Contemporary Art from Another Perspective

Pro Helvetia is organizing, in cooperation with Al Gezira Arts Center, the screenings of 3 films from the Swiss Artist Ursula Biemann during the first week of November. The screenings will be followed by lectures and discussions by specialists in political science, economy and history in order to shed light on contemporary art and its relation to other aspects of knowledge.

Contemporary art is considered as an important source of human knowledge in modern societies. It plays a significant role in detecting and revealing contradictions in the society much easier than the rigid rational analysis. Pro Helvetia supports and disseminates contemporary art by starting a series of discussions about its role and relation to other aspects of knowledge through the perspective of specialists in history, political science and economy.

Saturday November 3, 2012 “ERUPLEX”. Lecturer: Mr. Sayed Mahmoud, journalist and historian.

Monday November 5, 2012 “X – MISSION”. Lecturer: Dr. Ezzeldine Choukry Fishere, novelist and professor of political science at AUC.

Wednesday November 7, 2012 “PERFORMING THE BORDER”. Lecturer Mr. Magdi Sobhy, economic analyst.

Screenings start at 7:00 PM, followed by lectures and discussions.
Admission is free.

Youssra Hawary at Genaina, Fri November 2, 2012

Singer and accordionist Youssra El Hawary will present her selection of songs at the Azhar Park's Genaina Theater on Friday November 2, 2012 at 8:30 PM. Youssra's songs are an endearing weave of innocence and irony. The act is supported by equally accomplished musicians Ayman Mabrouk (percussion), Shadi El Hosseiny (keyboards), Sedky Sakhr (flute), and Carl Capelle.

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC October 21-27, 2012

Wishing you a very Happy Eid filled with a lot of music. Pardon the reversed calendar as Saturday shifted to last day.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

- Le Corsaire Ballet in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Ahmed Rabie Band (Jazz) in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Heritage Ensemble for Arab Music at the Arab Music Institute, 8:00 PM
- NOSTALGIA III with Ahmed Harfoush at the Heliopolis Sporting Club, 7:30 PM 
- Meshwar Band (Arabic Reggae) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM

- Michelle Rounds (Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:00 PM

- Samaa’ Band led by Intesar Abdel-Fattah at the Ghouri Palace, 8:00 PM
- El-Nil Troupe for folk instruments (Folk music and songs) at Beit Al-Suheimi, 7:30 PM

Monday, October 22, 2012

- Le Corsaire Ballet in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- Chikudo & Friends (Traditional Japanese) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- DJ Tamer Auf & DJ Awadi Brothers (Tech, Deep House) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 7:30 PM

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

- Le Corsaire Ballet in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

- Hougaku Traditional Music Company (Japan) in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- ZeroKhamseen (050) (Rock) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM

- Ahmed Nazmi (Jazz/Bass guitar) and Basel Rajoub (Jazz/Saxophone) at Makan, 8:00 PM

- The Ka-settes (Acoustic covers) and Deja Vu (Funk / Soul / RnB) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:00 PM
- DJ Dina El Ghareeb at the After Eight Club, 9:00 PM

- Michelle Rounds at Nile Kempinsky's Jazz Bar, 9:30 PM 

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

- Elena Dzamashvili (Piano, Chamber Music) in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Michelle Rounds at Nile Kempinsky's Jazz Bar, 9:30 PM 
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 8:30 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble at the Makan, 9:00 PM

Thursday, October 25, 2012

- National Arab Music Ensemble commemorates Kamal al Taweel at the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Yehia Khalil Jazz Band in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Arabic Stand-up Comedy in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Magna Khan (Arabic Folk) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM

- Michelle Rounds at Nile Kempinsky's Jazz Bar, 9:30 PM 

Friday, October 26, 2012

- DJ MadLou (Progressive House) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:00 PM

