Istanbul's cultural calendar packed with events this week

Istanbul is buzzing with cultural activity this week, offering a diverse program for art lovers. The Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) is hosting extensive workshops for children, covering music, painting, traditional arts, sculpture, glass bead making, ballet, and storytelling, all aimed at supporting their artistic, physical, and personal development.

For younger enthusiasts, the Rahmi M. Koç Museum presents a "Flight Simulation" workshop on August 8th, designed for 8-10 year olds. Participants will learn basic flight principles, experience a simulation, and build their own wooden aircraft models.

Music lovers have a packed schedule. Pop star Mustafa Sandal will perform at the Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theater on August 6th, featuring hits like "Aya Benzer" and "Araba." The Turkish rock band Redd is also set to perform at the same venue on August 8th. Trumpeter and producer Barış Demirel will play at Zorlu PSM's Vestel Amfi on August 5th as part of their free summer events. Melisa Karakurt, blending Anatolian melodies with alternative pop, will perform at Zorlu PSM Vestel Amfi on August 8th. British group The Prodigy will take the stage at Zorlu PSM Turkcell Stage on August 7th as part of the "PSM Loves Summer" series. For jazz aficionados, a "Jazz on the Terrace" concert featuring Şenay Ocak and Emre Tankal will be held at the Şehir Hatları Eminönü-Karaköy Ferry Terminal on August 5th. Additionally, the Istanbul Festival at Festival Park Yenikapı will feature concerts by Serdar Ortaç, Derya Bedavacı, Özcan Deniz, Sagopa Kajmer, and Tiesto.

Art exhibitions are also abundant. The "Colors of the Earth" photography exhibition, exploring nature, urban life, and human stories, runs until August 30th at the Independent Art Foundation. Doç. Dr. Aras Neftçi's "Mimar Sinan's Istanbul" exhibition, showcasing Mimar Sinan's works from an architectural perspective, is on display at the AK Party Istanbul Provincial Directorate throughout August. "Coast of the Sun," a group exhibition, is open at Kalyon Kültür until September 30th, and "The Habits" exhibition runs at Decollage Art Space until August 30th. Yoko Ono's "My Inner Voice and Inner Structure" exhibition is extended until December 27th at the Sakıp Sabancı Museum. Lastly, the "Sweden and Istanbul: Encounters and Interactions Across Centuries" exhibition, a collaboration between İBB Kültür and İBB Miras, is on view at Metrohan until August 30th.