Lonely Planet İstanbul Guide

PERFORMING ARTS BORUSAN ART ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; Borusan Sanat; % 0212-705 8700; www.borusansanat.com/en; İstiklal Caddesi 160a; m Şişhane, j Tünel) An exciting privately funded cultural centre on İstiklal, Borusan is housed in a handsome building and hosts classical, jazz, world and new music concerts in its music hall. The occasional dance performance is included in its schedule. BAŞKA SINEMA ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.baskasinema.com; Halep Pasajı, İstiklal Caddesi 62; m Taksim) Art-house operation screening classic, alternative and experimental films in the Beyoğlu Cinema. MUNZUR CAFE & BAR ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; % 0212-245 4669; www.munzurcafebar.com; Hasnun Galip Sokak 17, Galatasaray; h 1pm-4am, music from 9pm; m Taksim) Hasnun Galip Sokak is home to a number of Türkü evlerı, Kurdish-owned bars where musicians perform live, emotion-charged halk meziği (folk music). This simple place, which is two decades old, has a regular line-up of singers and expert bağlama (lute) players. JOLLY JOKER ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; % 0212-249 0749; www.jjistanbul.com; Balo Sokak 22; h from 10pm Wed-Sat, closed summer; m Taksim) The gig-goers among the lively multinational crowd here gravitate towards the upstairs bi-level performance hall, which hosts Turkish rock, alternative and pop outfits. Check the website for schedules and cover charges. CINEMA LIVE MUSIC LIVE MUSIC This performance space occupies a former car garage in a narrow street behind İstiklal Caddesi and is about as edgy as the city’s performance scene gets. It hosts contemporary dance performances, poetry readings, theatrical performances and live music (especially jazz).