???? ON THE TUBE TONIGHT-
(all times CLT)

Black Bird is an unsettling true crime must-watch: The new Apple+ six-part drama is based on James Keene’s memoir In With the Devil, a thrilling true story that was elevated further on our screens by the writing of TV veteran Dennis Lehane. The story centers on Keene, a charming drugdealer and the son of a long-serving cop (played by the late Ray Liotta in one of his final roles). After getting arrested and sentenced to 10 years in prison, Keene becomes the recipient of an unexpected offer from the FBI: He can earn his freedom and get out of prison if he manages to befriend a suspected serial killer and coax a confession out of him. With sharp dialogue and incredible performances from all of the actors involved, Black Bird is one of the best limited series we’ve watched this year.

⚽ It’s derby day: Al Ahly and Zamalek will face off tonight at 9pm at the final of the 2020-21 Egypt Cup, while Eastern Company will play against Al Ittihad Al Sakandary in the Premier League at 6:30pm.

On the international football front, Liverpool will play its third friendly match in preparation for the new season against Leipzig at 7:15pm.

Friday: Three Egyptian Premier League matches are taking place: Al Moqawloon Al Arab v Ghazl El-Mahalla at 6pm, and Ceramica Cleopatra v Al Masry at the same time, followed by Enppi v Farco at 9pm.

European friendly games: Juventus will play against Mexico’s Guadalajara at 10pm.

Saturday: The Egyptian League continues with Tala’e El-Gaish facing Misr Lel Makasa at 6:30pm, while Al Ahly Bank plays against Future at 9pm.

And the European friendlies continue: Manchester United will play against Aston Villa at 11:45am.

IN OTHER FOOTBALL NEWS- It’s Salah v Mane again at the CAF Awards tonight at 9pm: National treasure Mo Salah is up against Senegal’s Sadio Mane and Edouard Mendy for this year’s Confederation of African Football’s Player of the Year award. The winner will be announced at tonight’s ceremony, which is held in Morocco this year. Egypt is shortlisted for the best African team, along with Senegal and Cameroon, while Al Ahly is up for the best team award, along with Morocco’s Wydad and Nahdet Berkane. The awardwinners are determined based on a vote by team captains, coaches, and journalists, along with the CAF Technical Study Group and African football legends. You can check out the rest of the nominees here.

???? EAT THIS TONIGHT-

Sax brings live music and fine dining to elevate your Sahel nights: ‘Tis the season to spend all day by the beach and all night partying at the North Coast, and Sax Egypt needs to be on your list of evening venues. Located at The Address Golf Resort in Marassi, the restaurant is elegant with infectiously energetic vibes, as live musicians and bands get people on their feet. The menu boasts an eclectic assortment of appetizers, salads, and main courses that all landed spots on our must-try list — we’re planning on heading back to order each of them throughout the summer. What we particularly enjoyed this time around was their beetroot and artichoke salad, and the grilled salmon that was cooked to perfection. The crème brûlée was an excellent ending to our meal.

???? OUT AND ABOUT-
(all times CLT)

Celebrate DJ Feedo’s birthday with the best Hip hop and RnB tunes tonight at Maadi’s Alquimico: The Nile-side venue will host Feedo’s birthday bash from 10pm to 3am.

It’s Everywhere: Experience a unique audiovisual performance on Friday at Medrar: The experimental performance is a collaboration between artist Hadeer Omar and Jaden Oath, a psychedelic electronic music project founded by actor Youssef Al Imam. The hybrid fusion of analog synths and rock vocals will begin at 8pm.

???? EARS TO THE GROUND-

Nice Try explores some of history’s most interesting endeavors to build perfect societies, in a collaboration between Curbed and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Ever since the term “utopia” was coined by Thomas More in the 1500s, there have been countless pursuits (mostly by white men) to build communities in which everything is perfect. Many have tried, some have come close, but ultimately all have failed. The first season’s eight episodes cover various attempts, from the English settlement of Jamestown (you likely know the story — albeit with plenty of deviations from historical truth — from Disney’s Pocahontas), to a more recent attempt in the 1950s by a newly democratic India to build a new capital city, Chandigarh, as a work of art. The podcast’s host, Avery Trufelman dives into the lessons to be learned from the resounding failures that ensued, the successes, and how plans went sideways.

???? UNDER THE LAMPLIGHT-