS Programme Manager, Egypt, email: ezz@eecms.eu
Lucianne Brady, EECMS Programme Manager, Europe, email: brady@eecms.eu

For more information, click here to visit the website of EECMS

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC Oct. 23 - Oct. 29, 2010

Saturday, October 23, 2010
- Modest Mussorgsky’s “Boris Godunov” live in HD from the Metropolitan in New York in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 6:00 PM
- Rigmor Gustafsson & Radio String Quartet Vienna in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Bashir (Modern Egyptian Folk) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 9:00 PM

Sunday, October 24, 2010
- The Bibliotheca Alexandrina Choir conducted and accompanied on the piano by Haig Avakian with soloists Sherif El Dabaa (Tenor) and Ashraf Philippe (Bass) present works from Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven and other composers, in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Martino de Cesare (Italy) guitar recital in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Trakat (Contemporary Egyptian music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center, 8:00 PM
- Cocoon (Latin jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Bashir (Nubian music) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM
- The Nubian Drums at the Ghouri Palace, 8:00 PM
- El-Nil Troupe for folk instruments (Folk music and songs) at Beit Al-Suheimi 9:30 PM

Monday, October 25, 2010
- Tut Ankh Amon musical in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Mohamed Seif (Double Bass) and Amr Seif (Piano) recital in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- The Riff Band in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Wust El Balad (Oriental Jazz) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- DJ Awadi Brothers (Funky) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Tuesday, October 26, 2010
- Tut Ankh Amon musical in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 12:00 and 8:00 PM
- Mahmoud Osman violin recital in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Nass Makan (Nubian music, Zikr and Sufi songs, Sudanese music and songs) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM
- +IVE Energy (Funk Acid Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Wednesday, October 27, 2010
- Tut Ankh Amon musical in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 12:00 and 8:00 PM
- Elena Dzamashvili (Piano), Hassan Shahara (Violin) and Dina Iskander (Soprano) present works by Robert Schumann in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Egyptian Contemporary Music Ensemble conducted by Sherif El Razzaz present music from Schönberg, Henze and Haas in the Ewart Memorial Hall of AUC Downtown Campus, 8:00 PM
- Cairo Brass Quintet, directed by Amr Abulnaga in the Malak Gabr Arts Theater of AUC New Cairo Campus, 1:00 PM
- Ali El Haggar (Arabic music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- The Percussion Show in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 9:00 PM
- DJ Ramy (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Thursday, October 28, 2010
- Tut Ankh Amon musical in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Ahmed Nabil Pantomine Show in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Yasser Moawad Arab Takht Ensemble in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- El Masreyeen (Egyptian music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Mana Music (Metal) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Fathy Salama Percussion Fusion (World music) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Sahra Band (Rai music) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM

Friday, October 29, 2010
- Orchestre Colonne (France) conducted by Laurent Petitgirard and Horus Piano Duo in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 2:30 and 8:00 PM
- Casa Patas (Flamenco) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre, 8:00 PM
- Mado (Acoustic music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- DJ Kz (House) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Salalem (Egyptian music) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM

10th Week of the Italian Language and Culture in the World

Thursday October 21, 2010

11:30 AM in the Central Library, Cairo University will take place the conference "The Internationalization of the University System in Egypt". Speakers: Mario Rasetti, Full Professor of theoretical physics, mathematical models and methods and Director at the PhD school of the Polytechnic University of Turin.

6:00 PM in the Theatre of the Italian Cultural Institute, the Italian Cultural Institute cordially invites you to the presentation of the Arabic translation of  "The Lost Head of Damasceno Monteiro", by Antonio Tabucchi, "The Free Women of Magliano", by Mario Tobino, with the participation of the author of the translation Nahed Abdallah and Prof. Carlo Serafini from the Department of Italian Contemporary Literature at the University of Rome "La Sapienza". Stefania Angarano will present "Dakhla Taliani", the Arabic translation of an anthology of Italian contemporary writers ( Antonio Albanese, Michele Serra, Paolo Villaggio, Umberto Eco) realized with the contribution the Italian Cultural Institute.

