Meinen Ageeb Nas ? (Is Anybody Out There?)

The American University in Cairo is presenting "Meinen Ageen Nas?" (Is Anybody Out There?) an Arabic Musical Production by Naguib Surur directed by Mahmoud El Lozy. The play will run from Friday April 6 to Tuesday April 12, 2011 (6, 7, 10 and 11 at 6:00 PM - 9, 12 at 3:00 PM) at the Gerhard Theatre in AUC New Cairo Campus.
Tickets are available both at AUC New Campus and at the AUC Bookstore in Tahrir Campus.
Bus Shuttle service available from AUC Downtown (check and register when buying tickets).

"El Fann Midan" Cultural Festival

The Independent Culture Coalition invites families and young people to "El Fann Midan", a cultural celebration in the squares and streets of Egypt taking place on Saturday April 2, 2011 from noon to 7:00 PM simoultaneously in Cairo, Alexandria, Assiut, Suez, Minia, and Port Said.

"El Fann Midan" is meant to celebrate the Revolution of the Egyptian People, to emphasize its demands, and to enjoy music, poetry, theatre and visual arts. In Cairo it will take place in Abdeen Square. Some of the artists participating in the event are: Ali El Haggar, Fathy Salama, Rami Issam, Zein El Abdeen Fouad, Amin Haddad and Khaled Saleh.

A Night at the Broadway Musicals

On Friday April 1, 2010, at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, the CCME (Contemporary Classical Music Egypt) Choir conducted by Fernando Martin, accompanied by Youssef Ashraf and Dina Eldemardash at the piano, will present "A Night at the Broadway Musicals", two performances (6:00 PM and 8:00 PM) of the most classic and timeless Broadway songs for Choir and Soloists; a repertoire of songs from musicals such as “Sound of Music”, “Cats”, “Les Misérables”, “West Side Story”, “ABBA”, “My Fair Lady” and many more.

The Tahrir Book Fair

Following the sudden cancellation of the Cairo International Book Fair, the American University in Cairo Press has decided to host a Book Fair at the AUC Campus in Tahrir Square. The event will feature thousand of titles from Egypt and abroad, many of which at discounted price, author signings, panel seminars, forums, special receptions, and entertainment. It is significant that the event will be inaugurated by the new Minister of Culture Dr. Emad Abou Ghazi.

The Tahrir Book Fair will take place from Thursday March 31 to Sunday April 3, 2011 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Admission Free.
For more details, click here. 

Movie Evening at the Italian Cultural Centre

On Sunday March 27, 2011 at 6:00 PM the theatre of the Italian Cultural Centre in Zamalek will host the screening of the drama "ALLA LUCE DEL SOLE" (Italy 2005), directed by Roberto Faenza. Starring Luca Zingaretti, Alessia Goria, Corrado Fortuna, Giovanna Bozzolo, Francesco Foti, Piero Nicosia, Lollo Franco. Italian with English subtitles. Free entry.

"Called by the Bishop of Palermo to take care of a mafia-controlled district of Palermo, Brancaccio, the priest Padre Puglisi helps kids to get off the streets. In less than two years and with the help of many volunteers, they create in his church an embracing place of hope and righteousness, which means trouble for the local mafia. He continues his solitary fight until the bitter end."

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC - March 26 to April 1, 2011

Saturday, March 26, 2011
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nayer Nagui presents a “Tchaikovsky evening” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 7:00 PM
- Awtar Ensemble led by Amr Abdel Moneim at the Gomhouria Theatre, 7:00 PM
- Marijana Sipka (Violin/Bosnia-Herzégovina) and Daniel Campos (Piano/Argentina) present a chamber music concert with music by Chopin, Schumann, Ravel and Milosevic at the French Institute, 7:30 PM.
- Mohamed Beshir (Nubian music) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- Reggae Bus (Reggae) at After Eight, 7:00 PM

Sunday, March 27, 2011
- Munich Percussion Ensemble (Germany) with soloists Hassan Sharara (Violin), Inès Abdel Daim (Flute), Yasser Ghoneim (Violin), Mohamed Salah (Cello), and Yasser Moawad (Req) in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 7:00 PM
- Heritage Ensemble for Arab Music at the Gomhouria Theatre, 7:00 PM
- Sobhi Bidair and Friends with Nayer Nagui in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 7:00 PM
- Slick Mob (Jazz Funk) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- Mohamed Beshir (Nubian Fusion) at After Eight, 7:00 PM
- El-Nil Troupe for folk instruments (Folk music and songs) at Beit Al-Suheimi, 7:30 PM

