VIC

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is now on until 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 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

‘MURIEL’S WEDDING THE MUSICAL’
A new season of Muriel’s Wedding The Musical has kicked off, with Greek Australian Stefanie Jones in the role of Rhonda. Stuck in a dead-end life in Porpoise Spit, Muriel dreams of the perfect wedding – the dress, the church, the attention. Unfortunately, there’s one thing missing: a groom. Following her dreams to Sydney, Muriel ends up with everything she ever wanted; that’s when things start to go really wrong. With music by Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall, the musical features an incredible soundtrack of addictive new songs plus your favourite ABBA hits. Directed by Simon Phillips. On now at Her Majesty’s Theatre (219 Exhibition St, Melbourne) until 16 June. To book, visit https://murielsweddingthemusical.com/

THE EARLY GREEK PHILOSOPHERS & SOCRATES
The Early Greeks, like all ancient peoples, were interested in the world around them. For some reason their enquiries into why the world had the order it did, developed into something distinctive we now call philosophy. Through several generations, the philosophy of ancient Greece flowered and instituted waves of new thought, technology, mathematics, science and war. In an introductory session presented by Cullan Woods-Joyce, you will have the chance to explore the origins of Greek thought, examine the period called Pre-Socratic Philosophy, and discover the unique person that was Socrates. Taking place today, Saturday 30 March at Kathleen Syme Library (251 Cardigan St, Carlton) from 1.00-3.00 pm, there will be a short presentation and a lot of time for discussion.

LIVE GREEK MUSIC
Mediterranean Greek Tavern Elsternwick (511 Glen Huntly Rd, Elsternwick) is hosting a live Greek music night on Friday 5 April from 7.00-10.00 pm. Go along for great music, food and drinks. For bookings, call (03) 9530 0396.

‘WILD WOGS 2’: MEGA COMEDY GALA
Attendees of ‘Wild Wogs 2’ will be immersed into the biggest ethnic comedy Gala ever over two nights in April. It will feature comedians George Kapiniaris, Joe Avati, Gab Rossi, James Liotta, Piero Viavattene along with special guest performers from Sydney Anthony Locascio and Bouzouki player Kostas Sakellaris. Catch the show on 12 & 13 April (Saturday show sold out) at Melrose Melbourne Conference & Reception Centre (2-8 Carrick Drive, Tullamarine) from 6.00-11.00 pm. For tickets, visit https://www.trybooking.com/book/sessions?eid=450328

MARIOS & PASCAL AT OPEN STUDIO
Master of the santouri Marios Papadeas is heading back in Australia following a successful set of shows last year. Joining him is Pascal Latra on vocals and guitar with multi-instrumentalists Byron Triandafilides and Paddy Montgomery. Together they will perform rembetika and smyrneika on Tuesday 16 April at Open Studio (204 High St, Northcote) from 8.30-11.30 pm. Tickets $15.00 at the door.

ROMIOSINI & BEYOND
The Greek Community of Melbourne is hosting a performance of Mikis Theodorakis’ classic anthem of Greek identity and other well-loved works. Featuring international vocalist Dimitris Basis and conducted by George Ellis. The well-loved song cycle, Romiosini is based on the poetry of Yannis Ritsos, and describes the feelings of oppression and suffering in a country under foreign occupation. International artist, Dimitris Basis has a special personal relationship with Theodorakis and it is his request for the GCM to present the masterpiece. Taking place on Friday 17 May from 8.00-10.00 pm at the Melbourne Recital Centre (31 Sturt St, Southbank), this concert champions works previously not performed in Melbourne written by the great maestro. For tickets, visit melbournerecital.com.au

EFFIE IN ‘LOVE ME TINDER’
After a sold out national tour of ‘Star Wogs’ in 2018, and two successful national tours in 2016 & 2017 of her critically acclaimed one-woman show: ‘Effie the Virgin Bride’, Effie is back on stage with her new stage show ‘Love Me Tinder’ on Friday 24 May. Effie holds up a mirror to the complexities of finding love and keeping it, as only she can. The urge to swipe left or right or to scratch that seven-year or seven-month itch is hard to resist even with the greatest of willpower. Who isn’t on Tinder? How can we humans claim to be evolved and yet still have such animal urges? Is it possible to be smokin’ hot and hit upon every day and still stay faithful? Hello, if love is the answer then why are there so many questions? Is it love at first sight or love at first swipe? If I had you at hello then why can’t I get rid of you at goodbye? If love don’t cost a thing then why is divorce so expensive? On from 8.30-11.30 pm at Yarraville Live (135 Stephen St, Yarraville). For tickets, visit yarravillelive.com

NSW

‘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. In the ruins of their burning city, Queen Hebuca (Ekavi) and the women of Troy still mourning the slaughter of their husbands and sons, await enslavement and exile. One of the greatest of all anti-war plays, it is a timeless mediation on the moments of individual choice that separate death and life, despair and hope, past and future. The play is on now until 7 April, and is being performed in Greek with English surtitles at 142 Addison Rd, Marrickville. To book tickets, visit hellenicarttheatre.com.au/

MEDITERRANEAN COOKING CLASS
Learn how to cook delicious and healthy Mediterranean dishes at Organic Feast (10-12 William St, East Maitland) on Saturday 6 April from 4.00-8.00 pm. Attendees will enjoy four gourmet courses (including canapes on arrival), that will inspire you, along with hands-on learning with great tips from chef Greg Higgs and healthy properties from naturopath Sophie Shields-Brown. Learn why the Mediterranean diet is so good for your health, particularly heart health, lowering cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of diabetes and it may even reduce the risk of cancer. Tickets $140.00. To book, visit https://www.organicfeast.com.au/

PYX LAX BY IHO NYX
As part of the Greek Festival of Sydney program, Sydney band Iho Nyx will pay tribute to one of Greece’s most successful groups, Pyx Lax. Taking place on Sunday 7 April at Factory Theatre (105 Victoria Rd, Marrickville), they will perform hits by the beloved Greek rock band from the 1990’s. On from 7.00 pm. Tickets $30.00 (plus booking fee). To book, call (02) 9550 3666 or visit factorytheatre.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? On show now until 14 April. For tickets, visit https://www.trybooking.com/book/sessions?eid=456972

ACT

THE MARIOS PAPADEAS ENSEMBLE
Direct from Greece, master santouri player Marios Papadeas is heading to Australia once again to enchant audiences with his spellbinding melodies, woven effortlessly with such finesse. He will be joined by vocalist Pascal Latra and the multitalented Byron Triandafilides & Paddy Montgomery for three performances and two workshops at the National Folk Festival in Canberra from 18-22 April. For tickets, visit https://www.folkfestival.org.au/tickets/

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