8:00 PM at the Gomhouriya Theatre Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, the Italian Cultural Institute cordially invites you to a concert by Adriana Bruni.

Friday October 22, 2010

From 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM in the Theatre of the Italian Cultural Institute will take place a film screening of materials provided by the Department of Culture and Sport, the Legislative Assembly and the Documentalist Association of Emilia Romagna (DER): the musical and biographical documentaries on show, seek to spread Italian culture through the history of music.

8:00 PM in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House Theatre, the Italian Cultural Institute cordially invites you to the concert "Mediterranean Night" with the Italian guitarist Giovanni Seneca. Tickets 10 LE

Writer Gilbert Sinoué in Egypt

Egyptian-French writer, Gilbert Sinoué, will participate in several events during a week he will spend in Cairo. Born in Cairo in 1947, he left Egypt in 1965 to study classic guitar in France. He wrote songs for famous French singers like Claude François, Dalida, and others. When he turned forty, he decided to write his first novel “Le Pourpre et l’Olivier” (about Pope Calixthe 1st, who was a slave and became a Pope). Success came immediately. He wrote a total of 21 novels, selling over 3 million copies worldwide. His works have been translated into 15 languages, including Arabic (4 titles available in most local bookstores). His latest two novels (Le Souffle du Jasmin and Le Cri des Pierres) are the story of four families (Egyptian, Palestinian, Jewish, Iraqi) from 1920 till 1990. Through their lives, it is the whole history of the Middle East that is explained, as today’s events in the area can be put in the right perspective only by analyzing what happened in the past.

The events program is as follows:

Monday October 25, 6:00 to 9:00 PM, Oum El Dounia Downtown, 3 Talaat Harb street, 1st floor, meet the writer around a drink 
Tuesday October 26, 10.30 to 12:00 AM, Oum El Dounia Maadi, road 23 off El Nadi street, conference and book signing event 
Tuesday October 26, 7:00 to 9:00 PM, College de la Sainte Famille (Jesuites), 151 Ramses street, conference in the college where he was educated, followed by book signing event 
Wednesday October 27, 7:00 to 9:00 PM, French Cultural Center Heliopolis, 5 Shafik el Dib, conference and book signing event 
Thursday October 28, 7:00 to 9:00 PM, French Cultural Center Mounira, conference with Alaa el Aswany and book signing event

For more information about Gilbert Sinoué, http://librairieoumeldounia.wordpress.com
All events are organized by Oum El Dounia

Al-Arayes Theatre

This theatre, normally utilized for puppet shows and local productions of prose works, is tucked away on the fringes of what is presently a huge construction site (new metro line) in Ataba Square. The venue has a rather big stage and an audience capacity of roughly three hundred spectators lodged in sufficiently comfortable chairs.
The theatre bulding proper is in an enclosed courtyard where you will find an open air cafe (downtown style: tea, turkish coffee and soft drinks, forget about eating there). One of the two entrances to the courtyard is facing the famous second-hand Ataba book market; a pleasant stroll if you have some time to spare before or after the performance.

Directions: In Downtown Opera Square (seat of the former opera, nothing to do with the present day Zamalek opera), walk on the pavement along the fence of the gardens, direction Khan el Khalili (east). Just past the entrance of a mosque, you'll find on your left a big building under renovation. This is the National Theatre. The building sits on a corner. Do not cross the big road ahead of you (El Bosta st.) but keep walking on your left along the building. After about 100 mt. you'll find a small alley on your left (and a covered bus terminal in front of you). Take this alley and walk about 200 mt. until you do not see on your left side big neon signs advertising the latest productions above the entrance to the courtyard of Al-Arayes. As a further landmark, I can add that the Egypt Post building towers just in front of you.

