NATIONAL
NAXATRAS LIVE
Psychedelic Space Rock Revolutionaries NAXATRAS from Greece make their debut in Australia this month, hitting SYDNEY: LazyBones Lounge Restaurant & Bar on Thursday 12 September, The Vanguard on Friday 13 September; and BRISBANE: Greaser on Saturday 14 September. A raw blend of spiritual incarnation, soulful Greek jams and hypnotic soundscapes, their extended rhythms pay homage to countless sub-genres including Acid-Folk and 70s Psychedelic/Space Rock. Supporting them on the road is Sydney-based Space Rock quartet COMACOZER. Book tickets online.
READ MORE: Thessaloniki Psy-Rock trio Naxatras tours Down Under
DELPHI BANK 26TH GREEK FILM FESTIVAL
The Delphi Bank Greek Film Festival (GFF) is back next month for the 26th year with an exciting program, featuring 15 features, three engaging documentaries, and one Australian short film. From the poetic drama Epiphany starring AACTA award-winner Alex Dimitriades and irreverent black-comedy The Taverna, to the latest masterpiece by weird wave auteur Yorgos Lanthimos, the festival will showcase diverse stories from trailblazing Greek filmmakers across the globe. Dates: SYDNEY 8-20 October; MELBOURNE 9-20 October; ADELAIDE 10-13 October; BRISBANE 15-20 October; PERTH 20 October-10 November; and CANBERRA 29 November-1 December. For more information and to book tickets, visit https://greekfilmfestival.com.au/
READ MORE: Delphi Bank 26th Greek Film Festival announces its 2019 program
VIC
2019 TESSELAAR TULIP FESTIVAL
The Tesselaar Tulip Festival (357 Monbulk Road, Silvan) is back for another year, celebrating tulips and all things Dutch from 14 September-13 October! Open every day from 10.00 am-5.00 pm, see close to a million tulips flowering in the fields, with over 130 different varieties in all the colours of the rainbow. There’s also an array of food and market stalls to enjoy, live entertainment on stage every day, and plenty of fun activities, as well as photo opportunities. For event entertainment details and to purchase tickets ($15-$29, FREE ENTRY for children 16 and under), visit http://www.tulipfestival.com.au/
EXHIBITION ‘POETICS’ BY STAVROS MESSINIS
Multi award-winning visual artist and poet Stavros Messinis presents selected works from his photography-based series ‘Poetics – Mediated Memories, Sovereign Sun, Regeneration and Beyond’. These series are part of his ongoing exploration of photography’s role in representing reality by experimenting with invented photography techniques and processes. On show until 15 September at Brunswick Street Gallery (Level 1, 322 Brunswick St, Fitzroy). Free entry.
REWIND 90’S GREEK
The Hellenic Cultural Association of Melbourne ‘O Periklis’ presents Rewind Greek 90’s on Saturday 14 September at The Greek Centre (168 Lonsdale St, Melbourne) from 8.00-11.30 pm. Where better to reminisce the much-loved 90’s baraki scene of Melbourne than in the heart of the Greek Precinct. DJ Kosta Niko will be spinning your your favourite hits. Tickets: $18-$20. To book, visit https://bit.ly/2KV8mrC
CLUB GOYAA 2019
Frisco Disco Melbourne is hosting Club Gooya at Vodka Temple (162 Lygon St, Carlton) on Saturday 14 September. From 9.00 pm-3.00 am enjoy two levels of music, with a line-up of Greek DJs spinning old school and modern Greek hits, as well as 80s, 90s and Euro club anthems. Entry $15.00 on guest list or $20.00 at the door. Group discount bookings and birthdays available. Over 28’s. Dress to impress. For tickets contact Leon 0475 795 407 or Maz Cony 0478 299 920.
PALLACONIAN YOUTH: ART & LIVE MUSIC NIGHT
The Pallaconian Brotherhood of Melbourne & Victoria ‘Leonidas’ (253 Albert St, Brunswick) is hosting an art exhibition and live music night on Saturday 14 September from 7.30 pm. Four young artists will have their paintings on display on the night, touching on issues of multicultural identity and migration stories. Performance artists on the night will entertain guests in both Greek and English, inspired by both modern and traditional modes of music. The artwork will also be offered for sale on the night via a silent auction system. Free to attend.
LA TROBE LECTURE: THREE GREEK PIONEERS
Dr Dimitri Gonis will present a lecture on Wednesday 18 September about three Greek pioneers: Mick Adams, Vlase Zanalis and Harry Corones. Taking place at the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria (168-170 Lonsdale St, Melbourne) from 7.00-8.00 pm, the lecture is hosted by La Trobe University’s Greek Studies (Department of Languages and Linguistics) and the Dardalis Archives of the Hellenic Diaspora in conjunction with the GOCMV. Free to attend.
OPEN SEMINAR: DIMITRIS TSALOUMAS MEMORIAL LECTURE
Dr Konstandina Dounis will deliver a memorial lecture in honour of the late poet Dimitris Tsaloumas at the Greek Centre (168 Lonsdale St, Melbourne) on Thursday 19 September at 7.00 pm. Free to attend.
