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

Hello Cairo!

It’s the second weekend of Ramadan already and the city is bustling as always with all sorts of festive events. The mornings are long and uneventful – spent mostly sleeping by fasters no doubt – but the evenings come alive with all sorts of ways to celebrate the holy month.

Have fetar out this Thursday at either El Raseef or the District, where they will be hosting a Dish Party Fetar and Community Family Iftar, respectively – both require bringing your own dish, so cook to impress!

Kicking off this evening is the Hayy Festival 2013, with Mauritanian diva, Noura Mint Seymali, who will take to the stage at El Genaina Theater for a traditional-modern pop performance.

Catch the puppet theatre production, ‘El Aragoz we Khayal El Zel’ (The Clown and the Shadow), by renowned playwright and director, Dr. Nabil Bahgat, this evening at Beit El Suheimi. For some live music, Reem Kamal takes to the stage at El Sawy Culturewheel, while Noha Taha and Karim Hossam take over Jazz Mate and Lebanese band Nedal will perform at Roof Bar. A night of simsimeya and damma music with El Tanboura will also take place this evening, at El Dammah Theater for Free Arts.

On Friday, weekly music and culture festival, Mawaweel 2013, launches at Darb 1718, where the events will include a theatrical introduction from El Khayal El Shaby, two film screenings, as well as musical performances by Mohamed Mohsen and Uss we Laz2. There will also be a bazaar and art exhibition available to browse.

As part of their Ramadan Nights programme, Artellewa welcome Third Eye Theater Troupe for a unique performance before ‘Mini Mobile Concert’ takes music to the streets. Baheya will be at Beit El Raseef singing their signature revolutionary songs, while Sharara Sextet will perform at Bashtak Palace. At Amir Taz Palace, meanwhile, you can catch Sehr El Sharq, led by Belal El Sheikh.

In one of the biggest events of the weekend, Heliopolis’ Roof Bar hosts shaabi idol, Saad El Saghir, for a special Ramadan performance.

If you’re looking for a bit of daytime entertainment, Balcon Lounge are hosting a mandala workshop, which will not only provide some therapy, but also artistic relief.

Saturday is your last chance to see a theatrical performance that looks at the life and influence of the Prophet Momahed (PBUH), ‘Baradat Al Bosayri‘, at Cairo Opera House’s Artistic Creativity Center. Elsewhere, at Shababeek in Mokattam, Khaled Sallam will lead a lecture on music and therapy, and over at Wikalet El Ghouri, El Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group will put on another of their head-spinning performances. Alternatively, you can relive some classic TV favourites at Bikya’s Nostalgia Night, where there will be screenings of past fawazeer shows featuring Nelly, Sherihan and our personal favourite, Fatouta.

This weekend sees the opening of ‘Ana Masry’ photography exhibition at Amir Taz Palace. ‘The Wall is Mine’, which showcases over fifty photographs of graffiti in Egypt, is also on show at Amir Taz Palace.

Don’t forget there are also many Ramadan tents around the city worth checking out; click here for the full rundown. For more events, also check out Cairo 360 events page.

Have a nice weekend!