VIC
MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) kicks off today, 1-18 August at the refurbished Capitol Theatre. The program features 382 films and 31 premieres. Among them are two Greek short films: The Distance Between Us and the Sky (2019) directed by Vasilis Kekatos and Patision Avenue (2018) by Thanasis Neofotistos. For further information and tickets, visit http://miff.com.au
POMONA BY ALISTAIR MCDOWALL
Actress Artemis Ioannides stars in the Australian Premiere of Pomona by UK playwright Alistair McDowall and directed by Gary Abrahams. On now until Sunday 11 August at Red Stitch: The Actors’ Theatre (Rear 2 Chapel St, St Kilda East), Pomona is a dark and genre rich horror story, gripping from start to finish. A powerful modern thriller that asks what lies beneath the veneer of contemporary civilisation and what price must you pay to find it. For tickets, visit https://redstitch.net
‘THALASSA’ ART EXHIBITION
Stella Zicopoulos-Greig’s latest solo exhibition of oil paintings ‘Thalassa’ explores the artist’s cultural identity and lifelong relationship with the sea. As a child of Greek migrants, her own memories of the sea and the long voyage from Greece to Australia had a profound influence on her artistic practice, further reinforced by her family’s annual summer holidays spent at the beach. See her work first-hand until Saturday 10 August at G3 Artspace (64 Parkers Rd, Parkdale). Free admission.
THE PHILHELLENES LIVE
Catch The Philhellenes performing at The Post Office Hotel (229-231 Sydney Rd, Coburg) this Saturday 3 August from 9.00-11.00 pm. They will play a mixture of traditional repertoire from Asia Minor and songs composed by Greek refugee musicians from the region, such as Dalgas (Antonis Diamantidis), Panos Tountas and Kostas Skarvelis. For further details, visit https://bit.ly/2Y9az6O
GREEK TAVERN NIGHT
Get your Greek fix at The Aegean Restaurant’s (19 Brunswick St, Fitzroy) tavern night, with Mediterranean cuisine, live music, entertainment and dancing on Saturday 3 August from 7.00 pm. To book, call (03) 9419 5075.
OPEN JAM – GREEK FUSION BEATS:
OPEN JAM ‘Καφενειο‘ presents a journey from Crete to the urban streets of Melbourne with two bands making waves in Greek music: De’LYRIUM, and Byron Triandafyllidis and friends. On at Bar Open (317 Brunswick St, Fitzroy) on Friday 9 August from 8.30 pm. Tickets $15.00 at the door only.
WELCOME TO THORNBURY: GREEK FOOD FESTIVAL
Welcome To Thornbury (520 High St, Northcote) is hosting a Greek Food Festival on Saturday 10 August from 12 noon-10.00 pm. Drown yourself in the delights of Greece with endless gyros, calamari, loukamades and ouzo. Plus epic Greek entertainment and live performances throughout the day. Free entry.
ALTONA NORTH ANNUAL GREEK FESTIVAL 2019
The Greek Orthodox Church of North Altona & Districts (272 Millers Rd, North Altona) is hosting its annual Greek Festival on Sunday 18 August from 12 noon-5.00 pm. A great day for the family there will be plenty of food and activities, along with entertainment by Michael Liagourdis who will be performing traditional music from all over Greece, along with dance performances by the Greek Dancing Groups. Free to attend.
GREEK DANCING LESSONS WITH RUSH
RMIT United Society of Hellenes (RUSH) is hosting Greek dancing lessons for people of all ages and backgrounds, taking you from the bare basics to different styles around Greece. Schedule: Friday 9 August: Lakonian Dances, Friday 23 August: Island Dances. Taking place at RMIT (Building 8, Level 3, Room 10, Wales Cor, Melbourne). Free to attend.
THE MUSIC OF MANOLIS HIOTIS
Melbourne Rebetiko Ensemble returns to Kew Court House (188 High St, Kew) on Saturday 10 August for a musical tribute to Manolis Hiotis. Considered one of the greatest bouzouki soloists of all time, Hiotis was famous for popularising the string instrument’s modern sound. He was a rebetis and revolutionary who drove the music of the working class into the salons of the rich, embedding it into the wider popular culture of Greece. On from 8.00-9.40 pm. For tickets, visit https://bit.ly/2GpHjSr
LONSDALE STREET GREEK FOOD WALKING TOUR
Take part in a guided walking tour of Melbourne’s original Greek Precinct, Lonsdale Street on Saturday 17 August from 2.00-5.00 pm. Learn about the migration of Greeks to Melbourne, and the food and culture they brought with them. To book, visit https://bit.ly/2Od0WU0
THE GREEK GRAMOPHONE EXPERIENCE
Join Wayne Simmons and Con Kalamaras on Sunday 18 August at the Merri Creek Tavern (111 High St, Northcote) at 4.00 pm for a unique live performance delving into the rich history of Greek music that was recorded in 1920’s and 40’s Greece. You could call it abrasive, coarse and unrefined, or you could call it an historical, artistic, and social commentary on a rapidly changing country. This performance is a collection of works that paved the way for generations to come, no glitz, no plate smashing … just a collection of brutally honest and achingly beautiful songs. Free to attend.
