If someone were to set foot in a cabaret today, it would probably be for a cheap night out, a bachelor party or a desperate search for a one-night stand; or so it seems.
If you were to walk into Cairo’s downtown cabarets 60 years ago, however, you’d come across an entirely different picture: a vibrant, exquisite spot where the latest music and dance from Egypt, the Arab world and Europe entertained every night the multi-national denizens of the former cosmopolitan city; home to some of the Arab world’s biggest stars like Mohamed Abdel-Mottaleb, Asmahan and Samia Gamal.
No wonder the downtown cabaret area was once dubbed the “Broadway of the East.
For decades, Cairo was the cultural hub of the Middle East. Art was almost inseparable from daily life, regardless of class, ethnicity or gender. The idea of a night out must have been much more exciting in the 40s and 50s than it is today.
Over the years, the reputation of Cairo’s cabarets grew murky as their numbers dwindled following the wave of religious conservatism that swept Egypt from the mid-70s and the geographical transformation the downtown area endured at the beginning of the 80s. Although some of them continue to be registered under Lonely Planet’s Entertainment in Cairo’s section, few Egyptians frequent them. For most Egyptians, the word ‘cabaret’ became synonyms with brothels.
Until now
In a daring attempt to revive the glam of the dying cabaret scene, the Spanish embassy in Cairo, in cooperation with Modern Touch Entertainment, is putting together a three-day performance featuring the Divinas, a Spanish swing band, and Egypt’s most popular swing ensemble The Riff Band.
Three performances will take place at Shahrazad nightclub, downtown, in addition to a fourth one to be performed at El Gouna’s Abu Tig Marina resort.
“Usually these kinds of places are associated with belly dancing and Arabic music, but I wanted to recreate a different kind of scenario, one that existed here but of course went out of fashion, said Ramón Blecua, the cultural counselor of the Spanish embassy.
The theme of the ‘Cabaret Project’ is to revive everything the 50s cabarets were distinguished for; the music, the scenes and the costumes. It is a celebration of a forgotten art, sidelined and often outwardly frowned upon.
“It’s like walking on the razor’s edge, admitted Blecua, quickly pointing out that this has always been a characteristic of nightlife.
“Cairo was known as the center of cinema, the center of music and songs. Of course all this world of music, cinema and dancing revolved around these night clubs. Clubs were a very important feature of cultural night life. They were a way to express a certain side of humans that is normally repressed in daily life, but it exists.
By reviving the glam of the 50s, Cairo’s old nightspots could scrap off the shoddiness it has cultivated.
“It’s a sort of time machine, a magical space where people can lead the memory they have of the movies. and that could have never happened in the theater.
“I don’t think that we now are better than we were 50, 60 or 80 years ago, said Blecua. Indeed, most people would argue that in the past few decades, our moral barometer has reached an all-time low.
Nightclubs in Cairo, like night clubs in most major cities at the time, were axes around which intellectuals, poets and cinematic icons gathered in celebration of different art forms. In a sense, cabarets were an integral part of the city’s art sphere.
“It was similar to Paris in a sense. You cannot separate the art scene in Paris from the famous night clubs and cabarets, said Blecua.
This project is among several ventures aimed at transforming downtown Cairo to what it was once 50 years ago. The huge success of the Townhouse Gallery, and many surrounding cultural centers, have been proof of growing interest in shaking-up what used to be the country’s cultural meeting point.
“Cairo has always been rich culturally; there has always been foundation. But now there are many new projects coming up, said Bleuca, whose term as cultural counselor is reaching an end with this project.
Both The Riff Band and the Divinas are adamant on realizing the project’s vision. The Divinas is led by three spirited divas: Carla Mora, Marta Mora and Irene Ruiz. Their music transports you to the 50s with their soft moves, enchanting voices and colorful costumes.
The band is accompanied by seven Spanish musicians. For Cairo’s show, three Riff Band brass musicians will be replacing the Divinas’ original brass ensemble, performing tunes influenced by both cultures.
“We don’t know what to expect from the Egyptian audiences, but we are anxious and curios, said Silivia Ferrando, the band’s stage director, as she scrambled through her papers in the waiting room of a downtown studio during the bands’ first rehearsal.
With a passion for a genre “that gives people a reason to be happy, the Barcelona-based band first met five years ago. The Divinas’ was officially formed three years ago and has been performing at different venues in Spain ever since.
“The combination of the space, the clothes and the music makes us go back to the 50s, said Carla about ‘Cabaret Project.’
“[My] aim is to open that space so people can actually realize that, although different in many ways, from different religions, social, cultural or ethnic origins, all human beings share the same emotions, said Bleuca.
‘Cabaret’ is not about an attempt to bring back a dead culture that is, unfortunately, unfavored; “it’s about the capacity to create a magical space. and that’s what art is about.
Catch the Cairo Cultural Cabaret Project on June 26-27 at 9:30 pm at the Scheherazade Nightclub, El-Alfy St., off Emad Eddin St., Downtown, Cairo, and on June 29 at 9:30 pm at Abu Tig Marina, El Gouna. For reservation, call (02) 2736 0452
