VICTORIA

MESSINIAN KALAMATA & PANTRIFILIAN AUSTRALIA DAY PICNIC
Every summer during the long weekend, Greeks join together to celebrate Australia Day with a traditional picnic by the water. Two Messinian clubs Society of Kalamata 23rd March and Pantrifilian Association of Melbourne and Victoria will be heading to Sorrento Historic Park (Hotham Rd, Sorrento) on Sunday 27 January from 9.00 am-6.00 pm. Just like the old days, remember to bring your kefi, food, drinks and chairs for a fun and enjoyable day out.

GREEK NIGHT @ RISK BAR
Celebrate Australia Day Eve at Risk Bar (10 Eaton St, Oakleigh), with a night of non-stop Greek Anthems from Vandi to Verti on Sunday 27 January at 8.00 pm.

TAXITHI PROJECT @ OPEN STUDIO
This month enjoy soulful Entechno classics with Helen, Andrew and Jacob at the Open Studio (204 High St, Northcote). Taking place on Wednesday 30 January from 8.00 pm-11.00 pm, hear the sounds of the piano, bouzouki, and vocals exploring nostalgic, familiar tunes by George Dalaras, Haris Alexiou, Mikis Theodarakis, Manos Loizos and many others. Tickets $16.00, pay at the door.

EUROFEST SUMMER 2019
Eurofest returns to Riva St Kilda this summer feat the finest Greek, Italian, Spanish, house and RnB party tunes to keep you on the dance floor all night long! Taking place on Saturday 2 February at Riva St Kilda (42B Marine Parade, St Kilda) from 9.00 pm-3.00 am. Full lineup and performers to be announced shortly. Tickets $25.00-$35.00. To book, visit outix.co

GREEK PICNIC 2019
The Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne, Pancretan Association of Melbourne, Papaflessa Social Club, Kos Club and Agios Dimitris Olympiou invite you to their annual picnic gathering on Sunday 3 February at Sorrento Historic Park (Hotham Rd, Sorrento) from 10.00 am-6.00 pm. Attendance is free. For more information, call John Nikolakakis on 0413 440 033 or Michael Houdalakis on 0408 855 109.

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.

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/

 

NEW SOUTH WALES

SYDNEY GREEK JAM

Inspired by Melbourne, the third largest Greek city in the world, Sydney is getting its own open Greek jam night. The first is taking place on Wednesday 27 February at La Boite Performance Space (837 New Canterbury Rd, Dulwich Hill) from 7.00-11.30 pm, exploring Smyrneika, Rebetika and Palia Laika. Created to encourage and nurture musicians who are new to these genres while bringing together seasoned professionals, even if you’re just starting out, come along and join in with your instrument and enthusiasm. In the lead up to the event, links and sheet music/tabs to selected songs that will be played on the night will be posted on the Facebook event page. Tickets $15.00 includes Greek nibbles. To book, visit https://www.stickytickets.com.au/81627/sydney_greek_jam.aspx

TROJAN WOMEN
Written by Euripides and first produced in 415 BC during the Peloponnesian War, The Trojan Women was the third tragedy of a trilogy dealing with the Trojan War. This year, Hellenic Art Theatre and The Greek Festival of Sydney are presenting a version of the Greek tragedy directed by Stavros Economidis. The play will be performed in Greek with English surtitles from 15 March-7 April. To book tickets, visit hellenicarttheatre.com.au/

 

QLD

ELLINIKO GLENDI
The Asklipo Association proudly presents Elliniko Glendi! Taking place on Saturday 2 February at The Greek Club (29 Edmondstone St, South Brisbane) from 7.00 pm, the event features special guests from Greece Christina Koza, Lakis Savvakis, Manolis Balasas and accompanied by Nick Paras. Tickets $40.00 adults, $15.00 children, under 10 free. To book, call Stergos on 0419 773 547.

 

If you know of any other Greek events taking place across Australia please forward the details to anastasia@neoskosmos.com.au