A comprehensive list of January activities
Ali Teoman Germaner’s ALOŞ: Dün, Bugün, Yarın at CerModern as of January 4
The exhibition ALOŞ: Dün, Bugün, Yarın (ALOŞ: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow) opens at CerModern on January 4. Showcasing Ali Teoman Germaner’s works from the 1950s to the present, the exhibition, curated by Burak Fidan, presents Germaner’s visual interpretations of time and memory across various disciplines.
XJAZZ! at Salon
Based in Berlin, the XJAZZ! Festival highlights jazz and jazz-inspired music from local and international artists. On January 10, Salon presents the Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange, the jam project led by Ziggy Zeitgeist, alongside Douniah, hailing from the Berlin soul scene. Guaranteeing Istanbulites an unforgettable evening, XJAZZ is a must-see event this January.
The 11! film event, connects with audiences from January 2-5
This year, Bir Film is hosting 11!, spotlighting the much-anticipated pre-release films of the year to audiences in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Eskişehir from January 2-5. Selected films will be shown exclusively at this special event so be sure to catch 11! to explore diverse voices and narratives in cinema and immerse yourself in this remarkable experience.
BKM and DOT co-production Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) staged throughout January
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, BKM and DOT are presenting a hilarious comedy version of Austen’s 1813 classic Pride and Prejudice. Starring actors Birce Akalay, Nergis Öztürk, Özge Özberk, Ayşegül Uraz, and Kardelen Arpacı, the play is being staged at Maximum Uniq Hall on January 13, 14, and 20.
Endişe dolu bir sevgi hikâyesi: Geçen Gün (A tale of love tinged with anxiety: The Other Day) unfolds further
Co-directed by Naz Erayda and Kerem Kurdoğlu, Geçen Gün (The Other Day), produced by Kundura Stage, continues performances at Beykoz Kundura throughout January. With a screenplay by Kerem Kurdoğlu, the play narrates a ‘love story steeped in anxiety’ between the city and two individuals. The two main characters are played by actress and director Esme Madra, recognized for her work in the films Çoğunluk (Majority), Nefesim Kesilene Kadar (Until I Lose My Breath), and Rüzgarda Salınan Nilüfer (The Lotus in the Wind), and Ozan Çelik, known for his roles in Sivas, Cemil Şov (The Cemil Show), and Karanlık Gece (The Dark Night), with music by the Tophane Noise Band, known for deploying instruments crafted from urban waste. Performances take place at Kundura Stage on January 13, 14, 27, and 28.
Cem Yılmaz with CMXXIV at Zorlu PSM on January 8
Cem Yılmaz, renowned for his numerous stage performances globally, connects with fans at the Turkcell Stage on January 7 for his first show of the year. With sold-out performances last season, CMXXIV is anticipated to garner significant interest this year and certainly stands out as one of January’s most delightful events.
Xiu Xiu in Istanbul!
The final addition to our January events lineup is the American avant-garde pop duo Xiu Xiu. Jamie Stewart and Angela Seo have undertaken numerous projects throughout their career, and Xiu Xiu has a significant presence in the music landscape of the 21st century. The band’s latest album, 13” Frank Beltrame, merges various styles and breaks down sound barriers. Returning to Istanbul after an extended hiatus, the pair performs at Blind on January 28, part of the Italian Stiletto world tour along with Bison Horn Grips.
