What’s On August 17-24: Greek music, festivals, dance, and cultural events

VIC

Laikon presents Anatreptix (Rebetika)

Anatreptix is a musical group playing Rebetika – music of the Greek underground from the 1930s through to late 1950s.

Songs of sorrow, poverty, loss, grief and death are the content of this stirring music that touches the core of the human condition.

Anatreptix are:

Maria Antaras-Dalamagas: vocals, piano accordion

Alex Petropoulos: vocals, guitar

Katerina Stevens: violin, baglama

Rosko Heck: percussion

When: Every Wednesday this month, 7pm

Where: Odeon Richmond, 267 Swan St, Richmond VIC 3121

Bookings: tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/94b9a1bd-ebcd-4d11-bac0-ba7c1abe0cc5

The Northcote Festival

Celebrating youth with culture and heritage in honour of the Dormition of the Mother of God.

Greek food and sweets, capers pop up bar, roaming performances, face painting, rides and activities, animal farm, camel rides, live music, dance performances, variety of stalls and more.

When: Sunday August 18, 11am to late

Where: Archdiocesan church of Our Lady Axion Estin, 7 Hartington St, Northcote VIC 3070

Greek Orthodox Parish of the Dormition of Our Lady Annual Festival

The Greek Orthodox Church of North Altona & Districts are holding this annual Greek festival, which will have something for all to celebrate Greek culture.

Food, from gyros and sweets like loukoumades, music, dancing, raffles, stalls and fun for the kids like balloon twisting, jumping castles, petting zoo and much more.

Last year’s event was a big success so they hope to have an even bigger festival this year.

When: Sunday August 18, 11am-late

Where: The Dormition Of Our Lady Greek Orthodox Church, 272 Milers Road, Altona North, VIC 3025

NUGAS Traditional Greek Dance Workshop

Join NUGAS Victoria for a traditional Greek dance workshop.

Before hitting the dance floor for the annual NUGAS Gala Ball 2024 it’s time to brush up on traditional dances with a two-hour workshop that will take you step by step through the dances of mainland Greece, Crete, Pontus and the islands.

Perfect for beginners with little to no experience or those looking for a refresher of the basics before joining us on the dance floor at any upcoming events.

The workshop is free and will also be recorded for those unable to attend on the night.

When: Tuesday August 20, 7pm-9pm

Where: The Greek Centre (Mezzanine Level), 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Bookings: here

Rebitiko @ Bar Oussou

Estudiantina (students) of Melbourne are a new ensemble, gathering musicians whose unlikely backgrounds bring them together to passionately express this thematic period of Greek music.

This group reinvigorates the essence of traditional Greek music, igniting a vibrant fusion of cultures and ethnicities.

Intertwining the rich tapestry of Greek, Turkish, Jewish, and Armenian influences, weaving a captivating musical journey.

This band serves as a conduit for the diaspora to rediscover their roots, share their stories, and celebrate their heritage with pride.

Lineup:

Maria Antaras-Dalamagas – Accordion/Vocals

Vagelis Ginis – Vocals

Jenny Dixon – Violin

Alex Petropoulos – Guitar

Paul Karalis – Bouzouki

Con Kalamaras – Bouzouki/Vocals

When: Friday August 23, 10pm

Where: Bar Oussou, 653 Sydney Road, Brunswick 3056

HABIBI MOU 3 – Live DJ and Performances

The third cultural fusion Greek-Arabic event takes centre stage next week.

Bringing together the rich traditions, melodies, and rhythms of both cultures, this event promises an unforgettable experience for attendees.

Prepare to be enthralled by top performers and entertainers, handpicked for their exceptional talent and mastery of their craft.

Singers: Samer Slayman, Stavros Matzeridis, Noor Al-Abdullah, Gale Petrou

Bouzouki: Chris Seymeou

Toubeleki: Lefkios Symeou

Violin: Suzi Symeou

Keyboard: Nick Seresli and Nabil Oshana

Drums: Sam Taleb with surprise guest

Dancers: Joanna and Christina

MC: Hadi Harik

When: Saturday August 24, 9pm-3am

Where: QRoom, 371 Settlement Road Thomastown 3074

Bookings: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/habibi-mou-3-live-dj-and-performances-tickets-977186490097

NSW

Community Legal Seminar

The Greek Orthodox Community of NSW are holding a community legal seminar tailored specifically for the elderly and senior citizens of our Greek community.

This free event will provide valuable legal insights in both Greek and English, delivered by Tony Kassapakis, a reputable solicitor, alongside Dimitra Gallos, a Greek interpreter.

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a Q&A session following the presentation.

Topics covered include:

Enduring Power of Attorney, Enduring Guardian Appointments (Avoiding NCAT or NSW Civil & Administrative Tribunal orders), Advance Care Directive (Living Will), Family Provision Claims, and Elder Abuse: Undue Influence, Coercion, Financial Abuse, Psychological & Physical Abuse

When: Wednesday August 21, 1pm-3pm

Where: Greek Community Club, 206-210 Lakemba St, Lakemba NSW

Register: Call the GOC NSW Welfare Department at 02 9740 6022

Anastasia Sydney Tour

Renowned for her captivating voice and dynamic performances, Anastasia will grace the Sydney stage, bringing her hit songs to life right before your eyes with a full band from Greece.

Experience the magic of ‘Amarties’, get lost in the beauty of ‘Omorfi’, and be enthralled by the allure of ‘Mystiko’, among many more from her chart-topping tracks.

Due to high demand the venue even changed to The Hordern Pavilion in order to accommodate.

Limited tickets remain so book now.

When: Saturday September 28, 9.45pm

Where: Hordern Pavilion, 1 Driver Ave, Moore Park, 2021

Bookings: Scroll to bottom of page on site https://evan.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/136664

QLD

Music in the Greek Orthodox Church

We often have only a vague sense of music in the Orthodox Church, perhaps sensed through the music of Rachmaninov, Tavener and Arvo Part etc. But how is music used in Greek Orthodox worship?

In what promises to be an interesting and informative session, Demi Politakis will take us into the music of this tradition, including its place in current-day Australia, allowing us to appreciate further this fascinating liturgical tradition.

When: Tuesday August 20, 7pm-8.30pm

Where: St George’s Greek Orthodox Church, 33 Edmondstone St, South Brisbane QLD 4101

Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1257228

NT

Agapi & Other Kinds of Love

Luka ‘Lesson’ Haralambou has been taking his show around Australia this month.

The Ancient Greek types of love are revealed via timeless love stories told in rap and spoken word with live musicians.

Based on Plato’s The Symposium, Agapi & Other Kinds of Love begins with Socrates telling a banquet of friends everything he learned from a mysterious lover named: Diotima.

The gods then take the audience on a journey – collapsing time and space to arrive in modern day Athens, where the two reincarnations of the Ancient lovers fall in love (again) in the midst of a riot.

Equal parts a rap concert, poetic musical & classical history lesson, Agapi & Other Kinds of Love shows the audience how love prevails despite the trials and tribulations of the ages.

When: Sunday August 25, 7pm

Where: Araluen Arts Centre, Araluen NT 0870

Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1255026<@#@#/a>