Kardelen Turkish Dance Ensemble is a group of dancers dedicated to promoting the culture of Turkey through dances from the region. Kardelen Dance Ensemble takes its name from a resilient Anatolian mountain flower that survives under hardship and severe weather circumstances. The group members are committed to helping underprivileged children in developing countries who survive under difficult circumstances, just like the Kardelen flower, and therefore donate a portion of revenues to organizations that are engaged in the education and health of children. For more information visit: www.kardelendance.com

Dj Seyhan  was born in Istanbul and came to Washington, DC for his master degree in 1992. He started his DJ career by accident- stepping in on the spot one night to replace a no-show DJ for a bar restaurant.  He was an instant success- establishing an energy and connection with the crowd and decided to keep DJ’ing to earn extra income.  DJ Seyhan’s first gig was in the alternative rock genre, he was later introduced to dance and house music- the rest is history.

Besides, DJ’ing for the last 21 years, DJ Seyhan has been active in the DC nightlife scene as a promoter and manager of various prominent clubs and lounges. He is a well known host for signature DC events, in high demand for prestigious fashion shows, magazine, media, corporate and non-profit events.

Gulder USA Ensemble is based in the Washington, DC area and specializes in Kazakh folk dance with traditional and modern elements as well as other central asian and middle eastern dances. “Gulder” from kazakh language translates as “flowers” and was created in 2017, has since participated in multiple international festivals, including cultural events organized by the World Bank, the George Washington University, the Silk Road Dance Company, Kazakh-American communities in different states, and the Persian Nowruz festival.  The group has also appeared on Kazakh TV and Iranian International TV on several occasions. The group’s choreographer, Zarina Alim, has extensive experience in folk, ballet, and modern dance.  All members of the group are very passionate about dance, though they want to demonstrate the colorful culture of Central Asia to the people in the US and other countries. The ensemble can be found on social media @GulderUSA:   
https://www.facebook.com/GulderUSA
https://www.instagram.com/GulderUSA
Gulder USA – YouTube

Founded in 2019 in Vienna, VA, Seksenrock performs covers of popular Turkish and Anatolian rock songs, along with contemporary Turkish music.

Nomad Dancers is a collective inspired by traditions of Central Asia, Middle East, India, and Turkey, traveling across borders and bridging cultures in search of the ultimate dance experience. Since 2008, Nomad Dancers have proudly presented Persian, Afghan, Tajik, Azeri, Uzbek, Uighur, and Turkish traditional folkloric dances, as well as Bollywood and Fusion choreographies, at cultural events, celebrations and festivals in the Washington DC metropolitan area and beyond.

Nomads have performed at the White House, Washington DC’s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Istiklol Palace Theater in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and the Dora Stratou Theater in Athens, Greece, just to name a few. The collective is dedicated to bringing diverse audiences together, spreading cultural awareness, and promoting World Peace Through Dance! At the Turkish Festival this year they will perform:

1. UZUM REQSI – HARVESTING GRAPES – AZERI DANCE: This dance in Azeri style depicts the delights of the harvest season. Stylized movements represent picking the grapes and placing in baskets, tasting the grapes and smelling the delicious aroma. Choreography is by Olimdjon Beknazarov. Imagine yourselves in a sunny vineyard and enjoy Uzum Reqsi.
2. TASHKENT TRIO – UZBEK DANCE: Uzbekistan is famous for colorful ikat-dyed silk fabrics. This dance shows Uzbek women going to the riverbank at sunrise to wash their faces and braid their long hair. They put eye makeup and show off their silk dresses. Everyone is welcome to the celebration of beauty and joy. Choreography by Olimdjon Beknazarov.

A Melodic Journey from East Turkestan to the World: Group Efsane. Amir Kılıç, one of the group members, graduated from the East Turkestan State Conservatory in 2001 and worked in a state art ensemble for a year. In 2002, he moved to Beijing and became one of the founding members of “Erkin,” one of the most popular guitar music groups of that time. The band recorded 3 albums and performed over 10,000 times. After a 10-year hiatus, he founded the “Efsane” music group in 2019 and has been composing his own music ever since.

The other group member Hayrunnisa Yenilmez, is a student of renowned East Turkestan artist Abdurehim Heit. While performing her husband’s compositions, she primarily sings Heit’s songs. At the festival, she will present a selection of her teacher’s timeless works.

With a rich academic background that includes degrees in American Culture and Literature from Haliç University, Turkish Classical Music from the Müjdat Gezen Conservatory, and Fashion Design, Büşra Kayı Tarhan has spent the past 15 years artfully blending her passions in the United States. Her deep love for music has been a constant in her life, leading her to perform acoustic sets for the past 7 years. Through her social media platforms and her YouTube channel, she enthusiastically shares her musical journey and creative expressions. As a dedicated board member of ATA-DC, Büşra is honored to contribute to such a dynamic and vibrant community, embracing her diverse talents and cultural heritage.

Made up of amateur music lovers, the DMV Turkish Music Ensemble is bringing the richness of Turkish music to the global stage. They will perform their most cherished pieces at the Traditional Turkish Festival. On November 24th, they will commemorate Atatürk with a special concert.

Zifiri Group is a Musical Journey from Turkey and Azerbaijan. They are proud to present the Zifiri Group, a talented ensemble of musicians hailing from Turkey and Azerbaijan. Our mission is to build a musical bridge by blending the ethnic music of our countries with the enchanting sounds of jazz, creating a unique cultural exchange. Through our music, we aim to introduce the vibrant rhythms, melodies, and traditions of our heritage, showcasing the beauty of our shared roots. Each note and lyric tells a story, allowing audiences to connect with the essence of our cultures, even from afar. Join us on this musical journey as we celebrate our roots and bring a piece of Turkey and Azerbaijan to the stage. Our concert promises to be an unforgettable experience filled with passion, energy, and a unique fusion of ethnic music and jazz. We invite you to be part of this special event and explore the beauty of our music together. Let’s create memories that transcend borders!

DC Café Aman UPTD revives the rich, cross-cultural soundscape of Greece and Turkiye celebrating their unique, intertwined cultures. Featuring the velvet-toned vocals and entrancing oud improvisations of Spyros Koliavasilis, the rhythmic drive of Hakan Keleş on guitar, Nicholas Mitrione’s playful bouzouki, and the dynamic bass of Firat Bass Alpergrin, the ensemble brings to life the soul of a bygone era while creating a fresh, modern experience.