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.
Yabangee’s Weekend Picks:
(Ongoing) IKSV 45th Music Festival – “The 45th Istanbul Music Festival will host over 600 local and international artists, including some of the world’s leading ensembles such as Russian Chamber Philarmonic St. Petersburg, Vienna Chamber Orchestra, London Chamber Orchestra and Ebene Quartet, remarkable soloists like Hüseyin Sermet, Fazıl Say, Alina Pogostkina and Mathias Goerne, as well as young generation artists at 15 venues in Istanbul.”
(Saturday) Global Iftar by Popist Supper Club – “Pull up a chair, Saturday June 3 at 8.30pm, for Popist’s fifth hidden dinner, Iftar Across the Globe.”
Friday:
Exhibition Tour: Ways of Seeing @ Arter – “Sam Bardaouil and Till Fellrath, curators of “Ways of Seeing” will give detailed information on the artists through their works presented in the exhibition. The tour will be held in English with no Turkish translation. Participation is limited to 25 people. Please send an e-mail to turlar@arter.org.tr to make a reservation.”
An Evening of Improv: The Clap and Ephemerata – “The Clap are a wandering bunch of improvisational comedians from around the world who birth new worlds on the spot from their very minds. Taking a one-word suggestion from the audience, the Clap build an elaborate world of interesting characters. // Ephemerata is an improvised play in one act, performed by Curtis Erhart and Tyler Denison with occasional special guests. It is completely improvised: no suggestions and no plan sketched out beforehand. By the end of 40 minutes (give or take), Curtis and Tyler will have built a compelling story about the lives of quirky characters and the world which they inhabit.”
SACHA MAMBO (Macadam Mambo – FR) @ arkaoda – “DJ and digger for over ten years, his musical culture taps into a wide spectrum of influences. For the past two years, he has been a resident at Le Sucre in Lyon (FR), where he’s earmarked his very peculiar style by playing Afro, Disco, Acid, Techno, Rock or Industrial sounds…”
Avluda Caz: KU Orkestra ve Bümkorkestra @ bomontiada – “KU Orkestra and Bümkorkestra, keeping music alive with a repertory of jazz, funk, Latin and pop are at bomontiada at June 2nd as part of Avluda Caz concerts. Avluda Caz concerts start on May 26th at bomontiada, every Friday at 20.30. Admission free.”
Unlimited Friday @bunkroof – “#bunkroof’s classic unlimited beer night is back! As much as you can drink beer menu* is only 55 TL btw 20:00 – 23:00! Also unlimited chips with the menu! *Participation is not mandatory!”
Saturday:
BURN presents: Suma Beach Summer No:5 – “Mathew Jonson ‘live’; Sebastian Mullaert aka Minilogue ‘live’; Answer Code Request; The Mole; Alex & Digby; Sumagiller”
Açık Han Günü , Sanatlar @ Namit Han Karaköy – “The studio’s of painters, graphic designers and a fashion designer are open for public. Welcome!”
Opening Concert: Gevende & Kim Ki O @ Peyote Cennet Bahçesi
Pre-Pride Party NO.6: “Bring Your Ex-s, Take Your Drag!” – “22.00 Umut // 00.00 Haziran Düzkan // 02.00 Age Reform”
Voima x Kiki w/ Cure-Shot, Hello Alien, Semih Akay, Jamie S @ KiKi – “We are starting the night from garden with Happy Hour discounts and free pizza. Come early stay late!”
Sunday:
Eko-printing Workshop @ Circuit Istanbul – “Eco-printing / eco-dyeing is the process of dyeing fabric or paper with pigments found in nature as well as producing pigments and prints – leaves, flowers, seeds, roots, bark, and wood are layered into fabric and then steamed or immersed in hot water. In this workshop, students will learn about plants, materials and the bundling process, and how to create ecoprints on silk fabric.”