I would forget about even thinking of finding a parking spot there. If you go with your car, the best thing to do is to leave it in the big multistorey parking building in Ataba square (sitting just between the mouths of the two dowtown tunnels). Never did it myself so cannot tell you how safe it is or what are the opening times (though I guess it is open 24/24).
I strongly suggest you take a taxi to Opera square and walk from there, or the Metro (station Ataba on the Shubra-Muneeb line).

Orchestre Colonne (France) at the Cairo Opera House

The Parisian Orchestre Colonne, conducted by Laurent Petitgirard, with the Horus Piano Duo (Nora Emody and Ahmed Abou-Zahra) and the Heliopolis Children Chorus will hold two concerts in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House on Friday October 29, 2010 at 2:30 PM and 8:00 PM.
The program is not out yet but the concerts mark the Grand Opening of the Children Music Puzzle Project and will be particularly suitable for a young audience. The message is: bring your children and let them enjoy a night (or an afternoon) at the Opera. 

Republic of Serbia participation in the Cairo Intl' Festival for Experimental Theatre

The Republic of Serbia participates in CIFET 2010 with the experimental theatre play “OCTAGON” of the Serbian group TEATHER MIMART. The performances will take place on Sunday October 17 and Monday October 18, 2010 at 7.00 PM in El Ayem Theatre (Al Manial)

For more information about the play and the theatre company, click here.

TUT ANKH AMON - The Musical

Cairo Opera Orchestra and Cairo Opera Ballet Company present the English Premiere of the Austrian musical production "Tutankhamon", with music by Gerald Gratzer, starting Monday October 25, till Thursday October 28, 2010 in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House at 8:00 PM.
On Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 there will be an additional show at 12:00 PM

For more information about the production, click here.

Italian Movie Series at AUC

The Italian Students Association at the American University in Cairo has announced the program for the new season of their Italian Film Series, titled "ITALIA A DUE VELOCITÀ" (Two-Speed Italy):

IL DIVO (Il Divo) – 2008, by Paolo Sorrentino
Wednesday October 20
ROOM 805 FALAKI BUILDING - TAHRIR

INDAGINE SU DI UN CITTADINO AL DI SOPRA DI OGNI SOSPETTO (Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion) - 1970, by Elio Petri
Wednesday October 27
ROOM 810 FALAKI BUILDING - TAHRIR

LE CONSEGUENZE DELL’AMORE (The Consequences of Love) – 2004, by Paolo Sorrentino
Tuesday November 9
ROOM 753 FALAKI BUILDING - TAHRIR

CARO DIARIO (Caro Diario) - 1993, by Nanni Moretti
Tuesday November 23
ROOM 753 FALAKI BUILDING - TAHRIR

PRANZO DI FERRAGOSTO (Mid-August Lunch) - 2008, by Gianni di Gregorio
Tuesday December 14
ROOM 810 FALAKI BUILDING - TAHRIR

All screenings start at 7:00 PM and all titles have English Subtitles. Free entry.

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC Oct. 16 - Oct. 22, 2010

Saturday, October 16, 2010
- Jazz Mania Festival with Pyramids Band, Alejandro David Falcon Rodriguez (Cuba) and Michelle Rounds (Australia) at the Cairo Citadel, 7:00 PM
- Linda Thalie and Enrico Macias in the Garden of the French Embassy in Giza, 8:00 PM
- “Fire of Anatolia” Dance Troupe (Turkey) in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- 3^rd Sakia Rock Festival with Profile, Replica, Substandard Vibe, The Roof and Top Hat Rats, in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 7:30 PM
- Tony Kaldas (Oriental Latin Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 9:00 PM

Sunday, October 17, 2010
- Guillermo Gonzáles (Spain/Piano) presents music of Ravel, De Falla and Albeniz, in the Golden Hall of the Mohamed Ali Palace, 8:00 PM
- Jazz Mania Festival with Ali Farouk Jazz Trio (Egypt), Jazzex Acappella Singers (Ukraine) and Richard Galliano and Tangaria Quartet (France) at the Cairo Citadel, 7:00 PM
- “Fire of Anatolia” Dance Troupe (Turkey) in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Steps (Oriental and contemporary Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Bashir (Nubian music) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM
- The Nubian Drums at the Ghouri Palace, 8:00 PM
- El-Nil Troupe for folk instruments (Folk music and songs) at Beit Al-Suheimi 9:30 PM

