The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

2011 is winding down, and with a
rollercoaster of a year behind us, now is the time to take a breath and start
2012 with a bang. The big night maybe on Saturday, but the weekend fun starts tonight.

Cairo Jazz Club throws up a few interesting
acts ever now and again, and this Thursday nights wouldn’t be the same without
some live music. Tonight the entertainment comes courtesy of Swedish acoustic
duo Sofia Gabinus and Linda Andersson Bengtsson, who will start the evening in
style, before Screwdriver unleash some of the best rock, funk and blues covers.

Fronted by twin brothers Ayman and Osama,
Jazzofranic’s Arabic lyrics and classic jazz inclinations always make for a
sophisticated live performance at El Sawy Culturewheel. El Sawy will also host
another stand-up comedy night, which is sure to unearth some more talent.

Over in El Tanboura Hall, Port Said collective
El Wazery group are keeping the spirit of simsimaya music alive with a performance,
while the Abdel Halim Nowera Ensemble for Arab Music will perform a selection
of classical Arabic songs at Cairo Opera House.

Tonight will see the Cairo Human Rights
Film Festival at El Sawy Culturewheel come to a close with several screenings including that of The Desert of the Forbidden Art; a
documentary about one man who, under Soviet repression, rescues 40,000
forbidden fellow artists’ works and creates a museum in the desert of
Uzbekistan.

Friday sees the up-and-coming DJ Izzy
reeling out the best house tracks at Cairo Jazz Club, while the Saint
Augostinos choir to salvage what’s left of the Christmas spirit with a performance
at Downtown’s El Gomhouria Theatre. They’re in good company though, as El Sakia
Camereta Choir are doing likewise at El Sawy Culturewheel.

One of the more peculiar events this
weekend comes in the form of Mohamed Helmy’s performance at Cairo Opera House.
The trumpeter will be performing Disney songs. It’s worth checking out.

There are plenty of interesting art
exhibitions in Cairo to keep you busy, two of which are Hala Elkoussy’s multi-format project Al Khawaga and Johnny Stories at Townhouse Gallery and group exhibition Resistance
at Darb 17 18. Also worth a peek is Zeinab El Segeny’s exhibition at Zamalek Art Gallery,
which charmed our reviewer’s socks off.

Saturday is the big day, and there’s no
shortage of parties to celebrate the New Year, starting with Cairo Jazz Club’s
Beach it Up party, where guests are encouraged to turn up in shirts and
flip-flops. In this weather? No way man. If that’s not to your liking, there
are plenty of other options.

DJ Feedo is celebrating at Stiletto, NeoByrd
is captaining the Rock My Boat party aboard the Armada Boat in Maadi and DJ
Ahmed and DJ Ramy will provide the music at Buddha Bar’s big New Year’s Eve
party.

Newly opened Opium in Zamalek is hosting a
unique night, as Ereland Øye – one half of indie-folk duo Kings of Convenience-
performs. He’ll be followed by a DJing master class by Kall. Also in Zamalek,
Amici are luring in party-goers with an open-cocktail bar, while

For a slightly more low key New Year’s Eve,
the Terrace in Designopolis are offering dinner and music, while First
Mall in Giza is hosting a big casino-themed night. El Sawy Culturwheel will see
in the New Year with class, as Iraqi musician Naseer Shamma graces the stage with
a special performance.

For more on what to do for New Year’s Eve,
check out the Cairo 360 New Year’s guide. Be safe, and have fun Cairo. Happy
New Year!