Polish Dumplings @ Komşu Kafe Collective – “This Sunday, our polish friends will prepare for us some mouth watering Pierogis, polish dumplings stuffed with endless variety of fillings, quite similar to turkish mantı however, slightly gigantic! Come join us for a lazy Sunday with Poland’s most famous comfort food! Bring everyone!”
Sketch Comedy Show @ BKM Mutfak Sahne – “SCS is a comedy sketch show that four amusing theater teams put theirs sketches on the stage. In every shows, teams write and play sketchs about a specified theme and these night shows are moderated by a presenter who elevate stage excitement.”
Multiple Days:
(Friday & Saturday) Iftar&Community – “Iftar&Community II is a community-focused project aimed at integrating local neighborhoods in Istanbul together during Ramadan. We bring everyone, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, to share in this culture of togetherness and unity that we foster through our Iftar&Community project.” 
Ongoing:
On Now: “Borderline” @ The Photographers’ Gallery Istanbul “In an exhibition titled “Borderline,” The Photographers’ Gallery Istanbul has brought together the work of emerging artists previously featured in the gallery.
The exhibition includes work by M. Cevahir Akbaş, Yasin Akgül, Aslı Çelikel, Bekir Dindar, Dinçer Dökümcü, Çağdaş Erdoğan, Mehveş Leliç, Nazlı Tuhera Moral, Can Tanrıseven, İsmail Tarhan, Furkan Temir and Erdem Varol.” // Ends Saturday 10 June
“The Chronicles of Flowers” @ Zilberman Projects–Istanbul “The Chronicles of Flowers is a personal documentation of Bahia Shehab’s long-lasting relationship with flowers. In the spring of 2011, when Shehab broke her left knee, her mother came from Beirut to nurse her in Cairo. Every morning, she created a flower arrangement from the garden to leave next to Shehab’s bed. This process triggered a state of obsessive flower documentation for the artist that lasted for several years.” // Ends Saturday 17 June
“The Pope and Galileo Had A Minor Disagreement” @ Zilberman Gallery “Over the last five years Casaretto has been focusing on processes of sensory perception, utilizing different materials in order to make unusual copies of systems that represent various phenomena. Bringing to mind computer programs that attempt to simulate reality, these works blur the lines between the original and its copy. The artist thus invites viewers to question their confidence in their sensory perceptions. // Ends Saturday 17 June
“Angst Eats Soul” @ Pi Artworks Istanbul – “Pi Artworks Istanbul is pleased to announce Susan Hefuna’s solo exhibition, Angst Eats Soul, featuring three video works by the artist. Parallel to her Istanbul exhibition, Hefuna’s works from Guggenheim collection is on view at The Creative Act: Performance, Process, Presence by Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, which runs until the end of July.” // Ends Saturday 17 June
“Free Speech Zone” @ Gallery Ilayda – “Presenting a selection from Özdemir’s most recent works, the show focuses on the existential possibilities of expression. It is a result of the artist’s questioning of the connections –and contrasts– between individuals’ sense of belonging and freedom. Identity, gender, cultural codes, war and civilization are some of the themes these questionings deal with.” // Ends Friday 23 June
“Sirens and Mermaids” @ x-ist – “Seda Hepsev’s exhibition entitled “Sirens and Mermaids”, named after a chapter of Christopher Dell’s book ‘Monsters: A Bestiary of the Bizarre’, addresses the existential problems of women from different perspectives but again from women’s eyes.” // Ends Saturday 24 June
“Everyday’s Poetry – Scenes from the Fullness of Life” @ Anna Laudel Contemporary – “Anna Laudel Contemporary presents Everyday’s Poetry – Scenes from the Fullness of Life displaying critically acclaimed works by Botero which have never previously been exhibited in Turkey. This carefully curated selection reflects Botero’s artistic exploration of the human experience, imbued with the artist’s familiar socio-political insight and characteristically subtle ironic wit, inviting visitors to participate on a journey through the intriguing images of the artist’s aesthetic.” // Ends Sunday 25 June
Looking for more events happening in Istanbul? Keep up with our What’s On section.
