Nazra troupe and Looperia Project present Ramadan concerts, not to be missed
Arab Music Institute
22 Ramsis St, Tel 02 2574 3373
Thurs 13, 9.30pm: A Ramadan evening features Nour Alnaby (Prophet Mohamed's light) troupe for religious chanting.
Sat 15, 9.30pm: Al-Hour ensemble for religious chanting.
Amir Bashtak Palace
Al-Muaaz St, Tel 02 2787 9187
Fri 14, 9pm: The Arab Singing House presents a concert featuring The Youth troupe, conducted by maestro Wael Awad.
Thurs 20, 9pm: Singer Mahmoud Abdel-Hamid and his troupe in a repertoire of classical Arab songs.
Amir Taz Palace
27 Al-Syoufiya St, off Al-Salebiya St, Al-Khalifa district, Tel 02 2514 2581
Thurs 13, 9pm: Looperia Project band features artist Mohamed Kamal.
Fri 14, 9pm: A concert by oud duet Ghassan and Dina.
Mon 17, 9pm: 'Alaragouz wa Khayal Al-Zel' (The Shadow Puppet), a free public performance by clowns in Al-Muaaz Street, presented by Wamda and directed by Nabil Bahgat.
Beit Al-Seheimi
Al-Muaaz St, Al-Darb Al-Asfar Alley, Al-Gamalya District, Tel 02 2787 8865
Every Sunday, 9pm: The Nile Troupe for Folk Instruments performs dances and songs from Upper Egypt on mizmar, tabla and other traditional musical instruments (Free entry).
Tues 18, 9pm: Religious chanting by Sheikh Mahmoud El-Hedawy and his ensemble.
Wed 19, 9pm: Shwayat Fan (a little bit of art) band, led by artist Joe.
Thurs 20, 9pm: Salam (Peace) choir.
Cairo Opera House
Gezira Exhibition Grounds, Tel 02 2737 0602/2736 0361, box office 02 2739 0132/0144
Main Hall
Fri 14, 9.30pm: The Talents Development Centre features a Ramadan concert.
Sat 15, 9.30pm: The Cairo Symphony Orchestra.
Thurs 20, 9.30pm: The Cairo Opera Orchestra gives a concert featuring Japanese violinist Mina Aoki-Girardelli, with harpist Toaa Harb, oboe soloist Noha Samy, and violinist Malek Abu Arab from Egypt. The concert will be conducted by maestro Mohamed Saad Basha.
Open-Air Theatre
Fri 14, 9.30pm: An Egyptian-Moroccan Ramadan evening features Moroccan munshid (religious chanter) Gawad Al-Shary, accompanied on stage by Al-Hadra troupe for Sufi chanting.
Sun 16, 9.30pm: Sheikh Yassin E-Tohamy and his ensemble.
Small Hall
Thurs 13, 9.30pm: A Ramadan evening by the embassy of Pakistan.
Sat 15, 9.30pm: A Ramadan evening by the embassy of Palestine.
Mon 17, 9.30pm: A Ramadan evening by the embassy of Philippine.
Tues 18, 9.30pm: A Ramadan evening by the embassy of Iraq.
Thurs 20, 9.30pm: Percussionist Nesma Abdel-Aziz and her band.
Al-Ghouri Dome
111 Al-Azhar St, Al-Ghouriya, Tel 02 2506 0227 Al-Tanoura whirling dervishes perform to live Sufi music
(Performances every Sat and Wed, 9pm).
Thurs 13, 9pm: Three Sisters band.
Sun 16, 9pm: Harp recital by Manal Mohieddin and her band Oriental Fingers.
Al-Gumhouriya Theatre
12 Al-Gumhouriya St, Abdin, Tel 02 2390 7707
Thurs 13, 9.30pm: Umm Kolthoum ensemble for classical Arab music, led by maestro Mohamed Abdel-Sattar.
Fri 21, 9.30pm: Wust Al-Balad band features a Ramadan evening.
Makan
1 Saad Zaghloul St, Al-Mounira, Cairo, Tel 2792 0878
Every Tuesday, 9pm: Mawawil features vocalists Hend and Sara in a repertoire of traditional music of the Nile Delta, Al Jaafra music played by Arab Tribes from Aswan and Nass Makan band.
Every Wednesday, 9pm: Zar music and songs by Mazaher ensemble featuring Umm Sameh, Umm Hassan and Nour Al-Sabah.
