Prepare to be transported back to the golden era of Greek music arts and fashion during the 60s and 70s, as Artemis Ioannides’ “Greek Jazz,” graces the stage of Melbourne’s Brunswick Ballroom Blurb on June 18.
After her last year’s solo performance in North Melbourne’s Arcadia House, Artemis Ioannides returns on stage, with and an enhanced show of a five-member orchestra, and a musical journey infused with strong theatrical elements, that aim to transfer the audience to the vibrant terrazzo-floored clubs of downtown Athens.
“I’m very, excited about it because I’m experimenting with Greek music and giving it a jazz sound with a theatrical performance style. It’s something that I’ve been wanting to do for a long time.” said Artemis Ioannides to Neos Kosmos.
Exploring “love’s era” through the prism of Greek culture and music
Artemis, the protagonist of the story, explores the experience of a young Greek woman, as she navigates the complexities of love and self-discovery, through the power of music and theatre.
“It has kind of a unique approach in that it is a musical performance, but there is also a narrative to it. I’m very interested in exploring the way that Greeks express being in love, “she adds.
The Greek-Australian actress explains that this show is an attempt to capture “love’s era,” from its “birth” to its unraveling emotions of “disappointment, pain, loss, grief, and acceptance,” until its “rebirth,” conveyed through the prism of “Greek culture and music.”
Drawn by the “retro Greek aesthetic,” of legendary divas, such as Tzeni Vanou, Vicky Mosholiou, Mery Linda, and Melina Mercouri, Artemis says there is a profound “richness,” associated with that era, and tries to revive it by blending “the aesthetic and the sound of that time,” with a more “modern” twist.
In collaboration with musical director Andrew Patterson, the Greek-Australian artist arranges Greek laika and entexna songs into “jazz instrumentations,” creating a delightful fusion. While the music predominantly embraces Greek elements, she ensures that the performance retains an appeal for non-Greeks too, as there will also be “English elements,” during the “storytelling,” of the performance.
The character portrayed by the artist is a “heightened persona” of herself and a “diva,” who represents the coexistence and struggles between Greek and Australian cultures in her own life.
“It’s like a mating of two worlds, which is very much something that I am exploring in this show. My understanding of Greek culture, but also coming from an Australian perspective,” she adds.
Navigating between cultures
“Greek Jazz’s” inception was also deeply inspired by Artemis’ experience in Greece, where she landed a role in the popular Greek TV series called “Glikanissos.”
After being approached by the show’s producer Dionisis Samiotis, with whom she had previously collaborated in a film called “Fovou tous Ellines” when she was 8 years old, Artemis admits it has always been a dream of hers to work in the country and describes her time there as a “wonderful experience.”
She reflects on “the way in which people express their emotions in Greece,” especially through the concept of “laikos erotas,” and the deep feeling of sadness tied to the pain of loving someone, known as “dertia.” It became evident to her that these emotional nuances are not commonly seen or understood in Australia.
“Going back to Greece I had to tap back into a cultural code within me to be able to shoot a lot of the scenes that were very emotional and passionate,” the actress explains.
This strong contrast observed between two different worlds and cultures, became a driving force for her “to create a show” and delve into the valuable lessons she learned during her time in Greece, where she experienced the feeling of being “an outsider” for the first time.
Paying tribute to a venue with a Greek heritage
Artemis expressed her enthusiasm about the choice of venue, as she considers it to be one of the “top live venues in Victoria” due to its impressive reputation and the unique Hellenic history associated with it.
She highlighted that the Brunswick Ballroom is owned by individuals of Greek heritage, who showed genuine excitement and support after speaking with her.
This aligned perfectly with her vision to create an environment and atmosphere reminiscent of the Greek kentra.
“It is almost like a tribute to setting and it’s past. I’m excited to be given the opportunity to do this in a venue that is simply beautiful,” she says.
A transcontinental journey of artistry
Artemis Ioannides is an actor, singer and screen writer who was born in Melbourne and raised in Athens.
Thanks to her upbringing in a musical family, with her father being the renowned composer and producer Tassos Ioannides, she developed a deep love for Greek music, and represented proudly her Hellenic culture in Australia.
Father and daughter also collaborated for a children’s show which currently screens on Greek television, called “Lahana kai Hahana klik sti Lahanahahanohora” (Λάχανα και Χάχανα Κλικ στη Λαχανοχαχανοχώρα).
She has worked with some of Australia’s most prominent theatre companies and television networks, including the Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne Theatre Company, Arts Centre, Red Stitch, ABC, Seven Network, and Foxtel.
Her notable performances as Vicky Kosta in the multi award winning “Wentworth,” Ophelia in Malthouse Theatre’s immersive production “Because the Night” and her contributions in the sell-out show “Taxithi: An Australian Odyssey” have cemented her status as a versatile actress in the entertainment industry, whether it be on screen or on stage.
She considers her role as Vicky Kosta on the popular TV show “Wentworth” as a “highlight of her career,” and values the fact that she was given the opportunity to work alongside a talented cast and crew on such a well-received series.
At present, Artemis’ life seems to be in a state of “transit’ “, between Greece and Australia.
She envisions an international career that spans across continents and hopes to eventually establish her own productions and undertake personal projects, bringing her unique creative vision to life.
“The ideal dream for me is to continue to have an international career, to be able to work in Australia, Europe and America, or any other part of the world. I would love to continue this path towards big productions eventually do my own projects in Greece.”
