The 31th Arab Music Festival and Conference (20 October-3 November)
Arab Music Institute
22 Ramsis St, Tel 02 2574 3373
Thurs 27, 8pm: Saudi Arabia Troupe and Choir for Music, conducted by Mohanad Tallal.
Fri 28, 8pm: Amman Arab Music troupe (Jordan), conducted by maestro Mohamed Osman Sediq.
Sat 29, 8pm: Sharara Sextet.
Sun 30, 8pm: Umm Kolthoum songs performed by Rehab Omar and Marwa Hamdy in a concert, conducted by maestro Salah Ghoubashi.
Thurs 3, 8pm: Singers Taha Hussein, Ahmed Hassan, Mohamed Abdel-Hamid, Samah Abbass. Singer Ahmed Ibrahim gives a concert, led by Omar Farahat.
Cairo Opera House
Gezira Exhibition Grounds, Tel 02 2737 0602/2736 0361, box office 02 2739 0132/0144
Fountain Theatre
Thurs 27, 8pm: Buzoq player Ramy Ibrahim from Syria. Superstar Diana Haddad from Lebanon in a concert conducted by maestro Wessam Khassaf. Piano recital by Amr Selim. Superstar Medhat Saleh, accompanied by the Abdel-Halim Noweira Arab Music Ensembe, conducted by maestro Ahmed Amer.
Fri 28, 8pm: Singers Sabrine El-Negaly, Amgad El-Atafy. Lebanese superstar Assi El-Helany, accompanied by El-Hefny Troupe, conducted by maestro Hisham Nabawy.
Sat 29, 8pm: Pianist Omar Khairat, accompanied by the Cairo Opera Orchestra, conducted by maestro Nayeir Nagui.
Sun 30, 8pm: Singer Iman Abdel-Ghany. Tunisian superstar singer Saber Alrabaay with the orchestra, conducted by maestro Hany Farahat.
Mon 31, 8pm: The opera singer Rehab Metawaa. Lebanese singer Melham Zein, oud soloist Mamdouh El-Gebali. Moroccan singer Gannat gives a concert, conducted by maestro Mohamed El-Mogui.
Tues 1 Nov, 8pm: Singer Farah El-Mogui, Iraqi singer Hammam Ibrahim, and opera star Riham Abdel-Hakim will give concerts, conducted by maestro Mohamed El-Mogui.
Wed 2 Nov, 8pm: The King Mohamed Mounir.
Thurs 3 Nov, 8pm: The closing ceremony of the festival features Syrian superstar Assala in a concert, conducted by maestro Mustafa Helmy.
ALEXANDRIA
Alexandria Opera House (Sayed Darwish Theatre)
Fouad St, Mahatat Al-Raml, Alexandria, Tel 03/486 5106
Thurs 27, 8pm: Singers Radwa Said, Moamen Khalil, and Walid Heidar.
Fri 28, 8pm: The National Arab Music Ensemble features singer Said Osman. Singers Ahmed Essam and Sameh Mounir. Singer Afaf Rady is back with a concert, conducted by maestro Hazem El-Qasabgy.
Sat 29, 8pm: El-Hefny Troupe, conducted by maestro Hisham Nabawy, features singers Neven Ragab and Hossam Hosny. Singer Hasnaa. Superstar Mohamed El-Helw.
Sun 30, 8pm: Singers Ashraf Walid, Hannan El-Kholy, Nehad Fathy, and Yasser Soliman. Superstar Nadia Mustafa in a concert, conducted by maestro Alaa Abdel-Salam.
Wed 2 Nov, 8pm: Singers Maye Hassan, Ahmed Effat. Oud soloist Mahmoud Abdel-Fattah. Moroccan singer Gannat gives a concert, conducted by maestro Mohamed El-Mogui.
Thurs 3 Nov, 8pm: The Abdel-Halim Noweira Arab Music Ensemble
features singers Mohamed Hassan, Amira Ahmed, Reem Hamdy and Mahmoud Abdel-Hamid. Superstar Ali El-Haggar gives a concert, conducted by maestro Ahmed Ammer.
The 10th Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival (D-CAF) (9-30 October)
Rawabet Art Space
3 Hussien El Meaamar St. ext. of Mahmoud Basiouny St, from Talaat Harb Square, Downtown
Thurs 27 and Fri 28, 7-7.50pm: Anchoring is a contemporary dance piece attempts to reclaim the body as a subject of political and social power by focusing on the centre point of the woman’s body, the womb and some of its characteristics. Women’s bodies have long been the battlefield where cultural, religious, and political wars are waged. This power struggle lies at the core of the thought-provoking dance show Anchoring, choreographed and performed by Salma Salem, with live music by Ahmed Saleh and light design by Saber El-Sayed. Anchoring follows the ritualistic journey of a female body fighting its way through societal restrictions to find its inner power and stand up; to surmount the challenges paving its path towards liberation.
