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

Hello Cairo!

That beautiful little thing called the weekend is nigh and Cairo’s venues are gearing up for a very busy few days, with all manner of live music, parties, exhibitions, bazaars and more awaiting.

On Thursday, VENT prepares for a big night of techno music with Hassan Abou Alam and Abou Samra on the decks and Cairo Jazz Club welcomes back regulars Crash Boom Bang for a night of up-tempo pop rock and funk, while DJ Shaggy, one half of the Awadi Brothers, takes the decks at Maadi bar, the Tap.

Alchemy celebrates the Gaelic culture’s prowess with a night of all things whiskey at Molten Amber, while the Gabriel Hotel’s French restaurant, Salt, hosts a night of smooth jazz and cocktails on Baroque Thursdays.

In Garden City, meanwhile, soulful songstress, Michelle Rounds, is live at Rooftop Lounge, while Rami Attalalla performs at ROOM Art Space with the Tass Brothers. Elsewhere, Shando, takes center stage at El Sawy Culturewheel, while Egyptian belly-dancing star, Amie Sultan, provides the entertainment at Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah’s Moroccan restaurant, La Palmeraie.

On Friday, Cairokee and Sharmoofers go head-to-head in Red Bull Soundclash Egypt 2015 at Platinum Club in New Cairo, while Cairo Shakers bring the popular Paris Kasr El Nil night back at VENT.

Cairo Jazz Club hosts a night of house and R&B mash-ups with Shady Ezz and A.K on the decks, while Nile-side Giza bar and lounge, Eat & Barrel, host another edition of Eat to the Beat with Pacha Sharm Resident, Ouzo, providing the music.

Elsewhere, the Tap welcomes experimental rock, blues and jazz band, Raindogs, while Abdullah Miniawy & Ahmed Saleh infuse Sufi sounds with electro beats at ROOM Art Space and the Riff Band perform at the Music Tent in New Cairo.

Also in New Cairo, while Downtown Katameya Mall celebrates Mother’s Day early with a special bazaar at MOM Festival, while on the other side of the city, Galleria40 hosts a Family Day full of shopping, on-the-go dining and other surprises,

Saturday sees more live music at Tap, this time courtesy of FunkMasters RubberBand, who perform their unique brand if R&B and hip-hop-influenced funk at, while Basheer winds down the weekend at Cairo Jazz Club with his folk-inspired music.

Peking Lodge welcomes all to a Karaoke Night featuring prizes for the top three contenders, as Cavallini takes a stroll down musical memory lane with Oldies Night.

Aida El Ayoubi brings her unique singing and oud talents to El Sawy Culturewheel, while the Cairo Symphony Orchestra performs works by Handel and Bach at the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House.

New art exhibitions this week include ‘Juxtaposition’ by Egyptian sculptor Hazim El Mestikawy at Art Talks Gallery, and ‘The Industrious’ by Fathy Afifi at Gallery Misr, as well as Refki Al Razzaz’s ‘The Spirit of Civilization’ at Ubuntu Art Gallery.

This is just a snapshot of the gigs, parties, exhibitions and events this weekend – check out the the Cairo 360 events calendar for more!