Monday, March 28, 2011
- Ahlam Ensemble in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 7:00 PM
- City Band and Qas Wa Lasq Band in the Ewart Memorial Hall of AUC Tahrir Campus, 7:00 PM
- Ali El Alfi (Egyptian music) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 6:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 7:30 PM
- Percussion Show & Fabric (Beats) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- Resident DJ at After Eight from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Tuesday, March 29, 2011
- Church Choir T-Choir and Oro in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 10:00 PM
- Bad Mojo (Blues) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- DJ Dina El Ghareeb at the After Eight Club, 7:00 PM

Wednesday, March 30, 2011
- Khaled El Showeik recital in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 7:00 PM
- Ali El Haggar (Arabic music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre, 9:00 PM
- The Public “Pink Floyd Tribute” in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre, 8:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 7:30 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble (Zar music) at the Makan, 8:00 PM
- DJ Master at Funk (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- City Band (Rock) at After Eight, 7:00 PM

Thursday, March 31, 2011
- Manal Mohie Eldin harp recital in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 7:00 PM
- National Arab Music Ensemble in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 7:00 PM
- Nagham Masry (Egyptian Music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre, 8:00 PM
- Screwdriver (Rock’n’Roll) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- Sahra Band (Rai music) at After Eight, 7:00 PM
- Rango (Sudanese music) at El Tanboura Hall, 8:30 PM new

Friday, April 1, 2011
- Boghdady Band (Jazz) in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 7:00 8:00 PM update
- Konouz Arab Music Ensemble in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 7:00 8:00 PM update
- Heritage Ensemble for Arab Music at the Gomhouria Theatre, 7:00 8:00 PM update
- Salalem (Blues/Funk/Rock) at After Eight, 7:00 PM

MOMIX (USA) at the Cairo Opera House

Moses Pendleton's dance troupe MOMIX, from the United States, will be back in Cairo with their production "Botanica" in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House from April 25 to April 30, 2011. Tickets available at the ticket office of the Opera House from Sunday March 27.
For more information, including prices, click here.

Munich Percussion Ensemble at the Cairo Opera House

The Munich Percussion Ensemble from Germany along with soloists Hassan Sharara (Violin), Inès Abdel Daim (Flute), Yasser Ghoneim (Violin), Mohamed Salah (Cello), and Yasser Moawad (Req) will perform on Sunday March 27, 2011 at 7:00 PM in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House. Conductor: Adel Shalaby.
On the program, music from Bach, Piazzolla, Corea, Becker and Cerone.

CAIRO JAZZ CLUB

We're talking here of an institution of Cairo’s musical scene. Opened in the summer of 2001, the Cairo Jazz Club has been hosting many of the bands that are enlivening the musical scene of the city and is a “must visit” for any music lover visiting the city. Through its Agency division it promotes a vast and eclectic number of local independent bands and it has been instrumental in organising the Artbeat and Cairo Jazz Festivals.

The Cairo Jazz Club is situated on the ground floor of an apartment building in the Agouza district, on the right side of 26th of July Street, just off the corniche, below the 15th of May bridge. Parking is easily available for a fee in a large guarded parking lot below the bridge itself.
The Club has seen recently a renovation that has successfully raised its claim to be not only a venue where to have a drink while listening to good music, but a place where you can have an excellent meal as well (and I mean it, I had there one of the best risotto and fillet in town!). It is always packed with a most interesting crowd of trendy locals and foreigners without having the off-putting, and largely artificial, sassy poshness of other venues. At the Cairo Jazz Club there is no minimum charge and you are not charged a fortune for your drinks and meal. The service is friendly and attentive and the air recirculation system is working effectively (though you’ll still have problems if you are particularly sensitive to passive smoke). Music is loud but won’t blow your brain out, though if you want to talk with your friends you better do it before the live act starts.

The Cairo Jazz Club enforces a couples only policy and requests that you are at least 25 years old to access the premises. Since the venue is not that big, reservation is strongly recommended as doors close at full capacity. All house rules and the agenda of live performances are available on their excellent and regularly updated internet site (link below).

