ATA-DC Sponsors Mavera Performance Group at Kennedy Center’s Millenium Stage December 13, 2006

The Classical Turkish Music Ensemble MAVERA recently visisted Washington DC for performances at the World Bank and the Kennedy Center’s Millenium Stage. ATA-DC was proud to lend our support to this group, which is comprised of musicians and performers from Hacettepe University, TRT Ankara Radio and the Turkish Ministry of Culture. Their Kennedy Center performance can be viewed at http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium/archive.html

ATA-DC’s Annual Republic Day Ball

November 11, 2006

This year ATA-DC commemorated the 83^rd Anniversary of the Republic of Turkey in conjunction with the Annual Convention of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) at the Sheraton National Hotel in Washington DC.

Over 300 guests enjoyed an evening of awards, a photographic retrospective of the Republic of Turkey, and dancing and entertainment by local musician Ilhan Sami Ozulu and award-winning singer Zeliha Sunal from Istanbul, Turkey.

The raffle prizes included multiple hotel weekend getaway packages, roundtrips to Turkey, and cultural prizes.

ATA-DC thanks Zeki Findikoglu, Kazan Restaurant, Hurriyet Ok, Oya Bekisoglu-Yucel, and Jale Ersoy, Gulluoglu for their generous contributions to the Ball.

Seker Bayram/Holiday is Celebrated with a Brunch Cruise on the Potomac

October 29, 2006

For the first time ever, ATA-DC decided to take our annual bayram celebration to the water! Over 300 guests enjoyed a leisurely cruise aboard the Spirit of Washington on a bright, sunny October afternoon.

ATA-DC Board Member Senem Bakar hosted the festivities which included performances by the Washington DC Folk Dance Ensemble and talented musicians Husnu Aydogdu and Ilhan Sami Ozulu. Children were entertained by a clown and were given candy goodie bags upon disembarking from the ship.

ATA-DC wishes to thank Atillas, Locanda, and Rehoboth Beach Quality Inn for their generous contributions to the celebration.

To view photos of this event, courtesy of Zafer Urey please visit http://new.photos.yahoo.com/zafurey/album/576460762379984309

Fundraisers Held for Annual Turkish Festival

September 23, 2006 and June 9, 2006

ATA-DC’s Young Professionals Happy Hours in September and June focused on raising funds for the Annual Turkish Festival. The rooftop terrace of U Know Education in Dupont Circle provided a great venue. In June, the newly renovated The Ninth Street Gallery allowed us to use the gallery and garden for a warm summer evening party. We would like to thank Zeki Findikoglu and Ilknur Boray for their hospitality. Combined, the events raised over $3,500 for the Festival Fund.

ATA-DC Sponsors 1^st Ever Turkey Tent at Wolf Trap International Children’s Festival

September 23-24, 2006

ATA-DC worked with the Arts Council of Fairfax County to organize the Turkish educational and activity tent and helped to facilitate the visit of the Harman Folk Dance Childrens Ensemble from Erenkoy Primary School in Istanbul.

The Turkey tent included an educational display about Turkish textiles and children could weave their own paper kilim. Helped along by ATA-DC and Lockheed Martin volunteers, over 500 children participated in this activity. Children were also able to learn folk dancing steps from members of Washington-DC based Kardelen Folk Dance Ensemble.

The highlight of the entire Festival was the Harman Folk Dance Children’s Ensemble. Their dramatic and entertaining performance of Kafkas dances delighted both young and old, and earned them a spot on the TV program DC Latino! ATA-DC presented goodie bags to each of the child performers as a token of our appreciation for presenting Turkey and Turkish culture in an exemplary manner!

ATA-DC Provides Fiscal Sponsorship for Concert Benefiting LOSEV

July 9, 2006

Throughout the year ATA-DC lends our support in the form of “fiscal sponsorship” for events that benefit aid organizations in Turkey. We were happy to provide this type of support for a benefit concert for LOSEV (Ankara Foundation for Children with Leukemia) organized by Kivanc Oner and held at Tuscana West restaurant in Washington DC.

Over 100 guests were entertained throughout the evening by DJ Menan, a flamenco show by Sara Jerez & Ricardo Marlow, guitar performances by Kivanc Oner and Duende Camaraon, and lively songs from Turkish pop performer Leyla from New York City.

The event became very special when The Gipsy Kings arrived after their concert at Wolf Trap and performed three of their popular songs in the intimate setting of Tuscana West.

A signed guitar auction raised $2,300. In total, the event raised nearly $5,600 for LOSEV.

Fundraiser Held for ATA-DC Ataturk School for Children

June 22, 2006

Ambassador and Mrs, Nabi Sensoy hosted a small gathering of ATA-DC members and friends to raise funds for the ATA-DC Ataturk School for Children at their lovely residence. The warm summer evening allowed guests to enjoy fine cuisine prepared by the Residence staff.. ATA-DC President Pelin Aylangan presented a tulip print by Zeki Findikoglu to Mrs. Sensoy for their residence and as a token of our appreciation for their hospitality. The evening raised $6,500 for the School.

Two Voices, One Soul Recital by Operatwins

May 26, 2006

The Music Center at Strathmore provided a perfact backdrop to an elegant evening of opera arias, Neapolitans, Broadway musical hits and all-time favorite Turkish songs. Twins Didem and Sinem Balik, accompanied by Nurser Ugan put on a magnificent sold-out show. We hope to see them again in DC soon!

ATA-DC Hosts Area Turkish Business-Owners for Brunch

April 30, 2006

TEMEL Restaurant in Fairfax, Virginia played host to nearly 30 Turkish business owners from Virginia, DC, and Maryland. The social gathering allowed business-owners to network, share ideas, and learn about ATA-DC’s upcoming events and programs. Financial advisor Refik Agri of Argoal Financial gave an informative talk “Top 10 Things Financial Considerations” for businesses. The business owners thanked ATA-DC for organizing such an event and looked forward to future gatherings. ATA-DC would like to thank TEMEL Restaurant owners Nafiz Gungor and Ismet Gezgic for their hospitality and excellent food and Turan Tombul of ReMAX Reality for financial support.

ATA-DC Hosts “TALES FROM THE EXPAT HAREM” Editors for Book Signing

April 26, 2006

ATA-DC had the pleasure of welcoming Anastasia Ashman and Jennifer Gokmen fosr a book signing of their hit anthology “Tales from the Expat Harem." The book chronicles the pivotal experiences of 29 foreign women who have lived in Turkey over the past 40 years. For more information about the authors and book and their on-going projects please visit http://www.expatharem.com/