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Drawing attention whenever he takes the stage, DJ and musician Mercan Dede mesmerizes crowds the world over for his unique compositions which blend Antolian melodies and Eastern cadences, and marry traditional harmonies with modern technological capabilities on albums such as his April release, ‘Nefes (Breath)’. This June, Mercan Dede has been invited to perform at France’s Festival de Saint-Denis as a special guest and curator. The most anticipated concert, entitled ‘Charming Istanbul’, is a special project scheduled to take place on June 13th at the Saint Denis Cathedral in Paris. As the artistic director of the ‘creation’ portion of the Saint Denis Festival, Mercan Dede explains that ‘Charming İstanbul’ starts off by focusing in on the city’s cultural wealth. The Festival brochure further explains this project by relating the significance of İstanbul, as it is situated in between Europe and Asia, and explores what effect this unique geographic location has had on colliding cultures, religions, and modern and traditional customs. Drawing on Fatih Akin’s ‘Crossing the Bridge’ for inspiration, the concert plans to highlight the cultural mosaic of İstanbul through music. Joining Mercan Dede to paint this picture on stage are Göksel Baktagir on quanun, Yurdal Tokcan on the ud, Aykut Sütoğlu on clarinet. The concert will also feature some of Mercan Dede’s faithful collaborators such as Kurdish vocalist Aynur Doğan, Yahya Soyyiğit and Furkan Biçer singing hymns, Neva Özgen on Black Sea fiddle, Serkan Çağrı on clarinet, and Hugh Marsh on electronic violin. Coming from a cultural background that is steeped in the traditions of Sufism, DJ and ney player Mercan Dede embraces the East and West and breathes new rhythms and beats into melodies with deep traditional roots. The audience will be enchanted by the music to be featured in‘Charming Istanbul’, as it will transport them to the Balkans with the clarinet, the Middle East with the Ud, and the West with the cello. Representing minorities everywhere is Kurdish songstress Aynur. Mercan Dede also invited France’s Aram Kerovpyan-conducted AKN Armenian Chorus to participate in the project. Although they accepted the offer to collaborate, at the last moment they explained that they had to withdraw from the concert. In addition to the concert at the Saint Denis Cathedral, Mercan Dede will also give 3 concerts at Paris’ ‘Magic Mirror’ on June 16-17-18. On June 14, Mercan Dede will provide the music for a photo exhibit meant to inspire the shantytown of Villetaneuse to non-violent action by playing a set as DJ Arkın Allen. CONTACT:
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