VIC
Luminescence: In Our Nature at Hellenic Museum
Free for all, this exhibition is a series of eight tall, organically styled sculptures that have taken root on the Hellenic Museum forecourt, using dichroic optical filters to cast coloured light at all hours of the day and night.
The installation reflects upon the ancient Greek legacy of scientific advancement through the magnificent forms of Australian native flora and fauna – inspiring a sense of wonder and respect, and illuminating the importance of continuing to steward our natural world.
This installation has been developed by Melbourne-based creative studio Skunk Control, who specialise in exploring the fantastical space between art and science.
Since forming in 2012, Skunk Control director Nick Athanasiou and his team have gained international attention. Their works have been exhibited in New Zealand, Portugal, Australia, USA, Singapore and at the world’s most prestigious contemporary art festival, the Venice Biennale.
When: Until Wednesday January 31, 8am-12am
Where: Hellenic Museum, 280 William St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Info: busycitykids.com.au/melbourne-calendar-events/2024/1/6/luminescence-in-our-nature-at-hellenic-museum
Artist Floor-talk Viewfinder: Effy Alexakis
Join documentary photographer Effy Alexakis and sociocultural historian Leonard Janiszewski for a free intimate floor talk in their exhibition.
Providing personal insights into the photographs and related themes of the exhibition and highlighting the significance of the Greek-Australian experience, they will guide attendees through the display discussing aesthetic considerations, migration-settlement history and interconnected diasporic narratives.
Viewfinder: Effy Alexakis is a survey of one of Australia’s leading portrait and documentary photographers, who has chronicled the Greek-Australian experience for over 40 years.
This exhibition will share a selection of the artist’s key works and explore the themes underpinning her personal and artistic journey to understand her cultural heritage.
When: Thursday January 25, 11am-11.40am
Where: Hellenic Museum, 280 William St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Bookings: www.hellenic.org.au/event-details/artist-floor-talk-viewfinder-effy-alexakis
Sands of Time: Kids’ Archaeology Dig
An event for all budding young archaeologists and historians. An archaeological site has been discovered in the Hellenic Museum courtyard, and they need help to unearth and analyse its hidden treasures.
Before embarking on their adventure, the field crew will receive a crash course in archaeology from the Hellenic Museum, where they’ll learn how real dig sites are selected, plotted and prepared, and how artefacts are recovered and analysed. Then, it’s time to head to the dig site (sandpit) and get hands-on with history.
Working in small groups, kids will be guided through their own archaeological dig to unearth hidden “artefacts” and “monuments”. Once excavated, they’ll learn how to document their findings in a field journal, and analyse the artefacts to decode their history – including an opportunity to practice their analysis skills on a sherd of real ancient pottery from the Hellenic Museum’s handling collection.
This kids’ school holiday workshop is recommended for ages 8–13. Tickets include all materials, and Museum general entry after the workshop.
When: Sunday, January 21, 11am-12.30pm
Where: Hellenic Museum, 280 William St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Bookings: www.hellenic.org.au/event-details/sands-of-time
HELIOS
A lad lives half way up a historic hill. A teenager is on a road trip to the city in a stolen car. A boy is driving a chariot, pulling the sun across the sky.
A story about the son of the god of the sun, HELIOS transplants the Ancient Greek tale into a modern-day myth wound round the winding roads of rural England – and into the everyday living of a towering city. It’s a story about life, the invisible monuments we build to it, and the little things that leave big marks.
HELIOS is the award-winning follow up to the internationally-acclaimed ORPHEUS, EURYDICE, and THE GODS THE GODS THE GODS. Join them in a little room with a tape player – and delicate tale to tell.
Early bird sale offer ends Sunday January 21.
When: Monday February 5 to Sunday Feb 10, 8.30pm-9.45pm
Where: The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place Melbourne, VIC 3000
Bookings: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/helios-tickets-772591370587
NSW
ARABIAN KNIGHTS – The Greek & Arabic Party For Gay Wogs
This event is a LGBTQI Party featuring Arabic, Greek, & English Music for Wogs who love Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Music.
Singer DJ Ray Isaac will be providing the music, with all song requests to be sent to info@rayisaac.com
When: Saturday February 3, 2024, 10pm
Where: Ginger’s, 134 Oxford Street #1 Darlinghurst, NSW 2010
Bookings: www.eventbrite.com/e/arabian-knights-the-greek-arabic-oriental-party-for-gay-wogs-tickets
Agapi & Other Kinds of Love
The Ancient Greek types of love are revealed via timeless love stories told in rap and spoken word with live musicians.
Based on Plato’s The Symposium, Agapi & Other Kinds of Love begins with Socrates telling a banquet of friends everything he learned from a mysterious lover named: Diotima.
The gods then take the audience on a journey – collapsing time and space to arrive in modern day Athens, where the two reincarnations of the Ancient lovers fall in love (again) in the midst of a riot.
Told by Luka Lesson, and in equal parts a rap concert, poetic musical & classical history lesson, Agapi & Other Kinds of Love shows the audience how love prevails despite the trials and tribulations of the ages.
Tickets selling fast.
When: February 29 – March 1, 7pm
Where: Lennox Theatre, Corner Church and Market Streets, Parramatta NSW 2150
Bookings: riversideparramatta.com.au/whats-on/agapi-other-kinds-of-love
Anthony Locascio – Pappou (Trial Show)
In his 2024 show, Australia’s king of post-ethnic comedy Anthony Locascio returns with a show with his pappou.
Pappou immigrated to Australia from Greece in the 1950’s, ferried over to become the top goalkeeper in Australian soccer.
This dream ended abruptly when Pappou’s fist had a chance encounter with a referee’s head.
In 2024, his grandson’s dream of being a stand-up comedian hangs in the balance, as he contends with the challenges of a modern man; staying off the vapes, raising kittens, and defeating the corruption of world football from the safety of a podcast microphone.
This show shall determine if Anthony is carrying on Pappou’s legacy by chasing his dream, or if he just should’ve become a doctor like his grandfather always wanted.
When: February 2, 8.30pm-10pm
Where: iD Comedy Club, 383 Bourke St, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010
Bookings: standupsydney.com/event/pappoutrial
SA
Adelaide Fringe
Adelaide Fringe is a world-renowned, annual arts festival that celebrates culture, place and artists from across the globe.
Bringing 6,000+ independent artists far and wide to South Australia, Adelaide Fringe is a destination for culture seekers in search for a hive of activity.
There are several shows from Greeks throughout the festival, including:
Dr Ahmed Gets Hitched- My Big Fat Gay Greek Pakistani Wedding – Fifty Shades of Greek – George Zacharopoulos – Greek In The Sheets – Katrina the Real Wog Wife – Heilos – HOMER’S ODYSSEY – A mini musical by Loucas Loizou – Anthony Locascio – Pappou – Effie in Upyourselfness – OnlyGrans
When: Friday February 16 to Sunday March 17
Where: Various venues across Adelaide
Find a show: adelaidefringe.com.au
NT
Ola Ellinika
By popular demand Ola Ellinika is back on Australia Day Long Weekend at the Reserve Darwin Rooftop Bar featuring DJ Krazy Kon showcasing his 28th Greek Mix album.
Also for the very first time in Darwin joining the line-up will be DJ Dimi Gee
This event will be limited capacity so don’t miss out.
When: Thursday January 25, 9pm
Where: The Reserve, 22 Smith Street Darwin City, NT 0800