Quality of entertainment in TRNC this year

TheSaints · Post by **TheSaints** » Mon 20 Jul 2015 2:37 am

I know it is not just me as many people within my circle have commented on this but the quality of entertainment appears to have taken a big nose dive,
not only quality but also availability of good entertainment. People go on holiday and expect to be entertained at least a few nights a week not just weekends, those of us who live here full time would also like to have this option.
It seems to me that during the summer only as far back as 3 years ago you could watch a variety of different acts 7 night per week now you struggle to get something decent 2 nights per week. (before the flack flies even I am entitled to a point of view on this)

metin · Post by **metin** » Mon 20 Jul 2015 4:54 am

I think you will find that the restaurants and bars are cutting back on things like entertainment this year.......due to the lack of tourists and the late start to the season. They rely on money in the till at the end of the night to pay an artiste. if there's no money........
A lot of them are struggling to make ends meet.......I think a great many will fold this year.

butterfly · Post by **butterfly** » Mon 20 Jul 2015 6:59 am

Metin, completely agree with you. Have spoken to many restaurant managers. They have decided to not book acts, as no guarantee they can pay them at the end of the night. Sad state of affairs, think we are going to lose some good restaurants and bars this year.

the butlers wife · Post by **the butlers wife** » Mon 20 Jul 2015 7:11 am

I think the reason that there are not so many entertainers around this year is due to the problems with work permits.
This is very short sighted of the government and is losing tourists who spend money in restaurants and bars. It also
has a knock on effect on hotel bookings, villa rentals and shopping. This together with pipe laying along every road that
you travel with the delays and dust everywhere does not make for a good holiday.
We live here and are used to things happening at silly times of the year but even I am fed up of the problems travelling
from Esentepe to Girne.

The butlers wife

AngelGirl · Post by **AngelGirl** » Mon 20 Jul 2015 7:32 am

The bars and restaurants rely on bookings to pay the musician. Often the musician is cancelled when the bookings won't cover their wage, sometimes an hour or so before due to performing or even when they turned up. Not good for the musician! The cost of being a legal musician was so high with the increased and never explained contributions and the commission on all jobs even when sourced themselves, greatly reduced any enthusiasm for some legal and ex legal musicians to want to work. It is hardly worth their while as the pay is abysmal, some worked just because they loved to perform.
The campaign to the Government to report illegal musicians scared many and drove them away?
Some of the Turkish Cypriot musicians have day jobs and probably find it too much to perform during the week maybe?

elizabeth · Post by **elizabeth** » Mon 20 Jul 2015 10:06 am

TheSaints wrote:I know it is not just me as many people within my circle have commented on this but the quality of entertainment appears to have taken a big nose dive,
not only quality but also availability of good entertainment. People go on holiday and expect to be entertained at least a few nights a week not just weekends, those of us who live here full time would also like to have this option.
It seems to me that during the summer only as far back as 3 years ago you could watch a variety of different acts 7 night per week now you struggle to get something decent 2 nights per week. (before the flack flies even I am entitled to a point of view on this

I have to agree, we have a couple of "good entertainers", not many, we have too many who think they are good, and the rest, well what can you say, in the case of the latter I would rather stay at home !!

davedee · Post by **davedee** » Mon 20 Jul 2015 10:38 am

Lack of visitors is hardly surprising with air fares around £500 to £600 cranky.

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Mon 20 Jul 2015 10:48 am

davedee wrote:Lack of visitors is hardly surprising with air fares around £500 to £600 cranky.

Sorry, I couldn't understand if you were addressing this to 'cranky', or signing it 'cranky' - and why!

So - Why?

Art · Post by **Art** » Mon 20 Jul 2015 10:57 am

Here in Esentepe we have watched some excellent entertainers this year without paying an entrance charge.

Andrew Sings/ Neil Diamond / Tony Wand/ Robbie Williams to name a few..

