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

The week finally comes to an end, and a weekend of unlimited events is just around the corner. No matter where you are in Cairo, you’ll definitely find a thing or two to turn the next few days around. Here’s the deal:

Thursday marks the beginning of Shnit Cairo. The Short Film Festival which, running throughout the weekend, gathers a host of international and Egyptian movies. The screenings are set to take place across various venues in the city, including Zawya, Cima and the US Information Resource Centre.

This Thursday, Ruba Shamshoum takes to the stage at El Genaina Theatre for a round of Arabic jazz tunes (Photo: Ruba Shamshoum / Facebook)

As for music events, The Gypsy Jazz Project take to the stage at ROOM Art Space, Palestinian songstress Ruba Shamshoum heads to El Genaina Theatre’s stage for a round of Arabic jazz songs, while Amer El Touni and El Mawlaweya El Masreya serve a Sufi night at El Sawy Culturewheel.   

It’s a rap and hip-hop night at ADEF DECA, where local duo Etnen 3al Mic take to the stage, and a rock night at Cairo Opera House’s Open-Air Theatre, courtesy of Fabrica. The French Institute in Cairo hosts another edition of French Touch, which sees DJ Alan Bishops taking to decks before the duo Ko Shin Moon take to the stage alongside folk music duo Sarah El Rawy and Rafaat Farag. 

Elsewhere, DJ Ghandokly hits the decks for a round of pop tunes at The Tap West, DJs Arrab and Misty are in for deep and tech house night at Cairo Jazz Club 610, while DJ A.K. is all about hip-hop and R&B at The Tap Maadi. As for Cairo Jazz Club in Mohandiseen, Jordanian band Autostrad take to the stage for a round of Arabic rock numbers.

Synth-folk duo Ko Shin Moon hit the stage at Makan this Friday (Photo: Ko Shin Moon / Facebook)

Friday begins with an Arabic contemporary night at Cairo Opera House’s Open-Air Theatre, where Rega Cairo hit the stage, a Pink Floyd tribute night at ROOM Art Space, courtesy of local cover band Paranoid Eyes, and a grunge night at Darb 1718’s where Hania Fansa sings some covers and originals. Makan sees a collaboration between Ko Shin Moon, Sarah El Rawy and Rafaat Farag.

Elsewhere, The Tap Maadi hosts a Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute night, where Blizt –formerly known as Bluezophrenia- play some of the band’s classics, The Tap East welcomes DJ Kamal for a house night, while Cairo Jazz Club 610 sees Ramy DJunkie taking over the decks. Meanwhile, at Cairo Jazz Club a double dose of EDM is unleashed, where DJs Shawky and Ahmed Eid take to decks, while Screwdriver play some tunes at The Tap West before DJ Feedo takes over with a batch of hip-hop and R&B tunes.

Asia Madani leads a Sudanese folk music night at ROOM Art Space this Saturday
(Photo: Asia Madani / Facebook)

On Saturday, El Sawy Culturewheel’s River Hall welcomes Adham Soliman for a round of Arabic contemporary tunes, while Wisdom Hall sees Mustafa Hussein singing some folk tunes. Speaking of folk music, Sudanese diva Asia Madani takes to the stage at ROOM Art Space for a round of tunes.

Elsewhere, local band Salalem hit the stage at Cairo Jazz Club for a round of Arabic indie tunes, DJ Kashouty plays some house, dance, and hip-hop at The Tap East, while it’s all about R&B at The Tap West, where DJ Teddy is in charge.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg, check the Cairo 360 Events page for more things to do and places to go this weekend.