VIC
‘FOUR DOGS AND A BONE’
‘Four Dogs and a Bone’ starring Kostas Ilias, is a bitingly funny satire by John Patrick Shanley, inspired by his own experience in the movie business. The play features Brenda who wants to be a star. But Collette, the other actress in the film, is in her way. Brenda must convince Bradley (Ilias), the producer, to cut Collette’s part. Bradley, knowing full well that the film is seriously over budget, intimates that he will do it, if she can convince her stepbrother, a giant movie star, to make a cameo in the film. But Collette has her own agenda: She knows she’s not as young as she once was. She tries to convince Victor, the writer, to alter the film so she can be the heroine. Victor, a naïve young writer from Off-Off Broadway, doesn’t know how to handle any of this, and his mother just died. Catch the play by Q44 Theatre Company on now until 26 May at Sacred Heart Studios (1 St Heliers St, Abbotsford). To book tickets, visit www.q44.com.au
GREEK CYPRIOT COOKING WORKSHOP & LUNCH
This Saturday 11 May the Cypriot youth of Melbourne are hosting a cooking workshop. Learn to make all your Greek and Cypriot favourites including koupes, pastitsio and halloumopita. Tickets $20.00 include educational cooking workshop, recipes to take home and free Greek lunch and drinks, as well as awesome parea. This is a pre-purchased ticketed event. Taking place at 10 St Andrew St, Sunshine West from 10.00 am-1.00 pm. All are welcome! To book, visit https://urlzs.com/sT48
MOTHER’S DAY EVE DINNER DANCE
Celebrate Mother’s Day and support the community at St Panteleimon Greek Orthodox Church Dandenong (19 Herbert St, Dandenong) this Saturday 11 May. From 6.30-11.55 pm, enjoy great food by Sardellis Catering and music by Anagenisi band. Tickets $60.00 includes food, beer, wine and soft drinks, Children 10 and under $25.00. A prepaid event. For tickets contact Steve on 0411 665 490.
ROMIOSINI & BEYOND
The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) 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. 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 https://www.melbournerecital.com.au/events/2019/romiosini-and-beyond/
OPA GREEK NIGHT
On Saturday 18 May from 9.00 pm-3.00 am enjoy all your favourite modern and traditional Greek hits mixed with the best party tunes at Dimples (100 Fletcher St, Essendon). Tickets $20.00 p.p.
GREEK LUNCHEON
East Burwood Junior Football Club is hosting a Greek Luncheon on Saturday 18 May from 12 noon at East Burwood Reserve (300 Burwood Hwy, East Burwood). Enjoy great Greek food, ouzo, music and lots more. $45.00 p.p. Bookings and payments required by Friday 10 May to secure your place. To book, visit http://ow.ly/SYC950tZEfd
EFFIE IN ‘LOVE ME TINDER’
Effie is set to return to the stage with her new 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 http://yarravillelive.com/
GREEK WRITERS FESTIVAL
The Greek Writers Festival is making its debut at the Greek Centre (168 Lonsdale St, Melbourne) from 29 May-9 June with an impressive line up of writers and informative workshops that will foster broader cultural, political and literary dialogue. The Festival’s theme is ‘diasporic dialogues’ promoting participation from Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, African, Middle Eastern, Jewish and Australian First Nations writers and performers, as well as those who identify as queer. The program features over 30 sessions with participation from more than 50 culturally and linguistically diverse writers and performers across different generations and nationalities. Festival program and ticket details coming soon. For further enquiries call (03) 9662 2722.
MANASIS TAVERN NIGHT
Manasis School of Dance and Culture is hosting a tavern night in appreciation to their Senior and Adult students for their incredible commitment and hard work. Taking place on Saturday 1 June at the Nafpaktian Hall (2-18 Ross St, Heatherton) from 6.30 pm, DJ Chris T (Original Vibes) will keep everyone on their toes with the best mix of traditional and modern club style Greek music. The MANASIS Band and other guest musicians will present the best-of-the-best traditional style folk music with their unique live instrumental floor shows. To top it all off, a massive audio visual system complete with lasers, automated coloured lighting and smoke machines will ensure the perfect club style atmosphere for an evening of non-stop entertainment. $60.00 p.p. includes three-course tavern style platters, unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks (other drinks at bar prices). Strictly pre-sold tickets only. To book, visit http://manasisdance.com.au/home.html
‘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, Muriel’s best friend. Based on the cult 90’s film, the musical sees Muriel stuck in a dead-end life in Porpoise Spit, where she dreams of the perfect wedding. 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 until 16 June at Her Majesty’s Theatre (219 Exhibition St, Melbourne). To book, visit https://murielsweddingthemusical.com/
NSW
‘PITTSBURGH’
Catch the highly-acclaimed Greek play ‘Pittsburgh’ written by Soti Traintafyllou and directed by Arkadia Psalti. The play is based in the year 1913 in Chios, when the island is experiencing poverty, hunger, refugees, and sickness. Yet the telephone and the cinema have already arrived, creating links to a wider world. The first great wave of emigration to America has begun. Eleni has received the first letter from her husband Demosthenes, who is in Pittsburgh. A whole world in crisis, a whole world is trying to find the way forward. This is the story of a love that struggles to come to flower. See the place from 10-12 May at The Greek Theatre – Mantouridion (Building 36/142 Addison Rd, Marrickville). To book, call (02) 9750 0440 or visit trybooking.com/472601.
