VIC
OPEN JAM – GREEK FUSION BEATS
This Friday 9 August OPEN JAM ‘Καφενειο‘ presents a journey from Crete to the urban streets of Melbourne at Bar Open (317 Brunswick St, Fitzroy) with two bands that are making waves in Greek music: De’LYRIUM, and Byron Triandafyllidis and friends. On from 8.30 pm. Tickets $15.00 at the door only.
GREEK NIGHT
Risk Bar (10 Eaton St, Oakleigh) is hosting a Greek night this Saturday 10 August. From 8.00 pm, there’ll be non-stop Greek hits, from Koufos to Kiamos! Free entry.
MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) is now on until Sunday 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
WELCOME TO THORNBURY: GREEK FOOD FESTIVAL
Welcome To Thornbury (520 High St, Northcote) is hosting a Greek Food Festival this 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.
THE MUSIC OF MANOLIS HIOTIS
Melbourne Rebetiko Ensemble returns to Kew Court House (188 High St, Kew) this 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
GREEK-PONTIAN NIGHT
Following an overwhelming response, the Alpha and Omega Greek 3rd Dinner Night is back! Taking place on Friday 16 August at Reservoir RSL (251 Spring St, Reservoir), go along for a night of food and glendi. On from 6.00 pm-12.30 am. Tickets $40.00 p.p. (children aged 6-10 $25.00) includes set menu and live music. Preforming on the night will be Aetos Band. For bookings contact Christos Ambelidis on 0406 101 574.
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.
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.
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.
‘MALAKAS WITH ATTITUDE’ DINNER + SHOW
Catch George Kapiniaris’ latest comedy show ‘Malakas with Attitude’ at Eleni’s Kitchen + Bar (28 Anderson St, Yarraville) on Friday 23 August at 8.00 pm. The comedian takes a swipe at malakas everywhere! Tickets $95.00 includes show and dinner. To book (essential), call (03) 9943 4233 or visit https://bit.ly/2GLwxGu
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 23 August: Island Dances. Taking place at RMIT (Building 8, Level 3, Room 10, Wales Cor, Melbourne). 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
MEDITERRANEAN PLANT TALKS
August at Eden Gardens (307 Lane Cove Rd, Macquarie Park) is Mediterranean plants month. Go along on Sunday 11 August to hear about what trees can turn your garden into a stunning Mediterranean heaven, including herbs that are both stunning to look at and delicious in flavour. Learn about how to pot them up like they do in Greece or Italty. Hear about correct watering, sun and pruning and how to prevent against bugs or what issues might arise. Free to attend. To book, visit https://bit.ly/2YrgZSU
TALK: HOLY LADY THEOTOKOS AND VIRGIN MARY
The Greek Orthodox Parish & Community of Holy Cross (18 Stewart St, Wollongong) is hosting a talk by Dr Mario Baghos who will speak about the Holy Lady and Virgin Mary. Taking place on Sunday 11 August from 11.00 am-12 noon, directly after the Divine Liturgy. Free to attend.
GEORGE DOUKAS & THE D-STRINGS
George Doukas brings his nine-piece ensemble to Camelot Lounge (Marrickville Rd & Railway Parade, Marrickville) this 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
GREEK & AUSTRALIAN WINE TASTING
Somerled Wines (89 Mount Barker Rd, Hahndorf) is hosting a wine tasting Sunday 18 August looking at Australian and Greek wines. Join Rob and specialist sommelier Clare Aslanidis for a long table tasting. There’ll be four Somerled wines alongside four style-comparable Greek wines accompanied by an array of nibbles including traditional Greek dips prepared in-house. On from 11.30 am-1.00 pm. Cost $70.00 p.p. To book, visit https://bit.ly/33bFMJp
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