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

It’s the longest weekend of the year, and
it couldn’t have come at a better time. While many Cairenes are looking to catch
the last rays of sun on the beaches, Cairo still has plenty to do for those who
just want to break loose and enjoy the city. This truly is a blessed Eid.

It’s Thursday, and House Night at Purple Lounge in Zamalek is a great place for a drink and a dance. Salalem will perform live at Downtown’s After Eight,
while Cairo Jazz Club will host rockers Jailbirds and Beatles cover band Glass
Onion.

In Al Azhar Park, Jordanian experimental musician
Yacoub Abu Ghosh will perform songs off his latest album in El Genaina Theatre tonigh. Abu Ghosh’s music blends Jordanian ethnic music with lyrics inspired by mystic Soufi poetry. Across Cairo in Downtown, be sure to check out Abul Gheit Dervishes‘ captivating dance and music at El Tanboura Hall tonight.

Over at El Sawy Culturewheel, the puppet
show ‘Om Kolthoum Back on Stage’ returns for its monthly show, while the theatre play ‘Blood
Wedding’, Fredrico Garcia Lorca’s story of forbidden love in a small village,
is set for two nights at  El
Gomhouria Theatre. On stage for the last
night of its run is the Hala Ensemble’s musical-comedy show ‘Akher
Ayam Om El Donia – I’m The President’ at Rawabet Theater in Downtown.

Our reviewer enjoyed Emad Ibrahim’s
paintings at the Kempinski Hotel’s Chocolate Lounge as the Garden City hotel
continues its collaboration with Zamalek Art Gellery in showcasing the works of
Egyptian artists.

Friday means r&b night at Purple, and DJ Feedo will spin the hottest and grooviest r&b tracks. Music buffs can enjoy El Sakia Choir for Adults performing the songs of El Sheikh Emam at
El Sawy Culturewheel, or a concert at Cairo Opera House courtesy of the Cairo
Conservatoire students.

‘The Voice of the Streets’ is a festival that
will bring together rappers from all around the Arab World and is sure to be a
vibrant night of urban creative talents and upbeat music at Gezirah Youth
Centre. How could that sound any better? Well what if we tell you that
admission is free? There’s no excuse to miss it!

We aren’t sure who’ll be judging this, but why
not head down to El Sawy Culturewheel‘s talent scouting event and show off your
singing talents or watch others make fools of themselves?

There’s an eclectic choice of live music on
Saturday. Michelle Rounds will be
joined by Adam Clark Miller for a night of jazz at El Genaina Theatre, while El
Sawy Culturewheel will host performances by the conscientious Taxi Band, and
legendary Sudanese musician Ahmed Sharhabeel who mixes reggae, jazz and
traditional Sudanese songs.

The BCA in Mohandiseen will celebrate Eid
with its Wa2fa Party, featuring music from Re-Ha and DJ Mydo amongst a whole
host of DJs.

The Cairo Symphony Orchestra will grace Cairo
Opera House once again with a performance that will make you forget all of your
worries, while Wikalet El Ghouri in El Hussein will feature a night of magical music
combined with traditional dance performed by El Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group.

This weekend will be last chance you get to
see experimental video exhibition RGB at Townhouse Gallery, which will end on
Saturday. Other art exhibitions around the city include Gamal Abdel Nasser’s
abstract exhibition at Zamalek Art Gallery, and the eclectic ‘Pulse’ at Tache
Art Gallery in Designopolis.

Eid Mubarak Cairo!