I make the point about not paying an entrance fee because I wonder how many people would be prepared to pay a few lira to watch these guys entertain .I certainly would.

davedee · Post by **davedee** » Mon 20 Jul 2015 11:55 am

Addressing Keith, however I am a touch cranky as well.

chrisandsue · Post by **chrisandsue** » Mon 20 Jul 2015 12:57 pm

We have a music night at The Hut in Lapta once a month with Christine, who has recently come over from Turkey. A bbq supper is available (tickets available) if you would like to eat.

Christine is an extremely talented singer and would recommend you come along on 5th August for an entertaining evening.
(pop along soon before the bbq tickets sell out!)

Sue

terry2366 · Post by **terry2366** » Mon 20 Jul 2015 1:09 pm

I think the problem of quality is that entertainers are ok for tourists they come for a couple of weeks and see a few different ones which is ok. But for the people who are here all the time it's not so good they sing the same songs in the same order 3 or 4 nights a week for years so we know what song is coming next by your watch. I travel all the way to iskele to see some acts that come from the south which at least gives variety.

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Mon 20 Jul 2015 1:50 pm

davedee wrote:Addressing Keith, however I am a touch cranky as well.

OldDog · Post by **OldDog** » Mon 20 Jul 2015 3:20 pm

People in my circle thought that the air show yesterday was world class entertainment.

Floradora · Post by **Floradora** » Mon 20 Jul 2015 4:24 pm

Can highly recommend "The Hut" and Christine.

A talented lady with good music.

Lovely BBQ with all the trimmings. And of course perfect hosts

Kevin and Laura

PoshinDevon · Post by **PoshinDevon** » Mon 20 Jul 2015 6:05 pm

davedee wrote:Lack of visitors is hardly surprising with air fares around £500 to £600 cranky.

Whilst I understand that not everyone can plan and book along way in advance I will say that those that are able to book up to a year in advance will get some very reasonable deals for flights. BA, Easyjet and Norweigian Air to Larnaca or Turkish Airlines, Pegasus or Atlasjet to Ercan.

Personally I just think that North Cyprus is just a tad more difficult to get to......most on a 2 week package want direct flights straight in with hotel, transfers and the sanitised meditterranean that Spain the Balearics, Canary Islands etc provides. Also some are under the miss apprehension that closeness too conflict zones is a risk, moslem country another risk etc etc

Dont frequent the entertainment scene but it wont be the lack of decent entertainers that will put people off.....that will be way down there list of concerns.

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Mon 20 Jul 2015 6:33 pm

I'm with 'Posh' on this - and as for the cost of flights, you only need to trawl through the posts on this forum, or use the dedicated 'Search' facility to discover that you can travel for a fraction of the prices quoted earlier.

Of course, if you want 'First Class'Travel, with all the frills, and/or you need to travel during School holidays, (which some cannot avoid) then obviously, things get rather pricier...

'Entertainment' in Bars tends to discourage me from frequenting them (not that I am often given the choice...) - I prefer somewhere where I can actually converse with my companions...

...mind you, I generally much prefer sitting in a darkened room...illuminated only by my flickering computer screen...

(memo to self: 'Must get around to fixing that damned Flicker!')

Dalartokat · Post by **Dalartokat** » Mon 20 Jul 2015 7:35 pm

Keith not necessarily so regarding cost of flights. It really depends on when and where you want to fly. I am not surprised davedee has been quoted these prices. He and I both live in the South East and it's expensive.

I have booked a week to come to NC in September and when I was quoted the same as davedee to fly independent of the accommodation. I wanted to go into Larnaca and someone said(travel operator) first of all it was too expensive and the quotes were ridiculous. I needed to book the week that I wanted there and then. I changed my plans from hoping to get a villa and now going into a hotel + flight with Turkish Airlines(going via Sabiah Goken going and Istanbul coming back), food and 23kg luggage for £460 for a week. I'm happy with that. Also from SE going to Stanstead seems to be the norm and I wanted to go from Gatwick. The certain Travel operator did not go from Gatwick.

