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

Hello Cairo!

With most people either spending their time glued in front of the World Cup on TV and or kicking it at the beach, a weekend in Cairo might not be such a bad idea. So if you’re stuck in Cairo this weekend, fear not, there’s still a lot to do!

On Thursday, three World Cup 2014 matches take place. For more information on the best places to catch them, click here.

CJC fires up the third installment of El Fusion: Sama3na Maziktak, this time with the Tunisian Ghalia Benali and local favourites Massar Egbari, while VENT hosts the enigmatic NeoByrd for a night of straight electronic music.

Lorna of Cairo returns to her weekly belly dancing spot at Bab El Nil, during which Ellie of London serenades Saigon with her incredible vocal talent.

Alchemy celebrates the true prowess of Gaelic culture with Molten Amber, and across town, Darb 1718 hosts a free session of Transcendental Meditation.

For the artistic people, Zawya screens the powerful Georgian film In Bloom at Cinema Odeon as part of its ARTE week, while Mashrabia Gallery hosts the From Architecture to Sculpture exhibition by Hesham Abdallah, Hassan Kamel and Ahmed Karaly.

On Friday, three World Cup 2014 matches take place. For more information on the best places to catch them, click here.

 CJC hosts DJ Hady Tarek and DJ Fabric for a night of back to back music, while DJ Feedo brings back hip hop to O Bar.

Bamboo hosts its infamous Secret Friday with resident DJs 3abkarino, Kiko and Bob, while Overtime  asks you to bring your dancing shoes to Salsa & Latin Night.

The Cairo Opera Company and the Cairo Opera Orchestra combine forces for a night of diverse classic opera excerpts at the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House, while the Cairo Symphony Orchestra, led by Kholoud Sharara, performs a repertoire of chamber music at the Small Hall.

Zawya continues ARTE Week with the moving Belgian film Henri at Cinema Odeon, while Gypsum Gallery hosts the Taha Belal’s fascinating exhibition Vacuum Formed.  

On Saturday, three World Cup 2014 matches take place. For more information on the best places to catch them, click here.

Head over to Graffiti for a trip down memory lane with Retro Lounge, or visit CJC for an easy Nubian inspired night with Basheer.

The Cairo Underground Festival 2014 kicks off at the Aquarium Grotto Gardens bringing food, shopping and music all together. Meanwhile, the Cairo Opera House hosts the mammoth exhibition Amen – A Prayer for the World sponsored by SODIC.

Wind down the weekend at Heliopolis’ favourite bar, the Garden, with Recovery Saturdays, or head over to El Sawy Culturewheel and catch the youngsters from Port Said that make up Al Anamel Al Sagheera perform at the Wisdom Hall.

Art Corner presents a Group Exhibition involving seven local artists, while Zawya screens the Portuguese drama film Tabu at cinema Odeon as part of ARTE Week.

For more information, or a more comprehensive list of this weekend’s events, check out our Events Calendar.