Traditional Turkish entertainment

[Fesenjan123]

Can anyone advise me of venues which have traditional Turkish music played by real musicians, not backing tapes? I don't mean the lounge llizard singer type either. I realise that a lot of people enjoy the usual entertainment of 'Fred murders Abba' or 'Trevor sings the Blues' but it's not my bag. I'm in North Cyorus, I want to enjoy the traditional music.

[Marions]

I look forward to hearing the answer. Mostly this happens at Turkish Cypriot functions, but if there is a regular venue, it would be good to go.

Thanks for asking the question - I look forward to the answer.

[surfmeetseast]

LOL know what you mean, but may be better off in the small villages and festivals, or even Turkey. There are a lot of Brits here and its horses for courses.....

[laptatony]

Hill Top Lapta, Fridays and possibly Saturdays. Tree of Idleness at Bellapai, have live belly danacer

[Groucho]

Tree of Idleness at Bellapais, have live belly dancer

Because the dead one was rubbish?

Does she perform to live music?

[mrsgee]

Sultans catalkoy Friday nights is brilliant. Mix of Greek and Turkish food and drink all in very popular with the locals who love a good night of music and dancing. Need to book though as it gets packed.

[icklepix]

Cenap is always a good option, its a traditional Cypriot Meyhane, live music on Friday and Saturday. Food is fabulous and good value at 50tl.

[Fesenjan123]

Thanks for the responses guys. Not too bothered about belly dancers. If I want to see a stomach moving around I just have to look down! Sultans sounds promising as does Cenap. Can you give me directions to Cenap please?

[Sultan]

Cenaps. Go along main road from Girne heading west. Just after the Merit sign is a left into Alsancak village by the golden lady, take that and carry on into the main shop and cafe part of the village. Cenaps is on the left just before the village car park which is also on the left, both more or less opposite fast food cafe.

[The Dog Walker]

Re Cenaps-- carpark is no longer there, but there is one immediately before the beledir's offices.

[icklepix]

When did the carpark disappear? It was there last month.

[Sultan]

I think it is part of the mukhtars improvements along with the baseball court alongside. Just refurbishing and upgrading.

[Ragged Robin]

There are various Turkish Cypriot folk dancing groups - particularly Youth Groups and Schools, I think they mainly perform at public occasıons - watch out for the programmes for the village festivals - eg the Zetıinlık Olive Festival and the Ozanköy Carob. They are certainly worth watching. Some of the groups also perform at Internation Folk Dancing Festivals and are much admired. You can find out more about them and what they mean on Wilki.I dont think they normally perform, eg at Restaurants though they may for special Cypriot Celebrations.

In the good old days 10 or so years ago, on special evenings, such as New Years Eve, restaurants would play TC music and everyone would do a (sometimes very!) modified form of local dancing and it was great fun. It is imho a traged that the British insularity (helped no doubt by TV and American influence) have resulted in this happening rarely, but you may be lucky enough to find it at a venue mainly patronised by locals on special occasions.

Sadly for me it is a long time since I have been able to get out and about much, but I think that some of the forthcoming celebrations in July and August will include folk dancing,

[mrsgee]

As I said earlier, Sultans Catalkoy, singing, dancing and plate smashing....great night, need to book though.

[Fesenjan123]

Thanks Ragged Robin. We do frequent many of the local festivals and enjoy the folk dancing very much. However it's the traditional Turkish musicians we would love to see in a restaurant. Turkish music is very good and it's sad that it is played so little. Nothing winds me up more than going to a lovely little restaurant, sitting down to admire the scenery and enjoy a meal, only for the restaurant to switch on mindless Western bubblegum pop music. Why on earth do they think we want to listen to that? I never did in England and have no desire to now.
God, I'm beginning to see like Mrs Angry, Basildon! I just want to appreciate their culture, is that too much to ask?
I will however, try Cenap and Sultans, to see what they have to offer.

[Ragged Robin]

I have a "cloth ear" so I cant comment too much on the music, but I like Turkish music (although like any kind of music it does have various styles) but I do agree so much about losing the traditions. Sadly I can rarely get out these days, but I have had meals which wanted to spend chatting with friends and/or catching up with the news with visitors, spoiled because overloud instrusive and inapproriate music makes conversation impossibe, I also love the sound of the waves and when I get the chance to eat sea-side chose places where the sound will not be drowned out (forgive the pun!) by music.

I dont know Cenap or Sultans, but may have visitors later this year who will want local traditions, so please report on how you find them.