CAIRO JAZZ CLUB
Open from 5:00 PM to 3:00 AM
197, 26th of July St., Agouza
Tel: 33459939 or 010 68804764
www.cairojazzclub.com
Facebook page

Paul Klee Quartet presents "Nuits de Baghdad"

On Tuesday March 22, 2011 at 8:00 PM at the French Institute in Mounira, the Paul Klee Quartet from Switzerland will present a literary and musical voyage to Baghdad, from the Abbasid era to the 19th century. The work presented is an adaptation of the "Thousand and One Nights", put on stage by Marcela Salivarova Bideau. Texts read by Jean-Luc Bideau. Arabic poetry read by Moataza Mahaba. The Paul Klee Quartet will be playing Rimsky Korsakov's "Shéhérazade".
The evening will end with Jean-Luc Bideau reading extracts from "Shrapnels - en marge de Baghdad" by Elisabeth Horem. The accompanying music is Oliver Messian's magical "Quatour pour la fin de temps".

Not a French speaker? Well, the text will be obviously read in French (after all it is "La Fête de la Francophonie") and Arabic, but the music is universal. And, by the way, French is such a lovely language ...

Cairo Documentary Festival II

In addition to the documentaries presented at the AUC Tahrir Campus that were the object of the previous "Cairo Documentary Festival" post, I received confermation that the screenings that will take place at 1:00 PM in the New Cairo Campus (P007) are also open to the public and not only for the AUC community as I assumed.

The program is the following:
Sunday March 20: Beit Sha'ar - Nomads Home (2010, 61m, Egypt) Iman Kamel
An Egyptian filmmaker encounters a Bedouin social entrepreneur in the Sinai Peninsula.
Monday March 21: Iran: Voices of the Unheard (2009, 68m, Iran) D. Geramifard
Rural and urban Iranians struggle against an oppressive regime after the 2009 election.
Tuesday March 22: Sifinja – The Iron Bride (2009, 70m, Sudan) Valerie Haensch
Modifications of the English Bedford-Lorry makes it as comfortable as 'Sifinja' slippers.
Wednesday March 23: Next Year in Bombay (2010, 55m, India) Jonas Pariente and Mathias Mangin
2000 years of Jewish history in India is nearing its demise as the community emigrates.
Thursday March 24: Degrees of Incarceration (2010, 59m, Palestine) Amahl Bishara and Nidal Al-Azraq
Palestinians strive to support each other in the enduring shadow of political prison.

All festival information can be find at the dedicated webpage. Click here to be redirected. 

Movie Evening at the Italian Cultural Centre

On Sunday March 20, 2011 at 6:00 PM in the theatre of the Italian Cultural Centre in Zamalek will be screened the drama "PLACIDO RIZZOTTO" (Italy 2000), directed by Pasquale Scimeca, starring Marcello Mazzarella, Vincenzo Albanese, Carmelo Di Mazzarelli, Gioia Spaziani, Arturo Todaro. Italian with English subtitles. Free entry.

Placido, the son of Carmelo Rizzotto comes back from the war armed with a new anti-fascist consciousness but purer than ever of heart. He cannot accept the arrogance of the land managers and the brutal way in which they select those lucky few who will work the fields and whose families will be able to eat. He organises the peasants and persuades them to occupy the land. His magnetic personality pulls the people in and he looks down on the world from his perch in the wind-swept mountains. He rebels against mafia power, and Placido manages to convince his father that he is right and the mafia is wrong.
Luciano the Lame, a promising new recruit to the mafia hates Rizzotto and envies him his fiancée, who also happens to be the daughter of Liggio’s lover. It is too for the “family” to pass off Placido’s death as a crime of passion and honour to take away his fiancée. On the night on 10 March 1948 the Union leader of Corleone disappears and Captain Carlo Alberto Dalla Chiesa investigates. Pio La Torre takes Rizzotto’s place at the Employment Office. A special mention goes to the music composed by the Agricantus. They perform a funereal lament that is simply perfect for this political and indispensable film. 

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC March 19 to March 26, 2011

Saturday, March 19, 2011
- Gaetano Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor” live in HD from the Metropolitan Opera in New York in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 7:00 PM
- “Kassem Amin” by the Egyptian Modern Dance Theatre Company at the Gomhouria Theatre, 7:00 PM
- Cairo Jazz Festival 3^rd night at El Sawi Cultura Centre in Zamalek with The Percussion Show (Egypt) 4:30 PM River Garden, The Riff Band (Egypt) 6:00 PM River Hall, Ramy Atalla Quintet (Egypt) 7:00 PM Wisdom Hall, Eftekasat (Egypt) 8:30 PM  Wisdom Hall, E.M.J.O. (Slovenia/Portugal/Germany) 9:30 PM River Hall
- Christiane Rösinger (Germany) at the Goethe Institute, 7:30 PM
- Arifa (Holland/Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- Reggae Bus (Reggae) at After Eight, 7:00 PM

