Room Art Space is the newest addition to the strongly emergent phenomenon of multi-purpose arts and cultural spaces prevailing in the country since the outbreak of 2011 revolution.
Tucked away between trees with multiple, green branches and artistically crafted building, dating back to 1920s, in Garden City, Room Art Space is a cultural venue providing audience with an intriguing look at a diversity of artistic voices and perspectives through professional, inspiring performances and interactive workshops.
The idea for Room stemmed from personal experience.
Ahmed Zeidan, filmmaker and cinematographer, who is the mastermind behind the cultural venue,explained, “I found that some of my colleagues and friends were constantly in need of a space in order to hold rehearsals and workshops. I initially used to host these activities in my own home, but a few months later the idea evolved into taking a more professional, large-scale twist where public can come and enjoy a myriad of artistic activities as well.”
Room, which first opened its doors three months ago, has already hosted a handful of concerts, helping promising bands and singers to attract a wider audience.
The cultural venue has a flexible-use space equipped with a retractable bleacher system that converts from a workshop studio into a professional performance space with theatrical lighting.
Shedding light on physical arts and joy of dance is one of its main concerns, offering yoga, salsa, Zumba classes twice a week.
Each month, Zeidan and his team put some fresh ideas on the table in an attempt to feature innovative approaches for fostering avibrant arts community.
The first weekend of November was dedicated for exploring Indian culture screening two movies and organizing a Bollywood dance workshop by the Indian instructor Mariam Khan.
Last October, the choice had fallen on Flamenco, a passionate form of Spanish folk music and dance introduced by the region of Andalusia in southern Spain.
Audience members watch a performance in Room Art Space.
Squeezing the most out of the tiny arts space, classic Egyptian and Hollywood films with subtitles are screened free of charge every day for one week each month. November’s round will kick off on 20 November at 9 pm.
With beanbags scattered all over the space, bites of crunchy popcorn and the flickering glow of candle lighting; a perfect cinematic experience is created that, undoubtedly, should not be missed.
“We thought at first that we’d watch the movies by ourselves since they are decades old,” Hadeer Mostafa, the curator of Room Art Space, said jokingly. “But, surprisingly, the idea of movie screenings has been met with a great deal of interest.”
This month’s selection comprises black-and-white Egyptian films that left a mark in film industry, such as “Doaa al-Karawan” (The Nightingale’s Prayer) and “Al-Zogah Raqam Talattashar” (The 13th Wife), along with Hollywood movies that have enjoyed wide-popular acclaim including “My Fair Lady,” “Modern Times” and “Singing in the Rain.”
Besides the relaxing beanbag indulgence, you can also enjoy the film over freshly brewed coffee and some yummy deserts in the cozy coffee shop of the arts space.
It is simply furnished with wooden chairs like those found in traditional Egyptian cafes, brush-painted with a small heart on the back while facing a bar counter, framing the open kitchen.
The soothing paint colors with blue and white covering the surrounding walls lend a touch of congenial atmosphere for working on your laptop or reading a book while listening to jazz and blues in the background.
In an effort to engage people’s minds in fruitful talks and cultivating a culture of innovation, Room will never cease to amuse you with new personal development seminars, DJing workshops, theatrical performances and artistic exhibitions each month.
For upcoming workshops and film screenings, visit The Room Facebook page: www.facebook.com/roomartspace
Room located behind the Four Seasons hotel Nile Plaza in 10 Etehaad al-Mhameen al-Arab St,Garden City.
A front view of the building that houses Room Art Space
