British Turkish Cypriot Erol Alkan has been making waves in his many creative guises, whether it be DJ, producer, label owner, club promoter, radio host or collaborator. In a career spanning decades, Alkan’s history as a champion of alternative and electronic music culture, reads “almost like mythology”. He is the shy boy who snuck out […]
This Sunday, North London will see one of its largest community events take place as the Turkish Cypriots from across the capital and beyond come together for a one-day cultural festival at Enfield Playing Fields on Donkey Lane. Around 25,000 people are expected to attend the festival, which will include live music, folk dancing, DJs, […]
Now in its 34th year, the Day-Mer Culture & Arts Festival brings together a myriad of social, political and cultural flavours for its annual flagship event in North London that celebrates and unites the UK’s growing Turkish and Kurdish communities. Istanbul born, Germany resident Turkish singer Zeynep Bakşi Karatağ headlines this year’s festival that takes […]
A homeless charity in Norfolk is holding a “solidarity day” with survivors of the Turkiye-Syria earthquakes, helping to raise money to support these families to rebuild their lives. On Saturday 8 July, Emmaus Norfolk and Waveney are organising a family-friendly picnic in their beautiful orchard, where guests will be treated to a “delicious Turkish Meze […]
Festival fever is hotting up and it’s not just because of rising weather temperatures in London. After a four-year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic, The Mid Summer Ball is back with two big events on the same day. A total of 19 artists will be performing everything from Garage to House, Soul, Funk, Rap, […]
Make the most of London summertime with this cool rooftop part in Hampstead on Sunday. DJ Yılmaz Sumbul spins a fine selection of Turkish classics and current pop and dance hits, perfect for this all dayer under the sun as you sip cocktails and boogie on down. The party kicks off at 3.30pm at Tetto’s […]
What happens when an Arab, Persian and Turk walk into a bar? To find out, you need to head over to Kentish Town for this special comedy showcase featuring a host of Middle Eastern and Turkish origin comedians. This Saturday’s event is a fundraiser in aid of Syria and Turkey earthquake relief charities. The line-up […]
UAE-based American journalist Hafsa Lodi’s ‘Modesty: A Fashion Paradox’ has become the definitive read on this fast-growing global industry that marries faith with fashion. Published by Neem Tree Press in 2020, this 288-page book explores the big drivers behind the rise of modest fashion, its controversies and the main players involved. While some of the […]
Singer-songwriter Djanan Turan shares the first two singles from her upcoming new album Love’s Company, Diamond In Black, sang in English, and Yangın [Fire] in Turkish. The two songs, while musically different, convey through their emotionally charged melodies and powerful, socially conscious lyrics the deep injustices of today’s world. Yangın, produced in Hackney’s award-winning Fossil […]
Anatolian fiddle / kamança player Melisa Yıldırım and Indian tabla player Swarupa Ananth created musical magic when they met in early 2022 during a OneBeat 9 residency in Florida and recorded a spontaneous and extraordinary album in one take, now released as Hues of Imagination. This month, the duo meet for the first time since […]
