The 13th Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival (D-CAF)
(1-26 October 2025)
Rawabet Art Space
5 Hussien Pasha El-Meaamar St. ext. of Mahmoud Bassiouny St, Maarouf, Qasr El Nil, Downtown
Sat 4, 8pm: Electroflamenco 3.0 is a trio stage performance work in which the live electronics and sound art of Artomático open a space for creation and dialogue, alongside the flamenco dance of Paula Comitre and the contemporary saxophone of Juan M. Jiménez. Spanish musical tradition—flamenco and classical avant-garde—form the fertile soil from which the trio’s unique language grows. The three artists perform, sample, and process music, mixing and transcending genres. Electroflamenco 3.0 becomes an auditory, visual, and emotional experience marked by deep artistic harmony.
Al Farida Rooftop
Downtown
Fri 10, 6pm: Rooftop Rituals is a multidisciplinary dwelling on a classic downtown rooftop. Two physical performers and a musician invite you to become part of their playful explorations of this in-between space. Linger with them between city and sky, between private and public, history and potential, chaos and overview, care and neglect. In movements, sounds, texts and gentle invitations towards audience interaction, the rooftop becomes a space of wonder, wander, creativity and connection.
ALEXANDRIA
Jesuit Cultural Centre
298 Port Said St, Cleopatra, Sidi Gaber, Alexandria, Tel 01090958108
Thurs 2, 7pm: Electroflamenco 3.0 trio stage performance.
The 5th She Arts Festival 2025
(3-5 October)
New Opera House
Arts and Culture City in the New Administrative Capital, New Capital
Concert Hall
Thurs 2, 8pm: SheArts Festival opening night will be headlined by Lebanese star Hiba Tawaji, under the musical direction of Osama Rahbani, conducted by George Kolta. The evening will kick off with the dynamic all-female Spanish band Maruja Limón, bringing their electrifying blend of flamenco, pop, and Latin rhythms to the stage.
Tahrir Cultural Centre (TCC)
AUC’s Tahrir Campus, Al-Sheikh Rihan St, off Tahrir Square, Tel 02 2615 2694/01280009077
Main Garden
Fri 3, 6-7pm: Lela Soto (Spain) brings flamenco tradition with a modern edge.
Fri 3, 8.15 - 9.15pm: Nagham Saleh (Egypt) closes with a blend of heritage and contemporary sounds. A night where East meets West, tradition meets innovation, and music unites all.
Sat 4, 7.15 - 8.15pm: Regina Zabos (Hungary) shares her soulful blend of pop, jazz, and neo-soul, carried by heartfelt songwriting and captivating stage presence.
Sat 4, 8:15 - 9pm: Laura Kipp and BalQeis (Germany/Egypt) present Cairo Diaries, a project born in Cairo that fuses jazz, chanson, oud, and Middle Eastern sounds into an intimate and daring new soundscape.
Sun 5, 7-8pm: Rachele Andrioli (Italy) opens with “Leuca” — a solo performance weaving her powerful voice with harp, tambourines, flutes, strings, and loop station. Blending ancestral Apulian traditions with modern soundscapes, she creates a ritual-like atmosphere that feels both timeless and alive.
Sun 5, 8-9pm: Sanyu (Norway) follows with a soundscape of soulful R&B, jazz, and electronic grooves. Backed by some of Norway’s most exciting young musicians, she brings warm harmonies, spoken word, and explosive energy to the stage.
Ewart Memorial Hall
Fri 3, 7-8pm: Tribute to Ziad Rahbani by Hisham Galal Quartet with Lebanese and Egyptian singers honoring his legacy and timeless music.
Fri 3, 9.30-10.45pm: Dance performances by Canaan Troupe for Traditional Palestinian Arts (Palestine) and AUC Alumni Folklore Group (Egypt).
Sat 4, 9.30-10pm: Singer Lily Farid (Egypt).
Sat 4, 10-11pm: The Ayoub Sisters (Egypt- Scotland) accompanied by She Arts Orchestra and GUC Choir.
Sun 5, 9.30-11pm: Aida El-Ayoubi, the Egyptian artist of Egyptian–German roots closes the 5th edition of She Arts Festival with the most beautiful of her songs.
