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

Hello Cairo!

Anyone who stayed in Cairo over the Eid break can testify how easy-breezy the city can be when everyone and their mothers hightailing it to Egypt’s coasts for some beach therapy. With many leaving the capital this weekend, too, and with plenty going on, we’re kind of glad!

On Thursday, Cairo Opera House’s Summer Festival 2014 continues wuth Egyptian folk artist, Dina El Wedidi, while alternative Egyptian band, Black Theama, celebrate their 10th anniversary with a special gig at El Sawy Culturewheel.

Head over to Alchemy for the alluring sangria at Scarlet’s Vintage Brew, or party hard at O Bar with DJ Mash and a big night of dance music. Also at Fairmont Nile City, Saigon Restaurant & Lounge brings back the jazz talents of Ellie of London, while Bab El Nil hosts belly dancing queen, Lorna of Cairo.

Buddha Bar hosts its buy-one-get-one-free cocktails Ladies’ Night and Giza club, Phenomena, returns with Glamour Night, while Four Seasons Nile Plaza’s Graffiti hosts a trio of live entertainment for the first edition of Graffiti Nights of the weekend and entertainment at Almaz comes in the form of DJ Nader Nelson and belly dancer, Nesma.

On Friday, the Summer Festival 2014 continues with oud specialists, Dina Abdel Hamid and Ghassan Yousef, while VENT resident, Ahmed Samy,brings his banging tech sounds to Cairo Jazz Club.

El Sawy Culturewheel hosts a great line up of local musicians with the Mazzika Zeyada concert, while DJ Feedo spins your favourite r&b and hip-hop tracks at O Bar.

Ellie of London returns to Fairmont Nile City’s Saigon Restaurant & Lounge for her second performance of the weekend, while Overtime Bar & Restaurant asks you to bring your dance shoes for Salsa & Latin Night.

Still partying late into the night? Head over to Bamboo for after-hours fun with residents 3abkarino, Kiko and Bob at Secret Friday, or if you’re feeling lo-key, catch the poetry of Amr Hassan at Hawadet Bookstore.

On Saturday, Summer Festival 2014 hosts the Sweet Sound Band led by violinist Mounir Nasr El Din, while CJC holds a night of Arabic reggae with Meshwar.

Alchemy hosts a new art exhibit titled Hadean by the talented Marwan ElGamal, while Balcon Lounge hosts the musical talents of Ismail l0rD Arafa. Darb 1718 brings back the open-mic project Mashrou3 Al Mareekh, while Safar Khan exhibits their 2014 Summer Collection combining the old pioneers with the new contemporaries.

For a more extensive list of what’s happening this weekend, visit our event calendar.