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

Hello Cairo!

The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting colder! But with the city ripping the shackles of the curfew more and more, there’s too much to see and do to lock yourself up with a blanket and a DVD box set of Keeping up With the Kardashians.

Thursday sees O Bar host one of several special Heineken events set to hit the capital in the coming weeks; A Night Out in Athens brings together DJ Carlos and a host of Grecian entertainment, as well as the chance to win a trip to Athens.

Elsewhere, Alchemy pays tribute to whiskey at Molten Amber, while Beatles tribute band, Glass Onion, are back at Cairo Jazz Club. Tamarai, meanwhile, has a double-header of entertainment with DJ duos, Fahmy & Samba and Gawdat, providing the music for Carousal.

Away from the city’s bars and clubs, one of the biggest musical events of the weekend comes at Cairo Opera House, where legendary Egyptian jazz musician, Yehia Khalil, is set to perform. Also at Cairo Opera House, Verdi’s classic opera, ‘Aida’, moves into its second night.

More local music can be found at El Sawy Culturewheel, where popular band, Eftekasat, will be joined on stage by Australian-Egyptian oud player, Joseph Tawadros. Meanwhile, Maadi’s Beit El Raseef hosts gigs by two lesser-known, but insanely talented, bands – Antiqua and Cherine’s Project.

As has been the case for the last few months, little is happening on Friday on account of the 7PM curfew, though Amici in Heliopolis is hosting Fire Up the Grill; a day of beer, burgers and hotdogs. Elsewhere, Artellewa hosts another of its weekly film screenings; this time, it’s Italian classic, Rocco and His Brothers.

There’s more live music on Saturday, with Ellie of London back at Jazz Mate for a night of upbeat jazz classics. Oriental rock band, Nagham Masry, perform at El Genaina Theatre, while Cairo Jazz Club host Alexandrian band, Ashara Gharby.

Alternatively, add a splash of culture to your weekend with the last performance of Jean-Paul Sartre’s ‘No Exit’ at Falaki Theatre in Downtown Cairo.

Looking for a wilder time before having to go back to work? Otium will be blasting out some major party anthems – apparently – with DJs Pedro, Moro and Tamer, for another edition of Ladies’ Night. Not enough? After-hours club, Bamboo, will keep you up until the early hours of the morning with their weekly Levantine-inspired event, Lebanese Love.

There are plenty of exhibitions, too, with Safar Khan Gallery’s ‘With the Pioneers‘ moving into its last week. New art this week comes courtesy of Norwegian-Egyptian artist Britt Boutros Ghali’s ‘Moving Forward‘ at Picasso Gallery and Townhouse’s ‘Ugly Feelings‘.

This is just a snapshot of the events that await you this weekend – check out the Cairo 360 events calendar for more.

Have fun!