In these pages you will hopefully find interesting tips on how to take advantage of Cairo's many cultural opportunities, with particular attention to live events. Cairo Live Events Guide does not pretend to be exhaustive but will try to cover main events open to the public.

This is a private, independent, nonprofit endeavour. This blog was started in August 2008 by Cairowanderer who has been running it solo up to May 2011. Since then Cairene Beat contributes as well to the blog. If you have any comment, tip, or information you think might be relevant for the blog, please write to cairowanderer@gmail.com or cairenebeat@gmail.com.

Read about Cairo Live Events Guide on The Daily News Egypt

Saturday, September 25, 2010

CLEG temporarily on "sleep" mode

Dear readers, I will be out of Cairo for a week and therefore CLEG will not be updated. You can access the weekly agenda covering the coming week up to October 1st by scrolling down to the fourth last post or simply by clicking on AGENDA under the "Latest Agenda and Special Events" rubric that you find just on the right side of this post. In the same rubric you will find details about some of the highlights of the coming month of October.
CLEG will be updated again from October 3rd ... or 4th.
All the best

Friday, September 24, 2010

Lynda Thalie and Enrico Macias in concert

The Canadian singer Lynda Thalie is back in Cairo with a concert scheduled for Saturday October 16, 2010 in the garden of the French Embassy in Giza. Tickets sell for 250, 350 and 500 LE. For information and ticket reservation call 010 6662520. The French singer of Algerian origin Enrico Macias will also perform on the evening.
The two artists will visit Alexandria on the following day, Sunday October 17 and hold a concert at the Sporting Club.

"Days of India" in Egypt 2010 - Calendar of events


Performances by Ranganiketan Troupe of Manipur
28 September 2010: Main Hall, Cairo Opera House (inaugural ceremony)
29 September 2010: Sayed Darwish theatre, Alexandria
30 September 2010: Mubarak Library, Port Said 
2 October 2010: Prince Taz Palace, Cairo

Performances by Talaash music Troupe & Halar Lok Kala Kendra Folk Dance Group
29 September 2010: Gomhouriya Theatre, Cairo
30 September 2010: Qubbet El Ghouri (Ghouri Palace), Cairo
1 October 2010: Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Alexandria
3 October 2010: Gomhouriya Theatre, Cairo (closing ceremony)

Performances by Ranjana Gauhar Odissi Dance Troupe
29 September 2010: Beni Suef Cultural Palace
1 October 2010: Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Alexandria
3 October 2010: Gomhouriya Theatre, Cairo (closing ceremony)

Indian Film Week: (all films start from 8:00 pm)
Artistic Creativity Centre, Cairo Opera House Complex
26 September: Jodhaa Akbar
27 September: Antardhwani (The Inner Sound)
28 September: Firaaq
29 September: A wednesday
30 September: Oye Lucky! Luckey Oye

Painting Exhibition “Harmony and Rhythm” 
28 September - 14 October 2010
Aba’d Gallery, Museum of Modern Egyptian Arts - Opera House Complex
                       
                   (All performances start at 8:00 pm)

Thursday, September 23, 2010

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC Sep. 25 - Oct. 1, 2010

Saturday, September 25, 2010
- Andrea Bocelli recital at the Pyramids Sound & Light Theatre, 8:00 PM
- De Tila Batayla Company (Indonesia) at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Amir Moussa in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre, 8:00 PM
- Karma and Mascara (Rock) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Sahra (Rai music) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 9:00 PM

Sunday, September 26, 2010
- Cairo Opera Company and Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nader Abbassi present Mozart’s opera “Le Nozze di Figaro” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Ali El Farouk Trio (Canada/Contemporary Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- The Rock Nation Night with Forest, Tide of Septum and Circus, in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Heritage Ensemble for Arab Music conducted by Farid El Bably at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- El-Nil Troupe for folk instruments (Folk music and songs) at Beit Al-Suheimi 9:30 PM

