Guide: Istanbul’s culture and arts calendar for July 2015
ISTANBUL
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Joan Baez – With more than 30 albums, legendary U.S. folk musician Joan Baez will perform at the Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Açıkhava Sahnesi as part of the 22nd Istanbul Jazz Festival. Tickets can be found at www.biletix.com.
12th Istanbul Tango Festival – The opening concert of the festival will take place at the Sheraton-Steigenberger Hotel in Maslak. A well-respected Argentinian orchestra will play for the milonga performances of various international dancers. The festival will continue until July 5. Please call (0212) 335 99 99 for information on tickets.
The Summer Show – Various Italian artists’ works will be on display during this exhibition at the Russo Art Gallery throughout the month of July. For further information, call 0212 252 05 35.
JULY 2 Fazıl Say – The famous pianist will play alongside Serenad Bağcan and perform a medley of his latest album at the ENKA Eşref Denizhan open-air theater. Tickets are sold out for the event but the performance will be streamed live at www.vivlive.com.
Istanbul Modern Cinema - A selection of three films titled “On This Shore,” from the gallery’s “Young Architects Program” will be shown each evening through July 2, 3 and 4 at 9:30 p.m. at an open-air cinema in Istanbul Modern’s courtyard. The films will be shown in their original language, without subtitles. The tickets are sold separately for each screening at the price of 10 Turkish Liras. www.istanbulmodern.org/
Marcus Miller – The Grammy Award-winning performer will perform at the Cemil Topuzlu Açıkhava Sahnesi as part of the 22nd Istanbul Jazz Festival. www.biletix.com
MSA’s Workshops – Everything from baking cakes to properly using knives can be learned at MSA’s Kitchen Workshops at the Culinary Arts Academy in Istanbul. The culinary courses will continue until early October with various themed lessons. Please visit www.msa.com.tr for information on attending.
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MFÖ - Legendary Turkish band Mazhar-Fuat-Özkan, known as MFÖ, will take the stage at the ENKA Eşref Denizhan open-air theater. Tickets for the event can be found at www.enkasanat.org.
Jessie J – The successful British singer that has conquered worldwide music charts was originally scheduled for July 3, but the concert at Küçükçiftlik Park has been postponed until a new date. www.biletix.com
Cihan Mürtezaoğlu – The song-writer and guitarist that has worked with many Turkish singers is now working on his first album. He will perform at Hayal Kahvesi in Beyoğlu at 7:30 p.m. Please call (0212) 245 10 48 for ticket information.
Fire of Gypsy – The music band Fire of Gypsy will be performing at Bo Sahne with a traditional gypsy dance routine. There will be cold beverages handed out before and after the show. Please call (0212) 251 37 42 for further information on tickets and reservations.
JULY 4Ezginin Günlüğü – The group that has been performing since they gave their first concert in 1983 will be performing once again at Beyoğlu Hayal Kahvesi. The performance will start at 9 p.m. www.hayalkahvesibeyoglu.com
Ada – An exhibition by Begüm Yamanlar, Ada will be shown at Galeri Zilberman in Beyoğlu. For further information, call 0212 251 42 88.
İnternette Tanışan Son Çift – A Levent Özdilek play about a couple who meet on the Internet will be performed until Aug. 27 at Bo Sahne. Visit www.biletix.com for further details.
Chef’s Table Culinary Arts Workshop – A culinary academy that focuses on international dishes is offering the chance to learn straight from the professionals. If you are interested in this event, call (0212) 258 88 86 for further information.
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Çanak Çömlek – An activity aimed at children, Çanak Çömlek is an event in which youngsters will get the chance to examine some of artist Grayson Perry’s works and create their own pottery with a unique method – pinching. The event will last two hours and will take place at 12:20 p.m. at the Pera Museum. Call 0216 556 98 00 for further information.
Yasmine Hamdan – Jazz artist Yasmine Hamdan will perform as part of the line-up of the sixth Jazz at Ramadan festival. The event will be at the UNIQ Open-Air Theater and tickets can be found at www.biletix.com
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Melody Gardot – Melody Gardot will greet her fans with her elegant, strong and unique voice once more at Sepetçiler Kasrı.
JULY 7 Jools Holland & His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra – The great pianist who became significantly popular with his BBC 2 show will come to Istanbul for the first time. He will take the stage at Cemil Topuzlu Açık Hava Sahnesi at 9 p.m. and will perform with singer-song writer Marc Almond.