Sunday, March 20, 2011
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nader Abbassi with soloists Iman Moustafa (Soprano), Jolie Faizy (Mezzo Soprano), Hisham El Guindy (Tenor) and Reda El Wakil (Bass) present Rageh Daoud’s “To the Martyrs of January 25” and Beethoven’s “Symphony no. 9” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 7:00 PM
- “Kassem Amin” by the Egyptian Modern Dance Theatre Company at the Gomhouria Theatre, 7:00 PM
- Cairo Conservatoire Concert in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 7:00 PM
 - El Waad Band & Moustafa Masoud (Contemporary Religious Music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 7:00 PM
- Groovy Aspirin (Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- Bashir (Nubian Fusion) at After Eight, 7:00 PM
- Farha (Nubian music) at the Ghouri Palace, 8:00 PM
- El-Nil Troupe for folk instruments (Folk music and songs) at Beit Al-Suheimi, 7:30 PM

Monday, March 21, 2011
- “Kassem Amin” by the Egyptian Modern Dance Theatre Company at the Gomhouria Theatre, 7:00 PM
- Mona Wassef Harp Recital in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 7:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 7:30 PM
- DJ Awadi Brothers (Funky House) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- Resident DJ at After Eight from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Tuesday, March 22, 2011
- Paul Klee Ensemble (Switzerland) at the French Institute (former CFCC) in Mounira, 8:00 PM
- Philarmonic Chamber Orchestra in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 7:00 PM
- El Masreyeen Band featuring Sakia’s String Orchestra in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Positive Energy (Funk, Fusion & Rock’n’Blues) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- DJ Dina El Ghareeb at the After Eight Club, 7:00 PM

Wednesday, March 23, 2011
- John Baboukis (Harpsichord), Elena Dzamashvili (Piano), Wael El-Mahallawy (Qanun), and Nathan Fischer (Guitar) at the Malak Gabr Arts Centre in AUC New Cairo Campus, 1:00 PM
- Sharara Sextet in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 7:00 PM
- Flute and Piano recital at the Gomhouria Theatre, 7:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 7:30 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble (Zar music) at the Makan, 8:00 PM
- DJ Amr Hosny (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- City Band (Rock) at After Eight, 7:00 PM

Thursday, March 24, 2011
- FeMusa String Ensemble (England) in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 7:00 PM
- “I am Carmen” Musical Play in the Open Air  Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 7:00 PM
- Crash Boom Bang (Funk, Disco & Rock’n’Roll) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- El Tanbura (Folk Music from Port Said) in the El Tanbura Hall, 8:30 PM
- Sahra Band (Rai music) at After Eight, 7:00 PM

Friday, March 25, 2011
- DJ Junior (Progressive & Funky Electro) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- Salalem (Blues/Funk/Rock) at After Eight, 7:00 PM

Cairo Documentary Festival at AUC

AUC will host the Cairo Documentary Festival in the Ewart Hall of Tahrir Campus from Sunday March 20 to Saturday March 26, 2011. The program of the event is as follows:

Sunday, March 20 - Egypt Rising 1: Dawning Faces
5:00-6:30pm Stories of Al Fagallah (2011, 60m, Egypt) Mohamed Abdel Bary
Filmmaker in attendance
6:30-8:30pm Garbage Dreams (2009, 79m, Egypt) Mai Eskander
Discussion with Zabaleen
8:30-10:00pm Beit Sha'ar - Nomads Home (2010, 61m, Egypt) Iman Kamel

Monday, March 21 - Neighboring Nations 1: Memories & Premonitions
5:00-6:30pm Walls (2000, 83m, Germany) Can Candan
6:30-7:30pm Coffee Futures (2009, 22m, Turkey) Zeynep Devrim Gürsel
Still (2009, 18m, Cyprus) Alana Kakoyiannis
8:30-10:00pm Imperial Outposts (2010, 67m, Turkey) Amy Holmes
Discussion with Amy Holmes

Tuesday, March 22 - Neighboring Nations 2: Unexpected Stories
5:00-7:00pm Next Year in Bombay (2010, 55m, India) J. Pariente & M. Mangin
Jerusalem, the Adulterous Wife (2010, 8m, Belgium) Matthias De Groof
Camelrama (2001, 4m, Tunisia) Carolyn Macartney
Fashioning Faith (2010, 22m, USA) Yasmin Moll
Discussion with Yasmine Moll
Neighboring Nations 3: State of Imprisonment
7:30-10:00pm Degrees of Incarceration (2010, 59m, Palestine) A. Bishara & N. Al-Azraq
Ticket From Azrael (2010, 30m, Palestine) Abdallah Awad Al Ghou
Of Flesh and Blood (2009, 27m, Palestine) Azza Shaaba
Discussion with Azza Shaaban