Monday, September 27, 2010
- Cairo Opera Company and Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nader Abbassi present Mozart’s opera “Le Nozze di Figaro” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Ahmed Ezz “El Ostool” (Rai music) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- DJ Awadi Brothers (Funky) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Tuesday, September 28, 2010
- Inauguration of the “Days of India” in Egypt with the Ranganiketan Troupe of Manipur in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Rasayel Sayed Darwish Group in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Nass Makan (Nubian music, Zikr and Sufi songs, Sudanese music and songs) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM
- Digla Band (Acoustic Rock) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Wednesday, September 29, 2010
- Frèdèric Chopin Celebration at the Pyramids Theatre, 8:00 PM
- “Days of India” with the Talaash Music Troupe & Halar Lok Kala Kendra Folk Dance Troupe at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Sohba Band & Harmony Band (Contemporary Egyptian music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Ebbtide & Soul Revival (Rock) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 9:00 PM
- DJ Ramy (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Thursday, September 30, 2010
- “Days of India” with the Talaash Music Troupe & Halar Lok Kala Kendra Folk Dance Troupe at the Ghouri Palace, 8:00 PM
- Abdel Halim Nowera Ensemble for Arab Music directed by Salah Gobashi in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- 3rd Mediterranean Urban Culture Gathering – Hip Hop at the Geneina Theatre in Al Azhar Park, 9:00 PM
- Elena Raiem (Italy) song recital in the Small Hall of the Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM I did not find information about this performance nor about the singer. I am afraid that the name (taken from the COH website) is misspelled
- Ahmed El Touni (Religious Inshad) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Skin Deep (Funk and Dance Floor) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Sahra Band (Rai music) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM

Friday, October 1, 2010
- Omar Khairat in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Iman Moustafa song recital in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Oriental Fusion (Contemporary Egyptian music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- DJ Ouzo (House) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Salalem (Egyptian music) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM
- Alexandria Opera Ensemble for Arab Music and Singing at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

AIDA at the Pyramids

After many years the Cairo Opera Company, Choir and Ballet and the Cairo Opera Orchestra, conducted for the occasion by Marcello Mottadelli, will bring Giuseppe Verdi's operatic masterpiece AIDA back to the Giza Pyramids on Tuesday 5, Wednesday 6, Thursday 7 and Sunday 10 October, 2010 at 8:00 PM in the Pyramids Theatre area next to the Sound and Light Show.

The performance is not listed on the Cairo Opera House website and, even if I had been told that it was on, I waited to have the opportunity to go to the ticket boot at the Opera House and see for myself. Well, now I am sure the opera is on (or at least ... tickets have been sold to me). Prices are 300, 200 and 100 LE.
Quite oddly for a performance of this kind, seating is free (in the area you chose, of course). Row and Seat number though are actually printed on the ticket. Hope this will not bring the chaos I have already witnessed a couple of times in the Small Hall and at the Gomhouria, with people seating as a first come first served basis requested to change seat by others claiming that that was the place on their ticket thus starting an argument that nobody seemed to be able to quell.

One last thing, ... no dress code enforced.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

AHMAD EL SAWY

Ahmad El Sawy is one of the most accomplished and at the same time reclusive oud player, composer and singer in Egypt. It is not easy to find information about him (not in English at least) and, though he has performed on several occasions abroad, it is not one of those artists giving concerts regularly in Egypt. Also his only published CD (at least to my knowledge), titled ZAD, is very difficult to find.
I had the opportunity to discover this young artist in a solo performance (accompanying a video installation by the Swiss artist Christoph Oertli) a couple of weeks ago at the Rawabet Theatre and was impressed by his playing and singing.
If you want to know more about him I suggest you listen to the tracks on the MySpace page of the duo ZAD where he performs with the Swedish percussionist Fredrik Gille, and on this YouTube video of a performance held at the Gomhouria Theatre.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Pianist Marvin Goldstein to perform in Egypt

The classical pianist Marvin Goldstein is going to perform at Darb 1718 on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at 7:30 PM.
To know more about the concert and get link to artist webpage click here to get to the US Embassy press release of the event (Arabic and English).

Friday, September 17, 2010

Celebrating Frédéric Chopin at the Pyramids

On the occasion of the celebrations for the 200th birth anniversary of the great Polish composer Frédéric Chopin, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Cairo has announced what promises to be a most entertaining event, "CHOPIN AT THE PYRAMIDS", with an array of artists coming from different musical backgrounds but all united for this tribute concert.

