VIC
POETRY AFTERNOON: ‘MINING EXPERIENCES, EXCAVATING WORDS’
The Greek Australian Cultural League is hosting a bilingual poetry afternoon at Steps Gallery (62 Lygon St, Carlton) this Saturday 25 May at 4.00pm. On the day, two new chap books written by Dorothy Poulopoulou and Petr Malapanis and published by Owl Publishing, will be launched. The afternoon will also include a poetry session featuring well-known poets from the Greek Australian community. Free to attend.
CHRISTOS DANTIS LIVE
Catch Christos Dantis performing live in Melbourne this Saturday 25 May at the Nafpaktian Association Melbourne (2-18 Ross St, Heatherton) from 9.00 pm. For bookings, call 0412 083 563 or email info@powderpr.com.au
GREEK WRITER’S FESTIVAL
The Greek Writers Festival makes its debut at the Greek Centre (168 Lonsdale St, Melbourne) from 31 May to 8 June with an impressive line up of writers and informative workshops that will foster broader cultural, political and literary dialogue under the theme ‘Diasporic Dialogues’. The program features over 30 sessions with participation from over 50 culturally and linguistically diverse writers and performers across different generations and nationalities. To view the program and purchase tickets, visit https://www.greekcentre.com.au/the-greek-writers-festival/
OPEN JAM ‘ΚAFENEIO’
Open Jam ‘Καφενειο’ is back on Friday 31 May! In a showcase of contemporary Greek music, see Theofano & Friends perform, taking Greek Rock Fusion beats to another level, as well as Acoustiki bringing the best of Greek Folk rhythms. On at Open Studio (204 High St, Northcote) from 1.00 pm. Tickets $15.00 p.p. at the door.
LIVE GREEK MUSIC NIGHT
What better way to spend the Queen’s Birthday long weekend than a night of good company and live Greek music. Mediterranean Greek Tavern Elsternwick (511 Glen Huntly Rd, Elsternwick) is hosting a special night on Sunday 9 June from 6.00-11.00 pm.
MUSICAL: ’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 where she dreams of the perfect wedding, despite not yet having a groom. When she follows her dreams and finally ends up with everything she ever wanted, that’s when things start to go really wrong. On now until 16 June at Her Majesty’s Theatre (219 Exhibition St, Melbourne). To book, visit https://murielsweddingthemusical.com/
NSW
SYDNEY GREEK JAM
Inspired by Greek nights in Melbourne, Sydney now has its very own Greek Jam night. Head to Koutouki (138 Norton St, Leichhardt) on Wednesday 29 May at 7.00 pm. Enjoy food, wine and tunes including smyrneika, nisiotika, rebetika and palia laika with old mates and future friends. Everyone, young and old alike, is welcome to join in and play with other like-minded musicians. To book (essential), call 0437 864 493. Free to attend, optional $5 donation on the night to fund educational programs, hiring venues, print materials and a future vision to bring master musicians from Greece to impart their knowledge.
ANNA VISSI LIVE
Anna Vissi returns to Australian shores next month, performing over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend at The Bellevue Venue (2-10 Restwell St, Bankstown) on Saturday 8 June from 8.30 pm. Vissi boasts a 40-year career, and she’s not slowing down any time soon. For tickets, visit http://greekentertainment.com.au/
MATTHAIOS GIANNOULIS & ALEXIA HIOTI
On Sunday 9 June, Mytilenian House (225 Canterbury Rd, Canterbury) will be showcasing talented duo Matthaios Giannoulis and Alexia Hioti. Tickets $90.00 p.p., includes dinner (drinks extra). To book, call 0407055044.
QLD
HEART KIDS FUNDRAISER
The Queensland Hellenic Charitable Trust is hosting a charity event, with all proceeds going to Heart Kids, an organisation help those affected by congenital heart disease. Taking place on Friday 31 May at Mansfield Tavern (Wecker Rd,), performing on the night will be Dimitris Basis. Tickets are $90.00 p.p., and includes entertainment and food. Doors open at 7.00 pm. To book, call Jack 0432 214 206 or Tom 0407 758 730.
SA
MUSICAL: ’TAXITHI – AN AUSTRALIAN ODYSSEY’
‘Taxithi – An Australian Odyssey’ is making its South Australian debut on Friday 7 and Saturday 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, yet universal. For tickets, visit https://www.adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au/events/taxithi/
COMEDY: ’MALAKAS WITH ATTITUDE’
George Kapiniaris’ show ‘Malakas With Attitude’ isn’t just about the big malakas in the world – it’s about the little malakas too. It’s about time all the malakas made a stand, and were counted. But what’s a malaka? See the show and find out, on Saturday 15 June from 8.00-10.45 pm. For tickets, visit www.stickytickets.com.au
WA
PLAY: ’THE LADY OF RO’
Catch ‘The Lady of Ro’ on Saturday 1 June at Subiaco Arts Centre. The play is inspired by the life of Despina Achladioti, the Greek widow who was born on the Greek island of Kastellorizo. She sailed with her husband to the nearby deserted island of Ro, where she saw her island being invaded by Germans and Italians, and the residents being evacuated from their homes by British forces to Palestine and Egypt. Her fame rests on her persistence until her death on 13 May, 1982 when at the age of 92 she raised the Greek flag. When Greece and Turkey went to war over Cyprus in the mid 1970’s, Despina, known as The Lady of Ro, became a loved national hero. To be performed in Greek with English surtitles. 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 to anastasia@neoskosmos.com.au