I don't have the time to sit and keep looking for deals unfortunately I have to do things on the spur of the moment, but good for people if they get the deals.

Tourism also Keith has always been sporadic with NC and it has not changed in the last 17 years, up and down all the time. Problems now with terrorists is playing it's part where people are going. I was told by Thomsons that most of the people who were going to Tunisia with them have taken the alternatives offered to Cruises and I wanted that as my first choice, couldn't get the dates as all booked. The incident in Turkey today also could affect peoples choice of holiday now.

Dalartokat · Post by **Dalartokat** » Mon 20 Jul 2015 7:45 pm

Sorry to all, seemed to have gone off the original topic.

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Mon 20 Jul 2015 8:08 pm

Dalartokat wrote:Sorry to all, seemed to have gone off the original topic.

Yes, we do, a bit!

Good points though!

Groucho · Post by **Groucho** » Tue 21 Jul 2015 1:20 pm

What's the point of coming to Cyprus (on holiday mind - not those who drink their lives away here full-time) on holiday (where I might add it's fecking hot!) only to want to go out to see a pub-act that could be taken-in anywhere in the UK?

Surely there's more....

If you are hard enough - let's have you....

woodspeckie · Post by **woodspeckie** » Tue 21 Jul 2015 1:38 pm

Surely there's more....

If you are hard enough - let's have you....[/quote

Lots more Bird Watching trips for one, walks in the lovely countryside another, meeting up with friends for lunch when its quiet no music.

davedee · Post by **davedee** » Tue 21 Jul 2015 3:59 pm

Keith you are right but have to book as soon as flights are released,not always possible, managed to get for £399 Cyprus paradise ,Tailwind ! wish me luck look like ancient fleet.

wiser · Post by **wiser** » Tue 21 Jul 2015 5:03 pm

From our point of view at Sirinyali in Karsiyaka we are trying to provide good music but no one books and few venture out. Tomorrow we have the acoustic4 playing and as it is a band of 4 playing live it is expensive and I am sure we will not cover costs. For the time being we are persevering and also have Gavin on Friday and Rachel on Sunday but we need support for it to continue. When you put in these hours you need to cover your costs at the very least!

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Tue 21 Jul 2015 5:17 pm

davedee wrote:Keith you are right but have to book as soon as flights are released,not always possible, managed to get for £399 Cyprus paradise ,Tailwind ! wish me luck look like ancient fleet.

Yes, I do realise that not everyone can predict where they want to be several months ahead,,,

I have seen those 'Tailwind' flights, and they did rather pique my interest, just so long as they don't rely on a 'tail wind' to get you there...

I must say (reverting back to the original subject - before we get 'moderated' ) that when I was visiting as a tourist, I always preferred 'ethnic' style entertainment (although we did once win a bottle of wine in the quiz at Riverside, and I must say that I've never been known to refuse a bottle of wine! ) - I wouldn't, knowingly, have gone to anywhere that featured a UK 'crooner/musician' as a feature of the evening's entertainment. The exception is 'Bellydancers' - I always try to sit in an 'as inconspicuous position as possible' seat, so that I am not selected as a 'Target' , 'cos they frighten me!

So I really don't think that the quality or content of the entertainment has a lot to do with Tourist numbers, the poor souls don't even know what they're going to be subjected to when they book their tickets!

Anyway, as I've mentioned elsewhere, I do really prefer a darkened room...

Just a quick question: "Why are there no establishments that feature Turkish Music and that 'Group Dancing" thing? - The GC's always manage to put on a display at least once a week in each area - surely there are still TC's around who could do it - and they wouldn't need a work permit!

Perhaps they've all got better jobs these days!

Panchocat · Post by **Panchocat** » Tue 21 Jul 2015 9:02 pm

Keithcaley Sultans in Çatalköy do what you call the "Group dance thing." On Friday nights complete with belly dancer, plate smashing and fire on the floor all served up with a meze.

Repent at Leisure · Post by **Repent at Leisure** » Tue 21 Jul 2015 11:58 pm

Does the so called entertainment bring in enough extra business to justify the cost?

