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: Borusan Philharmonic Featuring Nicola Benedetti and Leonard Elschenbroich
The March 13th program of the Borusan Philharmonic Orchestra, featuring Nicola Benedetti on the violin and Leonard Elschenbroich on the cello, was a program...
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...
Life under Occupation: A Review of Eleni by Nicholas Gage
When Mosul was invaded in June, one of the first announcements made by ISIS was that the civilians within their territory would be treated...
Joshua Bell: From Childhood Crush to Global Superstar and into Istanbul…
The year is 1990. I am a fifth grader at the American International School in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and a first year violin student...
The Contemporary Flood
I keep thinking about waste these days. Why don’t we recycle enough? Why? People at my office prefer consuming water from 0.5 liter plastic...
It’s All Fun and Games with the Harlem Globetrotters
Even though I do enjoy an occasional soccer match or basketball game, I am not a big sports fan. However, I was miffed three...
Review: Lara Di Lara, Emre Akbay, Emir Yargin by Sofar...
It was another rainy, cold Friday night in Istanbul when Sofar Sounds Istanbul stars Lara Di Lara, Emre Akbay and Emir Yargin arrived at the...
Review: Gaye Su Akyol @ Babylon Bomonti
A snowy Saturday night in Istanbul couldn't be spent any better than with 200-something fellow music lovers at a Gaye Su Akyol concert, courtesy of Babylon Bomonti....
YeatUp: A Unique Way to Dine Locally
Massaging a golden retriever's paw while chatting with new friends and digesting a wonderfully home-cooked meal is probably the most comfortable experience I can...
Hot, Intense and Smooth: 2CELLOS in Istanbul
I discovered 2CELLOS by chance about a year ago through their cello duet cover of "Smooth Criminal." I usually do not like Michael Jackson...
The Stories Behind reflect’s ‘Collection Zero’
Well over a year has passed since we first sat down at ATÖLYE with reflect co-founders Ece Altunmaral and Edipcan Yıldız to discuss their...
Cihangir Yoga Sessions with Chris Chavez
"The more you know, the more you see there is to be known.” Tucked away in the Istinye branch of Cihangir Yoga studios on...
Review: A Seductive Evening with Rhye @ Salon IKSV
The early 2010s were a genuinely great period for sexy indie albums. The XX's xx (2010), Bon Iver's Bon Iver, Bon Iver (2011) and How to Dress...
Fazıl Say enchants us in poetic style at Burgazada
The stars twinkled overhead. Subtle waves lapped along the shore, caressing the rocks, sand, and the deck ever so gently. It was mid-summer, and...
Review: Forever Tango @ Zorlu Center
Forever Tango has finally come to Istanbul preceded by its worldwide fame: the show has captivated audiences on Broadway and has been nominated for...
Turtle Conservation Volunteering in Dalyan: DEKAMER – My Experience
In my previous article, I discussed the on-going conservation work taking place at Iztuzu Beach, a place of magnificent natural beauty, and an integral...
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...
Review: Alberto Giacometti Retrospective @ Pera Museum
Although not overwhelming in its content, the Pera Museum's retrospective of Swiss artist, Alberto Giacometti (1901- 1966) is both impressive and comprehensive. Expertly curated,...
Waltzing into the New Year with BIFO
Even though the Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra bid goodbye to 2013 in solemn style with its performance of Beethoven's magnificent yet weighty masterpiece Missa...
Menuhin’s Prodigious Youth Perform in the Bach Festival
If you are into classical music at all, there is no chance that you have not heard of Yehudi Menuhin. He is the single most...
Babylon Soundgarden 2017: Staying True to Istanbul’s Roots
2017 may have been host to a fair number of quality summer music festivals in Istanbul, but for those who don't favor electronic music,...
Review: Ane Brun @ Küçükçiftlik Park
With her Norwegian roots, amazingly unique covers and acoustic performances, Ane Brun took the audience to her somewhat sad but mostly peaceful musical world...
Persian Tunes in an Old Schoolyard: A Summer’s Night with Mahsa...
It is a perfect Istanbul summer night after a hot July day. The Iranian singer Mahsa Vahdat enters the stage and tells the audience...