2024 Korea Culture Week 'K-Sound' (22-28 September)

K-Sound is a mesmerising celebration of Korean music brought to you by the Korean Cultural Center in Egypt. This unique event is part of the 2024 Korea Culture Week, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the KCC in Egypt. K-Sound is a vibrant blend of traditional and contemporary Korean music, offering a rare opportunity to experience the enchanting sounds and rhythms that define Korea’s musical heritage.

Cairo Opera House
Gezira Exhibition Grounds, Tel 02 2737 0602/2736 0361, box office 02 2739 0132/0144
Main Hall
Sun 22, 8pm: The opening concert features LEENALCHI, an alternative six-piece band comprised of three vocalists, two bassists, and a drummer. Formed in 2019, they have become widely known through collaborations with various brands and advertisements. The unfamiliar sound, influenced by unique vocals and new waves, is very danceable and can be enjoyed with familiarity.
Small Hall
Sat 28, 7pm: The closing concert will feature Gugak and Arirang performance. Experience the rich heritage of Gugak, traditional Korean music created with authentic Korean instruments. This year, the closing ceremony of the 2024 Gugak Academy will feature a special performance where Egyptian students, guided by a specialist, will show their skills in playing Gugak instruments.
The well-known and widely shared Korean folk song Arirang, which has been handed down through the generations and exists in many variations, embodies the profound sentiment of the Korean people and is regarded as one of Korea’s representative intangible cultural heritage. This performance is an integral part of the ceremony featuring performers: Park Jai Hyung, Eom Ye Jin, and Noh Yoon Ji, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of Korea through the beautiful and evocative melody of "Arirang".  

Korean Cultural Centre
8 Boulos Hanna St, Dokki, Tel 02 37627102/3
Mon 23, 10am-12noon and Thurs 26, 1-3pm: The Arirang workshop will allow you to delve into the enchanting world of Arirang, a cherished Korean folk song. Under the guidance of professional instructors specializing in traditional South Korean music, you'll learn the authentic techniques to sing Arirang.
Additionally, you'll have the chance to design your own Buchae, a traditional Korean fan, making this a truly immersive cultural experience.

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Abdeen Palace
Al-Gumhouriya Square, Tel 02 23916909
Thurs 26, 8.30pm: A mesmerizing concert as world-renowned soprano Fatma Said graces the stage, along with conductor Nader Abbassi.

Arab Music Institute
22 Ramsis St, Tel 02 2574 3373
Thurs 19, 8.30pm: The Arab Music Heritage ensemble in a repertoire of classical Arab songs.
Fri 20, 8.30pm: Sayyed Darwish Heritage ensemble, conducted by maestro Mohamed Hassan Sayyed Darwish, performs the masterpieces of late composer Sayyed Darwish.   
Sun 22, 8.30pm: The National Arab Music ensemble performs Abdel-Wahab songs.
Thurs 26, 8.30pm: The Maestro troupe, conducted by maestro Iman Geneidy.

Beit Al-Seheimi Al-Muaaz St, Al-Darb Al-Asfar Alley, Al-Gamalya District, Tel 02 2787 8865 Every Sunday, 8pm: The Nile Troupe for Folk Instruments performs dances and songs from Upper Egypt on mizmar, tabla and other traditional musical instruments. Every Friday, 8pm: “Alaragouz wa Khayal Al-Zel” (The Shadow Puppet), a free public performance by clowns in Al-Muaaz Street, presented by Wamda and directed by Nabil Bahgat.
Thurs 19, 8pm: Zikr night to celebrate Moulid Alnaby (the birthday anniversary of Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) with the Abu Al-Gheit ensemble. The ensemble, in collaboration with special guest munshid (religious chanter) Nasser Sharaf, present a repertoire of zikr music from the Delta of Egypt. The ensemble preserves the tradition and cultural memory of the Sufism from the Delta. Their repertoire is a careful selection of texts and melodies orally transmitted along centuries.

Cairo Opera House
Gezira Exhibition Grounds, Tel 02 2737 0602/2736 0361, box office 02 2739 0132/0144
Main Hall
Thurs 19, 8.30pm: A gala concert by the Cairo Opera Orchestra.
Sat 21, 8.30pm: The Cairo Symphony Orchestra.
Sun 22, 8.30pm: A concert by the Korean band LEENALCHI.   
Thurs 26, 8.30pm: The National Arab Music ensemble.  Open-Air Theatre
Thurs 19, 8.30pm: Sweet Sound band.
Fri 20, 8.30pm: Al-Hadra troupe for Sufi chanting.
Sun 22, 8.30pm: The Arab Takht troupe for music and singing, led by Yasser Moawad.  
Small Hall
Thurs 19, 8.30pm: Umm Kolthoum Female troupe, conducted by maestro Mohamed Abdel-Sattar, performs Umm Kolthoum much-loved songs.
Fri 20, 8.30pm: The Talents Development Centre concert.  