Monday, October 18, 2010
- Jazz Mania Festival with SweetSound Band (Egypt) and Matthias Frey (Germany) at the Cairo Citadel, 7:00 PM
- The Ensemble Symblema Percussions (France), the Cairo A Cappella Choir, Cairo Celebration Choir and soloists, present “A Choral Celebration – Egypt and France”, with music from N. Nagui and A. Huteau in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- 3^rd Sakia Rock Festival Closing ceremony in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 7:30 PM
- Amira Reda and Masya Orensa (soprano) accompanied by Gaia Palesati (piano) present a recital of opera arias from the 18th and 20th century in the theatre of the Italian Cultural Centre, 8:30 PM
- Wust El Balad (Oriental Jazz) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM

Tuesday, October 19, 2010
- Jazz Mania Festival with Sudaneel Band (Sudan), Cocoon Band (Egypt) and Ron Dziubia  (USA) at the Cairo Citadel, 7:00 PM
- Sakia String Orchestra opening event in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Ja, Panik (Germany/Indie Rock) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Nass Makan (Nubian music, Zikr and Sufi songs, Sudanese music and songs) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM
- Urban Preachers (Rock&Blues, Soul and Funk) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Wednesday, October 20, 2010
- Riesa Wind Ensemble in the Ewart Memorial Hall of AUC Downtown Campus, 8:00 PM
- Shwayet Fann (Arabic music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Taxi Band in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 9:00 PM
- DJ Amr Hosny (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Thursday, October 21, 2010
- Kylie Minogue (Australia/Pop) at the Pyramids, 8:00 PM
- Léonard de Léonard (France/Electro Techno) at the French Cultural Centre in Mounira, 9:00 PM
- Heritage Ensemble for Arab Music at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM (possibly cancelled or moved to the Open Air Theater as the Gomhouria Theatre has later in the week been announced as the venue for the concert of Adriana Bruni).
- Y. Ghoneim (Violin), R. Yehia (Viola), M. Salah (Cello) and M. Saleh (Piano) present Piano Quartets from Mozart and Schumann in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Adriana Bruni song recital in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House at the Gomhouria Theatre, Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House again!!! 8:00 PM (sorry for the mess but there have been conflicting statements) 
- Screwdriver (Rock’n’Roll) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Sahra Band (Rai music) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM

Friday, October 22, 2010
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina Orchestra conducted by Sherif Mohie Eldin with Giovanni Seneca (Italy/Guitar) present works from Rodrigo, Seneca and Mohie Eldin in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM (according to COH website. 17.10: confirmed by Italian Cultural Institute) or at the Mohamed Ali Palace in Manial at 9:00 (according to artist website). Will post if and when I will get to know the exact venue.
- Cairokee (Arabic rock) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre, 8:00 PM
- Sahra Band (Egyptian music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Konouz Ensemble for Arab Music at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Opera Children Choir in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- DJ Amir Sharara (Funky House) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Salalem (Egyptian music) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM

And don't forget the Cairo Festival for Experimental Theatre (till Oct. 20) and the International Circus Festival (till Oct. 23)

El Ghad Theatre and Al Baloon Theatre

El Ghad Theatre and the Baloon Theatre stand conveniently close to each other in the district of Agouza, in Giza. Although there are technically two street entrances, one on the Corniche that leads you straight to the entrance of the Baloon Theatre, and one on 26th of July that serves El Ghad, it does not really matter which one you use because there is a courtyard with a public outdoor cafe area before the actual entrances of the theatres; security and tickets are checked only at this point.

The El Ghad theatre is basically a narrow, long, studio room. On the sole occasion I visited there were four rows of office chairs (quite uncomfortable) for a total of no more than 40 seats available. The Al Baloon, on the contrary, is a vast arena-style tent (hence the name) with an extremely large stage. I do not have the exact figure, but I bet it has around one thousand, very comfortable, cinema style seats.

