Saleh sings the blues

MARK YOUR CALENDAR-

🎵 What do the blues, the early noughties, and the Cairo Opera House have in common? On Friday, 27 June, the answer would be Medhat Saleh. Taking to the Cairo Opera House’s Main Hall alongside his orchestra — spearheaded by maestro Ahmed Amer — and Egyptian musician Amr Selim, singer Medhat Saleh will be performing a medley of his most memorable hits in a one-night-only concert. Already humming Habibi Ya Asheq? You can grab a ticket from Tazkarti.

HAPPENING THIS WEEK-

Get your rock rhythm on tomorrow at CJC 610. Cairo-based Jordanian alt pop artist Zaid Khaled and Egyptian rock band Massar Egbari join forces to fill CJC with Arabic beats that will have your hips swinging — whether you like it or not. You can grab your tickets through CJC 610’s official website.

Treat your inner theatre kid to a night out this week as globally-renowned opera Carmen makes its way to the Cairo Opera House. Composed by France’s Georges Bizet, the Southern Spain-set opera explores seduction, jealousy, and the pitfalls of obsession. The opera will run at the Main Hall from Thursday, 22 May, to Monday, 26 May at 9pm — with the exception of Saturday, 24 May. Tickets are available on Tazkarti.

Hip Hop fans: Don’t miss the historic Project Meem concert, headlined by rap icons Marwan Pablo and Marwan Moussa sharing the stage. The concert will take place on Friday, 23 May at Cairo Festival City, and tickets are selling fast on Tazkarti.

Craving a taste of Downtown Cairo? Flavor Republic is bringing The Corner Shop back for its second 2025 edition. The limited-edition café, offering a slew of homegrown products and produce you can bring home, and their all-day café menu brims with Egyptian classics, in honor of Egyptian culinary traditions and iconic spots like Café Riche and Groppi. The Corner Shop will be up and running Downtown at the Kodak passageway on Adly Street until Saturday, 31 May.

HAPPENING LATER-

In the mood for an Oriental serenade? Egyptian musician Saad El Oud and his band will be whipping up all sorts of Arabic and Egyptian oud tunes at Madinaty’s Boom Room on Sunday, 25 May. You can get your tickets from Ticketsmarché.

Jordanian Arabic pop rock band Jadal will be causing a commotion this May at CJC 610. Generous with their bangers since ‘03, the Amman-born group will be showing up and rocking out at CJC610 on Wednesday, 28 May, with tickets available through Ticketsmarché.

Dust off your boogie shoes, because Disco Misr will be launching their new album at Sheikh Zayed’s Zed Park on Friday, 30 May. Kicking off their 9th remix album, the Egyptian “funk and disco” trio will be taking over Zed Park with their signature wild energy. Rumor has it that the day’s itinerary will also include stand-up comedy performances, live sets, and “surprise collabs.” Intrigued? Secure your tickets through Ticketsmarché.

Dalida may have once found her love in Portofino, but this May we’ll be feeling her love right here in Cairo. On Friday, 30 May and Saturday, 31 May at The Theater in 6th of October, Dalida: Bint Shoubra — a musical production honoring the iconic vocalist’s life and musical legacy — will shine the spotlight on the Shoubra-born megastar. The production will be led by Lebanese singer Mirva Kadi, with a special appearance by Egyptian singer Haidy Moussa. You can book your tickets for both days through Ticketsmarché.

Free up your schedule on Saturday, 7 June and Sunday, 8 June for the second installment of the Makadi Heights Music Festival, taking place at The Haus in Hurghada. Cairokee will inaugurate the summer staple on the first day, while rap icons Marwan Moussa and Afroto wrap up the second. You can book your tickets for either or both days through Ticketsmarché.