Reflections on Contemporary Istanbul 2018
In Julia Cameron's classic book on creativity The Artist's Way, she recommends a tool called an "artist date," which she describes as "a block of...
Walk Across Turkey: Naughty Boys and Circumcision
It was fig harvest season in the valley, and there was rack after rack of figs drying by the side of the road. Early...
Take 5: Balat
Since I moved to Izmir for work, my visits to Istanbul have become more dedicated, more concentrated. Now, every time I return I feel...
In Conversation with Jessica Sim and Gabrielle Reeves, Circuit Istanbul
On Tuesday evenings, people from all backgrounds and all over the city gather at a space called Circuit Istanbul in Kadıköy to enhance their creative...
Transcending decades and genres with Erol Evgin
Friends and family were surprised when I announced that I had tickets for the Erol Evgin concert at the Cemil Topuzlu Open Air Theatre...
Review: Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra @ Salon IKSV
Canadian post-rock veterans, Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra, graced the halls of Salon IKSV for two consecutive evenings this past week. I was...
Review: Ayhan Sicimoğlu & Latin All Stars @ Babylon
Babylon has always been the perfect place to head to on a Saturday night in Asmalımescit. The venue hosts local artists as well as...
Take 5: Beşiktaş
After living in Beşiktaş for about three years, on and off, I’ve come to realize that it is regarded as a hate or love...
ATÖLYE Spotlight: In Conversation with Öykü Özgencil, Founder of INCOMPLIT
There's something to be said for the universal affinity of stories and storytelling in our collective childhoods. While this connection may seemingly fade as...
Review: Balthazar @ ROXY Club
Brussels, March 26, 2006. Backstage at the Ancienne Belgique concert venue, ten beginning bands are trying to keep calm. One of them will win...
Review: Oh Land @ Babylon Bomonti
I have to admit that I wasn’t the biggest fan of Oh Land... until last Tuesday when I listened to her perform live on...
Walk Across Turkey: Menderes River Valley
Saturday, 8 September
About 3 hours out of Horsunlu, I started the climb out of the Menderes River valley. The predictable pattern of the farm...
In Conversation with Nick Hobbs, Founder of Charm Music & Electric...
In the buildup to the summer of 2018, the announcement of a new festival series reaching Istanbul, appropriately titled Electric Playground, managed to turn...
Out Now: “Letters from Istanbul, Vol 3: Living with Terror” by...
We're delighted to announce that long-time contributor James Tressler has recently released the third volume to his Letters from Istanbul series, available for purchase via Lulu....
ATÖLYE Spotlight: In Conversation with Ömer Hacıömeroğlu, Product Designer, Entrepreneur, &...
Ömer Hacıömeroğlu's self-identification as a designer, entrepreneur, and educator is exceptionally accurate. His professional scope sees him fulfilling each of these roles with a...
In Conversation with the Editors of Sofra: A Gathering of Foreign...
Having been one of the contributors to the Tales from the Expat Harem anthology over a decade ago, I was excited to see a...
Why It’s OK to Love “The Water Diviner”
The Water Diviner, or Son Umut in Turkish, is a film about a father traveling from Australia to find his sons lost in the...
Backstage with the Cast and Crew of Beauty and the Beast
Not only was I able to talk to producers Dan Hinde and Seth Wenig while backstage at Beauty and the Beast, but I also caught up...
Altın Gün Throws a Turkish Folk Party at Salon IKSV
In the final weeks of Salon IKSV's 2018 season, Altın Gün paid a memorable visit to the popular venue in back-to-back performances. As tickets...
Review: Picasso at the Pera
For many, Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) is the preeminent artist of the twentieth century. In addition to being active and prolific, he was able to...
In Conversation with Aslı Akbay of Take Me Up the Bosphorus...
Take Me Up the Bosphorus (TMUTB) is an exciting new project bringing English stand-up comedy to Istanbul. Thanks to the dedicated work of founder and...
In Conversation with Swedish Cultural Attaché Suzi Erşahin
As a dweller of Nişantaşı, I am lucky enough to be located in one of the centers of the Istanbul arts and cultural scene....
Electronica Festival 2019: What to Know and Who to See at...
Electronica Festival has come a long way since their debut entry at Parkorman in the now distant summer of 2004. Featuring headliners Planet Funk,...
ColoNie: Karaköy’s New Gem
One day I went a-wandering. I set out for an entire day of tourism, hitting some of Istanbul's must see hot-spots. I had planned...