The concert will take place on Wednesday, September 29th, 2010 at 8:00 PM at the Pyramids Theater, next to the Sound and Light Venue. Entrance is free, but an invitation is required (no joke). In order to request one or to have more information, please write to: secretary@kair.polemb.net

Click here to find more details about the concert and bios of all participating artists.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC Sep. 18 - Sep. 24, 2010

Saturday, September 18, 2010
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nayer Nagui present a “Latin American Night” with works from Salgado, Piazzolla, Parra and others, in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Naseer Shamma presents the 1st Egypt International Oud Forum in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 9:00 PM
- Beshir (Modern Egyptian Folk) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Sunday, September 19, 2010
- Naseer Shamma presents the 1st Egypt International Oud Forum in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Zabaleen Band in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- 16th Ismailia Festival for Folkloric Arts in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- The Riff Band (Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM 
- El Masreyeen Band led by Hany Shenouda (Egyptian music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- El-Nil Troupe for folk instruments (Folk music and songs) at Beit Al-Suheimi 9:30 PM

Monday, September 20, 2010
- 16th Ismailia Festival for Folkloric Arts in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Nagham Masry (Contemporary Egyyptian music) in the Wisdom Hall of  El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- That’s All & Ahmed Alaa *{a3x}* (Rap) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- Puzzle (Chillout Fusion) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Tuesday, September 21, 2010
- 16th Ismailia Festival for Folkloric Arts in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Klaket (Acoustic music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Nass Makan (Nubian music, Zikr and Sufi songs, Sudanese music and songs) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM
- Egoz (Rock) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Wednesday, September 22, 2010
- Clockwork Radio (UK/Rock) & Egoz (Rock) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 9:00 PM
- DJ Amr Hosny (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Thursday, September 23, 2010
- Cairo Opera Company and Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nader Abbassi present Mozart’s opera “Le Nozze di Figaro” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Akram El Sharkawy Band (Jazz) and Ahmad El Sawy Band (Jazz/Traditional Fusion) at the Geneina Theatre in Al Azhar Park, 9:00 PM
- Mounir Nasr El Din’s Sweet Sound Band in the Small Hall of the Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Yorka Band led by Abdel Moneem Saed (Andalusian music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Super Fly (Pop & rock covers) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Sahara Band (Rai music) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM
- National Arab Music Ensemble conducted by Selim Sahab at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM

Friday, September 24, 2010
- Cairo Opera Company and Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nader Abbassi present Mozart’s opera “Le Nozze di Figaro” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Sayed Darwish Choir directed by Hassan El Bahr Darwish in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Sahara Band (Egyptian music) at the Geneina Theatre in Al Azhar Park, 9:00 PM
- Khaled Youssef (Nubian music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Sakia’s 1st Alternative Songs Festival winner’s concert, with City Band, Kas we Laz, Ashara Gharby & Ta’afel Masry in the River Halll of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- DJ Migo (Electro Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Salalem (Egyptian music) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM
- Farid El Bably Ensemble at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM

- Kholthoumiat in the Open Air Theatre of the Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

The Zabaleen Band in concert for the International Peace Day

In the framework of the International Peace Day, El Sawi Cultural Centre will host an event on Sunday September 19, 2010 at 8:00 in the River Hall. The event will include videos and a live performance of the Zabaleen Band. Don't miss it.
For more information click here (it's a Facebook page, unfortunately not public, so you'll have to register if you do not have a Facebook account already. I wish the organizers of these events would realize that the scope of creating a Facebook page is to maximize the publicity of the event, and asking people to register to Facebook in order to see the information is not the best way; please keep it public)

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Cairo Live Events Guide on The Daily News Egypt

Well, today's event is indeed a very important one for me. Cairo Live Events Guide is featured in an article written by Chitra Kalyani on the home page of thedailynewsegypt.com.
Do have a look at the article (click here to access it directly) because, as a matter of fact, without you readers and your positive and constructive feedback, I would have given up long time ago.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

1st Egypt International Oud Forum

During my sojourn in Egypt I simply fell in love with the oud. I did not know much about this instrument before and it took me some time and energy to discover its inner beauty. Instrumental in this path of discovery have been The Trio Jubran, Hazem Shaheen, Mohamed Abu Zekri, Marcel Khalife, Kamilya Jubran and Naseer Shamma, all of whom (except Khalife) I had the privilege of hearing live. Each with their peculiar and innovative way to interpret the instrument, they have shown me that this string instrument, much like the cello, another instrument I adore, has a depth and an emotional intensity that reach deep.