Thursday, March 24 - Neighboring Nations 4: Cultural Industry in Sudan
3:00-5:00pm Sifinja – The Iron Bride (2009, 70m) Valerie Haensch
Inscriptions on Rosewater (2010, 15m) Salah Elmur
Discussion with Salah Elmur
Egypt Rising 1: Documentary Rising
5:00-6:00pm Sura (2010, 5m) Yasser Alwan
Article 212 (2010, 9m) Karim Elshenawy
Sturm: Fayoum (2010, 5m) Philip Rizk
Sturm: Ahmonseto (2010, 6m) Philip Rizk
Living in the Nile (2010, 10m) Mohamad El Wassify
Q&A with Filmmakers
6:00-7:00pm Tawasol (2010, 7m) Maged Nader
Young Arabs (2008, 18m) Michael Graziano and E. Joong-Eun Park
I am George (2010, 10m) Mohsen Abdelghany
The Wizard (2010, 13m) Ahmed Abd Elaziz
Q&A with Filmmakers
7:00-7:30pm Egypt Rising Reception
Egypt Rising 2: Remembering Tahrir Square
7:30-10:00pm Neighbors (Giran) (2009, 105m) Tahani Rached
Q&A with Filmmaker

Saturday, March 26 -  Egypt Rising Panel: Documenting in Revolutionary Times
10:30-11:00am Brunch with the Panelists
11:00-12:30pm Discussion among filmmakers, scholars, & activists about the intersection of social justice, new technology, and the politics of aesthetics. How can contemporary documentary efforts in Egypt and across the region address the current state of social unrest?
Egypt Rising 3: Streaming the Revolution
1:00-3:00pm Streaming Short Internet Videos from January 25th Revolution
Neighboring Nations 5: Iranian Body Politic
3:00-6:00pm Keynote: Dr. Hamid Naficy, “Internet Cinema—Iran”
Plastic Flowers Never Die (2008, 34m) Roxanne Varzi
Iran: Voices of the Unheard (2009, 68m) Davoud Geramifard
Discussion with Dr. Naficy
6:00-7:00pm Closing Awards Ceremony
Egypt Rising 4: Expanding the Horizon
7:00-10:00pm Mafrouza: Oh Night! (2007, 138m) Emmanuelle Demoris
Discussion with filmmaker

Korba Awareness Festival

The Korba Awareness Festival, an afternoon and evening of street performances and seminars (music, theater, photography, documentaries) will take place on Friday March 18, 2011 starting 2:00 PM in Baghdad Street, Heliopolis.
For more information, click here.

Touristic and Music festival at the Citadel

On Friday March 18, 2011 the Citadel will host a Music Festival preceded by a tour of this wonderful historical landmark. The organizers have even arranged transportation by shuttle bus from various points of the city. The tour of the Citadel will start at 9:30 AM and the music festival in itself at 2:00 PM.
Group performing at the event include Groove Yard (Funk,Rock&Blues), Malaleem (Contemporary Songs), Abazar (Sudanese Folkloric and Reggae Music), Game Over (Rap) and Fekr E5telf (Rap).
For information about the event, including pickup points and entry fees, click here. 

Movie evening at the French Institute in Mounira

On Thursday March 17, 2011 at 6:30 PM, in the theatre of the French Institute in Mounira, the series of movie screenings in the framework of "Les Journées de la Francophonie" will come to a close with the Swiss comedy "Mon frère se marie" (2006) by Jean-Stéphane Bron. French with Arabic subtitles. Free entry.

"Adopted by a well-off Swiss couple with a slightly older son and daughter, Vinh never cut off links with his country of origin. Postcards from the adoptive family regularly conveyed to Vinh's mother in Vietnam reassurance about the warmth and nurturing environment that she always wished for her boy. Now grown up, Vinh is getting married; after so many years, the wedding is the ideal opportunity for his mother, accompanied by uncle Dac, to visit the adoptive family. Nothing would cause a greater consternation among its members. The parents underwent a less than amicable divorce, the father is bankrupt, the sister estranged, the elder brother brooding, the model family broken up. What can be done to prevent the unavoidable and profound disappointment of Vinh's mother and uncle Dac when they discover the fiasco?"

Movie Evening at the Italian Cultural Center

The Italian Cultural Centre will hold a movie night on Sunday March 13, 2011 at 6:00 PM. The movie on show is the drama FORTAPÀSC, Italy 2009, directed by Marco Risi and starring Libero De Rienzo, Valentina Lodovini, Ernesto Mahieux, Michele Riondino, Massimiliano Gallo, and Ennio Fantastichini. Italian with English subtitles. 

