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

It’s been a funny old week, with the fall out of the EgyptAir 'hijacking' still rumbling on, but with the weekend at our doorstep there’s more pressing matters at hand than one man’s colossal romantic misestimate.   

Thursday is busy as usual, but the stand out event comes at Al Horreya Garden in Zamalek, where D-CAF is set to officially launch with its opening concert. The musicians charged with kicking-off the 2016 edition of the cultural festival come in the form of Egypt’s own Dina El Wedidi as well as Quen of Moroccan Rock, Khansa Batma.

There’s live music elsewhere across the capital, too, with Cairo Jazz Club welcing Danny Malak and Abdo on a night that will also see DJ Aly Goede take to the stage. Meanwhile, over in New Cairo at the Tap East, the Cadillacs perform, while Salalem return to Downtown’s After Eight.

Just a few doors down, Zigzag starts its weekend with DJs Baher and Aly B, while DJ Fuzzy & Ayman Nageeb take to the decks at Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah’s Le Duplex for their first of two gigs this weekend, while Nile-side Giza venue, the Temple, welcomes DJ Lyon Avakian and belly-dancing star, Amie Sultan, for a very special Cabaret Night.

Friday starts early at another Nile-side Giza venue, Eat & Barrel, which is set to host Spanish DJ, David Herrero, as well as local favourite, SHawky for this weekend’s edition of Eat to the Beat.

Later on in the evening, the fourth annual edition of the Damanhour International Folk Festival kicks off. Continuingon till April 7th, the festival – which is taking place at Cairo Opera House – is set to welcome folk musicians from across the world.

Elsewhere one of Cairo’s fastest rising female DJs, Akladios, is in charge of the music at the Tap East and Disco 7amra sees DJ duos, Disco Misr and A-Squared, take to the decks at Cairo Jazz Club and soulful songstress, Riham Mustafa, performs at Fairmont Nile City’s Saigon Restaurant & Lounge.

Meanwhile, as part of D-CAF's Performing Arts program, Downtown's Falaki Theatre hosts Roger Bernat's interactive performance, Numax Fagor Plus – a 60-minute show combines video and performative elements.

Saturday is a little hushed, though one of the highlight events of the weekend is taking place at Royal Club Mohamed Aly, where Nacelle launches new concept FamJam – an all-day festival for the whole family, offering live music, food, games, a cinema and much more.

The evening’s entertainment at Cairo Jazz Club, meanwhile, comes in the shape of cult-followed shaabi acts, El Dakhlaweya and Suezy, while things are getting steamy over at Gu Bar, with this weekend’s Heshek Beshek welcoming singer, Amina. Elsewhere, DJ Fuzzy & Ayman Nageeb are coming out to play again, this time at Johnny's at Le Pacha West in El Sheikh Zayed's Arkan Mall.

These are just a few of the events awaiting this weekend – check out the Cairo 360 events calendar for more.