NATIONAL

DELPHI BANK 26TH GREEK FILM FESTIVAL
The Delphi Bank Greek Film Festival (GFF) returns this week 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 Favourite, 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/

VIC

2019 TESSELAAR TULIP FESTIVAL
The Tesselaar Tulip Festival (357 Monbulk Road, Silvan) is on now until this Sunday 13 October, celebrating tulips and all things Dutch! 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, 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/

GO GREEK DANCE

City of Port Phillip and Port Melbourne Greek Community Senior Citizens Club present Go Greek Dance, a collaboration promoting – you guessed it! – Greek dancing. You don’t need experience or a partner or special clothing, just step onto the floor, hold hands in the circle and start. Robyn will take you on a virtual trip to Greece through music and simple steps, and lots of laughs along the way. BYO. Taking place this Saturday 12 October at Port Melbourne Town Hall Auditorium (333 Bay St, Port Melbourne) from 6.30-11.00 pm. Free with light supper. To book (essential) call (03) 9209 6777 or email rsvp@portphillip.vic.gov.au

PERIODICAL ANTIPODES LAUNCH

This Sunday 13 October at the Panarkadian Association of Melbourne and Victoria, ‘O Kolokotronis’ (570 Victoria St., North Melbourne) at 3.00 pm the Greek Australian Cultural League of Melbourne (GACLM) is launching its 65th issue of bilingual periodical Antipodes. It will be presented by lecturer and co-ordinator of Greek Studies at La Trobe University, Dr Stephie Nikoloudis. This year the periodical is commemorating 50 years since the establishment of the GACLM. At the launch the results of the Literary Competition 2019 will be announced. Refreshments and snacks will be provided. Free to attend.

KAFENEIO TUESDAYS
This semester, Melbourne University Greek Association (MUNGA) is bringing back Kafeneio Tuesdays! Take a moment to relax with MUnGA between classes and get away from all the stresses of this semester at Castro’s Kiosk, waiting for you with a coffee and open ears. Catch the first one on Tuesday 15 October from 12 noon-2.00 pm.

(GREEK) GIRLS TO THE FRONT
Head to the Greek Centre (168 Lonsdale St, Melbourne) on Friday 18 October for a night of Greek girl power! There will be live music by the Bandidas, Dj Pazz and DJ Randy Lipz XXX, with spoken word poetry by Koraly Dimitriadis. Women from all backgrounds welcome, especially those from migrant communities, as well as men who support the girl power cause. On from 8.30-11.30 pm. Tickets $18 full, $15 concession/members. To book, visit https://bit.ly/2mmvEwq

GREEK COOKING CLASS
Join Kelly from The Hellenic Odyssey on Saturday 19 October at Sandybeach Centre (2 Sims St, Sandringham; 12 noon-3.00 pm) to create a generous spread of food and to learn about the Mediterranean diet, its origins and its benefits. As the Mediterranean diet places a lot of focus on the role of food within the home environment, everyone will prepare the meals together and sit down on the table to enjoy eating together afterwards. You’ll also get a take home recipe book and a thank-you gift. $99 per person. Bookings require a minimum of 4 people. To book, visit https://bit.ly/2l0d9xF

GREEK MASTERCLASS: TAKING THE FEAR OUT OF PHYLLO
Find yourself intimidated by phyllo? On Saturday 19 October Kathy Tsaples of Sweet Greek will help put your fears to rest in the Relish Mama kitchen (Warehouse 1/347 Bay Rd, Cheltenham). Kathy will expertly lead the class to help you master the art and science behind making phyllo pastry. Starts at 11.00 am. For more info and to book, visit https://bit.ly/2kuAmHX

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, call 0413 958 279.

GREEK DESSERTS WITH KELLY MICHELAKIS
Join Kelly from The Hellenic Odyssey, a Greek home cook with a proud heritage, to create a generous spread of Greek sweets on Sunday 20 October from 1.00-4.00 pm. You will learn how to prepare traditional authentic Greek desserts, cakes and biscuits that you would expect to find in the kitchen of a Greek family home, including Kourambiethes (almond shortbread), Melomakarona (walnut honey biscuits), Amigdalota (almond macaroons), Galaktoboureko (custard pie), Olive oil yoghurt cake and a Greek Yoghurt dessert. To book, visit https://bit.ly/2Op7fT1

CYPRUS HALLOUMI FESTIVAL
The Cyprus Halloumi Festival is back for the second year, and promises to be bigger and better! The two-day festival takes place from Saturday 26-Sunday 27 October at 495-497 Lygon St, Brunswick East. Sample halloumi from the home of the famous cheese, watch live halloumi making demonstrations, choose from a range of delectable Cypriot cooked foods that will be for sale, and experience cultural music and dance. Purchase a pre-sale entry ticket to go into the draw for two return tickets to Cyprus or Greece courtesy of Grecian Tours. To book, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/522615618504172/