Thurs 27 and Fri 28, 10-10:40pm: No Mercy dance performance created by Nasa4Nasa will lure you in, disarm you, and in the process unravel in their own drama. It navigates our daily virtual and non-virtual modes of feeling, cliches, and vanity. During this fifty-minute DJ set, Egyptian contemporary dance duo Nasa4Nasa pushes the limits of sensuality, desire, and its interplay with violence. The two female bodies navigate the gaze, referencing their repertoires of body image, pop, and rage.
Thurs 27 and Fri 28, 8.30 - 9.10pm: Growing up in a war zone means continuing to hear the sound of bombs long after danger has been averted. It means living and breathing politics; carrying the memory of war in one’s body. In her solo dance performance Losing It, Palestinian choreographer Samaa Wakim uses sound and movement to explore how the trauma of previous generations manifests itself in her own body. The piece invites audiences to embark on a journey towards the moment that Wakim began to fear for her freedom, diving into her memories of growing up under occupation, the various realities she lives in, and the fantasies she has created out of fear and hope in order to survive. Throughout the performance, Wakim’s choreography and powerful vocals come into conversation with Samar Haddad King’s live music score.
Sat 29 and Sun 30, 7-7.20pm: Nafaq 4: Extending Further (Egypt), an entrancing contemporary dance performance by Amina Abouelghar and Hanin Tarek. The performance explores the conflicting powers of connectedness and distance between the dancers’ moving bodies and the audience.
Falaki Theatre
American University in Cairo, Downtown Campus, 24 Falaki St, Downtown Cairo, Tel 012 88721446
Sat 29 and Sun 30, 8.30pm – 9.30pm: Untitled 14 Km performance, dance and documentary theatre from Morocco performed in English with Arabic subtitles. Beyond a shared language, what has united or separated the Arabic-speaking world through the ages? Can one speak of a unified Arab identity? How is this identity conceived and conceptualized in contemporary art? These are some of the questions raised by Younes Atbane’s Untitled 14 Km. This multidisciplinary performance interrogates the art world’s approach to the relationship between contemporary art and identity – specifically, Arab identity; a contentious mosaic of cultures and dialects.
Manial Palace
1 Al-Saraya St, Manial, Cairo, Tel 02 23687495
Manial Palace Festival (2-9 November)
The Garden
Wed 2, 8pm: For the first time in Egypt, France’s Ballet De Bordeaux, directed by Eric Quillere, together with the Cairo Opera Ballet Company, supervised by Erminia Kamel preset a two-part concert in memory of gifted dancer and choreographer Abdel-Moneim Kamel (30 minutes intermission and refreshments served).
Thurs 3, 8pm: A special night in the Garden features world-renowned mezzo soprano Farrah El-Dibany in a two-part concert, accompanied by the Cairo Opera Orchestra, conducted by maestro Ahmed Farrag.
The 14th Annual Cairo Jazz Festival (27 October- 4 November)
This year’s exciting annual international jazz festival takes place at multiple venues on the AUC Tahrir Square campus. Amongst the highlights of the action-packed program will be a special environment-themed show featuring unplugged jazz musicians playing a repertoire of classic and new tunes focused on the importance of a healthy and balanced relationship with nature, one of the hallmarks of jazz music through the years.
Tahrir Cultural Centre (TCC)
AUC’s Tahrir Campus, Downtown, 24 Falaki St, Downtown Cairo, Tel 012 88721446
Ewart Memorial Hall
Thurs 27, 7.30pm: Opening ceremony of the festival. (8pm) Sara Moullablad (Morocco/Egypt). (9.30pm) No-Mad Spirits (Switzerland).
Fri 28, 6pm: Sandberg/Brock Duo (American jazz violinist and Zach Brock and American composer and pianist Steve Sandberg).
(8.30pm) Andorra (Denmark).
Sat 29, 6.15pm: Andrew Milad Trio featuring Amr Wagih (Egypt). (8.30pm) Enzo Favata “The Crossing” (Italy).
Sun 30, 8pm: Night Bus (France). (9.30pm) Shady Al Qasseer Ensemble (Egypt).
Mon 31, 8pm: J.J Quartet (Egypt). (9.30pm) J.D Hive (Austria).
Tues 1 Nov, 8pm: Ahmed Refai group (Egypt).
Tues 1 Nov, 9.30pm: Kuu from Germany.
Wed 2 Nov, 9.30pm: Joao Pedro Brandao Quartet (Portugal).
Thurs 3 Nov, 8pm: Veronika ChiChi and Dmitrij Galovanov and friends (Lithuania/Egypt). (9.30pm) The Jazz Society of Egypt Orchestra with Joao Pedro Brandao Quartet (Egypt/Portugal).
Oriental Hall
Fri 28, 3.30pm (free entry upon registration): Guitar master class by Alessio Menconi Quartet (Italy).
