MEHMET AKYAZI & CANADIAN TURKISH ORCHESTRA

Due to popular demand, the Canadian Turkish Orchestra is back on stage on December 1st! After their first concert at Lula Lounge on June 9th, as part of the Lulaworld Music Festival, which sold out quickly and received great acclaim, the Canadian Turkish Orchestra is teaming up once again with Eventboard to present their highly anticipated second performance. Mehmet Akyazı and the Canadian Turkish Orchestra, in collaboration with Eventboard, proudly present the Once Upon a Time & Trakia concerts.

Once Upon a Time

In the first part of the night, titled Once Upon a Time, you’ll experience a cinematic concert where this talented Turkish ensemble will perform unforgettable film and TV scores such as Pulp Fiction, Mozart, and The Godfather enriched with projections. With unique Turkish-style interpretations of these legendary melodies, the concert will take you on a journey through time. Are you ready for a beautiful musical voyage that will bring back memories for every generation, taking the audience on a journey through international cinematic history?

Trakia

In the second part of the night, Trakia will feature a tribute to the 101st anniversary of the forced population exchange that took place between Greece and Turkiye, displacing approximately 1.6 million people. With the theme “From Their Ancestors' Land to Their Homeland,” this set will feature a selection of exceptional Turkish folk songs. Special guests Brenna MacCrimmon, Canan Sezgin Geylan ,Yahya Geylan ,Suleyman Ergisi ,Didem Turan ,and Turkwaz Vocal will join Akyazı and the orchestra to perform Turkish, Rumelian, and Balkan classics, highlighting the incredible energy that only the 9/8 rhythm of Turkish music can offer.

The largest Turkish orchestra on the American continent is set to deliver an unforgettable concert with an expanded lineup! Featuring 13 professional musicians and 7 guest vocalists, this captivating musical experience is one you won’t want to miss.

Orchestra Lineup:

• Artistic Director: Mehmet AKYAZI
• Assistant Artistic Director: Seçil AKYAZI
• Percussion: Mehmet AKYAZI
• Riq: Ahmet AYDIN
• Drums: Matias RECHARTE
• Trombone: Emily FERRELL
• Trumpet: Nizo ALIMOV
• Saxophone: Selçuk SUNA
• Saxophone: Nazir ALIMOV
• Saxophone: Canberk RUSCUKLU
• Clarinet: George MILIONIS
• Bass Guitar: Alihan İNANLI
• Keyboard: Fatih YILDIRIM
• Guitar: Eren ÇELİK
• Kanun: Ergun GÜLBAY
• Violin: Sammy ERKİSİ

Soloists:

• Süleyman ERGISI
• Didem TURAN ÜNEY
• Brenna MacCRIMMON
• Sophia GRIGORIADIS
• Marya Hassan TOLLAR

About Mehmet Akyazı – Artistic Director & Producer A graduate of Istanbul Technical University Conservatory, Mehmet Akyazı has had an illustrious career as both a musician and dancer, performing for many years with Türkiye's first professional dance ensemble, Anadolu Ateşi (Fire of Anatolia). Drawing from his 29 years of experience on world stages, Akyazı has now gathered 20 talented musicians in Canada to create this grand concert. After over six months of meticulous preparation, he is excited to present the richness and diversity of Turkish music to audiences in Toronto.

About Seçil Akyazı – Co-Artistic Director Also a graduate of Istanbul Technical University Conservatory, Seçil Akyazı worked as a dancer and choreographer for 11 years with Anadolu Ateşi, later expanding her role as a choreographer and stage director for various other dance ensembles. As the Art Director for this project, Seçil has crafted a visually captivating experience, blending her deep expertise in dance and choreography to deliver a truly mesmerizing performance.

Tickets with seating $50 (After purchasing the ticket please reserve your seat)

Standing room tickets $30 (This ticket does not Guarantee seating)

Tickets do not include food or drinks. 13% HST will be added at checkout.

This is an all ages event

Doors open for dinner: 6:30pm, Show: 8:00pm

Check out Lula's dinner menu: lula.ca/menu.

If purchasing a seated ticket, you can reserve a table at lula.ca/reservations or by calling 416 588 0307. Please note that tables of 2 are very limited so seated tickets may be at shared tables. Reserve early!

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CANADIAN TURKISH ORCHESTRA - MEHMET AKYAZI - EVENTBOARDCA

Gold Sponsor:

The Lakeshore Company

Silver Sponsor:

OZZY BURGER

Superb Auto

Bronze Sponsors:

EA Supply

Nas Business Service

Host or Publisher Lula Lounge / Lula Music & Arts Centre