I was therefore elated when I read about the Cairo Opera House hosting of the 1st Egypt International Oud Forum from Thursday September 16 to Saturday September 18, 2010 with the patronage of the Ministry of Culture and the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation.
The forum, under the direction of Iraqi, Cairo-based, artist Naseer Shamma, will be hosting concerts, workshops and seminars highlighting the history, complexity and importance of the Oud. It aims to highlight the contemporary importance of the instrument and play a role in its preservation as a symbol of Arabic cultural identity. Most importantly, the forum organisers aim to emphasise that the oud is not only a musical instrument, but an integral element of the Arabic cultural identity and heritage. Artists and visitors can participate in a series of workshops and seminars, running between 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM each day, which will revolve around the craftsmanship, history and importance of the oud. Concerts will start at 8:00 PM every night of the event.

The artists participating in this event come from all over the Arab world and include Charbel Rouhana from Lebanon; Bashar Al Hassan, Sabsabi brothers, Raja’a Kahl, Juan Ali, Ghassan al-Youssef and Bahr Ghazi from Syria; Said El Sharaiby from Morocco; Hazem Chahine, Mohammed Abu Zekri, Fathi Amin, Amr Mustafa, Ajeeb, Karim Samy, Youssef Darwish, Hassan Al Mennialawy, Dina Abdel Hamid and Nagi Nagi from Egypt; Aly Obeid and Amr Fawzi from the UAE; Mohammed Memtaz from Turkey; Jubran Trio from Palestine; Fawzi Monsheb, Khaled Mohamed Ali and Youssef Abbas from Iraq; Ashraf Awad from Sudan.

(This piece has been prepared with information taken from Al-Arab online and Abu Dhabi City Guide online)

Friday, September 10, 2010

El Leila El Kebira Ballet

El Leila El Kebira (The Big Night) is a famous puppet operetta from the late 50s, written by the poet Salah Jahin with music from Sayyed Mekkawi.
The piece centers on the last night of a moulid (an old Egyptian popular tradition celebrating the birthdays of Sufi saints and of the Prophet Mohammed), depicting different scenes from this street carnival and featuring the characters that have been, and that to a certain extent still are to these days, the actors of the celebrations: from food stall vendors to jugglers, musicians and other performers.
Originally presented on Egyptian Radio on 1957, it was shortly afterwards adapted for the puppet theatre and, in 2001, as a one act ballet performance by choreographer Abdel Moneim Kamel.
The show has been presented several times at the Cairo Opera House and has attracted good reviews from critics and public alike.

El Leila El Kebira will open the 2010/2011 Cairo Opera House ballet season with performances in the Main Hall on September 13, 14 and 15 at 8:00 PM.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC Sep. 11 - Sep. 17, 2010

Saturday, September 11, 2010
- Black Theama in the River Hall of El sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 9:00 PM
- DJ Master at Funk (Funk Latin House) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Sunday, September 12, 2010
- Michelle Rounds (Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Mohamed Adaweya (Arabic music) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- El-Nil Troupe for folk instruments (Folk music and songs) at Beit Al-Suheimi 9:30 PM

Monday, September 13, 2010
- Cairo Opera Ballet Company and Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nayer Naguy present “El Leila El Kebira” by Salah Jahine and Sayed Mekkawi in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Asala Group (Oriental music) in the Wisdom Hall of  El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- DJ Samba & Fahmy (Funky and Electro beats) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Tuesday, September 14, 2010
- Cairo Opera Ballet Company and Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nayer Naguy present “El Leila El Kebira” by Salah Jahine and Sayed Mekkawi in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Ali El Alfi (Arabic music) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Nass Makan (Nubian music, Zikr and Sufi songs, Sudanese music and songs) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM
- Crash Boom Bang (Funk and Dance Floor covers) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Wednesday, September 15, 2010
- Cairo Opera Ballet Company and Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nayer Naguy present “El Leila El Kebira” by Salah Jahine and Sayed Mekkawi in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Zikr and Sufi songs at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- 203 (Rap & Hip Hop) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- El Kayal Group (Oriental music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 9:00 PM
- DJ Ramy (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Thursday, September 16, 2010
- Naseer Shamma presents the 1st Egypt International Forum for Oud in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- George Volkov (Viola) recital in the Small Hall of the Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Trackat Ala Kefna Group (Contemporary Egyptian songs) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Urban Preachers (R&B, Soul & Funk) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Sahara Band (Rai music) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM
- Heritage Ensemble for Arab Music at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM

Friday, September 17, 2010
- Naseer Shamma presents the 1st Egypt International Forum for Oud in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Salalem (Egyptian music) in the Wisdom hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- DJ Carlos (Underground Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Said El Artist Ensemble at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- The Percussion Show at the Geneina Theatre in Al Azhar Park, 9:00 PM
- National Arab Music Ensemble in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

ANDREA BOCELLI in concert in Cairo. Is this time for real?

Well, judging by the involvment of none other than the Ministry of Culture and of an impressive display of sponsors, I believe that this might finally be the time Andrea Bocelli is going to perform in Egypt.
If you can afford the ticket prices (1000, 2000, 3000 EGP), book the evening of September 25, 2010 for what will surely be an unforgettable event at the Pyramids.

For more information and ticket booking, click here.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Garbage Dreams

The award winning documentary "Garbage Dreams" by Mai Iskander about the zabaleen community in Manshiet Nasser has, deservedly, generated a lot of interest and gained international recognition. But what has attracted my attention is the continuing promotion that has followed its release, a phenomena that I had not witnessed yet, to this extent, in Egypt.
The movie has an excellent website, an online store where you can buy not only the DVD but cool t-shirts as well, and a facebook page where you can share your views, get infos about organizing screenings and keep up to date with the latest news about the movie (articles, participation in festivals, and so on).

If you haven't seen the movie or heard of it yet, you really have no excuses.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Bibliotheca Alexandrina September Film Program

Yes, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina is, as the name suggests, in Alexandria, and therefore not exactly "Cairo Live Event" material, but, you might happen to live in Alex and read this blog, or live in Cairo and go to Alex for a few days, or simply, decide to go because attracted by a special program (might sound far fetched to many but ... well, I did it!). So, provided I continue to receive info regularly, I decided to create a "niche" for Alex in the blog.

What follows is the schedule of the movies shown during the month of September 2010* at the Auditorium of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. All screenings start at 7:00 PM

19 September 2010
Tenth Birthday of “Amkenah” magazine
"Garbage Dreams"
Directed by Mai Iskander
Egypt/USA – Documentary – 2009 – 79 min.

21 – 23 September 2010
International Day of Peace: "EURIPIDES TRILOGY BY MICHAEL CACOYANNIS"

IPHIGENIA
Directed by Michael Cacoyannis
Greece – Fiction – 1977 – 120 min.
THE TROJAN WOMEN
Directed by Michael Cacoyannis
U.S.A – Fiction – 1971 – 106 min.
ELECTRA
Directed by Michael Cacoyannis
Greece – Fiction – 1962 – 107 min.

26 September 2010
Animation Film Forum "The First Steps of Animation in Egypt - Frenkel Brothers Films"

"National Defense"
Egypt – Animation – 1939 – 14 min.
"Tete Dure"
Egypt – Animation – 1950 – 2 min.
"The Secret of Happiness"
Egypt – Animation – 1950 – 2 min.
"The Smart Student"
Egypt – Animation – 1949 – 3 min.
"You Are Right Othman!"
Egypt – Animation – 1949 – 2 min.
"On the Nile’s Bank"
Egypt – Animation – 1947 – 2 min.
"The Clever"
Egypt – Animation – 1949 – 9 min.
"Bon Appetit!"
Egypt – Animation – 1946 – 11 min.

The Screening is followed by a seminar with the Animation Filmmaker Showikar Khalifa (In Arabic).

* Program actually starts this evening, but I am late in posting and therefore I did not include today's program.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Concert of Famous Opera Arias at the Theatre of the Italian Cultural Center in Zamalek on Sunday, September 5, 2010 - Programme

Concert starts at 8:30 PM

- "Saper vorreste" from the opera "Un ballo in Maschera" by Giuseppe Verdi.
- "Le violette", aria from "Pirro e Demetro", the most famous opera by Alessandro Scarlatti
- "Juliette's waltz" song from the opera "Romeo e Juliette" by Charles Gounod.
- "Caro nome", the famous aria of Gilda from the opera "Rigoletto", by Giuseppe Verdi
- "Queen of the Night" Aria from "The Magic Flute" (Die Zauberflöte) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- "Hymne à l'amour" composed and performed by Édith Piaf, with music by Marguerite Monnod
- "Art is calling me" (I want to be a Prima Donna), from the comic opera "The Enchantress", with musics by Victor Herbert, and lyrics by Fred Gresac and Henry Smith

Soprano, Amira Reda
Soprano, Maysa Orensa
Mezzo Soprano, Carole Irigoin
Piano, Gaia Palesati

Poems by Montaser Eghezi
Photos by Bahaa Talis

Friday, September 3, 2010

Naseer Shamma concert on Saturday, September 4, 2010

Iz actually looks as if there is a bit of confusion regarding Naseer Shamma's concert on Saturday September 4. The concert was scheduled on the "Nuits de Ramadan" program of the French Cultural Center for 9:30 PM and as such introduced in the Weekly Agenda. The online program of El Sawi though schedules a Naseer Shamma concert at 10:00 PM on the same night.
El Sawi confirmed their concert while I could not be able to contact the French Cultural Center by phone, and the webpage of the "Nuit du Ramadan" does not open anymore. Trying to get a clue of what's going on, I went on Naseer Shamma facebook page where he replies the following to a question about the concert:

الحفلة الاولى في المركز الثقافي الفرنسي في التاسعة والربع.. والثانية في ساقية الصاوي العاشرة والربع

He plays at 9:15 PM at the French C.C. and at 10:15 PM at El Sawi? Did I get it right? It looks logistically improbable to me. As my Arabic is very poor, can any Arabic speaking reader please be so kind to confirm? 

Thursday, September 2, 2010

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC Sep. 4 - Sep. 10, 2010


Saturday, September 4, 2010
- Naseer Shamma (Iraq/Oud) at the French Cultural Center in Mounira, 9:30 9:15 PM and at El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 10:15 PM
- Closing Ceremony of the Samaa International Festival for Sufi Music and Singing (Ensembles from Spain, India, Syria, Uzbekistan, Egypt Sudan and Indonesia) at the Qubbet Al Ghouri, 9:30 PM
- El Tanboura from Port Said at the Amir Taz Palace, 9:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 9:00 PM

Sunday, September 5, 2010
- Amira Reda (Soprano), Maysa Orensa (Soprano), Carole Irigoin (Mezzosoprano), accompanied by Gaia Palesati (piano) present a singing recital of famous Arias at the Italian Cultural Institute, 8:30 PM (The concert will be followed by a movie screening)
- Hoga Band (Contemporary Oriental music) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:30 PM
- Ana Masry (Egyptian music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:30 PM
- El Enshad El Dini Troupe (Religious chants) in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 9:30 PM
- El-Nil Troupe for folk instruments (Folk music and songs) at Beit Al-Suheimi 9:30 PM

Monday, September 6, 2010
- El Mezmar Wi El Rababa Band (Egyptian Folk) in the River Hall of  El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 10:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM

Tuesday, September 7, 2010
- Sodfa Band (Acoustic music) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 10:30 PM
- Dr. Sayed El Refai and his Band (Oriental music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 10:30 PM
- Nass Makan (Nubian music, Zikr and Sufi songs, Sudanese music and songs) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM

Wednesday, September 8, 2010
- Zikr and Sufi songs at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- Mohamed Rashad (Egyptian Folklore) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 10:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 9:00 PM

Thursday, September 9, 2010
- Mohamed El Sawah (Contemporary Egyptian songs) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center in Zamalek, 10:30 PM

Friday, September 10, 2010

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Jim Lee in Cairo

Korean-American renowned comic book artist, publisher, and writer Jim Lee will hold a talk at Al Kotob Khan bookshop in Maadi on Friday, September 3, 2010 at 9:00 PM. If you are a comic buff this is an event not to be missed. Free entry.
If you wish to know more about Jim Lee, click here, and here.