Built originally as an opera house, Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) houses the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet, the Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra, and the State Theatre Company. During the summer months, AKM hosts the Istanbul Arts Festival, but because of high demand, tickets may be hard to come by. While renovation and modernization of the cultural center continue, performances will take place at alternative locations. For now, the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet is temporarily housed in the restored Süreyya Pasa building in Kadiköy, a lovely setting in an albeit moderately inconvenient location.