Opera, Ballet, and Symphony

From October through the end of May, the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) at Taksim Square hosts top-notch performances by the Istanbul State Opera, Ballet, and Symphony. Since they're state-subsidized, tickets are dirt cheap; front-row tickets can cost as little as $10 (ask for a front-row seat). Season programs and tickets are available at the ticket office at the Atatürk Cultural Center (as you face the building, the ticket office is at the right-front corner), as well as online. The dress code is rather casual, but steer clear of shorts and sandals.
Opera and Ballet: Tickets are released 30 days prior to the event. For details, see www.idobale.com (tel. 0212/251-5600). Performance times vary.
Symphony: Tickets are released one week in advance of the event. For specifics, visit www.idso.gov.tr (tel. 0212/243-1068). Performances are held weekly on Fridays at 19:30, and Saturdays at 11:00.

Whirling Dervishes

Touristy, fake "Whirling Dervish" performances spin through many of Istanbul's theaters and restaurants. But to see the authentic two-hour religious ritual performed by followers of the Muslim mystic Rumi, visit the Galata Dervish Monastery (Galata Mevlevihanesi), described in the New District Walk on page 113. The two-hour ritual is open to the public once a week ( Sun at 17:00 in summer, Sun at 15:00 in winter, sometimes also on Sat, confirm times ahead by visiting or by calling tel. 0212/245-4141, located at Galip Dede Caddesi 14, Tiinel). Tickets are sold only in person (no online or phone reservations); show up 30-60 minutes before the performance starts to be sure you get a ticket. Once inside, it's open seating, so try to get a seat as close as you can to the center of the hall.

Festivals

The Istanbul Foundation of Culture and Arts organizes several city-wide festivals every year, including the International Music Festival (June), the International Jazz Festival (early to mid-July), and the International Film Week (mid-Oct). Every other year, Istanbul also hosts an International Biennial in the fall (Sept 8-Oct 4 in 2007). Schedules for these festivals vary from year to year, and tickets can go fast, so it's worth checking the foundation's site at www.iksv.org/english.
The music and jazz festivals are worthwhile, partly for their venues. The jazz concerts take place in lively music clubs and outdoor stages, while music events are often held at historic monuments. Past festival performers have included members of Milan's La Scala Opera House and the New York Philharmonic.

Buying Tickets

To avoid an unnecessary trek out to a venue's box office, consider buying tickets online. Biletix (www.biletix.com) sells tickets for most events, including movies and soccer games. If you buy your ticket online, you pick it up at the ticket office on the day of the performance—just show the credit card you used for the online purchase. The deadline to pick up your ticket is usually an hour prior to the start of the event.
TicketTurk (www.ticketturk.com) concentrates on theater tickets, but also provides tickets to alternative events not available through Biletix.
For popular events, tickets can sell out fast. Still, if you're interested in a performance that's sold out, try going to the ticket office the day of the show to see if there have been any returns—your chances of scoring a ticket are fairly decent.