- Michelle Rounds at Nile Kempinsky's Jazz Bar, 9:30 PM 

Saturday, October 27, 2012

- MET Opera Live presents Othello broadcast at Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM 
- Zeid Hamdan and Maryam Saleh at the Sawy Culture Wheel, 8:00 PM
- Sarah El Gohary and Salalem at the Cairo Jazz Club, 9:00 PM 

12th Independent Short Film Fest October 20-23, 2012

The 12th Independent Short Film Festival hosted by Goethe Institut will present "New Shorts from Egypt" as part of it's annual program from Saturday, October 20, 2012  to Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Goethe-Institut, 5 Sh. El-Bustan, Downtown, Cairo

All films  with English or French subtitles

The “Independent Short Film Festival” is entering its 12th edition.

The festival provides a platform of presentation and discussion of short, often first films. This year´s program  “New shorts from Egypt” has 43 entries, the international program from the “German Film and TV Academy Berlin” includes 7 films, both fiction and documentary.


Nadia Kamal, independent filmmaker and producer, curated the section “New shorts from Egypt” with films from mainly young directors.

Kamal Aljafari curated the International program (at German Film and TV Academy Berlin) with contributions from students of the “deutsche film-und fernsehakademie berlin (dffb)”. Himself a filmmaker, he has been teaching the directors´ class at the academy. The program will be presented by young German filmmaker Cyril Amon Schäublin.

Jury
Ahmad Abdallah (director, producer)
Dina Hamza (director)
Randa Shaat (senior photographer and head of photography at Shorouk Newspaper)

The decisions of the jury will be announced on the October 22, 2012 after the last screening.


Program
A screening schedule and a catalogue will be made available for download at:
Click on the links for the Arabic version of the programme, or in English here. 

"EL ALAMEIN AND THE STRUGGLE FOR NORTH AFRICA" Book Launch

On Thursday October 18, 2012 the American University in Cairo will host a day-long symposium and exhibition to celebrate the launch of the book El Alamein and the Struggle for North Africa: International Perspectives from the Twenty-first Century (AUC Press), edited by Jill Edwards.

This illustrated volume, with over 55 photographs, offers a new set of studies of issues surrounding the pivotal desert battle on its 70th anniversary and presents fresh insights into a war fought over unusually difficult terrain and with exceptional supply demands.

Jill Edwards is professor of history at the American University in Cairo. Her many publications on modern history include Al-Alamein Revisited: The Battle at al-Alamein and its Historical Implications (AUC Press, 2000), and Historians in Cairo: Essays in Honor of George Scanlon (AUC Press, 2002).

Coinciding with the book launch and exhibition opening on October 18, professor Edwards will be chairing a special day-long international symposium in Oriental Hall (9:00am to 5:50pm) on the North African conflict, with the participation of many of the book’s international contributors.

To read more about the book, click here. To watch an interview with Jill Edwards discussing the book, click here.

BALADY BAND performs for the first time in Cairo

Can traditional Egyptian instruments add beauty to Western instruments, and viceversa?
This is the conviction of "BALADY" band which brings together traditional instruments and musicians with western instruments and musicians. Balady musicians have collaborated over a three- month period to produce a contemporary music inspired by the traditional Egyptian spirit and western melody and harmony.
El Mastaba Center for Folk Music presents the band's first concert in Cairo on Thursday October 18, 2012 at El Dammah Theater (formerly El Tanbura Hall) at 9:00 PM.
Balady is also going to perform on Wednesday October 17 at Nigma Cafeteria on Port Foad- Port Said beach and on Sunday October 21 at the Cabin Theatre (behind Rialto Cinema) - El Raml Station-Alexandria.