JoandJelly · Post by **JoandJelly** » Wed 22 Jul 2015 10:10 am

Tolga's in Karsiyaka does mainly Turkish entertainment.

TheSaints · Post by **TheSaints** » Thu 23 Jul 2015 2:11 pm

Terry hit it on the head.

"I think the problem of quality is that entertainers are ok for tourists they come for a couple of weeks and see a few different ones which is ok.
But for the people who are here all the time it's not so good they sing the same songs in the same order 3 or 4 nights a week"

I tried to get this point accross on another thread but but too much drink and not enough think led me into a position where I really needed to apologise for the comments I made which is not good but I held my hands up as I was out of order.

It is difficult for the few resident artists that live here full time to make a living as it is, there are only so many venues and so many punters outside of the tourist season and I suppose regular punters who follow artists from venue to venue have thier favourite songs that they want to hear and request them so the artist has to please them or lose appreciative audiences.

Traveller0392 · Post by **Traveller0392** » Thu 23 Jul 2015 3:15 pm

Reminds me of an argument I once had with a lead singer in a 4 (5 piece band - drummer was called Yamaha), as to why we played the same songs at the same venue only 4 weeks later. The answer was surprising .... it takes too long to learn something new. We practised once a week, little pub near Blackburn, and played most the working men's clubs etc. Smallest audience we had was 3 people.... plus the bar staff. The raffle prize that night wasn't good.

I think for most of the musicians on this side of the green line, there is a lack in numbers, that doesn't excuse quality, although some may say, you get what you pay for. Over in the South, there are a lot more musicians and certainly more venues. I think if the quality is good, in terms of 'entertainment', that means playing according to your audience and not what you wish to play as a musician, then the people will come. We have Facebook these days to publicise events, so little cost there in terms of sending flyers and marketing, you just need a lot of PA gear and a big enough car to haul it all around.

I think the definition of quality needs to be addressed, along with taste and preference to listening to various genres.

Ps Does anyone here use MIDI files? How professional are they?

Repent at Leisure · Post by **Repent at Leisure** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 12:30 am

Any chance of a list of dates and places that have not got "so called" entertainment booked?

sophie · Post by **sophie** » Fri 24 Jul 2015 7:39 am

Repent at Leisure - there was a thread a few months back, when I suggested the self same thing. Why the hell do restaurants assume EVERYONE wants to be "yelled" at throughout their meal. There are one a few venues but they are few and far between and still manage to do good business.

SpongeDiver · Post by **SpongeDiver** » Mon 27 Jul 2015 8:31 am

Did you ever go to 'Open Mic.' when it used to take place weekly? First it was at, Hoots Bar, then for a year at the Red Lion [Alsancak], and finally at Black Olive, for about 3 months before some jealous idiot complained and the TRNC 'authorities' banned anyone playing in public who didn't have a current work permit and was registered with the, as far as I'm aware, only entertainment agency. Since the 'Open Mic.' players/performers music appealed to the bulk of expat retirees, and was mostly very well attended, there is now a glaring gap in the musical entertainment scene in Girne. Since most of the 'Open Mic.' performers are aged over 60, they are precluded by TRNC law from being granted a work permit. Of course, these people have no ambition to play/perform for any remuneration, whatsoever - not even a free beer. So, again, as with the failure to resolve the problems in the property market, the 'authorities' have, again, 'shot themselves in the foot'. Perhaps they believe that a few old chaps playing 50's, 60's, 70, & 80's music was potentially putting Turkish Cypriot musicians out of a job - otherwise, why the ban on a few pensioners, who only play, at the most, 6 songs per night, and then only 3 at a time, in order to give a chance to the next volunteer? Hopefully, this ludicrous situation will eventually be resolved. In the meantime, no 'Open Mic.' performer dare play in a public place, as 'Cyprus Today' reported that risking doing so would render the 'offender' subject to deportation.