1985. Giancarlo Siani, a reporter for Il Mattino, is killed with ten pistol shots. An easygoing 26 year-old, he loves his life and his work: he gathers information and checks it. Every day he goes from his home in the Vomero neighbourhood to the hell of Torre Annunziata and Naples. Giancarlo is investigating corruption in earthquake reconstruction efforts. Amidst the mafiosi, corrupt politicians, frightened prosecutors and helpless policemen, he is like a lily in the mud. The night of his murder, he is supposed to go with his girlfriend to a concert by rock star Vasco Rossi.

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC March 12 to March 18, 2011

Saturday, March 12, 2011
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marcello Mottadelli with soloist Wessam Ahmed (Oboe) presents works from Dvorak, Marcello and Beethoven in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 7:00 PM
- El Ahlam Band in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 7:00 PM
- Kolthoumiat (Om Kalthoum songs) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Sodfa (Contemporary Egyptian music) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 7:30 PM
- Cairokee (Alternative Arabic Rock) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 7:30 PM
- Reggae Bus (Reggae) at After Eight, 7:00 PM

Sunday, March 13, 2011
- The Cairo Quartet present music from Brahms, Mahler and Mozart in the Golden Hall of the Mohamed Ali Palace in Manial, 8:00 PM
- Heritage Ensemble of Arab Music at the Gomhouria Theatre, 7:00 PM
- Metal Blast Vol. 1, with Mascara, Beyond East, Karma and Enraged in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Cocoon (Latin Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- Bashir (Nubian Fusion) at After Eight, 7:00 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, 7:30 PM

Monday, March 14, 2011
- Hekayetna (Contemporary Egyptian music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Bel Makloob & Ebbtide (Rock) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 7:30 PM
- Bikeya (Trip-Hop, Electro) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- Resident DJ at After Eight from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Tuesday, March 15, 2011
- Sakia’s Opera Night with sopranos Amira Reda, Bahaa, and Maysa Orensa in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Meshwar Band (Arabic Reggae) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Skin Deep (Funk, Soul and Rock) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- DJ Dina El Ghareeb at the After Eight Club, 7:00 PM

Wednesday, March 16, 2011
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 7:30 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble (Zar music) at the Makan, 8:00 PM
- Emad Hamdy (Guitar) and Hassan Sharara (Violin) recital in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 7:00 PM new
- DJ Ramy (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- City Band (Rock) at After Eight, 7:00 PM

Thursday, March 17, 2011
- Cairo Jazz Festival 1^st Night with  Cocoon (Egypt) 8:00 PM River Hall,  Adam Miller Group (USA/Egypt) 9:00 PM Wisdom Hall, Calima (Spain) 9:30 PM River Hall
- Cairo Opera Orchestra Gala Concert in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 7:00 PM
- Yasser Ghoneim (Violin), Alaa Khalil (Viola), Mohamed Salah (Cello), and Mohamed Saleh (Piano) present music from Mozart, Mahler and Brahms in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 7:00 PM
- Modern Dance Theatre Company at the Gomhouria Theatre, 7:00 PM
- El Tanbura (Folk Music from Port Said) in the El Tanbura Hall, 8:30 PM
- Arifa (Holland/Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- Sahra Band (Rai music) at After Eight, 7:00 PM

Friday, March 18, 2011
- Cairo Jazz Festival 2^nd  Night with Michelle Rounds (Australia) 6:30 PM River Hall, Stelzhamma (Austria) 7:30 PM Wisdom Hall, Kazumi Watanabe (Japan) feat. Amro Salah Trio (Egypt) 8:00 PM River Hall, Arifa (Holland) 9:00 PM Wisdom Hall, German Women Jazz Orchestra (Germany) River Hall 10:00 PM 
- Modern Dance Theatre Company at the Gomhouria Theatre, 7:00 PM
- Calima (Spain/Flamenco Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- Salalem (Blues/Funk/Rock) at After Eight, 7:00 PM

Cinema and Concerts in the framework of "Les Journées de la Francophonie"

"Les Journées de la Francophonie" is a worldwide yearly event of celebration of the arts and culture in the French language.
In the framework of the festival, the "Institut français d’Egypte" (new name of the CFCC), will host movie screenings from Thursday March 10 to Thursday March 17, 2011. The program is as follows:

Thursday March 10 at 6:30 PM « Si le vent soulève les sables» by Marion Hänsel – Belgique.
Sunday March 13 at 6:30 PM « L’audition » by Luc Picard – Canada.
Monday March 14 at 8:30 PM « Femmes du Caire » by Yousri Nasrallah – Egypte.
Tuesday March 15 at 6:30 PM « La fille de Monaco » by Anne Fontaine – France, and at 8:30 PM « Le grand blanc de Lambaréné » by Bassek ba Kobhio – Cameroun.
Wednesday March 16 at 6:30 PM « Elévateur » by George Dorobantu – Roumanie, and at 8:30 PM « Premières neiges » by Aida Begic – Bosnie-Herzégovine.
Thursday March 17 at 6:30 PM « Mon frère se marie » by Jean-Stéphane Bron – Suisse.

The event will also feature two concerts: on Tuesday March 22 at 8:00 PM at the French Institute in Mounira, the Paul Klee Ensemble will present "Les nuits de Bagdad" a musical reading, while on Saturday March 26, 2011 at 7:30 PM the artists Marijana Sipka (Violin/Bosnia-Herzégovina) and Daniel Campos (Piano/Argentina) will present a chamber music concert with music by Chopin, Schumann, Ravel and Milosevic.

Maroon 5 concert postponed to January 2012

Sadly, due to security concerns, the concert of Maroon 5 has been postponed to January 2012.
For all information about tickets refund, click here.

The International Music Center first post-January 25 concert

The International Music Center will open again the doors of the Golden Room of the Mohamed Ali Palace in Manial for a concert of the Cairo Quartet on Sunday March 13, 2011 at 8:00 PM.

The Cairo Quartet are Yasser Ghoneim (Violin), Alaa Khalil (Viola), Mohamed Salah (Cello) and Mohamed Saleh (Piano). On the program, W. A. Mozart's Piano Quartet in G minor, K.478, Gustav Mahler's Piano Quartet 1st Movement in A minor, and J.Brahms' Piano Quartet Op.25 in G minor.

Musik + X exhibition & live concerts

The Goethe Institute will bring to Cairo the Musik + X exhibition (site in German and Arabic), a project whose aim is to make the musical culture of young Germans known to young people (and not) from other cultures.
The exhibition will run from Sunday March 6 to Thursday March 31, 2011 at the Goethe Institute in Dokki and will incorporate four music stations in which the visitors can listen to pop, indie, hip hop and techno music from Germany.
The project will feature also two live concerts from the German Women Jazz Orchestra, led by Angelika Niescier at El Sawi Cultural Centre on Friday March 18 at 10:00 PM, and from Christiane Rösinger at the Goethe Institute on Saturday March 19, 2011 at 7:30 PM.
For information in English about the project, click here.

Movie evening at the Italian Cultural Centre

The Italian Cultural Centre will hold a movie night on Sunday March 6, 2011 at 6:00 PM. The extremely interesting movie on show is the drama GALANTUOMINI (BRAVE MEN), Italy 2008, directed by Edoardo Winspeare and starring Donatella Finocchiaro, Fabrizio Gifuni, Beppe Fiorello, Giorgio Colangeli, Gioia Spaziani, Marcello Prayer. Italian with English subtitles.

Synopsis: Lecce in the 1990s. Ignazio is a highly esteemed judge who has just returned to the city having worked in the north for many years. He sees Lucia again, the woman he has always secretly loved. She has a son with Infantino, one of biggest drug dealers in the area, and she works as a representative for a perfume company. But this is just a cover. Lucia has actually become the right hand woman of Carmine Zà, one of the bosses of the Sacra Corona Unita, the new criminal organisation that reached the apex of its power and ferocity in this period.
 

 

Given the social theme of the movie, the ICC, under the credo that "Cinema is an important artistic expression and certainly can be food for thought" will collect viewer's comments (in Italian, Arabic or English) on the film. These comments - mailed to the IIC address (iiccairo@esteri.it) - will be sent to the film director Edoardo Winspeare.