Kitchen Creates’ Summer Program – Kitchen Creates is putting together a kitchen workshop suitable for all ages willing to learn and experiment. The course will be available throughout the month of July, and tickets are available at www.biletix.com
JULY 8Roberto Fonseca & Fatoumata Diawara – Fonseca, a Cuban jazz pianist who is touring the world, and Diawara are joining forces to create a warm and rhythmic Afro-Latin evening of music at Feriye Lokantası. www.feriye.com
Clones Project – The first video art project to take place at the Zorlu Center comes from Erdal İnci. www.zorlucenterpsm.com
TNK – TNK will be performing songs from their latest album, “Melankoli,” at Beyoğlu Hayal Kahvesi. The concert will begin at 10:30 p.m., and tickets are priced at 28.50 Turkish Liras. www.hayalkahvesibeyoglu.com
JULY 9Başak Yavuz feat. Vincent Pierani – These two artists will take the stage at Salon İKSV as part of the 22nd Istanbul Jazz Festival. The concert will begin at 9:30 p.m., and tickets prices range from 28.50 to 45 Turkish Liras. www.saloniksv.com
JULY 10The Bad Plus & Joshua Redman – The jazz trio will be performing alongside saxophone player Joshua Redman at the Eşref Denizhan Open Air Theater at 7:30 p.m. www.enkasanat.org
Cem Adrian – Cem Adrian will continue to captivate his audience with the colorful tone of voice at his performance at Beyoğlu Beyoğlu Hayal Kahvesi. The performance is scheduled to start at 10:30 p.m. and tickets can be acquired from www.hayalkahvesibeyoglu.com.
Güç Başar Gülle – As part of the 22nd Istanbul Jazz Festival, Güç Başar Gülle will play alongside various other artists at Salon İKSV. www.saloniksv.com
Şenay Lambaoğlu & The Önder Focan Trio – Şenay Lambaoğlu will perform a selection of jazz classics accompanied by Önder Focan. The performance will take place at the Living Room at 10 p.m. www.livingroom.com.tr
JULY 11Sly and Robbie & Nils Petter Molvaær – Sly and Robbie, two of the most important bass and drum players in reggae music, will perform with the expert jazz trumpet player Nils Petter Molvaær and promise an extraordinary concert. The concert will take place as part of the 22nd Istanbul Jazz Festival at Küçükçiftlik Park. www.biletix.com
Anadolu Ateşi – A modern dance show that incorporates both Eastern and Western elements will be in Istanbul for one night only at the Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open Air Theater. Tickets can be found at www.biletix.com.
Son Feci Bisiklet – The Turkish rock band from Ankara will take the stage at Beyoğlu Hayal Kahvesi at 10pm. www.hayalkahvesibeyoglu.com
JULY 12Turkcell Karanlıkta Futbol – You may have heard of the extraordinary experience that is “Dialogue in the Dark,” and now Turkcell presents a brand new spin on that experience. Fancy a chance to play a mini football match in the dark? Then head over to www.biletix.com or make your way to the Gayrettepe Metro Station where you can find more information as well as tickets to this event.
JULY 13Chris Potter, Dave Holland, Lionel Loueke, Eric Harland – With Chris Potter on the saxophone, Dave Holland on bass, Lionel Loueke on guitar and Eric Harland on the drums, these four stars of jazz will meet on the same stage at 9 p.m. at the Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall. www.crrkonsersalonu.org
JULY 14Lindsey Stirling – One of the world’s most popular violinists, Lindsey Stirling will dazzle the audience during her one-of-a-kind performance at the Zorlu Performans Sanatları Merkezi in Istanbul. www.zorlucenterpsm.com
Sezen Aksu – The Turkish singer that has left an indelible mark on music in Turkey for over 40 years in the music industry will be performing her best hits on two dates at the Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theater. Both concerts will start at 9:15 p.m. www.biletix.com
The Burak Bedikyan European Quartet – The European Jazz Club has brought together some of the most successful names in the Turkish jazz scene with legendary European jazz artists. The event will take place at Salon İKSV and the tickets can be found at www.saloniksv.com
JULY 15Selin Damar – The alternative indie singer Selin Damar will be performing at the Beyoğlu Hayal Kahvesi at 10:30 p.m. www.hayalkahvesibeyoglu.com
Istanbul Jazz Festival Closing Party – Various artists will take the stage at this event that will mark the end of the 22nd Istanbul Jazz Festival. Some of the names that will perform include Theo Croker, a young trumpet player from the U.S., Australian soul band Hiatus Kaiyote and Bill Withers. The event will take place at the UNIQ Open-Air Theater. www.uniqistanbul.com
JULY 16Latin American Songs from Traditional to Present – As part of Eid al-Fitr festivities, this musical event will take place at the Living Room. Herman Artuç is the lead singer and Zafer Saka will accompany him on classical guitar. Mehmet Sezer will perform as a guest on the trumpet. www.livingroom.com.tr
JULY 17Fahri Öztezcan – Actor and musician Fahri Öztezcan will perform his first album, “Çoğalmalıyız,” at Beyoğlu Hayal Kahvesi at 10 p.m. www.hayalkahvesibeyoglu.com
Luis Ernesto Gomez y La Descarga Band – The jazz band will be performing at the Nardis Jazz Club. Tickets can be bought at the entrance and are priced at 40 Turkish Liras. www.nardisjazz.com
JULY 18Ceylan Ertem – The singer will be performing songs from her third solo album at Beyoğlu Hayal Kahvesi at 10 p.m. Tickets are available at www.hayalkahvesibeyoglu.com.
