We’ve done our best to compile events we’re aware of. If you think we’ve forgotten one or want to see your event featured, please send an e-mail (with English press info) to events@yabangee.com.
This Weekend:
3rd International Istanbul Silent Cinema Days – Taking place at various venues around Istanbul, this year’s festival has quite the program.
19th Rendezvous International Film Festival – The majority of films in this year’s program are either in English or feature English subtitles. Catch a film at a theater near you.
Friday/Saturday: Weekend at indigo – Back to back nights of local talent.
Friday:
Yabangee Presents: A Winter Welcoming Holiday Social and Coat Drive – “Winter is nearly upon us, so we thought we’d throw a welcoming party! (We really had to restrain ourselves from naming it “Winter is Coming.”) We’d also love to share the warmth by donating winter apparel to those who need it most. Come join us on Friday 16 December, take part in some holiday cheer and do a little something for others. In addition to accepting coat donations, we’ll be hosting our own mini version of Secret Santa. The fun starts at 20:00!”
Büyük Ev Ablukada – Fırtınayt @ Babylon Bomonti – “After their shows “Akustik” and “Full Faça”, Büyük Ev Ablukada is our guest at Babylon, this time with their new format “Fırtınayt”. This new format is the band’s first try at electronic music. The first single “Hayaletler” was released from the label “Olmadı Kaçarız”, and was highly praised. Following their performance at Babylon Soundgarden, the band prepared an exclusive stage production for their album “Fırtınayt”, which had been released at the start of this summer.”
Gaye Su Akyol & Bubituzak @ Salon IKSV – “Gaye Su Akyol: Continues her music career solo, which started with the band Seni Görmem İmkansız. Akyol, whose debut album Develerle Yaşıyorum made a tremendous impact, also is a painter. /// Bubituzak: Formed by Ali Güçlü Şimşek, Görkem Karabudak and Emrah Atay. Their debut album Uzay Yolları Taşlı, produced by Mike Nielsen and band members, was released in 2014.”
Singing for Syrians @ Church of St. Anthony of Padua – “Singing for Syrians Istanbul, in support of The Hands Up Foundation‘s efforts at helping some of Syria’s most vulnerable, will host an evening of Christmas carols and readings on Friday 16 December. Taking place at the Church of St. Anthony of Padua, doors open at 17:15. Guest must RSVP…”
Matinee Istanbul: Ruede Hagelstein @ Clique – “German Dj, Producer and watergate club “official” Resident Ruede Hagelstein with his LIVE Set at Clique İstanbul! Whether on a Festival like Fusion or in a smaller Club, Ruede Hagelstein transform us into the Music with house, techno, trance and breakbeats! On two Floors we will sparkle through the Night and get loos into the Music with Maxi Storrs (KaterBlau Berlin), Misipipi from Suma Beach and Mr&Mrs Kazan (Sertac & Lilly) from Matinee Istanbul! See you on the dancefloor fellas!”
An Evening of Improv: The Clap and Ephemerata at YOTA – Local improv that’s been going strong for quite some time! Find out why.
Ah! Kosmos @ Bant Mag. Havuz – One of the most popular local acts (and one of our favorites) makes an Istanbul appearance.
Opening: Nonspaces @ Akbank Sanat – “Nonspaces exhibition focuses on representation of nature and reconstruction of space by new media. Taking its inspiration from Marc Augé’s concept of non-places, transitory places of supermodernity where people remain suspended in anonymous solitude, like airports, shopping malls, highways, chain hotels and supermarkets, the title of the exhibition refers simultaneously to the artworks that make it up and the artspace that houses it.”
Starting: “When Did We Stop Playing?” @ Anna Laudel Contemporary – “Through framing the question ‘When did we stop playing?’, the exhibition aims to explore the great, universal game of life in our shared, contemporary existence.”
Saturday:
BaBa ZuLa @ Babylon Bomonti – “Began their career at a small studio in Berlin, Tel Aviv based Funk trio Buttering Trio express their peaceful world view through their sincere lyrics. Having released two albums, namely Toast and Jam, the band’s music, shaped around psychedelic elements, has been praised by many prominent media organs, including Clash, Electronic Sound Magazine and Fazemag….”
The Comet is Coming @ Salon IKSV – “The band members also play for Melt Yourself Down and Sons of Kemet. Formed in 2013 in London, after a series of private jam sessions. Released their debut album, Channel the Spirits, past April. They take their inspiration from space, sci-fi and B-movies. According to The Guardian, they are the true successors of Sun Ra. They have most recently been nominated for Mercury prize 2016.”
Countdown to Christmas Dinner with Pop-Up Restaurant Istanbul – “It’s the Christmas Countdown. The tree is up. The Christmas spirit is here. Carols on the ipod, cooking in the kitchen…”
Dance Therapy for Women from Onar Istanbul – “Everybody can participate in this therapy – those who feel stress, emotional unbalance and those who does not have serious problems but want to improve as individuals. The session lasts 1.5 hour. You will feel refreshed and energized after it.”
Jan Blomqvist (Live) @ ROXY – Another well-known Berlin DJ indulges the late-night crowd of Istanbul.
Urban Bakers II @ SALT Galta – “A discursive baking program initiated by Kök Projekt in November at SALT Galata, “Urban Bakers” aims to raise awareness of specialized bread production within the urban context of Istanbul. For each event Kök Projekt invites three bakers to produce and discuss their interest and relationship to sourdough. Each baker introduces their personal bread making techniques and recipes, describes the importance of independent bread production in an urban setting, while preparing their sourdough breads in the oven.”