Maqas Maq'd of Sultan Al-Ashraf Qaitby (MASQ)
Darb Al-Saqia St, behind Qaitbay Mosque, City of the Dead, Tel 01226569944
Thurs 13, 7.30-10pm (All events are free): Experience the spirit of Ramadan at Sultan Qaitbey Complex with special events celebrating Cairo's cultural and artistic heritage. Enjoy performances, a vibrant bazaar, an inspiring exhibition, and immersive Sufi music. (7:30 – 10pm) Ramadan handicrafts bazaar, discover handcrafted treasures by local artisans blending heritage and modern design. (7:30 – 8pm)| Guided Visit: explore Jarosław Dobrowolski's intricate Cairo drawings and artistic journey. (8:00 – 8:30pm) female Mawlawiya performance, a mesmerizing Sufi whirling show by talented women, accompanied by live nay music. (8:30 – 10pm) an enchanting evening of Sufi chants and melodies with Sheikh Zain Mahmoud.
Room Art Space & Café
10 Etihad Al Mohamin, Garden City, Tel 01000 068 159
Thurs 13, 9pm: Cherry pop stand-up comedy show.
Fri 14, 9pm: Stand-up comedy show features Mustafa Kamal, Mohamed Rabie, Nader Sherif and many more.
Sat 15, 9pm: Jazeera band performs jazz fusion for western and oriental works and band's original tracks.
Tues 18, 8-9pm: Karaoke night.
Thurs 20, 9pm: Looperia is an African-Egyptian project, created by Mohamed Kamal, aims to introduce Egyptian culture to African sensibilities. Looperia is a sound that originates in deep Africa and travels to Egypt via North and West Africa.
The band uses loops of rhythm and music lines to offer Sufi atmosphere while blending African flavor with spiritual lyrics, Gnawa sensibility, and beats. The result expresses their thoughts toward God, love, and peace.
The Spot mall, infront of AUC Gate 4, New Cairo
Thurs 13, 8-10pm: Karaoke night.
Mon 17, 9pm: This event will showcase the junior singers of Vocal Xtreem performing a vibrant selection of songs from well-known musicals, followed by a set of Valentine's Day songs.
Tues 18, 9pm: The 90s band is the first Egyptian band to perform 90s songs in 2025.
Wed 19 and Thurs 20, 8-10pm: Karaoke night.
El Sawy Culturewheel
End of 26th of July St, underneath the 15th of May Bridge, Zamalek, Tel 2736 8881/6178/2737 4448
Wisdom Hall
Thurs 13, 9pm: Religious chanting by Rooh Project.
Fri 14, 9pm: Gypsy Rumba band.
Sat 15, 9.30pm: Abu Shaar Brothers ensemble from Syria performs religious songs.
Sun 16, 9pm: Nazra troupe presents a unique Sufi musical heritage in terms of poems and praises.
Mon 17, 9pm: Classical Arab songs by Kerdan band, conducted by maestro Ali Elmansy.
Tues 18, 9pm: Tablet El Sitt band.
Wed 19, 9pm: Comedy Gang, a stand-up comedy show.
Thurs 20, 9pm: A concert by munshid (religious chanter) Ahmed Salah.
Tahrir Cultural Centre (TCC)
Al-Sheikh Rihan St, off Tahrir Square, Tel 02 2615 2694/01280009077
Ewart Memorial Hall
Wed 19, 8.30-10pm: A Ramadan evening features Al-Hadra troupe for Sufi chanting. The troupe's performances encompass a diverse repertoire, including poems by renowned Sufi figures such as Mohiuddin Ibn Arabi, Al-Hallaj, and Ibn Al-Farid. Their musical arrangements blend traditional instruments like the oud and various percussion instruments, creating an immersive atmosphere that resonates with audiences.
Theatro Arkan
Arkan Plaza, El-Sheikh Zayed, Giza, Egypt
Fri 14, 9.30pm: a night of laughter and fun with Volume 38 of "Ain Gamal" stand-up comedy show. "Ain Gamal" is an interactive experience where the audience gets to be part of the action. Share your funniest stories, interact with Omar El-Gamal, and enjoy a unique blend of comedy and audience participation.
ALEXANDRIA
Alexandria Opera House (Sayed Darwish Theatre)
Fouad St, Mahatat Al-Raml, Alexandria, Tel 03/486 5106
Mon 17, 9.30pm: An Egyptian-Moroccan Ramadan evening features Moroccan munshid (religious chanter) Gawad Al-Shary, accompanied on stage by Al-Hadra troupe for Sufi chanting.
Thurs 20, 9.30pm: Al-Enshad Al-Dini troupe performs religious chants.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 13 March, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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