ROYAL MELBOURNE SHOW 2019
It’s that time of year again! The Royal Melbourne Show returns in time for the school holidays to the Melbourne Showgrounds (Epsom Rd, Ascot Vale) from 21 September-1 October. But this year the Show promises to be unlike any other Show you’ve experienced before! There’s a whole new layout, with a huge range of all-inclusive, interactive, and fun activities and attractions. There’ll be farm animals, with a chance to try your hand at sheep shearing and milking cows, carnival rides, show bags, as well as entertainment by talented performers, and a diverse offering of award-winning food and drink, ensuring something for all ages. Tickets from $19.00 – $85.00. Buy your tickets online before 20 September and save 20 per cent on gate prices! To found out more and to book, visit royalshow.com.au
FEED 500
St Panteleimon Greek Orthodox Church (19 Herbert street, Dandenong) is hosting its next sandwich making event for Outreach Project Feed 500 program on Sunday 22 September at 5.00 pm. On the night they will also be collecting non-perishable food items, toiletries, warm clean clothes for those in need. Light refreshments will be made available throughout the evening. To participate, or for further information, email outreach@greekcommunitydandenong.org.au by Friday 13 September.
GREEK ENTERPRISE: A DIVERSE HISTORY OF AUSTRALIAN GREEKS IN THE WORKPLACE
Historian Leonard Janiszewski and documentary photographer Effy Alexakis will explore the complex and broad involvement of Greek Australians in Australia’s development over the last two hundred years in a free lecture on Thursday 26 September at Preston Library (266 Gower St, Preston) at 7.00 pm. While Greeks played a large part in Australia’s food catering industry, they have also been involved in agricultural and pastoral pursuits, mining, sea-related industries, public life and professional fields. Go along and learn more about their fascinating and integral role in the economic development of Australia. To book your spot, call 1300 655 355.
CYPRIOT COOKING WORKSHOP: SHEFTALIES & TASHINOPITES
The Greek Cypriot Youth of Melbourne – Apostolos Andreas (10 St Andrew St, Sunshine West) is hosting a Cypriot cooking workshop on Saturday 5 October from 10.30 am-2.30 pm. All are welcome to join the youth group as they teach you how to make two Cypriot delicacies: sheftalies and tashinopites, including tips and tricks, in this hands on workshop followed by a sit down lunch together. Ticketed event: $30.00 p.p. To book your spot, visit https://bit.ly/2ZuzFkh
AROMA & TASTES FROM LEFKADA
The Lefkadian Cultural Association is hosting its annual event ‘Aromas & Tastes from Lefkada’ on Sunday 20 October at Normanby House (22-24 Normanby Ave, Thornbury) at 12.30 pm. The program includes live cooking demos by Anastasia Vrettos and daughters, Irene Kourtis and sons, and Evagelia and Nick Katiforis. There will also be traditionally made sweets and wines to try, a cookbook exhibition and music by DJ Joe. The event is being dedicated to the renowned Lefkadian cook, Evie Voutsina. Tickets only $30 p.p. (children attend free). To book (essential by Monday 7 October), call 0413 958 279.
NSW
GEOMETRIC GREEK POTTERY MASTERCLASS
Join Dr Stavros Paspalas (Acting Director, Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens) for a unique opportunity to explore the history and development of ceramic traditions of the Geometric period (c. 900-700 BC) from Athens and other production centres with an expert archaeologist on Thursday 12 September (4.00 pm) and Saturday 5 October (12.00 pm). Handle objects from the Nicholson Museum collection as Dr Paspalas examines stylistic developments, manufacturing methodologies and functionality of the pottery. Tickets $25.00 p.p. To book, visit https://bit.ly/2lDIjLi
A NIGHT OF CRETAN LYRA & LUTE
Enjoy an evening of Cretan music in its authentic form, through the sounds of the island: the lyra, lute, lyraki, viololyra, mandolin and boulgari. Taking place on Saturday 14 September at Loxandra (244 Rocky Point Rd, Ramsgate) from 7.00 pm-12.00 midnight, the aim of the night is to establish a gathering of Sydney based Cretan musicians and instrumentalists who will display their talents and knowledge as a means of togetherness, cultural expressionism and musicianship. Free to attend.
NEW MARRICKVILLE LIBRARY BILINGUAL TOUR
Go on a guided bilingual tour of the new Marrickville Library and Pavilion (Patyegarang Place, Marrickville) on Tuesday 17 September at 10.00 am. Discover the new facilities, collections, programs and services, and gain insights into the history and construction of this remarkable community building. Free to attend.
BANDIDAS LIVE
Catch the Bandidas, Pascal Latra, Kat Stevens and Apollonia Xylouris, for a night of rebetika and Greek food on Friday 20 September at Koutouki (138 Norton St, Leichhardt) from 8.00-11.00 pm. To make a booking, or for more information, call (02) 9560 6614/0437 864 493 or email georgiaskoutouki@hotmail.com
6th ANNUAL FUNDRAISING GREEK FAMILY NIGHT
On Saturday 21 September Charity from the Heart Committee and Spectrum Wealth present the 6th Annual Fundraising Greek Family Night supporting the ‘St George School’ – Learning for Life. Taking place at The Emporium (Level 1, 258 South Terrace, Bankstown), there will be plenty of food, drinks and entertainment, as well as a silent auction and great prices to be won. Tickets: Adults $90, Children (2-12) $40. To book, all Connie on 0405 141 960.
