WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC Jan. 29 to Feb. 4, 2011

Saturday, January 29, 2011
- Angela Papale (Italy/Soprano) and Fabio Marra (Italy/Piano) present a Recital Operistico in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Habib Koité (Mali/Guitar) at Darb 1718, 9 :00 PM
- Ahmed Ragab (Contemporary Egyptian music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 8:30 PM
- Reggae Bus at the After Eight, 10:30 PM
- Cairokee (Modern Arabic Rock) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 11:00 PM

Sunday, January 30, 2011
- I Solisti Veneti (Italy) conducted by Franco Scimone in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Heritage Ensemble for Arab Music in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Kolthoumiat in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Cocoon (Latin Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 11:00 PM
- Beshir (Modern Egyptian Folk) at the After Eight, 10:30 PM
- Peace Message performance, directed 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, January 31, 2011
- Cairo Opera Orchestra, directed by Nader Abbassi and a long list of operatic singers present a Gala Concert in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Uss w Laz (Contemporary Egyptian music) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- DJ Awadi Brothers (Funky) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 11:00 PM
- Wust El Balad (Oriental Jazz) at the After Eight Club, 10:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 8:30

Tuesday, February 1, 2011
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nayer Nagui inaugurates the Arab Perspectives Festival in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Michelle Rounds (Pacific Islands/Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 11:00 PM
- VIP (Afro American music) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Nass Makan (Jazz Fusion) at the Makan Centre 9:00
- Dj Dina El Ghareeb at the After Eight Club, 10:30 PM

Wednesday, February 2, 2011
- The Egyptian Modern Dance Theatre Company, directed by Walid Aouni present “The Egyptian Centennial Performance” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Enzo Samaritani (Italy/Singer) and Daniela Romacker (Violin) recital at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Ray, Goodman & Brown (USA/Jazz) with Eftekasat in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble at the Makan, 9:00
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 8:30
- DJ Jerry Bouthier (France) and DJ Ramy (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 11:00 PM
- City Band at the After Eight Club, 10:30 PM

Thursday, February 3, 2011
- The Egyptian Modern Dance Theatre Company, directed by Walid Aouni present “The Egyptian Centennial Performance” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Arab Perspectives Festival: Cairo Symphony Orchestra with soloist Malek Jandali (Syria/Piano) in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- DJ Jerry Bouthier (France) at the French Cultural Center in Mounira, 9:00 PM
- City Band (Rock) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Rango (Sudanese Music) at the El Tanbura Hall, 9:30 PM
- Sahra Band (Rai music) at the After Eight Club, 10:30 PM
- The Riff Band (Jazz Cabaret) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 11:00 PM

Friday, February 4, 2011
- National Arab Music Ensemble in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Arab Perspectives Festival: Cairo Symphony Orchestra in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Nogoom El Tarab for music and singing led by Moustafa Ahmed in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Hossam Sakr Ensemble for Religious Singing at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Abdou Dagher Violin recital (Arabic classical music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Ahmed Ezz Al Astoul (Rai & Fusion) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- El Tanbura (Folk Music from Port Said) in the El Tanbura Hall, 9:30 PM
- Salalem (Egyptian music) at the After Eight Club, 10:30 PM
- Cinky Beats – DJ RaySoo (Malaysia) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 11:00 PM

Music Theraphy pioneer in Helwan

Browsing through the pile of magazine and newspapers accumulated during the winter holidays, I came across this interesting article about music theraphy on Al Ahram Weekly.
I read about music theraphy before and, as a music enthousiast, I do believe listening to music can affect people's health and mood, but it came to me as a surprise that a student of Helwan University, Nabila Mikhail (who has in the meantime become an expert in the field), choose the subject for her Master at Helwan University back in the 70s. Chapeau!

If reading this article stimulates your interest for the topic, I suggest as a further reading the brilliant "Musicophilia - Tales of Music and the Brain" by Oliver Sacks.

Rango and El Tanboura concerts on January 27 and 28 are cancelled

El Mastaba Center has announced that due to the current situation in Egypt and Cairo, the concerts of Rango and El Tanboura have been cancelled for this week.

I Solisti Veneti at the Cairo Opera House

I Solisti Veneti, incontestably one of the best chamber orchestras in the world, specialized in the Baroque repertoire, will play on Sunday January 30, 2010 at 8:00 PM in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House.
With over 300 recordings, a Grammy Award, and a Grand Prix du Disque in its palmares, this Italian ensemble, founded and still led by Franco Scimone will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of Cairo's classical music season.