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC March 5 to March 11, 2011

Saturday, March 5, 2011
- Yorka Band (Andalusian music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- The Percussion Show in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Ashara Gharby (Contemporary Oriental music) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 7:30 PM
- Resident DJ at After Eight from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Sunday, March 6, 2011
- El Asala Group (Arabic traditional music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Jokerz Show with Egy Units, Mic Killaz, Asfalt & F. Killa (Rap & Hip Hop)  in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Adam Miller Group (USA/EGYPT - Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- Resident DJ at After Eight from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Monday, March 7, 2011
- Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Maghdy Boghdady present a Gala Concert inaugurationg the COH post-revolution era in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House at 7:00 PM. Music by Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Berlioz, Johann Strauss and Mendelssohn.
- The Room & B.T.W. (Rock) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 7:30 PM
- DJ Tito (Progressive House) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- Resident DJ at After Eight from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Tuesday, March 8, 2011
- Sakia’s String Orchestra (Classical music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Blue Notes (Blues) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- Dj Dina El Ghareeb at the After Eight Club, 7:00 PM

Wednesday, March 9, 2011
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 7:30 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble (Zar music) at the Makan, 9:00 PM 8:00 PM
- DJ Roro (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- Resident DJ City Band at After Eight from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM update

Thursday, March 10, 2011
- El Tanbura (Folk Music from Port Said) in the El Tanbura Hall, 8:30 PM
- Black Theama (Alternative Egyptian music) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Ghassan Al Youssef & Dina Abdel Hamid (Oud duo) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Wust El Balad (Modern Arabic) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- Abdel Halim Nowera Ensemble for Arab Music in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM update
- Resident DJ Sahra Band at After Eight from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM update

Friday, March 11, 2011
- Religious Song Ensemble in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM update
- DJ Amr Hosny (House) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 6:30 PM
- Resident DJ Salalem at After Eight from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM update

Cairo Opera House reopens!

The Cairo Opera House have just announced that they are going to reopen on Monday, March 7, 2011 at 7:00 PM with a Gala concert by the Cairo Opera Orchestra. On the program music from Berlioz, Tchaikovsky, Johann Strauss and Mendelssohn.

Al Ghouri Tannoura Dance Troupe back on stage!

Yesterday evening the Al Ghouri Tannoura Dance Troupe went successfully back on stage at the Ghouri Caravansaray and announced that they will resume their regular shows every Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday. The only change is that the shows will start at 7:30 PM instead of 8:30 PM.
This is indeed a great news as they provide an invaluable contribution to the local art scene (and to the main page art concept of CLEG!). It was one of the first shows I've seen in Cairo and have been attendinghalf a dozen times without ever getting bored.
Welcome back, ... and a big thank you!

Street Music Revolution Festival

Another open air music festival for this coming Friday March 4, 2011. Several bands will be playing starting 2:00 PM in Marghany Street (Heliopolis), in front of Einstein Cafe.

The lineup of the event consists of: Groove Yard (Funk, Rock&Blues), Malaleem (Contemporary Songs), Abazar (Nubian Folkloric Music), Fekr Ekhtelaf (Rap), BlackBulletz (Rap), Game Over (Rap), Meshwar (Arabic Reggae), Foo2 El-Soto7 (Contemporary Songs) and 3alama (Contemporary Songs).

For more information, click here.

Cairo Jazz Festival - 3rd Edition

It is with great pleasure that I came to know that the 3rd edition of the Cairo Jazz Festival will take place from Thursday March 17 to Saturday March 19, 2011 at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek and at the Cairo Jazz Club. It is indeed heartening to see that the organizers have managed to put up an impressive international lineup for what will be the first major international music festival to bless Cairo after the January revolution.The festival is fittingly dedicated to "the Egyptian Martyrs who sacrificed their souls in the revolution".

The bands taking part in the event are: Cocoon (Egypt), Adam Miller Group (USA/Egypt), Calima (Spain), Michelle Rounds (Australia), Stelzhamma (Austria), Kazumi Watanabe feat, Amro Salah Trio (Japan/Egypt), ARIFA (Holland), German Women Jazz Orchestra (Germany), The Percussion show Jam session (Egypt), The Riff Band (Egypt), Ramy Attala Quintet (Egypt), Eftekasat (Egypt) and E.M.J.O (Slovenia/Portugal/Germany).

For all information about the festival including program and bands biographies, click here.

MAADI REVOLUTION FESTIVAL II

The organizers are giving it another try, and let's all hope it works this time. The Maadi Revolution Festival, due to be held last weekend and postponed because of the Meydan Ghazair incident, will take place on Friday, March 4, 2011 starting 12:00 PM in Victoria Square.
The lineup is the same as last week so, please bear with me (have to run), and click here to be directly transferred to last week's post with links to the artist's webpage.
Hope to see you all there.

Makan has reopened for concerts!

I got the news a bit late as the first concert was in fact scheduled for tonight, Tuesday March 1 but you're still in time to celebrate the reopening of Makan to concerts (they had some documentary nights in the past weeks) with the gorgeous show put together by the Mazaher Ensemble tomorrow (that will probably be today if you read this in the morning) Wednesday March 2, 2011 at 9:00 PM.