BALADY BAND
The "Arwah" band was formed almost ten years ago in the Suez Canal area. The musicians play traditional instruments like simsimya, tanbura, cello tanbura, different size of harps, kawala, and percussion. The band experiments with composing and playing new music based on these instruments. In 2008, they recorded the album,"Arwah" with support from the Arabic Fund for Culture and Art (ACAF.) The music of this album adds other instruments, such as the flute, the mejrona, the oboe, the arghul, rababa, the rango, and jerkin . A further development of this experimental musical creativity is a recent collaboration with a number of skilled Western performers on instruments like guitar, bass guitar, violin and saxophone. They have played with a number of well-known bands in Cairo. Musicians from these bands have formed a new musical band called " BALADY" and they have prepared a musical program full of creativity and imagination.

Tickets at the counter 30 EGP, by reservation 20 EGP.
Reservations will be canceled at 9:00 PM. Door opens at 8:30 PM.
For reservations write to info@elmastaba.org or call 011 50995354/02 23926768
For more information please visit www.elmastaba.org

THE ABRAHAM FORUM with JEFFREY FLEISHMAN at St. John's Church in Maadi

On Thursday October 18, 2012 at 8:00 PM the ABRAHAM FORUM will feature a public presentation and book launching by JEFFREY FLEISHMAN, Cairo bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times, novelist, Pulitzer Prize finalist, and former Nieman fellow at Harvard University.
The title of the presentation is "After Tahrir: The Stories behind the Story. Will the “new Egypt” really bring change?".
Fleishman's new novel, Shadow Man, will also be available for purchase and signing.

The event will be held at St. John’s Church / Maadi (at the corner of Port Said Rd and Rd 17).
For more information: www.stjohnschurchmaadi.org / tel. 2358-3085.

The ABRAHAM FORUM is an initiative of St. John’s Church/ Maadi that has the primary goal of facilitating better understanding and contributing towards peaceful co-existence between the Middle East and the West, and Muslims and Christians, one of the most critical issues of our day.

CIRCAIRO 2012: Rescheduled performances of the Morosof Co. (France)

The cancelled performances of the Morosof Co. have been rescheduled and will take place tonight, Sunday the 14th, and tomorrow, Monday the 15th of October, at 8:00 PM at the Falaki Theater in Downtown Cairo.

NIMA SARKECHIK at the Manasterly Palace

The young French-Iranian pianist NIMA SARKECHIK (for a biography of the performer and the complete programme of the evening click here) will be opening the new season of the International Music Center concerts on Sunday October 14, 2012 at 8:00 PM. On the programme music from Debussy, Liszt, and Schubert.

This opening concert marks also the return of the IMC concerts to their original venue, the Manasterly Palace in Manial, after 2 years of renovation works.

Do not miss the opportunity to listen to wonderful music in a charming setting and welcome the 2012-2013 season of the International Music Center, an institution that has done (and hopefully will continue to do) a lot for Cairo's Classical music lovers.

CIRCAIRO 2012: Cancellation of MOROSOF co. show

I have just received a message from the organizers stating that due to technical issues they are obliged to cancel the two days of circus show by the Morosof company that were supposed to take place on the 12th and 13th of October at the Falaki Theater.

They are trying to solve  the problem and to postpone the show to the following days. Will let you know if I receive updates.

Sandro Schneebeli's jazz quartet SCALA NOBILE in Egypt!

The amazing (trust me, I know them) Jazz group SCALA NOBILE with the founder Sandro Schneebeli (I/CH) on acoustic guitars, Antonello Messina (I) on accordeon and bandoneon, Dudu Penz (BR) on bass, and Stephan Riegert (CH) on percussions will play in Alexandria on Friday October 12 at the Lycee Al Horreya Club starting 4:00 PM (click here for complete programme of the day) and in Cairo at Darb 1718 (click here for directions) on Saturday October 13, 2012  starting 5:00 PM (click here for complete programme of the day). These performances are in the framework of ARTBEAT festival 2012.

SCALA NOBILE will also perform a second time in Cairo on Tuesday October 16 at 8:00 PM in the Theatre of the Italian Cultural Institute in Zamalek in the framework of the "Italian Language Week" celebrations.