The program of the evening is as follows:
Giuseppe TORELLI (1658 – 1709)
Concerto in re maggiore Pas.A.2.2.18 per tromba e archi
Antonio VIVALDI (1678 - 1741)
Dall’Opera Terza “L’Estro Armonico”
Concerto n. 10 in si minore per quattro violini, violoncello e archi
Giovanni Battista PERGOLESI (1710 – 1736)
dal Concerto in si bemolle maggiore per mandolino e archi "Allegro" e "Largo alla siciliana"
Arcangelo CORELLI (1653 - 1713)
“Fuga perfetta” in re maggiore di Gallario Riccoleno (*)
Niccolò PAGANINI (1782 – 1840)
“Le charme de Padua” per violino e archi
Giacomo PUCCINI (1858 – 1924)
“I Crisantemi” (1890 **)
Saverio MERCADANTE (1795 – 1870)
“Garibaldi” (sull’“Inno di Garibaldi”)
Giovanni BOTTESINI (1821 - 1889)
Fantasia su “La Sonnambula” di Bellini per contrabbasso e archi
Amilcare PONCHIELLI (1834 – 1886)
“Capriccio” per oboe e archi
(*) Gallario Riccoleno is the anagram of  Arcangelo CORELLI
(**) elegy for the death of Amedeo di Savoia

Italian Soprano Angela Papale and Pianist Fabio Marra at the Cairo Opera House

The Italian Cultural Institute in Cairo will present an Opera Recital by the Italian Soprano singer Angela Papale accompanied by pianist Fabio Marra. The concert will take place on Saturday January 29, 2011 at 8:00 PM in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House.

El Tanboura and Chung Yufeng at the El Tanboura Hall

On Friday January 28, 2011 at 9:30 PM in the El Tanboura Hall, El Mastaba Center for Egyptian Folk Music presents a very unique concert: El Tanboura jamming and performing with El Mastaba's guest Taiwanese artist Chung Yufeng. The semsemeya melodies from Port Said meet the delicate sound of the Pipa instrument in a unique folk fusion.
Taiwanese artist Chung Yufeng is trained in traditional classical music and playing on the Pipa and Moon Guitar. Yufeng is currently in Cairo to collaborate with El Mastaba's folk bands on several workshops and performances.
Tickets available at the door for 20 LE.

Beethoven Triple Concerto with an exceptional cast at the COH

And today it is the turn of a preview for Classical Music lovers: on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 8:00 PM, in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, the Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marcello Mottadelli will host three outstanding soloists for a performance of Beethoven's famous triple Concerto: Osman El Mahdy (Violin), Kamal Salah el Din (Cello), and Wael Farouk (Piano).
Trust me, mark your calendars!

Michelle Rounds at the Cairo Jazz Club

For all Jazz lovers in town: the Pacific Islander singer Michelle Rounds and a trio composed by the great Jazz pianist Rashad Fahim, Amr Barakat at the bass, and Mostafa Abbas on drums will perform on Tuesday February 1, 2011 at 11:00 PM at the Cairo Jazz Club.
Mark your calendars!

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC January 22 to January 28, 2011

Saturday, January 22, 2011
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mina Zikry with soloists Mona Rafla (Soprano) and Mohamed Sharara (Violin) present works from Brahms and Mahler in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Banat El Nil Ensemble (Traditional music) in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Orchestra El Sakia El Watari 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
- Reggae Boss at the After Eight, 10:30 PM
- Beshir (Modern Egyptian Folk) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Sunday, January 23, 2011
- Fi Hob Allah (Gottes Liebe) by Rupert Huber with the Westdeutscher Rundfunk Choir (Germany), the Horus Duo (Hungary), the Madih Ensemble and Basem Darwish Ensemble (Egypt) in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Alisso Bolkvadze (Georgia) piano recital at the Mohamed Ali Palace, 8:00 PM
- National Arab Music Ensemble in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Alexandria Opera Ensemble for Arab Music and Singing conducted by Georges Boushra at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Ali Shabana (Arabic music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Licence to Groove (Fusion and Funk Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Beshir (Modern Egyptian Folk) at the After Eight, 10:30 PM
- Nubian Drums Traditional Instrument Group 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, January 24, 2011
- Spiros C. Moros Charity Foundation sponsored Cultural Musical Evening featuring the composition of Tony Moros “Filakto” (Amulet) presented by the Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nayer Nagui, the Cairo Celebration Choir, and guest soloists Wael Farouk (Piano), Jolie Faizy (Mezzo Soprano), Ines Abdeldayem (Flute), Elhamy Amin (Baritone) and Krzysztof Macierzynsk (Saxophone) in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Ahwal Band (Arabic rock) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Bikya (Electronic and Trip-Hop) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Wust El Balad (Oriental Jazz) at the After Eight Club, 10:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 8:30

