VIC

CELEBRATING CRETAN FOOD
The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival is back this month with over 250 events across Victoria for foodies and wine lovers. On now until 24 March, the program also includes a number of Greek events, among them a celebration of Cretan cuisine at Philhellene restaurant (551-553 Mt Alexander Rd, Moonee Ponds). Coinciding with the restaurant’s 10th anniversary, go along on Tuesday 12 March and experience the warm hospitality and culinary talents of several generations of the Philhellene family through a series of courses that will be paired with indigenous Cretan wines and music to waken the gods and whet the palate. On from 7.00-10.00 pm. To book, visit https://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/program/celebrating-cretan-food-7326

KOS CLUB GALA DANCE
The Pankoaki Brotherhood of Melbourne & Victoria is hosting its Annual Gala Dance at the recently renovated Kos Club (1 Bastings St, Northcote). Taking place on Saturday 16 March at 7.00 pm-1.00 am, attendees will enjoy a 4-course meal (Sardelis Catering), drinks, music and dancing. Tickets $75.00 p.p., $40.00 children (5-12 y.o.), under 5 attend free. To reserve tickets, call Kerry Sourasis on 0413 265 544 or Maria Voulgaris 0413 825 610.

CRETAN BROTHERHOOD GETS INTO APOKRIES SPIRIT
Don’t miss the apokriatiko (carnival) celebration at the Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne & Victoria (148-150 Nicholson St, Brunswick). Get dressed up and enjoy traditional music by Arthur Kostarakis (clarinet, vocals), John Kostarakis (vocals, percussion), Giannis Pollakis (Cretan lyra, vocals), Tony Iliou (lute), Nick Kapralos (guitar, vocals) and George Kiriakidis (accordion, trombone), and many special guests. Takes place this Saturday 9 March at 7.30 pm. Tickets $45.00 include food, $55.00 if not in costume, and $25.00 for kids. Then on Saturday 16 March, the Cretan Brotherhood is hosting an apokries dinner dance at 7.00 pm. Entertainment is by Stelios Vamvakas from Crete. Tickets are $80.00 and $50.00 for kids.

KALAMATA DANCE FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY
The Society of Kalamata 23rd March is hosting their annual dinner dance on Saturday 23 March to celebrate the historic 198th anniversary of the Independence of Kalamata, which took place on 23 March, 1821. Taking place at the Malvern Town Hall (1251 High St, Malvern) from 7.00 pm-1.00 am, guests will be entertained by legendary DJ Peter B with a great variety of music, plenty of dancing, glendi and lots of kefi. Tickets will be available shortly, so stay tuned for further details.

MELBOURNE REBETIKO FESTIVAL
The Melbourne Rebetiko Festival is back for another year. Taking place at the Melbourne Recital Centre (31 Sturt St, Southbank) on Saturday 23 March from 3.00-11.30 pm. The exciting line-up features local and international artists, among them Rebetien. Direct from Greece, they will showcase their fresh rebetiko sound. To see the full program and for tickets, visit melbournerecital.com.au

PAMMESSINIAN BROTHERHOOD PAPAFLESSAS 60TH ANNIVERSARY
This year marks a special milestone for the Pammessinian Brotherhood Papaflessas. On Saturday 23 March the Brotherhood will celebrate its 60 year anniversary at Merrimu Receptions (1300 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone) from 7.30 pm. Performing on the night will be Rythmos Band. Tickets $95.00, children 12 and under $55.00. For tickets, visit greekdance.com.au or call 0423 182 158.

BYZANTINE ICONOGRAPHY
Ever wanted to learn the wonders behind iconography? This is your chance! Queenscliff Gallery & Workshop (81 Hesse St, Queenscliff) is hosting a Byzantine Iconography workshop over two days, 23-24 March 10.00 am-4.00 pm (hour lunch break). Run by Anna Prifti, participants will learn to prime, sketch, gild and paint an icon; the traditional technique of gesso and egg tempera; use of powder pigments, their content and formulation; colour combinations and composition problem solving; along with practical hints and new materials to make work easy. Each participant will complete their own icon. Tickets $595.00 (all materials included). To book, visit qgw.com.au

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is back this month from 27 March-21 April with hilarious shows taking place across the city. Among the comedians are a number of Greek origin, including locals George Dimarelos and Charisa Bossinakis, as well as the UK’s George Zacharopoulos. This year’s line-up also includes the Festival’s first ever Greek-language stand-up show direct from Greece: Lambros Fisfis & Michalis Mathioudakis with ‘Σταντ Απ Κόμεντι ιν Γκρίκ’. To see the full guide and to purchase tickets, visit comedyfestival.com.au

NSW

ANNUAL AGIASOS CARNIVAL DINNER DANCE
Agiasos is famous for its theatrical carnival happening each year on Lesvos, and the spirit is set to be recreated in Sydney with the annual Agiasos Carnival Dinner Dance. Taking place this Saturday 9 March from 7.00 pm at the Mytilenian Brotherhood of Sydney & NSW (225 Canterbury Rd, Canterbury).

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/

“SORRY”, WRONG BED
Mytilenian House (225 Canterbury Road, Canterbury) is hosting a hilarious Greek play intriguingly titled “Sorry”, Wrong Bed. It sees a couple pull up to a mysterious looking motel to rest after an exhausting drive. At this motel, nothing seems to work as it should and even the hotel’s manager has an eerie air about him. Frustration and exhaustion lead the couple into an all out fight. The presence of an eccentric maid further adds to the tensions whilst the arrival of another couple unleashes a strange chain of events with unexpected outcomes. What secrets are held behind the walls of this hotel and its strange occupants? Catch the play between 16 March-14 April. For tickets, click here.

* 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