Moda Seaside Dance Festival – Break out those dancing shoes and join over 2,000 others…
Country for Syria @ Atölye Kafası – “The band blends traditional Middle Eastern music with American Country music. The band’s earnings contribute aid to Syrian refugees and those affected by conflict around the world. They recently returned from their first US tour, sponsored by the Giving Hunger the Blues Festival. ”
Sunday:
Quiz Night for Cats @ Arsen Lüpen – “Cihangir Cool for Cats is back at it, now at Arsen Lüpen! The best quiz in Istanbul is taking place on Sunday 18 December. Quiz nights also feature a regular raffle, so you’re even more likely to walk away with a prize. All proceeds go to help street animals. This time, the fun kicks off at 19:30!”
“Dance Writing III – with KÖM” Workshop @ Hungarian Culture Center – “The aim of the workshop is to give a useful introduction (or initiation) into the path of a dance writer, with practical tips and hints. Special focus will be on individual strengths and abilities, to help to find and trust our own, original voice. The participants of the workshop will attend a selected performance and will reflect on the piece as a collective. In addition, each participant will be given individual feedback on his/her own writing.”
“Syrian Diary” Volunteer Photo Exhibit @ Nakkaş Sanat Galerisi – Idil, a high school student with insight beyond his years, volunteered with SPI this summer making bookmarks with the children to spark creativity and encourage literacy. The more time he spent with the youth he felt compelled to share and highlight challenges and common experiences of the community through his interview and photo project entitled “Syrian Diary.” His narrative photography will be on exhibit at Nakkaş Art Gallery December 18th.
Christmas Fundraising Lunch @ Small Projects Istanbul – “Join us this Sunday, December 18th from 12-2p for a scrumptious and comforting Syrian meal made by the women at our center. Have a tour of our center, share some laughs, and gather together with us in dialogue as we envision a productive new year. Entry is 100TL per meal and all money raised will go directly to support the families within the community and towards the upkeep of the center. RSVP by 6pm on Saturday, Dec 17th”
Pop-Up Kadiköy New Year’s Bazaar – Details are in Turkish, but likely something for everyone!
Handmade Istanbul Holiday Market @ St. Helena Chapel – “A Christmas and New Year market of artisan handcrafts – holiday gift and food items – to support handmade work and benefit the St George Hostel for UN registered refugees. Posting artisan products here, so check back!”
“What Can I Do Sometimes?” Sketch Comedy Show – “Sketches in the kitchen!… Are you ready? 4 groups, 30 people from different nationalities are ready to serve you their special recipe for good sketches and a lot of fun! The show will be held in English, what are you waiting for?”
Kolektif Brunch – Brunch! The solution to all your weekend’s troubles.
Ongoing:
“Creations / Creatures of the Mind” @ Bozlu Art Project – “In his exhibition, the artist who calls the audiences to reconsider and imagine through their daily lives focuses the people who will wake up their sleeps of mind and will recreate themselves in a marginalized, alienated society.”
“Ugly” @ x-ist – “Rendering contemporary problems ponderable and maybe laughable by expressing them through humour, this time the caricature artists meet the audience with their works as a reply to how outside the form of caricature they can address the uglinesses of the world in which we are living.”
“Library for Memory and Eternity (Twin)” @ Ariel Sanat – “Sharing in his nomadic nature, Sarkis’ work, shifting back and forth through time, invites the viewer to embark on journeys amid layers of memory. For memory is always plural, both thin stream and gushing river, each with its different sound, flow and channel. Sarkis listens to and records these sounds and movements as attentively as a seismographer, feeling them with his hands.”
“Who Throws Whom Overboard?” @ SALT Galata – “The exhibition brings together photographic works, wall texts, films and installations addressing migration, borders, citizenship, capital and alternative economics. It does not suggest that these “issues” are related in terms of policy, but rather that they can be read as the conjoined faces of an ongoing, global crisis.”
“Constructed” @ Zilberman Gallery – “Zeynep Kayan’s works reflect on the urge to escape the two-dimensional surface of photographs through chance and experiments again with the surface. Her process revolves around capturing and modifying the same scene again and again, looking for infinite possibilities in line with the artist’s wish to escape, letting the imagery stay in one and only state.”
“Lifesaving” @ Zilberman Gallery – “The metaphor of water is omnipresent in Janet Bellotto’s work and is a comment on submersion and reflection. Bellotto’s art tries to capture the in-between states that are always in flux. She is interested in oral histories, headlines and legends; and how they are reflected in daily life.”
“Fractum Regnum” @ Art On Istanbul – “Centered on experimental media and digital arts with a focus on generative computer arts in his works and visuals, Ozan Türkkan presents his works featuring virtual reality installations, as well as those relying on light frequency, such as holograms through which he plays with spectators` perceptions; generative videos from his researches in fractal geometry and 3D Lenticular prints.”
“Antique Romance” @ Pi Artworks Istanbul – “Antique Romance consists of a considered and minimal selection of paintings and sculptures that showcase the two main sides of Maris’ practice. These new semi-abstract compositions combine in unusual ways references to objects and architecture from both ancient cultures and contemporary civilizations.”
“Cold Front from the Balkans” @ Pera Museum – “The exhibition focuses on different generations of artists and art groups from the Balkan region. The exhibition avoids the usual unflattering political connotations the region’s name inevitably brings up but instead focuses on a natural phenomenon — the wind.”
“Wanderer on the Sea of Light” @ Pera Museum – “French artist Félix Ziem is one of the most original landscape painters of the 19th century. The exhibition Wanderer on the Sea of Light presents Ziem as an artist who left his mark on 19th century painting and who is mostly known for his paintings of Istanbul and Venice, where the city and the sea are intertwined.”
“EU 48/6/N” @ Elgiz Museum – “Rahmi Aksungur is a highly influential sculptor and academician whose body of work has made a significant contribution to contemporary sculpture in Turkey.”
Looking for more events happening in Istanbul? Keep up with our What’s On section.