Traveller0392 · Post by **Traveller0392** » Mon 27 Jul 2015 12:02 pm

Hi Sponge Diver,

You took the words right out of my mouth .... and you are right about the buskers (open mic), although the same thing happened in London, with many public bars having to comply to new fire regulations to accommodate larger audiences, it seems the same here too, albeit for a different reason. Most of the local musicians (Cypriots) tend to play in the established bars, where you have to pay admission of around 10-20tl to watch them, very much so here in Nicosia. I think there is an option, with a degree of regulation from the powers that be, we'll watch this space. No music, do people stay away? I think we have more than one train of thought on this subject.

The local crowd (Cypriot) like to hear singing from English singers, although if you listened to the likes of Utku Yerebakan, his English is excellent. Personally, I don't get out enough to see and support any of the British guys singing, although it seems they may be now taken off the menu.

Ps If anyone fancies a 'Jam session', Hammond Organ/Keyboards, please feel free to get in touch.

greengate · Post by **greengate** » Mon 27 Jul 2015 12:09 pm

Repent at leisure/Sophie

When i plan to go out for a meal - i use the entertainment section of Cyprus Today to find out who is appearing where, and then avoid those places. I want to able to enjoy my meal and be able to hold a conversation with my friends, without having to shout over load music etc.

SpongeDiver · Post by **SpongeDiver** » Mon 27 Jul 2015 12:40 pm

Greengate - the topic is about 'Quality of entertainment in TRNC this year' - not about people like you who shun it - so, why bother to post your disdain?

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Wed 29 Jul 2015 8:37 pm

spongeDiver:

the OP asked about the quantity as well as the quality of entertainment, and the former may be because some venues have realised that there are quite a lot of us who prefer NOT to have loud music with our meal.

I cant afford to eat out often and when I do it is usually also a treat to catch up with friends I dont see often. On one occasion with visitors from the UK, we moved to a table AWAY from the source of "music" so we could hear each other speak. Despite this the "performers" insisted on following us and "serenading " our table. It spoiled the evening and was a low spot in my friends' holiday (if they wanted music they would have preferred something local) and I have never been to that venue again. I dont know whether or not they were paid, but my impression is that a lot of "entertainment" is more about the ego of the performers than what the customer actually wants.

Re earlier posts, I must admit, though, that the one thing I miss about the Greeks is plate smashing - it was a great way of working off stress! It isnt part of the Cypriot Turk dance culture, however. With my "ancient mariner" hat on again, I must say that there used to be a lot more Turkish music and group dancing, in which everyone took part here , the "popularity" of English singers and modern songs came post 2004 and with the increase in the expat population.

Repent at Leisure · Post by **Repent at Leisure** » Wed 29 Jul 2015 10:07 pm

Are you allowed to keep smashing plates over the head of the "entertainer" until he/she stops?

munchy · Post by **munchy** » Thu 30 Jul 2015 12:03 am

I recently took my Mother to an Alzeimers/carers club where 8 of us were absolutely delighted to watch a beautiful and skillful English Lady "Belly Dancer" strutting her stuff for almost 2 hrs for the price of a cuppa and a piece of cake.
In all the years I had spent in NC I don't recall any Turkish Bellydancer performing for Tourists etc. Maybe, they were the Reserve of the idle Rich I don't know. Maybe this is what is needed in Girne

SpongeDiver · Post by **SpongeDiver** » Thu 30 Jul 2015 7:50 am

Ragged Robin - 'Open Mic.' has always been held in bars, not restaurants, even though meals with a limited menu are served. Anyone who wishes to converse while dining usually goes to a restaurant. Our 'Open Mic.' group of regular performers have never had any complaints about our performance or excessive noise, plus the fact that we play music which appeals to tourists and expats alike. Quite a lot of locals, when they found out about 'Open Mic.', used to come along and thoroughly enjoy the Western style music which we play.

