American University in Cairo
New Cairo Campus
Malak Gabr Arts Theatre
Thurs 22, 7pm – 9pm (free and open to the public): An Arab music night featuring the Arab Music Ensemble and the Cairo Arab Choir.
Tues 27, 7pm – 10pm (free and open to the public): A special evening of music in honor of the life, legacy and musical spirit of Professor John Baboukis, composer, conductor, educator and mentor. This concert features performances by colleagues, students and alumni whose lives were touched by Professor Baboukis’s passion and dedication to music.
Amir Bashtak Palace
Al-Muaaz St, Tel 02 2787 9187
Thurs 22, 8pm: A concert by Alsahbagia troupe, led by singer Wael Sobhy.
Arab Music Institute
22 Ramsis St, Tel 02 2574 3373
Sun 25, 9pm: El-Enshad El-Dini troupe for religious chanting.
Arab Oud House (Beit Al-Harrawi)
Mohamed Abdu St, behind Al-Azhar Mosque, Tel 02 2510 4174
Every Sunday, 8pm (Free entry): The Nile Troupe for Folk Instruments, founded by artist Zakariya El-Hagawy, performs dances and songs from Upper Egypt on mizmar, tabla and other traditional musical instruments.
Every Friday, 8pm (Free entry): “Alaragouz wa Khayal Al-Zel” (The Karakouz and The Shadow Puppet), a free public performance by clowns in Al-Muaaz Street, presented by Wamda and directed by Nabil Bahgat.
Cairo Opera House
Gezira Exhibition Grounds, Tel 02 2737 0602/2736 0361, box office 02 2739 0132/0144
Main Hall
Thurs 22, Fri 23, Sun 25, Mon 26, 9pm: The Cairo Opera Orchestra, conducted by maestro Nader Abbassi, together with the Cairo Opera Company, choreographed by Erminia Kamel, present Carmen opera by Bizet, directed by Hazem Tayel.
Open-Air Theatre
Tues 27, 8pm: A concert by Italian artist Paolo Angeli, one of the greatest innovators on the international music scene, Angeli, originally from Palau (Sardinia), has revolutionized the tradition of the Sardinian guitar with the creation of the prepared Sardinian guitar: a 25-string orchestra-instrument enhanced with hammers, propellers, and customized bridges. A sonic laboratory where improvisation, free jazz, Arabic music, folk noise, contemporary flamenco, and post-rock blend seamlessly.
Performing solo, Angeli takes us on a deep and hypnotic sound journey: natural landscapes merge with post-industrial settings, while his voice, rooted in Sardinia’s ancient traditions, tells timeless stories. The performance will include LEMA, Angeli’s latest album: a musical self-portrait that gathers thirty years of experimentation.
Small Hall
Thurs 29, 9pm: Flute recital by Hoda Abdel-Azim.
Al-Ghouri Dome
111 Al-Azhar St, Al-Ghouriya, Tel 02 2506 0227
Al-Tanoura whirling dervishes perform to live Sufi music
(Performances every Sat and Wed, 7pm).
Thurs 22, 8pm: Nay band features artists Hashem Lotfy and Shaimaa Hamed.
Al-Gumhouriya Theatre
12 Al-Gumhouriya St, Abdin, Tel 02 2390 7707
Thurs 22, 9pm: The Abdel-Halim Noweira Arab Music ensemble, conducted by maestro Ahmed Ammer, features the opera singers in a repertoire of classical Arab songs.
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.
Room Art Space & Café
10 Etihad Al Mohamin, Garden City, Tel 01000 068 159
Thurs 22, 8pm: Elegy, an original rock band that synergizes alternative rock, post rock and metal in their sound, while also delivering fan favorite rock and metal covers.
Sat 24, 8pm: The Open Mic.
Tues 27, 8-9pm: Karaoke night.
Thurs 29, 8pm: Tarneem live session plays original music and covers.
The Spot mall, infront of AUC Gate 4, New Cairo
Thurs 22, 9pm: Karaoke night.
Sat 24, 9pm: “Al Taib w Al Shars w Al Haboub” a night of stand-up comedy and interactive games.
Sun 25, 9pm: “Mostafa Abbas Toffi” has been a stand-up comedian for over 10 years and a member of The Elite comedy team. Now, he’s taking the stage solo with his very first one-hour comedy special Gada3 walady.
Tues 27, 9pm: Gypsy Rumba band performs Gypsy kings and Spanish Latin songs.
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 22, 8pm and Fri 23, 8pm: Ali Qandil in a stand-up comedy show.
Sat 24, 8pm: Ayamna El-Helwa band.
Wed 28, 9pm: Singing recital by Ali El-Haggar.
Wisdom Hall
Thurs 22, 8.30pm: A classical Arab music concert by Magd El- Kassem.
Tahrir Cultural Centre (TCC)
AUC’s Tahrir Campus, Al-Sheikh Rihan St, off Tahrir Square, Tel 02 2615 2694/01280009077
Ewart Memorial Hall
Thurs 22, 8pm -10pm (free and open to the public): The Cairo Choral Society performs Carmina et Cantiones. Step into a world of timeless melodies as they present selections from Carmina Burana alongside medieval and renaissance songs celebrating love, nature and life itself. A concert of passion, poetry and history, where music transcends time.
Teatro Arkan
Arkan Plaza, El-Sheikh Zayed, Giza, Egypt
Thurs 22, 9pm: After the overwhelming turnout and amazing interaction in the first edition, “Tetrat w Zekrayat” Ali El-Haggar - Second Edition is back with a new night of nostalgia and timeless melodies. Join the legendary Ali El-Haggar for an unforgettable evening filled with warmth, memories, and the magical spirit of Ramadan, through the iconic TV series theme songs that shaped the memories of generations.
ALEXANDRIA
Alexandria Opera House (Sayed Darwish Theatre)
Fouad St, Mahatat Al-Raml, Alexandria, Tel 03/486 5106
Sat 24, 9pm: Alexandria Opera for Arab Music and Singing in a repertoire of classical Arab songs.
Thurs 29, 9pm: The Arab Music Heritage ensemble.
Fri 30, 9pm: Alexandria Opera Strings Orchestra.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 22 May, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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