Tuesday, January 25, 2011
- Fi Hob Allah (Gottes Liebe) by Rupert Huber with the Westdeutscher Rundfunk Choir (Germany), the Horus Duo (Hungary), the Madih Ensemble and Basem Darwish Ensemble (Egypt) in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- The Philarmonic Chamber Orchestra conducted by Ahmed El Saedi with soloist Ahmed Hamid El Shwekh (Violin) presents works from Mozart and Beethoven in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- El Sakia String Orchestra conducted by Mohamed Saad Basha with soloist Amr Abulnaga (Horn) present music from W.A. Mozart in the Wisdom Hall of El SAwi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 7:30 PM (on Facebook) or 9:30 PM (on Sakia’s website) call El Sawi to check if interested in attending
- Nass Makan (Jazz Fusion) at the Makan Centre 9:00
- Dj Dina El Ghareeb at the After Eight Club, 10:30 PM

Wednesday, January 26, 2011
- Sharara Sextet in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Ali El Haggar (Arabic Music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble at the Makan, 9:00
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 8:30
- DJ Amr Hosny (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- City Band at the After Eight Club, 10:30 PM

Thursday, January 27, 2011
- Abdel Halim Nowera Ensemble for Arab Music conducted by Salah Gobashi in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Boghdady Band (Jazz) in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Folkloric Music Ensemble from China at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Ahmad El Haggar (Arabic music) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Rango (Sudanese Music) at the El Tanbura Hall, 9:30 PM Cancelled

- Sahra Band (Rai music) at the After Eight Club, 10:30 PM
- Screwdriver (Rock’n’Roll) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Friday, January 28, 2011
- Omar Khairat (Piano) in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Ashraf Sharara cello recital in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Konouz Band led by Mahmoud Darwish in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Wust El Balad (Contemporary Egyptian music) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- El Tanbura (Folk Music from Port Said) in the El Tanbura Hall, 9:30 PM Cancelled

- Salalem (Egyptian music) at the After Eight Club, 10:30 PM
- DJ Ouzo (Electronic) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- El Tanboura and Chung Yufeng (Taiwan) at the El Tanboura Hall, 9:30 PM

Maroon 5 live in Cairo

The Californian rock (or shall we say pop?) band Maroon 5 has announced that it will touch Cairo during its "Hands All Over" world tour. The concert will take place on Tuesday April 19, 2011 at the Gezira Youth Centre grounds in Zamalek (the same place where last edition of the SOS festival took place) at 8:00 PM.
Tickets will go on sale from tomorrow, January 20 and are supposed to be priced at 350 EGP and 750 EGP (for the VIPs). I did not find yet information about how one can buy tickets. I suggest you keep an eye on Nile Promotions website or Tickets reservations can be done on the event webpage. There you can select your ticket and the place where you want to collect it. Alternatively they offer the possibility to deliver the tickets at your doorsteps (what a service!).
Click here if you think it is too good to be true, or here if you are asking yourself who on earth are the Maroon 5. 

Elisso Bolkvadze piano recital

The Georgian pianist Elisso Bolkvadze will play works from Chopin and Sogny in the Golden Room of Prince Mohamed Ali Palace in Manial on Sunday January 23, 2011 at 8:00 PM.
For the detailed program of the evening and a biography of the artist, click here.

CARAVAN Festival of the Arts

The CARAVAN Festival of the Arts is back, bringing Maadi on the culture map of the town for a week (... and for a change)!
Serving as the UN’s Egyptian effort of the UN’s World Interfaith Harmony Week, the CARAVAN Festival of the Arts will be held in early February at St. John’s Church in Maadi, Cairo, ­­with the goal of building bridges between Muslims and Christians, through the visual arts, literature, film and music. The arts initiative comes out of a vision that the Arts can be one of the most effective mediums to enhance understanding and encourage friendship between Christians and Muslims in both the Middle East and the West. Attendance is free, and 20% of all art sales go to Middle Eastern charities. The weekly schedule is as follows:

*Opening Night of the Art Exhibition: Thursday February 3, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Opening presentations by New York Times bestselling Iranian-American author, Resa Aslan, and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar in Cairo, Sheikh Ahmed el Tayeb, UN Representative to Egypt, James Rawley, and The Most Rev Dr Mouneer H Anis (Bishop of the Diocese of Egypt & North Africa), on the theme of “My Neighbor—East & West” with all 45 Arab and Western artists present (the exhibition will then be open through 12 February).

