VIC

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/

7TH ANNUAL PARAKATH
Join Akrites Australia (Ακρίτες Του Πόντου) for their 7th Annual Parakath and to celebrate the club’s 7th birthday this Saturday 1 June at the Pontian Community of Melbourne (345 Victoria St, Melbourne) from 7.00 pm. It will be a night to remember with Theo Kostidis’ band playing pontian and laika throughout. Tickets $60 Adults, $45 Students (18 Under) includes 3-course meal with beer, wine and soft drinks included. For bookings call: Peter 0401 672 124, Theo 0414 506 331, Voula 0437 137 924 or Harry 0455 290 388, or visit https://bit.ly/2K8L3uj

DEB KAYSER & NICK TSIAVOS ‘ONE HUNDRED MONTHS, THIRD OF EAST’
Deborah Kayser is collaborating with composer and bassist Nick Tsiavos in his work, ‘One Hundred Months, Third of East’, set to be performed at the Greek Centre on Friday 7 June at 8.30 pm. This work is a journey through a kind of modernist Byzantium of the imagination, an exploration of an architecture of loss and desire, into which both voice and bass are immersed. For tickets, visit https://bit.ly/2I3a07F

CRETAN GLENDI: SIFIS TSOURDALAKIS & KYRIAKOS STAVRIANOUDAKIS
The Pancretan Association of Melbourne is excited to announce a one off surprise Cretan Glendi with their very own Australian living in Crete, Sifis Tsourdalakis who is returning to Melbourne for one night only. Performing on Sunday 9 June at the Pancretan Association (90 Cathies Ln, Wantirna South) from 7.00 pm, Sifi will be accompanied by another great musician from Crete, Kyriakos Stavrianoudakis and local guitarist Tony Iliou. Also performing on the night will be the Pancretan Junior Dance Group. Tickets $70 Adults, $40 children U12. To book, call Mary Rissakis on 0403 489 771.

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.

TRIVIA NIGHT
The Hellenic Cultural Association of Melbourne ‘O Periklis’ is hosting a trivia night on Friday 14 June at 64 St David St, Thornbury at 7.00 pm. Get your team together and be ready for the classics like science, food and sport, as well as a dash of Eurovision and hint of Disney. There’ll also be interactive games to get keep things interesting. Friendly bar staff will be ready to serve you drinks as the room and your teams get heated!

LIVE AT THE GREEK: MEYHANE
In the next session of Live at the Greek on Friday 14 June at The Greek Centre (168 Lonsdale St, Melbourne), catch Meyhané presenting songs from their latest CD ‘What Shall I Sing For You’. The group features Paddy Montgomery, Tony Iliou, George Kiriakidis, and Lambros Kappas. Together with guest musician George Athanasakos, they will perform archival and rare sounds from Eastern Thrace, as well as songs and dances from other parts of Greece and Asia Minor. On from 8.30-11.30 pm. For tickets, visit https://bit.ly/2HYUbim

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

‘ASTRA NA PANE’
The Greek situation comedy ‘Astra na pane’ by writers Vasilis Risvas and Dimitra Sakali, and directed by Nikos Magdalinos is heading to Australia to be showcased in Sydney this month at the Hellenic Art Theatre (36/142 Addison Rd, Marrickville) from 5-16 June. Starring Mara Darmousli, Dimitris Marizas, Elena Kastana, Giorgos Floratos and Nikos Magdalinos. For info on how to purchase tickets, email info@hellenicarttheatre.com.au

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/

GREEK DANCE RELOADED
Head to St George Leagues (124 Princes Hwy, Kogarah) on Sunday 9 June for a night of Greek song and dance. Featuring Steven Flevaras and Tina Kokkalis. On from 7.00-11.00 pm. Free entry.

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 0407 055 044.

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’ this 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/