Oriental Hall
Fri 3, 5-6pm: An evening of global voices and styles: Sakura Fujiwara (Japan) opens with her soulful songwriting.
Sat 4, 6-7pm: Manal Mohy Eldin and Şirin Pancaroğlu (Egypt–Turkey) unite their harps in a dialogue across Arabic, Turkish, and classical traditions.
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Abdeen Palace
El-Gomhoreya Square, Rahbet Abdin, Abdeen, Cairo
Tues 7, 9pm: Pianist Omar Khairay and his orchestra.
Beit Al-Seheimi
Al-Moez St, Al-Darb Al Asfar Alley, Al-Gamaleya District, Tel 02 2787 8865
Every Sunday, 7.30pm (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 its founder and scripter Nabil Bahgat.
Cairo Opera House
Gezira Exhibition Grounds, Tel 02 2737 0602/2736 0361, box office 02 2739 0132/0144
Main Hall
Thurs 2, 8pm: The Talents Development Centre concert.
Fri 3, 8pm: Musician and composer Hisham Kharma.
Sat 4, 8pm: The Cairo Symphony Orchestra.
Mon 6, 8pm: The celebration of the 6th of October War.
Open-Air Theatre
Fri 3, 8pm: A concert by Wael El-Fashny.
Thurs 9, 8pm: The Talents Development Centre concert.
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).
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 2, 8pm: Ali Arafa will be performing songs from his debut EP, giving you a taste of some unreleased projects, and vibing with you on a few R&B/Soul covers.
Tues 7, 8pm: Karaoke night.
The Spot mall, infront of AUC Gate 4, New Cairo
Thurs 2, 9pm: Karaoke night.
Wed 8 and Thurs 9, 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 2, 8pm (standing): Singing recital by Lil El Mohamady.
Tues 7, 8pm (standing): A concert of pop music by Kara's Flowers, Maroon 5 tribute band.
Thurs 9 and Fri 10, 7pm: Poetry recital by poet vernacular Amr Hassan, accompanied by music.
Wisdom Hall
Thurs 2, 6.30pm and 8.30pm: El Sawy Culturewheel Puppet Theatre show revives the concerts of Umm Kolthoum performing two of her much-loved songs.
Fri 3, 8pm: A concert features munshid (religious chanter) Mahmoud El-Tohamy.
Sat 4, 8.30pm: Religious chanting by Abu Shaar Brothers troupe.
Thurs 9, 8pm: Singing recital by Mishel Mesak.
Word Hall
Fri 3, 8pm: Stand-up comedy show by Hamza Bahaa.
Teatro Arkan
Arkan Plaza, El-Sheikh Zayed, Giza, Egypt
Thurs 2, 8pm: Lena Chamamyan will launch her new album, Sohab (Friends) — her first release in nearly 10 years. The songs are inspired by her personal experiences and created in collaboration with musicians from Egypt and across the Arab world. The concert will feature her most beloved older songs alongside fresh new tracks, performed with her talented band and special guest artists.
Fri 3, 5.30pm: Mina Nader returns with a brand new comedy night full of stories, laughter, and audience interaction.
Fri 3, 6pm: The Story of Colors a magical musical adventure for the whole family, written and directed by Zazy Hafez.
When little Lala wakes up to find the rainbow has lost its colors, she sets out on a magical journey to bring them back.
With captivating visuals, engaging puppets, and original songs, Lala and the lost rainbow gently teaches kids about colors, emotions, anti-bullying, and self-worth — all wrapped in songs, stories, and pure joy.
ALEXANDRIA
Alexandria Opera House (Sayed Darwish Theatre)
Fouad St, Mahatat Al-Raml, Alexandria, Tel 03/486 5106
Fri 3, 8pm: Alexandria Opera Strings Orchestra concert.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Chatby, Alexandria 21526, Tel (03) 4839999
Conference Centre Small Hall
Thurs 9, 8pm: Alexandria Contemporary Art Days present
Walad (a boy) in Alexandria music performance.
Conference Centre Main Hall
Fri 10, 8pm: The Egyptian-Scottish duo Ayoub Sisters in a concert accompanied by the BA Orchestra, conducted by maestro Nayer Nagui, and the BA Choir.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 2 October, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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