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

Hello Cairo!

As always, the rain in Cairo has sent most into a tizzy; it’s cold, gloomy and traffic is a standstill everywhere. But Cairo’s bars, clubs, theatres and cultural centres never disappoint, and there’s plenty going on across the capital this weekend. 

On Thursday, house DJs Amr Hosny and  Mounir Zakhary take over O Bar for a night dedicated to electro beats. Over at Downtown’s new quirky hangout, VENT, DJ Aly Goede takes us back to the golden age with his vintage hits. Rock-fusion is all the rage at Cairo Jazz Club as Infinity and Screwdriver hit the stage.

Back by popular demand, the Gameboy fanatic Fayek Helmy – or, 256k – brings his bizarre electronic music style to Maadi’s Bikya. For something more traditional, Sufi Bookstore hosts a Sufi Whirling Concert whilst legendary composer Yehya Khalil returns to Cairo Opera House once more.

Go green with Gezazy at their Thursday’s Bazaar where you’ll find some unique recycled, revamped items for sale, or alternatively, head over to Megawra for a double screening of ‘The Diving Bell & the Butterfly’ and ‘What’s Going On?’.

Moving swiftly on to Friday, local favourites Like Jelly perform at VENT for the first time, whilst Beit El Raseef invites you to make your own music at their Open Jam night. Hiphop trio Young Pharoz rap the night away at El Sawy Culturewheel’s River Hall whereas Ali Hawabawy fills the Wisdom Hall with his traditional sounds.

Hip, artsy cafe, Mizan invites the likes of Al Hezb El Comedy over for some side-stitch-inducing stand-up. Film screenings come in the form of short sketches in ‘Coffee and Cigarettes’ at Sufi and animation film, ‘The Iron Giant’ at Artellewa.

Saturday sees the return of the Farmers Market to the Nun Center, and the inhibition banishing Mashrou3 Al Mareekh at Darb 1718. Elsewhere, Adham Roshdy and Sherif Watson present a programme of knee-knocking covers at Mohandiseen hangout spot, Overtime Bar and Restaurant. Oriental band Kanouz joins forces with Mohamed Darwish at El Gomhouria Theater for an oriental evening. Similarly traditional, Mazaher perform their brand of Zar music at Cairo Jazz Club. TV star and singer Sameh Aamer can be found at El Sawy Culturewheel whilst electronic artists Cellar Door perform at 100Copies Music Space. 

Alongside these, many dynamic art exhibitions are in full swing; check out ‘Inji’s World’ at the Safar Khan Gallery, ‘Black and White’ at Photopia and ‘Generational Continuity’ at the Zamalek Art Gallery.

For many more events, keep your eye on Cairo 360’s event calendar and be sure to have a safe weekend!