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

With the start of 2011, January is looking to be a busy month on the arts and
culture scene in Cairo. Whatever your resolutions may be; why not start off the
new year by checking out some of the latest exhibitions, concerts and
performances in Cairo?

January 2nd – January 8th: Ending on January 3rd,
Hassan Hassan’s latest exhibition titled ‘Monster’
continues at Zamalek’s Studio 14. Head Downtown to Townhouse Gallery of
Contemporary Art where three exhibitions will wrap up on January 5th, including
Hala
El Koussy’s narrative photography, and Dutch photographer Bas Princen’s
documentation of urban growth, titled ‘Refuge
in Cairo.’ Mahmoud Khaled’s latest exhibition ‘When
Meanings Face Glossy Surfaces’ will run at CIC until January 7th.
Don’t miss the Group
Exhibition at the Gezirah Art Center, also ending on January 7th. One of the
world’s biggest DJs, Bob
Sinclair will perform at the
Terrace in Designopolis on January 7th. Finally, check out the last
performance of the kids’ interactive play ‘The
Invention’ on January 8th. It’s
also adult-friendly so bring your friends along.  

January 9th – January 15th: For a night of classical
music, head to the Cairo Opera House for an Omar
Khayrat Charity Concert on January 10th. On January 11th, Al Masar
Gallery in Zamalek wraps up its latest exhibition,
‘Edge
Sentiments,’ which showcases the work of five contemporary Egyptian
artists. Entrance is free of charge for the January 11th concert at Beit El
Suheimi by the visiting Bedouin
Jerry Can Band. The ‘About
Spaces‘ Exhibition at Karim Francis Gallery ends on January 13th and
poses some deep questions on spatial relationships. On the same day, the Hany
Rashed Exhibition also wraps up at Mashrabia Gallery. For some
quality live music at the Cairo Jazz Club, check out local Arabic contemporary
rock band Salalem
on January 15th.

January 16th – January 22nd: Opening on January 16th,
check out the Ibrahim
El Haddad Exhibition at Mashrabia Gallery, which will continue until
February 10th. Running from January 16th until January 20th, ‘Aida’
Opera will be showing at the Cairo Opera House. Nass Makan
takes the stage once more on January 18th at Makan, always an enjoyable
performance of ethnic Egyptian music. DJ KZ
will heat up the dance floor and spin his beats at Cairo Jazz Club on
January 21st. Picasso Art Gallery’s Abd
El Wahab Morsi Exhibition explores the subject matter of Egyptian
nationality until January 22nd. On January 22nd, Tache Art Gallery opens
in Designopolis, and marks its launch with an exhibition of works by renowned
contemporary artist Huda Lutfi, running until February 9th.

January 23rd – January 31st:
George Bahgory,one of Cairo’s most beloved
artists will display his work at Al Masar Gallery, so join us at the opening on
January 16th for the exhibition. El
Sekia String Orchestra
takes the stage at El Sawy Culturewheel on January 25th
to perform a selection of string concertos. On January 26th and
running until the beginning of February, the Cairo
Book Fair will take place– be sure to check out
their Sour El Azbakia section, full of used books and magazines; our favourite
part of the whole fair. January 31st will mark the end of three exhibitions,
including the ‘Coptic
Art Revealed’ Exhibition at Amir Taz Palace, the Mamdouh
Ammar Exhibition at Safar Khan, and a collective
showing at Darb 17 18 entitled ‘Fames:
Family Vaudeville.‘