*Literature Night: Saturday February 5, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Talk and book-signing by Reza Aslan, world renowned bestselling Iranian-American author. Title of Lecture: “Beyond Fundamentalism: Confronting Religious Extremism in the Age of Globalization”.

*Film Night: Monday February 7, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Talk by Khalid Abdalla, British-Egyptian film actor (star of The Kite Runner, United 93, and Green Zone), followed by film screening (title to be announced).

*Musical Concert: Wednesday February 9, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Performance by Mohammed Antar, world renowned Ney (Middle Eastern Flute) player.

For a complete list of participating artists and more useful information and updates, click here to be redirected to the Caravan Festival website. 

Cinema Du Reel 2010 - Documentary Film Festival

From Sunday January 16 to Monday January 24, 2011 the French Cultural Center in Mounira will host screenings of a selection of documentaries that won prizes at the 2010 edition of the prestigious Cinema Du Reel International Festival in Paris. For a complete program of the event click here to be redirected to the dedicated webpage of CFCC or here for the Facebook page.

The documentaries will be in original language with the following subtitles:
Grandmother (Japan/France), subtitles in English
Port of Memory (France), subtitles in French
La Quemadoura (France/Chile), subtitles in French
Vous êtes servis (Belgium), subtitles in English
48 (Portugal), subtitles in English
Ecchymoses (France), subtitles in English
Vivre la peau (Egypt), subtitles in English

Samaa' Band, Nubian Drums, Peace Message ... the work of Intesar Abdel-Fattah

I had wanted to write a piece about the performances at the Ghouri Palace for quite some time but waited in the hope of having a chance to meet Dr. Abdel-Fattah (the artistic genius behind these musical ensembles) myself and write something more personal. Well, that did not happen as yet and in the meantime some very good articles have appeared on the press (links at the bottom of the post) so there is really no need for me to explore further what was until recently one of Cairo's best kept secrets, at least if compared to the excellent exposure of other government-sponsored events like the Tannoura.
If you love world and/or spiritual music styles, wait no further and head for the Ghouri Palace (aka Ghouri Complex or Qubbet Al Ghouri) on Sunday evenings for a wonderful musical experience. All shows are free of charge and start at 8:00. Be there about 15 min. early to get a good seat. Though I have never seen nor heard of anybody sent away, you might have to stand for the whole performance if you arrive late.

The monthly program of the performances is as follows:
NUBIAN DRUMS: First and Third Sunday of the month
SAMAA' FOR RELIGIOUS CHANT AND SUFI MUSIC: Second Sunday of the month
PEACE MESSAGE: Last Sunday of the month

Articles on the press:
Al-Ahram (March 2010)
Al-Ahram Online (December 2010)
Community Times (January 2011)

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC Jan. 15 to Jan. 21, 2011

Saturday, January 15, 2011
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marcello Mottadelli with soloist Moushira Issa (Piano) present works from Ludwig Van Beethoven in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Ahmed Rabie Band (Jazz) in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Salalem in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM and at the Cairo Jazz Club at 10:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 8:30 PM
- Live Reggae Show Band at the After Eight, 10:30 PM

Sunday, January 16, 2011
- Cairo Opera Ballet with Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Marcello Mottadelli presents Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “AIDA” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Moustafa Saeed (Piano) and Hamed Shadad (Clarinet) recital in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- El Tanbura with Fatma El Morsy at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Mohamad Al-Haj (Nubian music) at the Amir Taz Palace, 5:30 PM
- Groovy Aspirin (Funk Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Beshir (Modern Egyptian Folk) at the After Eight, 10:30 PM
- Nubian Drums Traditional Instrument Group 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, January 17, 2011
- Cairo Opera Ballet with Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Marcello Mottadelli presents Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “AIDA” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Yulduz Chokhaydar (Violin) recital in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Showayet Fan – 4 Stix (Arabic music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- DJ Samba and Fahmy (Vocal Funky Electronic Beats) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Wust El Balad (Oriental Jazz) at the After Eight Club, 10:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 8:30