The Quartet is an established name on the Jazz scene.  The two CD’s «Uomo Bianco» (2003) and «Scala Nobile» (2009) have found excellent popularity with both critics and public. On extended tours, club concerts and memorable appearances at the Estival Jazz Lugano, at the BeJazz Winter Festival or at the Olympic Games in Athens, the group has proven that they can bring any audience into their spell. Sandro Schneebeli’s compositions are poetical, catchy and full of energy, and invite other members to solo highlights and virtuoso improvisations. SCALA NOBILE's music is a feast for body and soul.

SCALA NOBILE has issued three records: "Uomo Bianco" by Brambus Records (2003), "Scala Nobile" by Unit Records (2009) and "Live Estival 2011" by Unit Records (2012)

Art Beat Begins Tonight Thursday October 11, 2012

Cairo Jazz Club Agency’s and Darb 1718 have organized another installment of Artbeat Festival from October 11 to October 14, 2012. This year the music and arts festival will go north to El Mansoura and Alexandria, and will end with a grand finale in Cairo

Schedule for Artbeat 2012 is:
Thursday October 11: El Mansoura (Shagaret El Dor Park – El Mashayah El Sofleyah)
Friday October 12: Alexandria (Alexandria Lycee Al Horreya Club) & Cairo (Darb 17 18)

Cairo:
Saturday October 13: Cairo (Darb 17 18)
October 11-14, 2012: Cairo Jazz Club will host special Artbeat performances and jams each night of the Festival.

Highlights: 12 local bands including a workshop performance from Grammy Award winner Fathy Salama and 7 international bands performing on the main stages over the three festival days. 

See a video here of Artbeat Festival 2010!
Check the festival schedule on the calendar page via their Facebook page.
The main schedule is also shown below (click on it to enlarge!):

A lively weekend at CIRCAIRO 2012

Thursday October 11, 2012 at 8:00 PM
Fire Birds - Hungary, Goldi - Hungary, Circus Multicirkus - Denmark at El Genaina Theater: Al Azhar Park, Salah Salem Rd. Darassa - Cairo


 
Friday October 12 and Saturday October 13, 2012 at 8:00 PM
Cie. Morosof – France at El Falaki Theater: 24 El Falaki Street,Off Mohamed Mahmoud St. American University in Cairo, Downtown Campus– Cairo

Saturday October 13, 2012 at 7:00 PM
Al Darb Al Ahmar Arts School - Egypt, Goldi - Hungary, Fire Birds - Hungary, Circus Multicirkus - Denmark, Kosha Puppet Team - Egypt at El Gomhoria Sporting Club, Shebin El Kom - Menoufeyya

CirCairo is presented by Culture Resource with the support of Embassies of the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, and the French Cultural Center in Cairo.

Admission is FREE to all Festival Events

For more info please go to CirCairo FB page

The Swiss Group ROIKKUVA at CirCairo 2012

The internationally acclaimed Swiss group ROIKKUVA (www.roikkuva.com) composed of Andreas Muntwyler, Ulla Tikka, and Lukas Staeger will participate to CirCairo 2012.

ROIKKUVA will give workshops on Monday October 15, Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17, 2012 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Al Darb Al Ahmar Arts School (for registration call 02 23625057).

Their 40 minute performance entitled “ohne Louis” will be on stage on Thurdsday October 18 at 8:00 PM at the Genaina Theater in Al Azhar Park.
The group will also perform on Saturday October 20 at CirCairo 2012 closing ceremony taking place starting from 7:00 PM in the Main Entrance Arena of Al Azhar Park.

As with all other CirCairo performances, the admission to these events is free of charge. 

ALEXANDRIA STREETS PROJECT

No worries, CLEG is not becoming ALEG, but I find this project really cool, and on top of it it will be presented in Cairo as well later in the year. In the meantime from October 10, 2012 (see below) everybody can follow the project developments thanks to our beloved internet.
Perhaps a "Cairo Streets Project" in the future?