Munchy - several years ago the 'Ship Inn' [Karaolanoglu] used to regularly feature a beautiful belly-dancer for their tourist clientele. She also had a game where she blindfolded the men, then got other men to caress them, who, of course, thought it was her - great entertainment!

The Black Olive Cafe · Post by **The Black Olive Cafe** » Thu 30 Jul 2015 4:58 pm

The Black olive cafe is at the moment trying to get our Open Mic nights started again on a Saturday night
Watch this space
More news to follow shortly
Many Thanks
Vicki

Heaven · Post by **Heaven** » Thu 30 Jul 2015 6:28 pm

Sorry never rated the english entertainment on the island here in the 7 years we have lived here. Give me the Gypsy Brothers every time. I really believe the Island hides their culture. Go to Hilltop and hear the Turkish music. We came here for culture of the Island not Open mikes. Love going to the festivals where there is Turkish music and entertainment. The disgraceful behaviour of the English so called entertainers on the Kibkom Forum of late will make me avoid them like the plague. It was another reason to make me ashamed to be British.

eyebob94 · Post by **eyebob94** » Thu 30 Jul 2015 8:32 pm

Why not have a long weekend in Oroklini, 18 euros a night for hotel room and entertainment Friday and Saturday nights free, unfortunately not attractive to the dinosaurs who wouldn`t set foot on the "Dark Side"!!

eyebob94 · Post by **eyebob94** » Thu 30 Jul 2015 8:34 pm

Re message 42, I would be interested to know All the reasons you are "ashamed" to be British.

Marions · Post by **Marions** » Thu 30 Jul 2015 8:58 pm

Please note this topic is about TRNC, and although there may be some terrific entertainment in the south for those who want it, this is not the thread in which to discuss it - in fact I have to say that it is

Also I think it is only fair to say that many people who reside here and/or come on holiday, just love good food in good company with good discussions, and have no desire whatsoever to be entertained. In the past I have been to restaurants where there was entertainment and hated it. I should have done my homework - which I now do. And there are many others like me.

Horses for courses, I thin k they call it.

SpongeDiver · Post by **SpongeDiver** » Fri 31 Jul 2015 6:31 am

Re. Message 41 - that's really good news, Vicki - but has the legal aspect been sorted yet?

If not, I've had some very good advice from TC friends, which I'd be happy to share with you. I think you know who I am - yep, that Kiwi harmonica puffing coozer!

eyebob94 · Post by **eyebob94** » Sat 01 Aug 2015 5:38 am

Oops, and there was me thinking CYPRUS is all one island, political differences aside, and aren`t the "powers that be" striving for a permanent peaceful settlement. Surely entertainment both north and south can only help?

Groucho · Post by **Groucho** » Sat 01 Aug 2015 10:57 am

SpongeDiver wrote:Re. Message 41 - that's really good news, Vicki - but has the legal aspect been sorted yet?

If not, I've had some very good advice from TC friends, which I'd be happy to share with you. I think you know who I am - yep, that Kiwi harmonica puffing coozer!

A mouse went into a music shop in Shaftesbury Avenue and asked to buy a Mouse Organ, the salesman said " That's funny - you're the second mouse who's been in this morning asking for the very same thing!" So the mouse said 'Oh. that must have been our Monica!"

ozonkoyboy · Post by **ozonkoyboy** » Wed 05 Aug 2015 8:29 am

Getting Back to the original post, also remember than not only do the restaurants have to pay for the entertainment, they also have to stump up for a music licence for acts to perform.
If as has been mentioned the cliental has fallen due to lack of holiday makers,if that is so then the cost becomes an expense restaurants can not afford

mikelapta · Post by **mikelapta** » Wed 05 Aug 2015 9:27 am

I have 2 comments to make:
1.'Tribute artistes'...if you have a good voice and repertoire,why do you have to mimic other artistes?
2.'line dancers'...usually middle-aged ladies,with stupid cowboy hats and boots,practicing,getting ready for their zimmer frames.İf you have surplus energy dig the garden,hoover the house.
Those would be more usual than being an embarrasment in front of an audience.

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