zalzal - 3-4-2008 at 03:25 PM
The idea was launched in a recent post.
I just suddenly was dreaming of organizing the 1st international mike's ouds forum at......Cairo.
Yes, we can gather fm all continents over there.
Let's say 3 days for example. Early 2009 just to give us a year of organisation.
If we are hundred-s we may hire a whole hotel with adequate accomodation and exposition rooms. A place of meeting, gathering, oud festivities,
exchanges etc.
A place for oud business as well, buying and selling brand news and second hands ouds fm all over the world.
We can organise master classes, a fair for oud shopping and all items related to ouds, exposition of oud's collectors, conferences, video or films if
we want. We may arrange visits to local oud's fabrics.
We may invite medias to cover the event, make interviews.
We even may think of a humanitarian action, with a money collect to donate materials for oud learning to a children center. (May i propose one ? It is
Al Jil center for working childrens at Ain el Sira for example).
There are nice night clubs with shisha smoking, shay, ahwa, karkade and halva drinking while listening to Abd el wahab, Sayyed Makkawi, etc songs
magnificently played by local musicians. (I am thinking of Al Harafish at Fisal Street, for example).
Imagine an improvised oud jam session...
It could be the occasion for builders to present in exclusivity their latest creations, for string dealers to present their innovations, for musicians
to give concerts and sell his latest cd's and exclusive latest compositions and taqsims.
We may even hire on hourly basis a five stars ship for cruising alltogether the Nile at night with a pantagruelic supper, belly dancers, dervishes
dancers and oud "3ala tul"
Sorry to bother you all with these elucubrations.
Thousand Thanks to Mike who allows me to dream and evade fm harsh daily life matters.
Wishing you all nice dreams, good night.
Abusaid - 3-4-2008 at 05:23 PM
Hi Zalzal,
It's a nice idea. Shishah, oud, qahue, strings, Abd El Wahab, more ouds
.... Allow me to dream too.
Amos - 3-4-2008 at 05:57 PM
im one hundred per cent in, as i am planning a trip to cairo next year...just tell me when and where!
dreaming too,
amos
spyrosc - 3-4-2008 at 06:30 PM
Allah Allah.... Shisha and Al Harafish too ?
Can we make it later ? I have to work early in 2009. Any chance for the summer ? I know it's hot and humid in Cairo, but how about Al Iskandariya ?
Spyros C.
SamirCanada - 3-4-2008 at 08:22 PM
Summer 2009 Iam getting maried actualy... I doubt I will have the money (permision) to attend.
But I want to go so bad...
do you think I can convince her to make the honeymoon in Egypt and disappear for the day???
I think its a great Idea!
hehehhehe
aytayfun - 3-4-2008 at 11:58 PM
Absolutely right idea. Any other opinion about organisation. 
MatthewW - 3-5-2008 at 01:42 AM
very interesting project! keep us posted!
Congratulations Samir on the marraige plans, perhaps you could honeymoon in Cairo, just try not to stare too much at the bellydancers!
AGAPANTHOS - 3-5-2008 at 05:41 AM
The idea is something i think imperative for the world of the oud.It is also something that is practically feasible. It will have a positive impact
from any point of view.
I will support it by all means. You can count on me as far as concern the organisation of this meeting.
Ararat66 - 3-5-2008 at 06:15 AM
I'll make it if I can - with planning time it could be feasable for me.
Leon
Marina - 3-5-2008 at 01:59 PM
stringmanca - 3-5-2008 at 04:05 PM
Great idea!
My wife and I are tentatively planning a 3-week stay in Cairo this November, to attend the Arabic Music Festival at the Opera House, study Arabic and
shop for instruments.
Would it be possible to arrange to do it then?? (We'll most likely be there for the first 3 weeks of November.)
Does anyone have contacts at the Opera House or Beit Al Oud? Maybe they would be willing to partly host such an event?
stringmanca - 3-6-2008 at 09:08 AM
We bought our plane tickets last night! We'll be in Cairo for almost all of November - arriving on the 2nd and leaving the 29th.
amarock - 3-7-2008 at 01:20 PM
I will be there too for sure!
Great idea zalzal!
:applause
Bruno
amarock - 3-7-2008 at 01:22 PM
oups!
Amer - 3-7-2008 at 02:21 PM
I will be graduating next Christmas..
I was planning on going to Cairo anyway, so this will be the cherry in top.. in fact, it's like one of my dreams!!
Way to go! We need an international Oud hobbyists+Professionals gathering with no borders and no rules..
I love the original poster's ideas, and expanding that would even be better!!
COUNT ME IN!!!
DanielH - 3-8-2008 at 10:06 PM
Hi guys,
Wow! What an idea! I hope that many of you will be able to attend and make it a success!!! Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend as I will be
busy getting ready to marry my own beautiful bellydancer in 2009... (Congrats to
you as well, Samir!)
However - Amer - you have given me inspiration! I am an illustrator and graphic designer and I would love to paint and design a poster for this
exciting rendezvous! That way I would still feel as if I am with you all in spirit... What do you think?
- Dan