The „Alexandria Streets Project“ is an audio art project for and about public places in Alexandria (Egypt). The city's past, present and future are explored and connected acoustically in twenty short audio pieces (arabic/english) about things invisible today: recent political events, historical structures and forgotten encounters as well as stories not yet written. A unique sonic map of Alexandria will be created through interviews, found footage, personal archives and field recordings.
The „Alexandria Streets Project“ can be downloaded from the project's website and will be broadcast through independent radio stations.

The „Mini Radio Academy“ is another part of the project. The three-day-event will take place in Alexandria and comprises nine workshops. These workshops will be directed by renowned independent Egyptian journalists, young radio makers, and cultural activists. Registration required, admission free.

This is the project's programme:
- 10 October 2012 Launch of project website www.alexandria-streets-project.net
- 18-20 October 2012 „Mini Radio Academy“ in cooperation with Radio Tram and Agora (Alexandria), at Goethe Institut Alexandria (Alexandria)
- 18 November 2012 Pre-Launch of the „Alexandria Streets Project“ in cooperation with Radio Tram and Spring Lessons, at Theater Aufbau Kreuzberg tak (Berlin)
- 22 November 2012 Workshop in the framework of the exhibition Right-To-Left, in cooperation with uqbar e.V., at Kunstquartier Bethanien (Berlin)
- 29 November 2012 Project Launch Event in public space: 20 audio pieces for walkers in Alexandria, location tba
- 2 December 2012 Presentation of the „Alexandria Streets Project“ in Cairo, location tba

For further information please contact us at: info@alexandria-streets-project.net
The „Alexandria Streets Project“ is organised by: west-östlicher diwan e.V. / arts programme (Berlin)
Curated and directed by: Berit Schuck and Julia Tieke
In collaboration with: Radio Tram (Alexandria)
Other cooperation partners: Agora (Alexandria), Goethe Institut Alexandria (Alexandria), Spring Lessons at tak (Berlin/International), uqbar e.V. (Berlin)
The „Alexandria Streets Project“ is supported by: Auswärtiges Amt (German Federal Foreign Office) / ifa, Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations)

ARTBEAT FESTIVAL 2012

While the agenda has been unfortunately delayed this week, here is news of an exciting festival coming up ahead with many musical and other acts.


Three days of music, art and craft from Egypt and the world will be celebrated at the ArtBeat Festival from October 11-13, 2012

Here is a complete calendar of all the events. 

Artbeat is a simple idea of harmoniously combining arts and crafts with local and international music into an entertaining festival to be enjoyed and appreciated by people from all walks of life.

With 11 local Egyptian bands and 7 international bands performing over this 3-day festival bonanza, as well as art shows, dance performances and craft bazaars, there is something fun for everyone.

For more information visit the facebook page.

AHMED EL SHAER exhibition at Mashrabia Gallery

"Games during the 70’s and 80’s were programmed using 8-bit technology with the dawn of Atari in the United States. This technique creates characters and game play elements with limited colors and a limited number of pixels resulting in a distinct simplified monolith form.
Being from the Middle East I wanted to share my personal experience of the world around me and my own exposure to Atari employing this 8-bit technology within a region that had not participated in the 8-bit Western phenomenon." (Ahmed El Shaer, September 2012)

Ahmed El Shaer is a multi-disciplinary artist (installation, photography, sound, video) with a particular interest in digital technologies.
He is co-founder of CAIRO DOCUMENTA, an independent art event, and he started to establish TOLON STUDIO FOR CONTEMPORARY ART, a non-profit organization devoted to contemporary art.
Since 2005 his work has been on display in numerous exhibitions and festivals in Egypt and abroad.

"8-bit Portraits" is his first solo exhibition at Mashrabia gallery. The vernissage will take place on Sunday October 7, 2012 at 7:00 PM. The exhibition will run until Thursday November 8, 2012.