I find that the best way to get there by car is from the Corniche el-Nil (Giza side). If you are coming from the north of town, or from 26th of July St. (Mohandessin/West), the theatres are housed on the first block on your right at the corner of 26th of July. If you are coming from the south, keep left on the corniche and make a u-turn on the ramp of the 15th of May bridge (or, if you work better with reference points, at the first chance after you see the brightly-lit British Council building on your left). The street entrances of the theatre have colourful neon signs in Arabic advertising the latest production.
As it is not permitted to park on the corniche in front of the theatre entrance, take the first right (Sh. Ahmed Afify) and again right (Sh. El Eilaam). You usually find a parking in this area behind the theatre building.

Sadly the area is not served yet by the Metro, and it is not really a nice walk to get there, unless you are living really close. If you do not have a car, I suggest you take a taxi.

Al-Baloon Theatre, Corniche El Nil (Agouza-Giza), (02) 33303183
El Ghad Theatre, Corner 26th of July – Corniche El Nil (Agouza-Giza), (02) 33043187

Italian participation to the Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre

Italy will participate to CIFET 2010 with two theatre productions:

-“Orpheus” by Daniela Giordano (scroll down for the English version), which starting from the classic myth goes to touch different cultural codex from Europe to Africa. A journey from the poems to the theatre, from music to dance expressed in a contemporary key, will be performed on Friday October 15 and Saturday 16 at 7:00 PM at the Al-Arayes Theatre in Ataba Square (just behind the National Theatre which is under renovation)
- “Oedipus on the top” by Duccio Camerini, a re-reading of one of the most ancient history of the world, a tale, a myth, an European novel that talks about diversity, identity, integration. Not only dance, non only theatre, not only music, but also silence, on Saturday October 16 and Sunday October 17 at 8:00 PM at the Gomhouria Theatre

* Brief synopsis adapted from IICC website. For original in Italian and Arabic language, click here.

Spanish pianist Guillermo Gonzáles in Cairo

The renowned Spanish pianist Guillermo Gonzáles will inaugurate the much awaited International Music Center 2010-2011 concert season on Sunday October 17, 2010 at 8:00 PM in the Golden Hall of the Mohamed Ali Palace in Manial. He will present works from Ravel, De Falla and Albéniz.
Tickets cost 50 LE and can be purchased in advance at the Cultural Development Fund on the Cairo Opera Grounds (02 27354234) or bought at the entrance of the concert venue.
Click here for more information about the artist and a complete program of the evening.

Cairo Cultural Salon

Cairo Cultural Salon is a new initiative, where expats and in-tune locals can experience culture together, and meet some new people along the way. They organize dinners and outings to attend events together. If you are interested you can visit their Facebook page, join the group and see what they are up to. I was contacted and presented the project, and it looks not only a commendable idea, but fun too. It seems to me that the promoters have a real passion and the wish to explore and appreciate culture.
I am happy to give my modest contribution by spreading the word through CLEG.

Jazz Mania Festival at the Cairo Citadel

October 2010 programmation in Cairo has definitely beaten all previous months since I started following the cultural scene here. The "icing on the cake" of an already wonderful month ought to be the Jazz Mania Festival that will take place from Saturday October 16 to  Tuesday October 19, 2010 at the Cairo Citadel.
With a line up including Michelle Rounds, Richard Galliano, Matthias Frey, Jazzex Band, Alejandro David Falcon Rodriguez, Sudaneel Band and Ron Dziubia, along with some good Egyptian Bands, this is an event not to be missed.
And, on the top of it, entrance is free to all concerts.

For the complete program of the festival, click here.

Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre 22nd edition

The Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre will kick off Sunday October 10, 2010 at 8:00 PM in the Main Halll of Cairo Opera House with the Opening Ceremony followed by the Russian play Hyperborean, The Beginning of the World by the Surgut Theatre Company.
This ambitious Festival will offer every day several performances by companies coming from all over the world performed in no less than nineteen venues around the city. The Closing Ceremony will take place on Wednesday October 20 in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House.

For the full program of the event, click here (once there, click on the red title to have the possibility to resize it or download the pdf file).

Josh Neufeld at the Townhouse Gallery

I know I am pretty late, but I came to know about this event only now and thought that perhaps it might still reach somebody interested. This evening Saturday October 9, 2010 at 7:00 PM, the American graphic novelist Josh Neufeld will deliver a presentation, followed by a discussion with Egyptian writers and the general public, at the Townhouse Gallery.

To know more about the evening and Josh Neufeld, click here.

CAIRO The Family Guide new edition (4th)

When I arrived in Cairo four years ago, on my very first weekend I took two important steps:
1 - I took the Metro
2 - I went into a bookshop, bought a map of the city, and Lesley Lababidi's "Cairo The Family Guide"

The Metro is still my favourite means of transportation whenever I head somewhere within a stop's reach and I do not have "dress code" constraints (can't help it, feel uncomfortable in Cairo Metro in a suit), and the Family Guide has accompanied me (and my initially reluctant children) in many of our Cairo adventures and provided me with loads of practical information about the city I was about to discover. It is a book I have (along with Cairo: The Practical Guide, from the same author, and another couple of "must have") suggested to all my Cairo friends.

The new edition of Cairo The Family Guide is out this month and can be purchased in Cairo in all bookshops selling AUC Press books or overseas at Amazon.com (be sure it is the 4th edition as there are significant changes from the 3rd edition. Cairo is evolving fast!)

To watch an interview in which the author Leslie Lababidi presents the book, click here.

DAS RHEINGOLD at COH, Saturday Oct. 9 - IMPORTANT UPDATE

I did not give a thought about double-checking the time of the performance until I read a mail from a reader (many thanks Attila) who pointed out that if the broadcast is live and it starts at 1:00 PM in New York (fact, check here), and the time difference between New York and Cairo is 6 hours (fact, check here), then the performance in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House shall start at 7:00 and not 8:00 PM as stated.

All of us might have possibly got it wrong, or maybe the broadcast is not going to be exactly "live" after all, but if I were to attend the performance (that sadly I can't) I would probably go there one hour earlier. Better wait than losing the first hour of the performance (if Wagner wrote such long operas there must be a reason!).

PS: You might also try to check with the COH at 02 27390144.
Update 2: I received in the meantime confirmation from COH that it is indeed going to start at 7:00!

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC Oct. 9 - Oct. 15

Saturday, October 9, 2010
- Live High Definition broadcast of Richard Wagner’s opera “Das Rheingold” from the Metropolitan Opera in New York, 8:00 PM (7:00 PM)
- City Band and Sodfa (Rock) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- El Dor El Awal (Mediterranean Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 9:00 PM

Sunday, October 10, 2010
- Cairo Opera Company and Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Marcello Mottadelli present Verdi’s opera “Aida” at the Giza Pyramids Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Habashi and the Jazz Caterers (Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- El Masreyyeen (Egyptian music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Samaa’ (Religious music and Sufi Singing) at the Ghouri Palace, 8:00 PM
- El-Nil Troupe for folk instruments (Folk music and songs) at Beit Al-Suheimi 9:30 PM

Monday, October 11, 2010

- Ehaab Abdou (Contemporary Egyptian music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Salam Band (Jordan/Rock) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- DJ Samba and Fahmy (Funky) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Tuesday, October 12, 2010
- “Fire of Anatolia” Dance Troupe (Turkey) in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Step Afrika (USA/Dance) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Ashara Gharby (Contemporary Egyptian music) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Nass Makan (Nubian music, Zikr and Sufi songs, Sudanese music and songs) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM
- Exodus (Reggae and Afro Beats) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Wednesday, October 13, 2010
- “Fire of Anatolia” Dance Troupe (Turkey) in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Inauguration of the 3^rd Sakia Rock Festival with Andromida Band in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 7:30 PM
- Arabic Music lecture and recital by Mohamed Yaqout (Qanoon) in the Malak Gabr Arts Theatre in AUC New Cairo Campus, 1:00 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 9:00 PM
- DJ Ramy (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Thursday, October 14, 2010
- “Fire of Anatolia” Dance Troupe (Turkey) in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Julio Iglesias (Spain/Pop) at the Pyramids, 8:00
- 3^rd Sakia Rock Festival with Azraq Samawy, Bluenotes, Dust and Ebbtide, in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 7:30
- Taxi Band (Contemporary Egyptian Folk) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Sahra Band (Rai music) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM

Friday, October 15, 2010
- “Fire of Anatolia” Dance Troupe (Turkey) in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- 3^rd Sakia Rock Festival with Hangover, Headstock, Medic, Metalogy and Metropolis, in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 7:30 PM
- DJ Mad Lou (House) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Salalem (Egyptian music) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM

4th Cairo Video Festival

Medrar for Contemporary Art is presenting the 4th Cairo Video Festival from Sunday October 10 to Thursday October 14, 2010 starting every day at 7:00 PM at the Goethe-Institute.

Initiated by Medrar for Contemporary Art in 2005, this festival is intended to encourage innovation and low budget production by emerging artists, though this edition extends its focus on broadening the appeal to international interchange, as it inaugurates access for the altruistic participation of institutions and galleries.
Based on open call for submission, a video collection made upon the criteria of quality, authenticity and conviction in investigation of subject matter will be presented through series of screenings and loop sets, where a platform for dialogue with video-makers and curators is held open to public.
This year the festival portrays special guest programs from Vasl Artists' Collective/ Pakistan, NIMk the Netherlands Media Art Institute and AV-arkki/ Finland.

For the full program of the event, click here.

Kylie Minogue in concert in Cairo

The concert is not listed in the artist website, but it seems quite certain that Kylie Minogue will be in Cairo for a concert organized by Enigma magazine at the Pyramids on Sunday (sorry!) Thursday October 21, 2010.
The glitzy and glamorous event (organizers words) will set you back 3,000 LE but the profits are set to go to charity to the "We Owe It To Egypt" foundation.

For more details about this event, and ticket booking, click here.

1st International Circus Festival in Cairo

The first International Circus Festival in Cairo will start on Wednesday October 6 and ends on Saturday October 23, 2010. This festival is the first of its kind in Egypt and aims at connecting European and Arab artists and at providing a platform for sharing experiences. The festival includes circus performances as well as workshops.
For the full program of the event, click here. 

3rd Photographic Competition organized by the Delegation of the European Union to Egypt

The Delegation of the European Union to Egypt organises its 3rd National Photography Competition for amateur photographers (a prize of € 1,000 will go to the winner). The theme of this year is "Celebrations" and the deadline for receiving photographs is Sunday October 31, 2010. The twelve best photos will feature in the EU Delegation calendar 2011 and the best thirty will have the honor of being exhibited in a Cairo art gallery.
For more information about the competition and how you can participate, please visit the website of the Delegation of the European Union to Egypt or the Facebook page of the competition.

Documentary Film Evening at Darb 1718

I am still abroad and not in a position to prepare the weekly agenda for the coming week (for which I apologize to you), but I happened to have some minutes free and an internet connection so I quickly scanned my mails and found a communication about this event at DARB 1718 that I think can be truly interesting:

The documentary films “Dardasha” & “El Ghaba” will be screened at Darb 1718 on Monday October 4, 2010 at 7:30 PM. The screenings will be followed by a panel discussion with Egyptian independent filmmakers Hala Galal, Ahmed Atef & Nagham Osman.
"Women’s Chit Chat" (Dardasha Nisayia, Hala Galal, 55 min) explores four generations of women in one Egyptian family and won the Silver Eagle award at the Arab Film Festival in Rotterdam, Holland.
"The Jungle" (El Ghaba, Ahmed Atef, 90 min) portrays the lives of street children in Egypt and received international acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008.