VIC

REBETIKA EVENING
The weather is warming up and while we can’t travel we can at least try to imagine that we’ve booked a trip to Greece this summer. Philhellene will provide the tastes of Greece and Pascal Latra, Kat Stevens and Paddy Montgomery will provide the soundtrack to a balmy night, in a tavern, sipping a tsipoura, a Kretarakimeli or a retsina, listening to Rebetika.
When: 24 January, 7:00pm
Where: Philhellene Provincial Greek Cuisine, 551-553 Mount Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds, Victoria, 3039
Bookings: Call (03) 9370 3303 or 0402403211
Info: Visit the Facebook event page

PASCAL LATRA QUARTET AT BAR OUSSOU 
The Pascal Latra Quartet present a mixture of traditional Greek folk music and rebetika played in their unique way. The quartet includes the talents of Pascal Latra-Vocals, Guitar, Byron Triandafilides-Double Bass, Darabouka, Kat Stevens-Violin, Baglama and Paddy Montgomery-Bouzouki, Laouto. The performance is part of the Balkan Festival at Bar Oussou, they have prepared a special selection of songs from Thrace, the islands, and much more.
When: 28 January, 8:30pm
Where: Bar Oussou, 653 Sydney Road, Brunswick, VIC, Australia 3056
Info: Facebook event page

GREEK HISTORY AND CULTURE SEMINARS – NUGAS GCM CRASH COURSE ON 1821 (PART 1)
The “Greek History and Culture Seminars” are organised and hosted by The Greek Community of Melbourne and provide the opportunity for everyone to experience the long and fascinating history of Greece and Greek culture in its various forms and stages, aspects of which have formed the foundation of Western civilisation. It begins with a collaboration with NUGAS with a  crash course on 1821 presented by Yianni Cartledge.
When: 18 February, 7:00pm
Where: Greek Centre, Mezzanine Floor, 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000
Info: Greek Community of Melbourne website

THE FIG TREE REPLANTED 
The Boite, together with the Hellenic Museum and Kadimah Jewish Cultural Centre, are delighted to co-present The Fig Tree Replanted, a live concert featuring a dozen world-class Australian performers from Greek, Jewish, Italian and other backgrounds. Two shows of music and storytelling will be performed live in front of a seated audience in the idyllic gardens of Melbourne’s historic Hellenic Museum, as well as streamed online for the world, in February 2021.
When: 21 February, 6:30pm
Where: The Hellenic Museum, 280 William Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000
Bookings & Cost: TryBooking, prices start at $15
Info: Facebook event

GREEK HISTORY AND CULTURE SEMINARS – NUGAS GCM CRASH COURSE ON 1821 (PART 2)
The “Greek History and Culture Seminars” are organised and hosted by The Greek Community of Melbourne and provide the opportunity for everyone to experience the long and fascinating history of Greece and Greek culture in its various forms and stages, aspects of which have formed the foundation of Western civilisation. Yianni Cartledge returns to share Part 2 of the crash course on 1821.
When: 25 February, 7:00pm
Where: Greek Centre, Mezzanine Floor, 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000
Info: Greek Community of Melbourne website

DANCING QUEEN BOAT CRUISE
Missed the Greek islands? A singing/performance cast is coming to Melbourne on 7 March, set to take Melburnians on aboard a luxury yacht to sing and dance along some plate smashing classics and full disco hits. Mama Mia fans are invited to cruise and dine in an immersive environment wearing their best whites, floaty dresses and boat shoes. Yes, there is a dress code and he best costumes will be awarded exciting prizes.
When: 7 March, 11:30am – 2:00pm – 4:30pm
Where: 131 Harbour Esplanade Docklands, Melbourne, Victoria, 3008
Bookings & Info: explorehidden.com

COMMEMMORATING 200 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE
As with other years the Hellenic RSL will hold a special Commemoration on the actual day, Thursday 25th March, beginning at Agios Eustathios at 9:30am, followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the Australian Hellenic Memorial at 12:00pm and wreath laying at the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance at 1:00pm. It is expected that a large number of Greek and Australian organisations will participate in the wreath laying ceremonies.
When: 25 March, 2021
Where: Australian Hellenic Memorial & Shrine of Remembrance

REBETIKA TUESDAYS AT SEAGULLS FRANKSTON
In a COVID-safe environment Rebetika returns at Seagulls Greek Taverna – every Tuesday night. Bookings are absolutely essential. You can look forward to hearing music from the early 1920’s to 1940’s, acoustic and intimate. Limited seating so booking ahead is essential.
When: Every Tuesday, 6:00pm
Where: Seagulls Greek Taverna, 491 Nepean Highway, Frankston, VIC, 3199
Bookings: Call (03) 9783 7555
Info: Visit the Facebook event page

WEDNESDAY REBETIKA AT TRIAKOSIA
Wednesday live Rebetika have returned to Triakosia, with Wayne Simmons and Con Kalamaras playing a unique repertoire of pre and post-war music live at the restaurant in Clifton Hill. Bookings are a must as places will fill up quick.
When: Every Wednesday, 7:00pm
Where: Triakosia Athenian Bar & Grill, 300 Queens Prd, Clifton Hill, VIC, 3068
Bookings: Call (03) 9482 4931
Info: Visit the Facebook event page

TAS

1821-2021 BICENTENNIAL GREEK INDEPENDENCE
On the 28th of March 2021, the Greek Community of Tasmania in association with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia will be commemorating 200 years of Hellenic Independence. Tasmania is proud to be a part of the National Committee for this important landmark and several events celebrating our history and culture are being planned for March 2021.
When: 28 March, 2021
Where: Hellenic House Convention Centre, 69 Federal St, North Hobart, 7000
Info: Facebook page

ONLINE

ONLINE COOKING CLASS: LEARN TO MAKE PASTITSIO
Learn to make Pastitsio along side your host Kelly from The Hellenic Odyssey, while in the comfort of your own home. You will get a 1.5 hour cook along experience with an experienced home cook demonstrating the recipe, a recipe card and preparation instructions will be emailed to you 3-4 days prior to the class and how to prepare for the class to get the most out of the live online class and a list of equipment you will need.
When: 23 January, 10:00am
Where: Online, link provided when program is purchased
Bookings: $48.56, Eventbrite
Info: Facebook event page

GREEK AUSTRALIAN MILK BARS AND CAFES: PAST AND PRESENT
Join an online panel discussion facilitated by Victoria Murray from Bathurst Library with the support of NSW Public Libraries Association. Leonard Janiszewski, historian and author of Greek Cafes and Milk Bars of Australia, will take us on a fascinating trip down memory lane sharing stories of the milk bar culture. Barbra Godfrey will also share her experiences as director of Parry’s Milk Bar, Caringbah, an iconic retro styled milk bar with a modern twist that is still successfully operating after 62 years.
When: 9 February, 12:30pm
Where: Zoom
Bookings: Number are limited, bookings essential via Eventbrite

GREEK FRINGE BOUZOUKI MASTER CLASS
This suite of masterclasses will take place every Monday throughout the month of February from 6:00pm – 7:30pm (AEST)/ 9am-10:30am (Greece) via zoom. Each week you will learn from a new master including Lefteris Tsikouridis, Fotis Vergopoulos, Vassilis Skoutas and Manolis Pappos. The program is geared towards three-stringed bouzouki players and students who are at a medium to advanced level.
When: 1, 8, 14 & 21 February, 6:00pm
Where: Via Zoom
Cost: $200 AUD (includes four 1.5 hour master classes)
Bookings: Via Sticky Tickets
Info: Facebook event page