Mashrabia Gallery of Contemporary Art
8, Champollion St.
Downtown - Cairo
Egypt
Phone 02 25784494
Mobile 0100 1704554
Opening hours: Daily except Friday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
www.mashrabiagallery.org

CAIRO OPERA HOUSE QUARTET celebrates Claude Debussy

The Cairo Opera House Quartet (First violin: Osman El Mahdy) will be celebrating Claude Debussy’s 150th birthday by interpreting his famous “Quatuor en sol mineur”. The first half of the program will include another masterpiece, Mozart’s “Dissonance” quartet.

The concert will be held in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House on Monday October 8, 2012 at 8 PM.

2nd Edition of the Cairo International Circus Festival Kicks Off today Thursday October 4, 2012 at Abdin Square

Culture Resource announces the Opening Ceremony of the second edition of the Cairo International Circus Festival - CirCairo 2012, on Thursday October 4 2012, in Abdin Square at 7:00 PM, with a celebration featuring performances by M Circus (Belgium), Radwan Shelbawy (Tunisia), the Amsterdam Rebel Clowns -Rebelact, Egyptian Circus, Al Darb Al Ahmar Arts School, and Kosha Puppet Team (Egypt).
The festival program includes performances by more than 11 circus groups from France, Denmark, Hungary, Belgium, the Netherlands, Tunisia, Egypt, Switzerland, Spain, England and Germany.

Performances will take place at Cairo's El Genaina Theater, Falaki Theater, in public spaces such as Abdin Square and Al Azhar Park, and at Shagaret El Dorr Park in Mansoura and Gomhoria Sporting Club in Shebin El Kom – Menoufeyya.

CirCairo is presented by Culture Resource with the support of Embassies of the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, and the French Cultural Center in Cairo. For more info please follow us on CirCairo FB page 

* Above  text is taken from the Press Release of the event from Culture Resource

Below please find the program for the shows taking place in the first three days of CIRCAIRO 2012:

RANGO at El Dammah Theater for Free Arts

Enjoy a night of mystical and healing sounds of Zar from Egypt and Sudan at El Dammah Theater for Free Arts (former El Tanbura Hall) with RANGO, tomorrow Thursday October 4, 2012 at 9:00 PM.

Tickets at the counter 30 EGP.
Tickets by reservation 20 EGP by writing to info@elmastaba.org or calling 01150995354/0223926768
Note: The reservation will be cancelled at 9:00 PM, door open at 8:30 PM
For more information please visit: www.elmastaba.org

For more info about RANGO check:
El Mastaba Center - Rango group
30IPS - Rango group

Two Film Festivals Hit Cairo starting Wed, October 3.

This week sees two new film festivals hitting the Cairo scene on the same day!

The 5th Panorama of the European Film in Egypt takes place from Wednesday October 3 to Tuesday October 9, 2012 at the Galaxy Cinema in Manial, and Stars Cinema in Nasr City.

Click here for Al Ahram's link to the complete programme.
Also helpful is a review of some films in the guide provided by Egypt Today.

The Shnit International Short Film Festival will showcase 60 short films from Wednesday, October 3 to Sunday, October 7, 2012 at various locations in Cairo.

Schedule as provided on Shnit Facebook event page. 
Tuesday - 3rd Oct. Creativity Center at 5.30 pm (Opening Ceremony + Shnit Open Films) & (National Competition)
( Private Invitations )

Thursday - 4th Oct. Darb 1718 at 7.00 pm (International Competition Shorts ) Tickets ( 30 LE )

Friday - 5th Oct. Darb 1718 at 7.00 pm ( International Competition Shorts ) Tickets ( 30 LE )

Saturday - 6th Oct. Creativity Center / Opera House at 6 pm ( International Competition Shorts ) ( Private Invitations )

Sunday - 7th Oct. Darb 1718 at 7.00 ( International Competition Shorts ) & ( Closing Ceremony ) Tickets ( 30 LE)

Happy watching!