QLD
PANIYIRI GREEK FESTIVAL
From 18-19 May Brisbane’s famous Paniyiri Greek Festival (Musgrave Park & The Greek Club) will take over the city in a haze of haloumi-flavoured smoke and Zorba-inspired high kicks, with a two-day celebration of authentic flavours, faces and culture with free public transport to and from the event (with a pre-purchased ticket)! More than 30 authentic Greek food stalls and traditional flavour makers will showcase the sights, smells and tastes from all regions of Greece. The program also features traditional Greek cooking demonstrations, a dancing spectacular, lectures, historical and art displays, church tours, a Kids Zone and competitions including Honey Puff Eating, Coffee Race, Plate Smashing, and Grape Stomping. For tickets, visit www.qtix.com.au
HEART KIDS FUNDRAISER
The Queensland Hellenic Charitable Trust is hosting a charity event, with all proceeds going to Heart Kids. Taking place on Friday 31 May at Mansfield Tavern (Wecker Rd, Mansfield), performing on the night will be Dimitris Basis. Tickets are $90.00 p.p., and includes entertainment and food. There will also be lucky door prizes and raffles. Doors open at 7.00 pm. RSVP by 17 May. To book, call Jack 0432 214 206 or Tom 0407 758 730.
SA
GREEK SOCIETY OF EVA S.A. MOTHER’S DAY LUNCHEON
Make Mum feel special by celebrating Mother’s Day at Greek Evia House (78A Woodville Rd, Woodside) with great food and live music to dance the afternoon away this Sunday 12 May from 12 noon-5.00 pm. To book, call 0409 798 936.
‘TAXITHI – AN AUSTRALIAN ODYSSEY’
‘Taxithi – An Australian Odyssey’ is making its South Australian debut from 7-8 June at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival (Adelaide Festival Centre, Space Theatre, Festival Dr, Adelaide). The stage show written by Helen Yotis Patterson draws inspiration from the untold stories of women who migrated from Greece to Australia in the 50’s and 60’s. Filled with the poignant memories and passionate music of their homeland, these true stories resonate with the strength of the women who made new lives, creating an indelible impression on a faraway country. Writer and singer Patterson is joined by Maria Mercedes and Artemis Ioannides in this spell binding and moving story, which is unique and universal. For tickets, visit https://www.adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au/events/taxithi/
WA
CAZZIE AGORA MARKET DAY
Catch the first Cazzie Agora Market Day at Castellorizian House (160 Anzac Road, Mt Hawthorn) this Saturday 11 May from 9.00 am-3.00 pm. There will be plenty on offer, including sweets, preserves, bric-a-brac, beautiful clothes, books and plants. Try an exotic coffee and piece of cake, and a delicious zucchini/onion or sausage/onion sizzle with the Nector of the Gods – a freshly squeezed orange juice or the ancient Greek relaxant, Stan’s olive leaf tea. Spoil your mum with the offerings on the Mother’s Day table. There will also be readings from the famous fables of Aesop in the ‘Kid’s Korner’ and face painting. All the while young Greek Philosophers will be circulating, dispensing wise sayings. Free entry.
‘THE LADY OF RO’
Through heart break, grief and courage she becomes one of Greece’s best loved icons.The Lady of Ro invites us into the world of a woman living alone on a small island questioning values she once held true. The story inspired by the life of Despina Achladioti, the Greek widow known as the Lady of Ro. Born on the island of Kastellorizo she sailed with her husband to the nearby deserted island of Ro, from where she saw Kastellorizo being invaded by Germans and Italians. She saw the island’s residents being evacuated from their homes by British forces to Palestine and Egypt. Her fame rests on her persistence until her death on May 13 1982, age 92 to raise the Greek flag. When Greece and Turkey went to war over Cyprus in mid 1970’s Despina became a loved national hero. Performed in Greek with English surtitles, catch ‘The Lady of Ro’ on Saturday 1 June at Subiaco Arts Centre. To book, visit https://www.ptt.wa.gov.au/venues/subiaco-arts-centre/whats-on/the-lady-of-ro/
* If you know of any Greek events taking place across the country, including those organised by Greek community groups, please forward details toanastasia@neoskosmos.com.au