???? ON THE TUBE TONIGHT-

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A timely take on bullying and mental health: We’re a bit late to the party, but we need to add our voices to the chorus of viewers who couldn’t stop watching Netflix’s Jordanian high school drama, Al Rawabi School for Girls. Released over the summer, the series follows the lives of students at the prestigious all girls school in Amman, but focuses on the character of Mariam, who is bullied by popular girl Layan and her entourage. But when Mariam hatches a series of plots to get her revenge (enlisting her head-in-the-clouds best friend and the awkward emo new girl) things start to get out of hand. What starts off as a story of petty locker-room pranks gradually takes a darker turn, touching on bullying, mental health, harassment, patriarchy, and the violence against women enacted by society, and the women themselves.

Our honest opinion? Though the show isn’t without its plot holes, the cast of relative newcomers give strong performances and portray relatable characters. The show is miles better than Netflix’s first attempt at an Arab high school drama, 2018’s Jinn, which was pretty much unwatchable. All we can say is, suspend your misgivings and make sure to watch it through till the end — the final episode packs a powerful emotional punch

⚽ The 11th round of the English Premier League concludes today with four matches, three of which start at 4pm: Arsenal vs. Watford, Everton vs. Tottenham, and Leeds vs. Leicester City. The last match, between West Ham and Liverpool, will be at 6:30pm.

In the Spanish League: Valencia will play host to Atletico Madrid in the Spanish League at 5:15pm. Osasuna faces Real Sociedad and Mallorca faces Elche at 7:30pm. Seville goes out to face Real Betis at 10pm.

In Italy: the Derby della Madonnina kicks off between Milan and Inter at 10:15pm.

????EAT THIS TONIGHT–

Sahel smoke n' roll sandwich shop Easy's recently brought its truck to Palm Hills' Street 88, serving hearty beef (and seafood) sandwiches that are perfect for when you’re searching for a comfort food fix with a carnivorous kick. Whether you order the brisket sandwich or the pulled beef, or opt for a seafood roll, remember to order a side of their loaded, cheesy fries (just trust us on this one). And treat yourself with a chocolate chip cookie (pro tip: ask them to heat it up first) for the cherry on top. Grab it on your way home or order in if you’re feeling lazy (home delivery is only available to 6th of October peeps so far, though).

???? OUT AND ABOUT-

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Sunday blues: Cairo Jazz Festival passed you by? You have one last chance to catch performers from the 2021 lineup, 9pm tonight at Cairo Jazz Club. Sudanese blues guitarist Tariq Alhawy opens the night alongside Egyptian group The All-Star Blues Experience, before cover band The One Four Five hits the stage.

A good day for gallery-hopping: Two exhibitions are kicking off today in close proximity to one another; veteran painter Evelyn Ashamallah’s What’s Left Unsaid will open in downtown at Access art space (formerly Townhouse Gallery), while illustrator and designer Hicham Rahma will be showing his work at Picasso Gallery in Zamalek. Both galleries will open their doors to the public at 7 pm.

Make up your own mind about K-Stew’s Lady Di performance: From “note-perfect” to “arthouse-bizarro,” Kristen Stewart’s depiction of Princess Diana in new biopic Spencer has divided critics and whipped up Oscars buzz. Zamalek Cinema is putting on a special screening of the film tomorrow night at 7pm.

???? UNDER THE LAMPLIGHT-

South African author Damon Galgut earned the 2021 Booker Prize for Fiction last Wednesday for his novel The Promise. Structured around four funerals across four decades in one white South African family, the novel charts the upheavals, ambitions and disappointments of the post-apartheid era. It’s the first time Galgut has snagged the prestigious literary prize despite being nominated twice previously. Judges described The Promise as “a book that is a real master of form,” and one that is, “really dense with historical and metaphorical significance.”

Not feeling it? Try any of the five other shortlisted novels for this year’s Booker. And for the speed-readers among you, there’s alwalegalys the 13-title-strong longlist.