VICTORIA

EXHIBITION: ‘LOVE’
What is love? Where is the love? Who do you love? Melbourne’s Immigration Museum (400 Flinders St, Melbourne) explores all forms of loving connection between humans in its latest exhibition ‘LOVE’. On now until 28 April, it presents Australian love stories of all kinds through visual art, aural and written storytelling, and objects, traversing landscapes of time, gender, orientation, ethnicity, age, and distance, and reflects the Museum’s commitment to celebrating all communities and highlighting our shared humanity. Among the love stories is that of a Cypriot bride, whose new husband rowed into Port Phillip Bay to greet her with sweets. Free with museum entry. To book, visit https://museumsvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum/

QV MARKET MEDITERRANEAN FOOD WALKING TOUR
Take part in a guided walking tour of Melbourne’s most popular and iconic market, Queen Victoria (QV) and discover all the culinary delights of the Mediterranean cuisine. Savour the taste of the Mediterranean and sample fresh produce, deli items, baked goods, nuts and much more, all from the passionate traders in this bustling market. You will learn about the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle, and its healthy benefits. A delicious lunch at a Greek rooftop restaurant is included, and you will leave having experienced many new flavours. Taking place on Saturday 19 January at 10.00 am. To book, visit eventbrite.com.au

ELIAN FEDERATION AUSTRALIA DINNER
Members of the Elian Federation of Australia are paying a visit to Melbourne this weekend, and the Olympian Society (317 Victoria Rd, Thornbury) is hosting a special dinner in their honour. Taking place on Saturday 19 January from 8.00-11.59 pm. Tickets $30.00 per person. To book, call Peter Drakopoulos on 0425 721 903 or Olga 0409 521 527.

CRETAN BROTHERHOOD YOUTH COMMITTEE AGM
The Cretan Brotherhood Youth of Melbourne and Victoria is hosting its annual general meeting this Sunday 20 January from 4.00-6.00 pm. Taking place at the Cretan Brotherhood (148-150 Nicholson St, Brunswick East), all are welcomed and encouraged to attend. This is an opportunity to become a part of the Youth Committee and assist in the organisation of the Brotherhood’s yearly events, both to fundraise and bring youth members closer together. Free to attend.

SUMMER CINEMA
The Hellenic Museum’s Summer Cinema is back for 2019. Set up in the Museum’s leafy courtyard, catch a Greek film classic each Saturday evening from 2 February-2 March. The program features Love and Blood (1968), The Barefoot Battalion (1954), Madam X (1954), Egoismos (1964) and A Lady at the Bouzoukia (1968). All films are subtitled. Courtyard opens at 6.00 pm. Enjoy food and drinks from Grounds of Arcadia’s Greek-style psistaria (wood-fired oven and grill) before and during the movie. Seating is provided and screenings begin at sunset. To book tickets, visit https://www.hellenic.org.au/summer-cinema-2019

OUZO FESTIVAL MELBOURNE 2019
The Lesvos Cultural Club is getting ready to host its annual Ouzo Festival, celebrating the Greek island’s tipple of choice. Taking place on Sunday 17 February at 26 Waldheim Rd, Bayswater from 11.00 am-6.00 pm. Entry $15.00 per person. More details to come soon.

WENDY RULE PERSEPHONE ALBUM LAUNCH
Songstress Wendy Rule returns to Melbourne from her hometown of Santa Fe, New Mexico to celebrate the launch of her new double-album Persephone on Saturday 23 February at The Thornbury Theatre (859 High St, Thornbury) from 7.00-11.00 pm. The culmination of over 12 years work, the album is a retelling of the ancient Greek myth of goddess Persephone’s descent into the Underworld, and the ensuing grief of her mother Demeter, the goddess of the Grain. Unlike anything that she has done before, it’s a focused ‘song cycle’ – almost like an opera – designed to guide the listener through this ancient tale of the cycles of nature. Wendy and friends will be recreating the album live in its entirety, singing in the roles of goddesses Persephone, Demeter and Hecate (with Hecate’s parts chanted in Greek). Wendy will be joined on stage by her band, accompanied by a Greek Chorus of three singers who feature on the album – Melbourne locals Melody Moon, Talie Helene, and Callie Galati from Athens. For tickets, visit thornburytheatre.oztix.com.au

32ND LONSDALE STREET GREEK FESTIVAL
That time of year is fast approaching again, when Melbourne’s biggest street party and longest-running Greek festival hits Lonsdale Street. The 32nd Lonsdale Street Greek Festival will take place on 23-24 February, bringing together some of the country’s most talented performers, dancers, chefs, cooks and competitors for a weekend of Greek-flavoured entertainment. Headlining the event will be one of Greece’s most popular singing sensations, Eleonora Zouganeli on her first Australian visit. 

Attendees will also have the chance to win a return economy flight to Athens by taking part in the Zorba Til’ You Drop Competition. To express your interest, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KJ7Z6C5. Applications close Friday 26 January. Only successful applicants will be contacted.

Free to attend.

* If you know of any Greek events taking place across the country, including those organised by Greek community groups, please forward details to anastasia@neoskosmos.com.au