Get organized: Expat events in Istanbul for January

With the start of a new year comes the inherent need for new beginnings, whether it be making new friends, acquiring new hobbies, getting your affairs in order or simply just getting out there and enjoying this magnificent city. This month, there are a long list of events hosted by, for and of interest to the expat community in Istanbul.

Jan. 6 - The Clap and Ephemerata at Yota Sahnesi



Enjoy the expat improvisational stylings of The Clap and Ephemerata, two English language improv troupes that will be performing on Friday, Jan. 6 from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Yota Sahnesi in Taksim. Then on Jan. 22 and Jan. 29, both Sunday's respectively, the show moves to the esteemed BKM Mutfak theater, which aims to establish Sunday as a day devoted to English language comedy.

Jan. 7 - Legal Discourse for Foreigners

The creative space CreAtolye in Cihangir will be hosting "Legal Discourse for Foreigners" on Saturday Jan. 7 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Specially geared to foreigners, this will be an opportunity to ask any legal questions you may have in relation to all aspects of Turkish law. Discourses will be held as personal sessions that will last up to 20 to 30 minutes and will be held in English or French. The legal consultant will be able to provide legal advice on a range of topics such as Turkish laws on immigration, corporate, commercial, labor law, family law, tax law, real estate law, intellectual property, banking, capital markets and estates. To subscribe send an email to atolye@creatolye.com stating your name, surname and telephone number. The cost to attend is TL 30 and tickets are available at the door or from Biletix.

Jan. 7 - Aysu Çöğür 'Experimistan' & Zeytin

On Saturday evening, enjoy the eclectic grooves and beautiful vocal stylings of Aussie-Turk Aysu Çöğür and her latest project "Experimistan," in which she performs her own songs in a melding of funk, ethno-neo-soul and rock genres with a group of talented musicians, a number of which who are expats like herself: Payam Ghasemi (bass guitar), Daniel Griladze (guitar) and Mustafa Kemal Emirel (drums).

Zeytin is a reggae-rock group that performs their own songs penned in English and in Turkish and is led by female vocalist and fellow Brit-Turkish expat the lovely Melissa Lara Clissold. The show will take place at The Mekan, located near İstiklal in the Galatasaray Lisesi vicinity in Beyoğlu. Tickets cost TL 20 or TL 15 for women, teachers and students and are available at the door.

Jan. 8- Comedy Sketch Show at BKM Mutfak

On Sunday, Jan. 8, members of the Clap and two other groups of expats will be performing four comedy sketches as well as improv games alongside the esteemed vocalist Martina Pavone.



The show will take place at BKM Mutfak in Beşiktaş, beginning at 7 p.m. and tickets are TL 34 and available on Biletix.

Jan. 8 - Repair Cafe and Exchange Fair

On Sunday, Jan. 8, from noon to 3 p.m., the Yeryüzü Derneği, a collective working toward implementing and promoting sustainable living principles, located in Kadıköy's Söğütlüçeşme neighborhood, will be teaming up with Tasarım Atölyesi Kadıkoy for a Repair Cafè and exchange bazaar.



Attendants are welcome to bring any second-hand items they may want repaired. Handymen and specialists on repair will be on hand to help you bring those broken items you have been hoarding back to life. Or if you are interested in acquiring or relieving yourself of items then join the trade exchange in which there will be books, children's toys, clothes and all sorts of second hand items up for swap.

Jan. 11- Take Me to the Bosphorus Open Mike Stand-Up Show

On Wednesday, Jan. 11 from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., the Take Me Up The Bosphorus crew will be hosting an Open Mike Stand-Up show in English in which anyone inclined will be able to take the stage and try their hand at doing stand-up comedy or watch others; either way its guaranteed to be a fun evening. This time, the event will take place at Kaset Kadıköy in Moda, a pleasant caf to visit in itself. Sign up starts at 8:30 p.m. and this event is free.

Jan. 14- Kolektif Jammin at Kolektif House Sanayi

The innovative communal work space and creative center Kolektif House will be hosting a Kolektif Jammin night in conjunction with Jam Sessions Turkey, which is led by none other than musician and expat Melissa Lara Clissold.



It will take place at their Sanayi venue on Saturday, Jan. 15 from 8 p.m. to 12:30 am. Anyone and everyone is free to bring their instruments and improvisational skills on the stage.

Jan. 21- Garage Sale at CreAtolye

On Saturday, Jan. 21, CreAtolye will be holding a Garage Sale from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at their 200 square-meter innovation platform venue in Cihangir. This event is free and you are welcome to bring your own second hand stuff for resale.

Jan. 28- Country for Syria Concert

On Saturday, Country for Syria, a group of international musicians who play country music with an Arabic twist and donate much of their proceeds to help refugees, will be performing at 8 p.m. Atölye Kafası, an innovative new caf workshop in Balat.