Tuesday, January 18, 2011
- Cairo Opera Ballet with Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Marcello Mottadelli presents Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “AIDA” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Yorka Band led by Abdel Moneim Saeed in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Oshak El Nahr El Khaled Group (Masterpieces of Mohamed Abdel Wahab) in the Word Hall 1 of El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- Nass Makan (Jazz Fusion) at the Makan Centre 9:00
- Wust El Balad (Modern Egyptian Folk) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Dj Dina El Ghareeb at the After Eight Club, 10:30 PM

Wednesday, January 19, 2011
- Cairo Opera Ballet with Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Marcello Mottadelli presents Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “AIDA” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Mohamed Hamdy Clarinet recital in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Assala Group (Arabic Music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble at the Makan, 9:00
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 8:30
- DJ Ramy (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- City Band at the After Eight Club, 10:30 PM

Thursday, January 20, 2011
- Cairo Opera Ballet with Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Marcello Mottadelli presents Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “AIDA” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Chamber Music Concert by members of the Cairo Symphony Orchestra in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Abdel Halim Nowera Ensemble for Arab Music conducted by Salah Gobashi at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Georges Kazazian (Oriental Classical Music) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Rango (Sudanese Music) at the El Tanbura Hall, 9:30 PM
- Sahra Band (Rai music) at the After Eight Club, 10:30 PM
- Tony Kaldas (Oriental Latin Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Friday, January 21, 2011
- National Arab Music Ensemble at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- El Tanbura (Folk Music from Port Said) in the El Tanbura Hall, 9:30 PM
- Salalem (Egyptian music) at the After Eight Club, 10:30 PM
- DJ KZ Virgin Night (House) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Habib Koité at Darb 1718

Mark your calendars! The great Malian guitarist Habib Koité will perform in Cairo at Darb 1718 on Saturday January 29, 2011 at 9:00 PM.
The concert is organized in cooperation between the French Cultural Center and Darb 1718 in the framework of the exhibition "Rencontres de Bamako".

Lectures, lectures, lectures, ...

Wednesday, January 12 at 6:00 PM: Prof. Mohammed Bamyeh, "Modern Islamic Hermeneutics: Themes and Approaches" at ARCE 2, Simon Bolivar Square, Garden City
Thursday January 13 at 6:30 PM: Prof. Joseph Stiglitz, "Creating a Learning Society: an Agenda for Dynamic Societies at Uncertain Times" in the Oriental Hall of AUC Tahrir Campus
Monday, January 17 at 6:00 PM: Prof. Edda Bresciani, "The Pioneers of Egyptology. Travellers and Scholars in Egypt and Nubia at the Beginning of the 19th century" at the Italian Archeological Centre 14, Champollion Street -Downtown
Monday, January 17 at 6:00 PM: Prof. Peter De Manuelian, "Giza in 3D - New Approaches to Accessing Archeological Data from the Giza Plateau" in the Ahmad Pasha Kamal Hall, Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) 3 el-Adel Abu Bakr Street (at the intersection of al-Malak al-Afdal Street) Zamalek
Monday, January 24 at 5:00 PM: Prof. Aryeh Neier in the Oriental Hall of AUC Tahrir Campus
Wednesday, January 26 at 6:00 PM: Ana Tavaris "An Old Kingdom Village House: Excavation, Conservation and Reconstruction at Heit el-Ghurab, Giza" at ARCE 2, Simon Bolivar Square, Garden City

Fi Hob Allah (Gottes Liebe) Premiere at the Cairo Opera House

On Sunday January 23 and Tuesday January 25, 2011 at 8:00 PM the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House will host the premiere of the work Fi Hob Allah (Gottes Liebe) by Rupert Huber, a work based on poems of Khalil Gibran commissioned by the Westdeutscher Rundfunk.
The work will be performed by the WDR Rundfunkchor Köln, the Madih Ensemble, the Basem Darwish Ensemble, and the Horus Piano Duo (Nóra Emödy & Ahmed Abou-Zahra), and conducted by the composer himself.
Further dates of the Egyptian tour include performances at the Alexandria Opera House on Monday 24, at the Sohag Culture Palace on Thursday 27 and at the Al-Menia Governatorate Theatre on Friday 28.
Tickets are already on sale at the Cairo Opera House.

