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

Hello Cairo!

Electricity cuts seem to be the talk of the town these days; every day, Cairenes around the city wait with baited breath for their turn to sit in the dark. But there’s an upside to this lack of electricity – which means no TV, computer, internet, or well, light – and that is: get up off your butt and get out of the house because it’s the weekend and there is much to do – good luck getting dressed, though.

Thursday kicks the weekend off with a bang, offering late-night partying on a silver platter. The third Student DJ Battle will take over Fairmont Nile City for another night of competing student DJs, where DJ Aly B crowns the night with his tech-house tunes. O Bar brings another House Arrest, featuring – according to our poll – Cairo’s favourite DJ, Amr Hosny, while Otium steps out of the box this evening with a Reggae Night, courtesy of DJ Pedro and DJ Moe. Meanwhile, Y Lounge warms you heart and fears of rejection with Music Loves You Back, and finally, Dokki nightspot, Alchemy, will shower you with vodka at Shiver.

Live music is the order of the day at Cairo Jazz Club, where the Cadillacs and Crash Boom Bang take to the stage, while Maryam Saleh will entertain the crowds at El Geneina Theatre and Iraqi oud master, Naseer Shamma, performs at El Sawy Culturewheel.

Quite a few talks and lectures take place this evening, too; ‘Reconstructing the Archives of Baghdad‘ at the Netherlands-Flemish Institute will have Maaike van Berkel discuss Medieval Baghdad, while at Beirut, Bassam El Baroni gets philosophical with ‘Instrumentalising J.F.L. Ver.0.0‘. In Downtown Cairo, CIC explores thes dangers of journalism with ‘Foundations & Rules of Safety for Journalists’.

Start your Friday bright and early – as in 9AM – and make your way over to Gezira Sporting Club for fitness challenge, The Champ. More early-morning fun is available at Seasons Country Club, where the Nubian Carnival & Bazaar promises a day of shopping and entertainment, while Graffiti is hosting another Rock n Roll Brunch, promising an American brunch to the backdrop of live music.

Once night-time rolls around, the music and naughtiness begins; DJs Samba and Fahmy return to Cairo Jazz Club, while O Bar hosts anther R&B Night with DJs Feedo and Hook and Graffiti clears the buffet and welcomes DJ Roro.

New Dokki cafe, Mizan, hosts its biggest event to date, as the funny boys and girls of Al Hezb El Comedy step behind the mic for a night of stand-up. Elsewhere, indie rock band, Egoz, are live at Bikya Maadi and Sarah Assem is set to perform a variety of jazz numbers at Jazz Mate. But for a truly unique experience, Egybadour Band – composed of Egyptian and French musicians – will be performing at El Dammah Theater for Free Arts.

Saturday encourages you to rise a little earlier once again with a Cairo Flea Market Summer Event taking place at Designopolis, while Nūn Center hosts another Farmers Market.

In the evening, El Dammah Theater for Free Arts welcomes Kafafa Troupe, who get their musical inspiration from the sounds of palm trees –true story – while Mohamed Yehia, expert in both oud and the Turkish saz, will take to the stage at El Sawy Culturewheel.

If the energiser bunny in you has not been satisfied, Graffiti will have Onsy and Nataly playing some old-school classics along with recent chart hits, while Amici Heliopolis celebrate the end of the weekend with Happy Saturday and Amici Zamalek will also be hosting its weekly Wine & Fondue Night.

If you’re tapped out but fancy taking in a bit of culture, art exhibitions are aplenty: ‘The Chalkboard’ exhibition continues at Bar D’O, ‘Veiled Reality’ by Souad Mardam Bey is showing at Zamalek Art Gallery, while recently reviewed ‘Desire, Deceit & Difficult Deliveries‘ by Doa Aly continues at Townhouse Gallery.

Remember Cairo, these are just some of the many events the city has to offer this weekend, so be sure to check the Cairo 360 events page for a complete listing of what’s happening out and about.

Happy Weekend, Cairo – stock up on candles!