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Cairo Weekend Guide: Cairo Runners Half Marathon, Al Hezb El Comedy & More

Cairo Weekend Guide: Cairo Runners Half Marathon, Al Hezb El Comedy & More
written by
Cairo 360

Hello Cairo!

Heading full speed into a – hopefully sunny – weekend in Cairo, nightlife and venues all over the city are heating up with gigs, screenings, exhibitions, and so much more.

Thursday sees Tamarai spring back into action with new weekly night, Reboot, while Downtown’s nightspot, VENT, invite Aly Bahgat to the DJ booth. Alchemy hosts its tropical Heart of the Equator night, while its sister venue, Cairo Jazz Club, fly in London punk band, SHOT!, and De Ja Vu – local orchestrators of blues and funk. Newest Nile-side chill-out spot, the Lemon Tree & Co., have lined up DJ Tito at their aptly named, Zest event.

For some serious head-banging, Rawabet Theater host Metal Station, while at the opposite end of the musical spectrum, Falaki Theatre hosts a gig from the guys under Egypt’s first hip-hop label, Revolution Records. Elsewhere, indie-pop singer, Malak, takes over Sufi with a sneak preview of her up-and-coming EP.  

Artellewa are hosting a three day, Japanese Living Art extravaganza, with Japanese expat artists Orinotawashi bringing Cairo a taste of their rich culture and history. Back by popular demand, El Sawy Culturewheel presents their 11th Sakia exhibition, with lectures, open discussions, exhibitions and performances. Cairo Opera House, meanwhile, hosts Yehia Khalil; a man known for his extraordinary musical arrangements and his pioneering of jazz in Egypt.

On Friday, House Obsession hits Cairo Jazz Club with a three-DJ line-up, while Fairmont Nile City’s Saigon Lounge spices things up with a Latin Fiesta. Meanwhile, Mohandiseen cove, Almaz, transforms itself with another exotic showof Arabian Nights.  

Cairo Runners have organised their second Half Marathon of a – literally – breath-taking 21KM. With a whole day dedicated to entertainment, roads around New Cairo will be closed, and families are encouraged to come along to show their support.

The top 16 finalists of the Red Bull BC One Cypher will go head-to-head at Darb 1718, while the giggle-tastic Al Hezb El Comedy are back, bigger and better than ever, with To Fok or Not to Fok! at Falaki Theatre. El Sawy Culturewheel are holding a Street Festival, designed to celebrate the best of Egyptian traditions, while perrenial fashion extravaganza, Fashion Garage, returns, complete with whole host of local brands will be displaying their goods.

Cairo Opera House presents a spectacular performance of Spartacus Ballet, whilst students from Beit El Raseef’s drama workshop present an uplifting performance of ‘Lahazat WaYabda’a Al Aard’.

Winding down on Saturday, ‘There’s Something Bloody About Mary’ returns like clockwork to Alchemy, whilst Basheer takes to the stage at Cairo Jazz Club. Over at 100Copies, Kareem Osman & Yasmine Baramawy can be found unleashing some serious visuals and electro-oud sounds. Also a little more unusual, Eskenderella perform their musical poetry at Doum Cultural Center.

A Mini Mashrou3 Al Mareekh is taking place at Shababeek Cultural Centre; with the same emancipating vibe as the original open mic events, just for youngsters between the ages of 3 and 13. Snow White and the Seven Dwarves will be performed – specially for the little ones – twice a day, for a week, at Cairo’s International Conference Center.

As part of their ‘Featherweight Portable Cinema’ program, Townhouse Gallery are screening two feature films that challenge the history captured by images. In terms of art exhibitions, ‘Sounds’ by Sabah Naim at Safar Khan Gallery is a must-see, as is ‘Lingering in the Vicinity’ by Maha Maamoun at Gypsum Gallery.  

For a more live music, parties, exhibitions, screenings and just plain more, check out the Cairo 360 event calendar. Have a wonderful weekend!

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