IMPORTANT UPDATE about Thursday January 13 concert in Heliopolis Basilica

Due to recently implemented new security procedures, the security officials have requested to know the list of names of attendees one day before the concert, to permit their entrance. Consequently, if you are planning to attend the event you are kindly requested to send a message with your full name by January 12 to this address: heliopolisconcert-registration@yahoo.com
My personal thanks to the organizers who have spared no efforts to make sure that this event is going to take place as planned. I am sure it will be an awesome evening.

For more information about the concert, click here to be redirected to the dedicated Facebook page.

Edison Films at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina

From Sunday 16 to Thursday January 20, 2011 the Bibliotheca Alexandrina will present an extraordinary program for film lovers: a series of short films by Thomas Edison made with his new invention, the Kinetoscope, the device that signed the birth of the motion picture. The collection, from the Museum of Modern Art in cooperation with the Library of Congress, will also feature interviews with archivists and cinema scholars. Screenings will take place at 7:00 PM in the Auditorium Hall.

For more information, click here.

On Sunday January 30 (same time, same venue) an animation film program from South Africa dedicated to William Kentridge will be screened.

My French Film Festival - 1st Edition

From Friday 14 to Saturday 29 January 2011, film lovers all over the world will be able to access all the films proposed by the 1st edition of the online French Film Festival organized by uniFrance and Allocine. This means ten full lenghts and ten short movies, all available in your choice of one of ten languages.
The movies are available as video on demand for a very modest fee and you can even vote for your favourite and win a prize.
Full list of movies and more information available on the festival website.

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC Jan. 8 - Jan. 14, 2011

Saturday, January 8, 2011
- Show Dance Group (France) in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 6:00 PM and 9:30 PM
- Giacomo Puccini’s opera “LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST” live in HD from the Met in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 7:30 PM
- Omar Khairat in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 7:00 PM
- Sakia’s Adult Choir at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Ashara Gharby (Reggae, Blues and Afro Beats) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 8:30 PM
- Ashra Band at the After Eight, 10:30 PM

Sunday, January 9, 2011
- Show Dance Group (France) in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:30 PM
- Bailando (Spanish music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Eftekasat (Oriental Contemporary Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Beshir (Modern Egyptian Folk) at the After Eight, 10:30 PM
- Samaa Troupe for Religious Music 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, January 10, 2011
- Amthaal (Arabic music) at El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- DJ Migo (Vocal House) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Wust El Balad (Oriental Jazz) at the After Eight Club, 10:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 8:30

Tuesday, January 11, 2011
- Rebus Jazz Duo with Bern Christian Schuetz (CH/Sax) in Cairo and Simon Petermann (CH/Trombone) live online from Bern will present an evening of Transcontinental Jazz in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- Bedouin Jerry-Can Band at Beit Al-Suheimi, 8:00 PM
- Asia (Sudanese traditional music) at the Makan Centre 9:00
- Funk No.7 (Funk pop and covers) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Dj Dina El Ghareeb at the After Eight Club, 10:30 PM

Wednesday, January 12, 2011
- Mazaher Ensemble at the Makan, 9:00
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 8:30
- DJ Amr Hosny (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- City Band at the After Eight Club, 10:30 PM

Thursday, January 13, 2011
- Cairo Opera Ballet with Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Marcello Mottadelli present Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “AIDA” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Szeged Contemporary Dance Company (Hungary) at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Augustana Band (USA) at Cairo University Great Hall, 7:30 PM (Event open to the public with free access but invitation is required. Invitations are apparently available at the offices of Wings Tours, 21A El Oboor Gardens, Salah Salem Road, Heliopolis, Cairo. Tel: 24070511/12)
- Caroline Dumas (France/Soprano), Georges Wanis (Tenor), Osman El Mahdy (Violin) and David Hales (Organ) will perform music from Bach. Gounod, Haendel and others at the Basilica of Notre Dame in Heliopolis to mark the Centennial Anniversary of the Basilica and the restoration of its organ, 8:00 PM
- Sobhi Bidair & Friends in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- El Masreyeen (Egyptian Folk music) at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Rango (Sudanese Music) at the El Tanbura Hall, 9:30 PM
- Sahra Band (Rai music) at the After Eight Club, 10:30 PM

Friday, January 14, 2011
- Yahya Khalil (Jazz) in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Religious Song Ensemble at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- El Tanbura (Folk Music from Port Said) in the El Tanbura Hall, 9:30 PM
- Salalem (Egyptian music) at the After Eight Club, 10:30 PM