SIATISTINO GLENDI 2019
The Greek Siatista Club of Melbourne is hosting its annual Siatistino Glendi on Saturday 26 October at EEAMA Reception (1C Bell St, Preston) from 6.30 pm until late. Performing on the night will be Halkini Panthaisia direct from Siatista with guest vocalist Hari Halamoutis. Tickets $85.00 Adults, $35.00 Children (3-12). For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://sites.google.com/view/thesiatistaclubofmelbourne/home

BOOK LAUNCH: CHRISTOS TSIOLKAS ON DAMASCUS
Readings is launching Christos Tsiolkas’ new novel Damascus, with a discussion of the themes that have always obsessed Tsiolkas as a writer: the ways in which nations, societies, communities, families and individuals are united and divided. Damascus explores nothing less than the establishment of the Christian church. Taking place on Wednesday 30 October at Church of All Nations (180 Palmerston St, Carlton) at 6.30 pm. Free to attend. To book, visit https://bit.ly/2LU8OXA

ST JOHN’S COLLEGE GREEK FETE
St John’s College Preston (21 Railway Place West, Preston) is hosting a Greek Fete on Saturday 9 November from 11.00 am-5.00 pm. There’ll be food trucks, stalls, activities, rides, entertainment and so much more – everything you want and need for a perfect Saturday with the family. More details to come. Free to attend.

NSW

GREEK DANCE RELOADED
This Sunday 13 October enjoy a night of epic fun and Greek dancing at St George Leagues (124 Princes Hwy, Kogarah) from 7.00-11.00 pm. Go along, take some friends and enjoy the night, with Paradise Band performing. Free entry.

SYDNEY GREEK JAM – PANIYIRI EDITION

On Sunday 20 October, head to the Sydney Greek Jam Paniyiri Edition at on the lawn of the Pratto (40 Arthur St, Ashfield). Bringing Dionysian vibes of the Greek village festivals to Sydney, feel the mirth and ecstasy of dancing hand in hand with friends and strangers, the flowing of retsina (Resch’s Draught), the smell of the souvla (souvlakia/ samosas) in the air, and the sunshine beating down on the plateia (bowlo green). From Thrace to Crete, from the Ionian to the Dodecanese, Aegean Quartet and friends will present an aural degustation of traditional tunes from different regions in Greece. This is all about culture sharing, authenticity, participation and connection. Bring your instruments, singing voice, dancing shoes and appetite. To book, visit https://bit.ly/2OltWaN

BAR GLYFADA
The sounds of Greek Summer are coming to Pelicano (24 Bay St, Double Bay) on Friday 25 October in a special one off event. Performing on the night will be DJs Krazy Kon (Greece Mix 23 CD launch) and Dimi Gee, as well as a live band featuring Maria Stavropoulou and Nikita Ellenis. Doors open 9.00 pm-2.00 am. To book, visit https://bit.ly/2Ir0PPC. VIP lounge packages with bottle service available upon request. Call 0418451481 or email info@djkrazykon.com.au

SA

GREEK MUSEUM OF ADELAIDE EXHIBITION
See the Greek Museum of Adelaide Exhibition on the history of spinning and textiles, life and art in Greek culture from 14-20 October at Hamra Centre Library (1 Brooker Terrace, Hilton). Free entry.

DOCO PRESENTATION: BORDER SOULS
The Greek Orthodox Community of SA inc. (288 Franklin St, Adelaide) is hosting a screening of Border Souls on Wednesday 16 October at 8.00-9.30 pm. Directed by Takis Bardakos, it explores the ongoing humanitarian issue of refugees from war-stricken zones fleeing their countries in search of safety, stability and a better life, who find themselves in Greece. Entry $10.00. Pay at event.

GREEKISH WITH ZACCHARY BIRD
Learn how to cook the Greek classics with a pinch of creative licence to make them vegan friendly at Greekish at Adelaide Central Market (44-60 Gouger St, Adelaide). Over the course of the night, you’ll learn to make (and eat!): Spanakopita two different ways, Horiatiki Salata, and King Oyster Mushroom Calamari with fresh Tzatziki Mayo. Taking place on Tuesday 22 October at 5.00 pm. To book, visit https://www.zaccharybird.com/classes/greekish-ymtsm-8p4me-mwrzm-53l5j

QLD

MEET ME AT THE PARAGON: THE GREEK CAFE PHENOMENON
Moussaka. Souvlaki. Paniyiri. Baklava. Today, Queenslanders love Greek food and culture. However there is an unknown past, and it is currently being explore in the exhibition Meet me at the Paragon on now at the State Library of Queensland (Philip Bacon Heritage Gallery, level 4, Stanley Place, Brisbane). The American-style cafés and milk bars your parents probably frequented as a child – the ones that served banana splits, fish ‘n’ chips, ice cream sundaes and homemade sweets – were likely owned by Greek migrants, and became the social hubs of their communities. Meet me at the Paragon uncovers the stories of Greek migrants who established cafes and milk bars in the early 20th century, carving out a new life for their families. Imagine the tastes, experience the atmosphere and retrace the history of Queensland’s Greek cafes by learning the past and present true stories of the families that ran them in this fascinating exhibition. On now until 15 March, 2020. Free entry.

* 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