JULY 19
Masterpiece-Balerin – These Masterpiece events are not just a painting courses but three hours of enjoyment among some beautiful paintings. At the end of the course, you may even have a piece of art to take home with you as well. www.biletix.com
JULY 20 Tuluğ Tırpan & Demet Evgar – As part of the 27th ENKA Culture and Art Open-Air Meetings, Tuluğ Tırpan and Demet Evgar will share the stage with some surprise guests. www.enkasanat.org
TEB BNP Paribas İstanbul Cup – The 10th annual tennis tournament is back again with legendary tennis players like Venus Williams and Jelena Jankovic. The tournament final will be played on July 26. www.biletix.com
JULY 22Emre Atabay – The singer who has recently moved back to Turkey from the United States to pursue a carrier in music will take the stage at Beyoğlu Hayal Kahvesi. Tickets can be found at www.hayalkahvesibeyoglu.com.
JULY 23Dansın Ritmi (The Rhythm of Dance) & The Istanbul Dervishes – A breathtaking dance performance which incorporates 360-degree video mapping technology promises to amaze viewers at the Hodjapasha Gösteri ve Etkinlik Merkezi. www.hodjapasha.com
JULY 24Adamlar – The rock band Adamlar will take the stage at Beyoğlu Hayal Kahvesi. The concert will start 10:30 p.m. and tickets are on sale at www.biletix.com.
AZOT – Kings of improvisation, AZOT will perform at BKM Mutfak Sahne. Tickets are on sale at www.bkmmutfaksahne.com.
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Gece Yolcuları – The pop-rock band that has been together since the early 1990s will perform at Beyoğlu Hayal Kahvesi. The event begins at 10 p.m., and tickets can be found at www.hayalkahvesibeyoglu.com.
Yok Öyle Kararlı Şeyler & Tilt – The two rock bands will be performing on the same stage at Bronx Pi Sahne. Tickets are priced at 25 Turkish Liras. Call (0212) 243 10 63 for more information.
Sean Paul – The musician will be at Maslak Arena to give fans an unforgettable concert experience. www.biletix.com
JULY 26TEB BNP Paribas Istanbul Cup Final – The final of the 10th annual tennis tournament to take place in Istanbul will be played at the Garanti Koza Arena. Get your tickets to this long-awaited sporting event at www.garantikoza.com.tr.
JULY 27Eşeğin Gölgesi – The play will be performed at ENKA Eşref Denizhan Open Air Theater as part of the 27th ENKA Culture and Art Open Air Meetings. www.enkasanat.org
JULY 28Zaz – The young French musician is back once more to dazzle music lovers with her extraordinary voice at the Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theater as part of the event, “Turkcell Yıldızlı Geceler.” Tickets can be found at www.biletix.com.
JULY 29 Candan Erçetin - The Turkish singer will perform two nights at the Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theater. www.biletix.com
Güntaç Özdemir – The talented and impressive young musician will be on stage for an intimate concert at Beyoğlu Hayal Kahvesi. www.hayalkahvesibeyoglu.com
JULY 30Sea Food by Kitchen Creates – Kitchen Creates has put together an event program for children aged 9-12 that are interested in learning about seafood. If you or your children are interested, further information can be found at www.biletix.com.
Çaylı Kokteyller – Learn the secret of making cocktails from different aromatic teas, and witness the amazing flavor of Ronnefeldt’s teas when combined with other beverages over at USLA. Tickets to this culinary event are priced at 150 Turkish Liras. www.usla.com.tr
JULY 31Hande Yener – The Turkish pop icon will go before fans at Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theater. Concert tickets and details can be found at www.biletix.com.
Can Güngör – For years, Can Güngör has been accompanying many artists as a drummer. But for the past three to four years, he has been focusing on his solo work. He will be performing his latest album, “Do It Yourself,” at Beyoğlu Hayal Kahvesi. Tickets and further details can be found at www.hayalkahvesibeyoglu.com.
