Turkish Tunes is a community music event organized by the Turkish-Canadian Society (TCS), a registered nonprofit charitable organization in BC. Founded in 1963, TCS has contributed to the vibrant multicultural character of BC by focusing on Turkish art and cultural projects. Its mandate is to help build a connected, inclusive, and peaceful society where people share values and care for each other.
Turkish Tunes started as a volunteer effort in 2009 and has been organized seven times since then. It has become a well-attended and sought-after community music event where musicians (singers, instrumentalists, bands, choirs, etc.) of Turkish and non-Turkish descent take the stage and perform various genres of Turkish music. In addition to its role as an opportunity for musicians to present their work, Turkish Tunes also helps musicians to connect in person with their audiences and colleagues. Turkish Tunes also gives emerging young and old musicians a voice and creates job opportunities for the local artistic workforce. It generates a unique environment for community engagement and cultural interaction through music, the language of peace around the World, that kicks off barriers and unites people.
The Turkish community in Vancouver is a relatively small, sometimes underrepresented ethnic group. People feel proud of Turkish Tunes and bring their friends of non-Turkish descent to introduce them to the culture. The 7th Turkish Tunes was a large-scale Turkish music event, which brought together an audience from different ethnic/cultural backgrounds in a pleasant environment for dialogue, using the common language of music. Coming from Anatolia, a bridge between the East and the West, we believe that Turkish people can play an important role in creating and keeping a peaceful multicultural society in BC. Turkish Tunes is also a great opportunity to connect with different ethnocultural audiences. The 7th Turkish Tunes was held at Biltmore Cabaret, in Vancouver, on October 6, 2024. In total, 26 musicians, from five bands participated. It showcased a wide range of Turkish and Balkan music while providing much-needed intercultural interaction for peace-building efforts around the World, today.
The Biltmore Cabaret – 2755 Prince Edward Street Vancouver, BC
For over 50 years, the Biltmore has been a fixture in the community as both a public house for Vancouverites and a platform for ground-breaking musical performances. With the revitalization of historic Mount Pleasant, the bar was reopened in 2007 as The Biltmore Cabaret, with a fresh focus to recapture its musical tradition.
You can also visit the TCS Turkish Tunes web page:
