Jazz Evenings on a Kadikoy Terrace

The Kadikoy branch of Istanbul Kitapcisi turns its terrace into a concert venue in summer. The concerts held under the name Jazz on the Terrace offer a small-scale, intimate programme facing the sea view; unlike concerts in a large hall, the distance between stage and audience is a few metres.

The character of the programme

Artists bringing together different readings of jazz take the stage in turn through the summer evenings. Because the scale is small the programme can make room for experimental work; repertoire that would look risky in a large hall is played comfortably here. When sunset coincides with the concert hour, the setting becomes a reason in itself.

Cinema on the same terrace

In the summer period the same terrace also hosts open-air film screenings. Watching a film with a sea view is possible in only a few places in the city. The cinema and concert programmes alternate, so you need to check the calendar.

Muzik TR100 and listening sessions

Jukebox events under the Muzik TR100 programme are held at the same branch. The programme presents a century of music from the Republican period in curated selections; at each meeting a different curator or musician prepares and plays their own selection. The listening format differs from a concert; recordings are played and then discussed.

Reader and writer meetings

Another of the bookshop's regular programmes is a series of talks bringing authors together with readers. Attendance is usually free with limited places, and registration opens when the programme is announced.

Practical notes

Places are limited by the capacity of the terrace, so you need to arrive early. It is within walking distance of the Kadikoy ferry pier and the metro exit, so getting home late is easy. It can be windy on the terrace on summer evenings, so bring a light layer. Before or after a concert, the taverns and cafes in the Kadikoy market are open late.

Why go

Most concert venues in the city are either very large or expensive. This is neither; listening to music on a bookshop terrace, with a small audience and by the sea, is one of the easiest things to do in Istanbul in summer.