Tips from the culture desk: 2 state festivals, 2 performances, 2 club nights

This week, two state-sponsored culture festivals take place in Cairo and Alexandria, and two performances in Cairo. Besides that you can catch an exhibition at Gypsum, documentaries at Cimatheque, or party with Disco Misr and A Squared at Cairo Jazz Club on Wednesday. If you’re feeling more adventurous, head to Underground (aka, the new incarnation of downtown club After Eight) for a night of music by female rappers, with proceeds going to support the new chapter of the Contemporary Image Collective’s exhibition and event series, If Not for that Wall.

"An aspect of the history of cinema invention" - Sunday

Writer and film critic Mohamed Hashem Abdelsalam will present a lecture on the history of the camera in global cinema and how it has developed over the decades, drawing on Arab scientist Ibn al-Haytham’s early drawings, and the works of Thomas Edison and Max and Emil Skladanowsky, as well as the Lumière brothers.

7 pm, April 16, Auditorium Hall, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Chatby, Alexandria. Free admission. More information here.

Two performances in downtown Cairo - Monday, Tuesday and the weekend

There are two chances to catch solid performances from the alternative performing arts scenes in Cairo and Alexandria in downtown Cairo’s Rawabet and Falaki theaters this week.

On Monday and Tuesday, No Point Perspective dance and theater group, under the leadership of contemporary dancer and choreographer Mirette Michail, will put on Maalish (Sorry) at Rawabet. Michail has been absent from the scene for the past two years, so we are intrigued to see what she has come up with for her return.

Starting Thursday, performing and digital arts platform Al-Madina shows The Gentleman Caller at Falaki Theater for five consecutive nights. Adapted from Tennessee Williams’ play The Glass Menagerie, the performance is directed by Ahmed Saleh and was shown last week at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

Maalish: 8 pm, April 18, 19 at Rawabet Theater, 3 Hussein al-Memaar street, downtown Cairo. Free entrance. Seating is limited, but invitations available at Room Art Space in Garden City and Cairo Contemporary Dance Center in Mohandiseen. More information here.

The Gentleman Caller: 8 pm, April 20-24 at Falaki Theater, 24 Falaki Street, downtown Cairo. Tickets: LE50, can be purchased at Studio Emad Eddin in downtown Cairo or at the theater up to two hours prior to the performance. More information here.

Ismailia International Film Festival - Starting Wednesday

The 19th edition of the cinema scene’s favorite state-sponsored film festival (maybe it’s the seaside air, maybe it’s Ismailia’s 20th-century charm, maybe it's the film selection) takes place from April 19-15 in the canal city. Featuring 115 short films, documentaries and narrative features from 45 countries, the festival opens with J: Beyond Flamenco by Carlos Saura.

The feature documentary category screens Egyptian director Ahmed Nabil’s first feature-length documentary, Sawf Todaredak al-Madina (The City Will Pursue You), and the short documentary competition includes Noqtat al-Baa (The Letter B’s Dot) by Hana Rakhawy. In the shorts competition, Khalil by Islam Shamel will be shown, while Tareeq Tawil (Long Road) by Adel Badrawy competes in the animation section.

This edition is dedicated to the late critic Samir Farid, who passed away last week to the dismay of many generations of filmmakers he influenced.

April 19-25 in Ismailia. Program here.

International Festival for Drumming and Traditional Arts - starting Thursday

Taking place between two iconic Cairo locations, Moez Street and the Citadel, this festival brings together folk troupes from all over the world to perform in the city under the continuous theme of “drumming for peace.” Directed and founded by folk arts researcher Intessar Abdel-Fattah, the festival is a grand spectacle of diverse beats and rhythms, and attracts wide and varied audiences.

April 20 - May 4. Program here.