*There’s a new gallery in town and it is opening with an exhibition by an artist resident in Bodrum who loves color: Ali Koçak. According to Bodrum’s doyen poet-painter Ilhan Berk the style that Ali Koçak has developed is similar in its deconstructing of the subject into parts to the style of Picasso. Other art critics have also expressed high praise and the fact that Ali Koçak’s paintings have caught the eye of collectors from the U.S., France, Britain, Germany, Austria and Finland speaks volumes. Koçak’s style and richness of colors is clear from the one selected as the inset. Where? Tranca Art Gallery, Cumhuriyet St. No. 36/2 Bodrum. When? 11-24 July ’08. A cousin of mine once lived in Colombia when Botero was an unknown artist struggling to sell his works. She says: “Had I bought some then, now I’d be a millionaire”. Makes one think? Also please note that there is an ongoing exhibition in the Ottoman Shipyard Tower Gallery by the Bodrum Marina where Feriha Dagli’s paintings can be seen until 14 July.

**Aggressive touts trying to bring business to their patrons are still around and some visitors appear to be satisfied with this happening. Several young women have been heard to say that they enjoy being “chatted up” by young men and that they tend to go to the place whose tout is handsome and “cool”. What about tourism suffering from this touting? Perhaps more important now is the overall slump in world economy – we may not have many tourists coming if this goes on. Has anyone given any thought to alternatives to tourism??

***Two music events should be of interest, one Classical one Rock. On Monday, 7 July, a Turkish pianist Gülsin Onay plays at 21:30 hrs in the Port Bodrum Yalikavak Marina amphitheater. Of interest to Rock music lovers is the 8 July concert at Hadigari Bar. In their cycle called “A Tribute to the Legends” they celebrate Madonna, Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Bee Gees. Should be great fun!