Al-Ghouri Caravansary  Mohamed Abdou St, off Al-Muaaz St and Al-Azhar St, Tel 02 2514 7475 Al-Tanoura whirling dervishes perform to live Sufi music (Performances every Sat and Wed, 7.30pm).

Makan
1 Saad Zaghloul St, Al-Mounira, Cairo, Tel 2792 0878
Every Tuesday, 8pm: Mawawil features vocalists Hend and Sara in a repertoire of traditional music of the Nile Delta, Al Jaafra music played by Arab Tribes from Aswan and Nass Makan band.
Every Wednesday, 8pm: Zar music and songs by Mazaher ensemble featuring Umm Sameh, Umm Hassan and Nour Al-Sabah.

Rawabet Art Space
5 Hussien El-Meaamar St. ext. of Mahmoud Bassiouny St, from Talaat Harb Square, Downtown
Thurs 26, 8pm: A musical journey presented by Fabrica Theatre and Fada Arts, inspired by Salah Jahin and Sayed Mekawy's lyrical masterpiece. The musical celebrates Moulid Alnaby (the birthday anniversary of Prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H) with captivating characters, Sufi chanters, puppeteers, and more.

Room Art Space & Café 10 Etihad Al Mohamin, Garden City, Tel 01000 068 159
Thurs 19, 8pm: A collection of new songs and songs by other singers presented to you by Shady Abdel-Salam and his band.
Fri 20, 8pm: Egyptian poet and music producer Shams carefully crafted music, intertwining them in ways that are sure to tug at your heart's strings.
Sat 21, 8pm: "Night Cassette" show is a musical performance on the cello of most of the well-known youth songs of the nineties by most of the golden generation singers, such as Hamid El-Shaeri, Amr Diab, Ehab Tawfiq, Mustafa Qamar, Hisham Abbas, and Simon. The band consists of cellist Amira Shaaban, with her band, which consists of six lap musicians.
Tues 24, 8pm: Karaoke night.
Thurs 26, 8pm: Comedy Gang presents a stand-up comedy show.  
The Spot mall, infront of AUC Gate 4, New Cairo
Thurs 19 and Thurs 26, 9pm: Karaoke night.
Mon 23, 9pm: Crashendo will play some of its songs and other famous songs.
Tues 24, 9pm: 90‘S band.  
Wed 25 and Thurs 26, 9pm: Karaoke night.

El Sawy Culturewheel
End of 26th of July St, underneath the 15th of May Bridge, Zamalek, Tel 2736 8881/6178/2737 4448
River Hall
Thurs 19 and Fri 20, 8pm: A stand-up comedy show by Ali Qandil.
Fri 20, 8pm: A singing recital by Akhrass.  
Sun 22, 8pm: Grama Fan band.
Tues 24, 8pm: A singing recital by Suha Al Masri.
Wed 25, 8pm: Super star singer Ali El Haggar.
Thurs 26, 8pm: A concert by the all-female band Tablet El Sitt.     
Wisdom Hall
Thurs 19, 8.30pm: A singing recital by Reem Ezz Eldin, accompanied by her band.  
Word Hall
Tues 24, 8pm: Error 404! Spanish puppet show is written by Wagner Gallo, and directed by Wagner and Julio Gallo.   

 
Tahrir Cultural Centre (TCC)
AUC’s Tahrir Campus, Al-Sheikh Rihan St, off Tahrir Square, Tel 02 2615 2694/01280009077
Ewart Memorial Hall
Thurs 19, 8-10pm: Celebrating the fifth anniversary of his project "Mood of Oud", Egyptian oud player Michael Onsy, will perform original compositions portraying different situations, mind states and human feelings. A string quartet, piano, guitars, percussion and drums will accompany the oud.
Thurs 26, 7.30-9pm: Part of the fourth edition of She Arts Festival is a concert features the powerful voice Marwa Nagui, accompanied by She Arts Orchestra. The festival is showcasing the incredible talent and influential voices of women from around the globe. She Arts is an international art and cultural festival featuring women in diverse artistic creations that tell and share female stories and perspectives with the community. It incorporates various facets of art by female artists from all around the world or artists who portray women in music, performances, visual arts, poetry, and other popular cultural activities.
Main Garden
Thurs 26, 9.15pm-10.15pm: La Prenda Roja female band from Spain.

Theatro Arkan
Arkan Plaza, El-Sheikh Zayed, Giza, Egypt
Thurs 26, 8pm: A concert by piano and violin duet and Egyptian music composers Fouad and Mounib. Their music accurately describes different human emotions.

ZED Park
El-Sheikh Zayed, 6th of October
Thurs 19, 9pm: A concert features pianist Omar Khairat and his orchestra.

ALEXANDRIA

Alexandria Opera House (Sayed Darwish Theatre)
Fouad St, Mahatat Al-Raml, Alexandria, Tel 03/486 5106
Thurs 19, 8.30pm: Al-Enshad Al-Dini troupe for religious chanting.
Fri 20, 8.30pm: The Cairo Opera Company performs French songs.  

* A version of this article appears in print in the 19 September, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly