Above: Khayrat; left: Hinchman
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At the opera
Among the Opera House's final events for the year 2000 is a concert on 29 December at the Main Hall by pianist Omar Khayrat, who will perform both old and updated works such as the theme of this Ramadan's TV hit Wagh Al-Qamar (Face of the Moon). Khayrat's trademark east-meets-west style makes his compositions readily accessible for use both in TV and cinema. Another year-ender is the Cairo Symphony Orchestra's Christmas concert at the Opera House's Main Hall on 31 December. Conducted by maestro Ahmed El-Saedi and featuring American soprano Pamela Hinchman, the orchestra will perform a selection of Johann Strauss's greatest compositions. The same concert will be held at the Conference Centre in Alexandria on 1 January.
At the podium
A series of lectures on fine arts will take place from 3 January till 28 March at the Supreme Council for Culture. The topics will include the obstacles facing the contemporary generation of artists, individualism and collectivism in Egyptian fine arts, art criticism and the impact of globalisation on fine arts. This week's lecture, entitled "The Ideology of Contemporary Egyptian Fine Arts", will be given on Wed 3 January at 7pm. Its keynote speakers are Ashraf El-Zamzami, Hala El-Gweili, Mahmoud Kamal, Ra'ef Wasfi, Ayman Ali & Thanaa Mahmoud.
Small screen
The American President (1995)
When super-extra-angelic, but single, Democrat President Andy Shepherd (Michael Douglas) falls in love with environmentalist Sydney Wade (Annette Bening), his chief of staff (Martin Sheen) and advisers (Michael J Fox and David Paymer) are all but for it, especially with right-wing hopeful (Richard Dreyfuss) willing to do anything to win the next presidential term. The question of the public figure's right to leading a private personal life is raised by scriptwriter Aaron Sorkin and director-producer Rob Reiner (A Few Good Men, When Harry Met Sally). (Channel 2, Friday)
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Around the galleries
At the Egyptian Centre for International Cultural Cooperation gallery in Zamalek, Mervat El-Seweifi exhibits pottery that displays a strong sense of cultural identity while in many cases remaining functional and in touch with the latest artistic trends in the world. Inspired by heritage as well as the natural environment, these art works constitute a revolution in traditional Egyptian pottery that is well worth seeing.
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