CHORUS: A CLASSIC GREEK TRAGEDY REWORKED FOR MILLENNIAL AUDIENCE
What is the cost of a woman’s success when it comes at the expense of her family? Agamemnon is about to find out. In this new version of Aeschylus’ classic Greek tragedy, Agamemnon is a pop icon just returned home from her nine-month, round-the-world concert tour. Agamemnon has returned home to take care of unfinished business: dump her former partner Chris, grab her stuff and make off with her new flame, Kass. But Chris has other ideas for their first night together in nine months, hoping for a kind of reconciliation – and at least the chance to process the unresolved grief he holds for the death of their son, Gene less than a year ago. Suddenly memories that Agamemnon has tried so hard to keep buried begin to surface so vividly she could die – and she very well might. This original Australian work is partially told by a lively chorus. On at The Old Fitz (Cathedral St, Woolloomooloo) on now until 21 September. Cost from $35.00. To book, visit https://bit.ly/2McDSmJ
ST CATHERINE’S FUNDRAISING DINNER
St Catherine Greek Orthodox Church recently purchased a house, which is part of a duplex, next door to the ‘new’ church and is looking to purchase the second house to develop into a hall to service the increasing needs of the parish. To help raise the necessary funds, the church is hosting a fundraising dinner on Sunday 22 September from 5.00-9.00 pm at St Spyridon Church Hall (72-76 Gardeners Rd, Kingsford). Enjoy a three-course meal, drinks, music and dancing, as well as auctions and raffles. Tickets available for purchase every Sunday after the liturgy at a table set up just outside the main doors of the church. For more information and to book your spot, contact Con Theoharides 0405 231 075 or Chryse Mio on 0419 413 108.
TRIBUTE TO GIANNIS SPANOS AND GIORGOS HATZINASIOS
In the ‘Piano Bar’ tradition, popular trio Cyano will pay tribute to Giannis Spanos and Giorgos Hatzinasios, two of Greece’s most celebrated pianists and composers, on Sunday 29 September at Django at Camelot (103 Railway Pde, Marrickville) from 7.00-10.00 pm. Nikos Sousamidis (guitar/vocals), Anna Papoulia (piano/vocals) and Irene Vacondios (vocals) will present timeless songs from the 60s and beyond, sung by some of Greece’s best vocalists including Parios, Poulopoulos, Mitsias, Kokotas, Marinella, Galani, Alexiou, Kanelidou and Tsanaklidou. For tickets, visit https://bit.ly/2MOwwWH
SA
PHILOXENIA TELLS THE POWERFUL STORY OF THE HEROES OF LESVOS
The Greek Orthodox Community of SA Inc. (288 Franklin St, Adelaide) is hosting a fundraiser to help fund the creation of documentary ‘Philoxenia’ on Saturday 21 September from 8.00 pm-12 midnight. The film by Greek Australian director and producer Anne Tsoulis tells the powerful story of the heroes of Lesvos who between May to October 2015 helped rescue some 400,000 refugees landing on their shores. Why tell the story now? We find ourselves in a world where xenophobia is on the rise and Tsoulis wants to address the imbalance by promoting the word ‘Philoxenia’, defined as kindness to strangers and the antonym to xenophobia, and by doing so promote its use in any discourse on migration and refugees. Tables reservations for groups of 8 or 10 people available. To book, visit https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/philoxenia-fundraiser-tickets-69386624261. For those who can’t make the event but would like to contribute, get info or watch the teaser, you can do so on
the Documentary Australia crowdfunding site https://documentaryaustralia.com.au/project/philoxenia/
READ MORE: New doco highlights Lesvos’ response to migration crisis: a lesson for the world in philoxenia
WA
THI AUSTRALIA: RISING TO THE CHALLENGE – GREECE AT THE CROSSROADS OF SOCIAL CHANGE
The Hellenic Initiative (THI) Australia is hosting a special dinner and conversation series this month titled Rising to the Challenge with events to celebrate the success of many NGOs in Greece who, throughout the challenging period of economic and social crisis, remained determined to make an impact through philanthropy, entrepreneurship and innovation. Following Sydney and Melbourne, the event goes on to Perth on 12 September at Crown Towers at 6.00 pm. The engaging program will raise awareness of the current situation in Greece and highlight the impact of Greek Australian efforts to support those in need and make a difference to lives of people in Greece. Speakers include Andrew N. Liveris AO, global Chairman and Co-Founder of THI; Lena Papalexopoulou, Vice-President of Desmos; and Maria Karra, Co-Founder of Emfasis. To book tickets, visit https://au.thehellenicinitiative.org/ Proceeds will support THI Australia.
* 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