Fountain Stage
Fri 28, 2pm: Jazzinino (jazz for kids) by Bandmakers.
Sat 29, 2pm: Jazzinino (jazz for kids) by Bandmakers. (3.30pm) Jam Session (free entry upon registration).
Mon 31, 10.30pm (free entry): Green Jazz with Hana Ghoneim and Samer George (Egypt).
Tues 1 Nov, 10.30pm (free entry): Green Jazz with August Kann (Norway).
Wed 2, 8pm: Santa Diver (Hungary). (10.30pm, free entry) Green Jazz with Gouda-Bar by Aly Eissa (Egypt).
Garden Stage
Fri 28, 5pm: Chameleon (Egypt). (9.45pm) Alessio Menconi Quartet (Italy).
Sat 29, 5pm: Leo Gandelman Quartet (Brazil). ((7.15pm) Andy Ninvalle and The Bad Pharaohs (Holland/Egypt). (9.45pm) Eftekasat band’s 20 anniversary (Egypt).
Sat 29, 9.45pm: American jazz violinist Zach Brock and American composer and pianist Steve Sandberg will give a concert featuring with Eftekasat band (Egypt). (7.15pm) Nadine Axisa Quartet (Malta).
Mon 31, 9.30pm: The Austrian jazz band J.D. HIVE for groovy jazz harmonies, catchy violin tunes and energetic double bass solos elegantly fuses jazz with folk, rock and classical elements. Come, listen and enjoy J.D. HIVE – four free spirits: Johannes Dickbauer – violin, compositions, Sebastian Schneider – piano, Andreas Waelti - double bass, András Dés – percussion, who will take you on a breathtaking journey through the world of contemporary jazz (Tickets: via Ticketmarché).
Cairo Jazz Club
197, 26th July St, Agouza. Tel 02 3345 9939
Tue 1 Nov, 9pm: The Austrian jazz band J.D. HIVE. (Tickets: Registration required via CJC).
ALEXANDRIA
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Chatby, Alexandria 21526, Tel (03) 4839999
Sat 29, 8pm (open to the public): Alessio Menconi Quartet (Italy).
Jesuit Cultural Centre
298 Port Said St, Cleopatra, Sidi Gaber, Alexandria, Tel 01090958108
Wed 2 Nov, 7pm: The Austrian jazz band J.D. HIVE. (Free entry but registration required. More details via Facebook).
Beit Al-Seheimi
Al-Muaaz St, Al-Darb Al-Asfar Alley, Al-Gamalya District, Tel 02 2787 8865
Every Sunday, 7pm: The Nile Troupe for Folk Instruments, conducted by Abdel-Rahman Al-Shafaai, performs dances and songs from Upper Egypt on mizmar, tabla and other traditional musical instruments.
Every Friday, 7pm: “Al-Aragouz 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.
Cairo Opera House
Gezira Exhibition Grounds, Tel 02 2737 0602/2736 0361, box office 02 2739 0132/0144
Main Hall
Sun 30 and Mon 31, 11am: The Cairo Symphony Orchestra presents children concerts.
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).
Al-Gumhouriya Theatre
12 Al-Gumhouriya St, Abdin, Tel 02 2390 7707
Thurs 27 and Fri 28, 8pm: Alnadaha dance show performed by Forsan Al-Sharq for Heritage company.
Makan
1 Saad Zaghloul St, Al-Mounira, Cairo, Tel 2792 0878
a repertoire of traditional music of the Nile Delta, Al Jaafra music played by Arab Tribes from Aswan and Nass Makan band.
Every Wednesday, 9-10pm: 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 27, 9pm: Singer Shahira Kamal’s music contains a diverse combination of Arabic original songs with an indie pop feel each, with a different taste and mood yet unifying a unique collective sound that presents a strong identity, her lyrics swing from romance to philosophy to social sarcasm. Sharing the stage this gig the talents Lowai Gamal (percussions), Ahmed Kamar (keyboards), and Peter Abdou (bass).
The Spot mall, Infront of AUC Gate 4, New Cairo
Thurs 27, 8pm: A Karaoke Night.
El-Sawy Culturewheel
End of 26th of July St, under the 15th of May Bridge, Zamalek, Tel 02 2736 8881/6178/2737 4448
(No entry without a mask and the hall will be open at only 25 percent audience capacity)
River Hall
Sat 29, 7pm: Big Sam for the first time in Egypt.
Tues 1 Nov, 7pm: Rock concert by Rock Dose.
Wed 2 Nov, 8pm: Singing recital by Reem, accompanied by Mina on guitar.
Thurs 3, 6pm: Singing recital by Amira El-Bialy.
Wisdom Hall
Fri 28, 7pm: Abu Shaar Brothers troupe from Syrian performs religious chants.
Word Hall
Thurs 27, 8pm: A stand-up comedy show by MOMOS.
*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 October, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.
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