LA TROBE LECTURE: GROWING UP ‘GREEK’ IN THE 50s AND 60s
La Trobe University’s Greek Studies (Department of Languages and Linguistics) and the Dardalis Archives of the Hellenic Diaspora in conjunction with the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria (168-170 Lonsdale St, Melbourne) present a lecture by Dr Konstandina Dounis on ‘A Parallel Universe: Growing up ‘Greek’ in the 50s and 60s’ on Wednesday 21 August at 7.00-8.00 pm. Free to attend.
COOKING CLASS: GREEK PROVINCIAL FARE
Expand your repertoire and knowledge of Greek cuisine with Niki Louca’s delicious selection of provincial dishes. On Saturday 31 August at The Neff Market Kitchen (Stall 90, Cecil St, South Melbourne) (11.00 am-1.30 pm), Niki will show you how to make prawn saganaki, kalamari krasato, spanakorizo, and to finish, traditional rizogalo. $120 p.p. includes lunch/dinner and a recipe pack. To book, visit https://bit.ly/2XJ9DZK
NSW
TOWARD AN ARCHAEOLOGY OF CULT IN A GREEK COLONY IN THE WEST
The Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens’ (AAIA) visiting Professor Clemente Marconi will present research from new excavations he has directed at Selinunte, one of the most important archaeological sites of the Greek period in Italy, on Wednesday 7 August. This new research makes it possible to fully reconstruct, for the first time, the biography of a temple in Selinunte, and to reconstruct a significant part of the ritual activities in this area of the sanctuary. Taking place at the AAIA Boardroom, Centre for Classical and Near Eastern Studies of Australia (Room 480, Level 4, The Madsen Building, The University of Sydney). To book, visit https://bit.ly/2LRcCsQ
GEORGE DOUKAS & THE D-STRINGS
George Doukas brings his nine-piece ensemble to Camelot Lounge (Marrickville Rd & Railway Parade, Marrickville) on Sunday 11 August. The D Strings is an ensemble that combines the velvet sound of the string quartet with the edgy tones of bouzouki and baglama. Mix that with two vocals, piano and a rhythm section and you have a sound which is truly unique. They will be performing a mix of original music, traditional Greek, Rembetika and a taste of Gypsy Jazz Greek-style. Doors open 7.00 pm for an 8.00 pm start.
MUGA PRESENTS: SPASTA 2019
Macquarie University Greek Association (MUGA) is hosting a Greek taverna night on Friday 16 August at Koutouki (138 Norton St, Leichhardt). Kicking off at 7.00 pm, there’ll be delicious food and drink served up, along with live music to add to the atmosphere. To book, visit https://bit.ly/2JUuwID
GREEK COOKING CLASS
Celebrate Mediterranean flavours with an authentic Greek cooking class. Hosted by Sophie Stokes from ‘In Sophia’s Kitchen’ you will be transported to Greece on a plate, preparing a range of dishes in the morning. Then you will get to sit down together to enjoy the fruits of your labour overlooking beautiful ocean views. It will be a delicious celebration of food and in turn, Greek culture. Taking place on Sunday 18 August at The Corner Pantry (Shop 5/11 Beach St, Harrington) from 10.00 am-1.00 pm. To book, visit https://bit.ly/2Llt7xI
CARLOS HOPONTOPOFUS BIG GREEK COMEDY NIGHT
Do you remember the Wog Rock Cafe in Hamilton in the ’90s? Carlos Hopontopofus became an icon in his outrageous one-man comedy floor show, and now he’s back! Performing at Dixon Park Surf Lifesaving Club (20 Ocean St, Merewether) on Friday 30 August, it’ll be a brilliant night of great comedy, authentic Greek cuisine and dancing to the grooves of DJ Honeypuff. To book, visit https://bit.ly/2XRtlPc
SA
THE BAND ZEUS
The Band Zeus is celebrating their 40th Anniversary this Saturday 3 August at The Gov (59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh). There will be non-stop entertainment from The Band Zeus supported by DJ Valandi and other well-known Adelaide vocalists and musicians. Current band members will be joined by past members, bringing to life the long and colourful history of the band. Tickets $20.00 + Booking Fee. Doors open @ 7:30 pm. For more information, call Sarah Martin on (08) 8340 4697.
MODERN GREEK LECTURE SERIES
The LOGOS Australian Centre for Hellenic Language and Culture continues its lecture series on Tuesday 20 August at Flinders at Victoria Square (182 Victoria Sq, Adelaide) from 6.00-8.00 pm. Free to attend.
* 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