VIC
2024 Antipodes Festival
This weekend Lonsdale Street will come alive with the annual celebration of all things Greek.
There will be the buzz of 90 pop-up stalls, a tantalising array of Greek food vendors, pulse-pounding competitions, fun rides, and three stages featuring over 700 performers.
Returning to Melbourne to perform the songs we know and love, Melina Aslanidou will take the stage at Antipodes alongside some of the Greek Community’s talented local musicians.
From the vibrant beats of traditional dances to the pulsating rhythms of contemporary music, the Antipodes Festival promises to be a sensory extravaganza that has entrenched itself as a beloved cornerstone of Melbourne’s cultural landscape.
When: Saturday February 24, 10am-11pm & Sunday Feb 25, 10am-10pm
Where: Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
More info: www.antipodesfestival.com.au
SPASTA Compilation Launch
SPASTA, run by Greek Australian DJ Adriana, is back for its first event of the year, with a compilation celebrating the release of a much-anticipated record.
They will be welcoming London based selector, Donna Leake and one Naarm’s (Melbourne) most revered DJs and promoters, Zjoso.
Returning to Australia for the first time in six years, Donna has a knack for weaving forgotten gems with memorable masterpieces. Her wide-spanning palette is far beyond her years and is expected to take you on a trippy, awe-inspiring four plus hour journey.
To close its biggest party yet, joining will be DJ Zjoso.
Join and celebrate the compilation, which features some of the world’s finest producers including Esa’s Afro – Synth Band, Moving Still, Running Hot, Barbara Boeing and Phil Mil, Vuta and our beloved Amin Payne and Julian Steel.
When: Saturday March 2, 2pm
Where: Fairfield Amphitheatre, Fairfield Park Drive Fairfield, VIC 3078
Bookings: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/spasta-compilation-launch
Europa! Europa Film Festival
Europa! Europa is back for 2024 with a handpicked selection of entertaining, heartfelt, and thought-provoking films from compelling storytellers and new cinematic voices.
For the third time, the world’s best new European films come to cinemas across Sydney and Melbourne for three weeks of inspiring and entertaining Australian premiere screenings and special events.
Greek film enthusiasts will be treated to six Greek-language films, plus a retrospective of the recent Golden Globe winning Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos’ work.
Featuring 47 celebrated films from 28 countries, including Cyprus and Greece, screening in Melbourne and Sydney.
The festival’s Greek-language films from various artists are: The Volunteer (2022), Embryo Larva Butterfly (2023) and The Summer with Carmen (2023).
The other three Greek-language films form part of the Lanthimos retrospective and include the black comedy, Dogtooth (2009), Kinetta (1995) and Alps (2011).
While the English-language films of Lanthimos that will be screened are: The Lobster (2015), The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) and The Favourite (2018).
When: Until Monday March 11
Where: Melbourne, Classic Cinemas Elsternwick and Lido Cinemas Hawthorn — Sydney, Ritz Cinemas Randwick
Info/Bookings: www.europafilmfestival.com.au
NSW
Greek Fest @ Darling Harbour
The Greek Festival of Sydney, one of Australia’s significant cultural events over the past 42 year, is back this weekend.
It promises a weekend filled with music, dance, culinary delights, and a vibrant celebration of Greek heritage, with traditional and modern Greek and Cypriot dance performances, enchanting magic shows, Greek cuisine galore, face-painting sessions, and the debut of the first rap competition in Greek.
Headlining the musical program are the Greek-Australian band IHO NYX, who will grace the stage on Saturday followed by international Greek vocalist Melina Aslanidou, captivating audiences on Sunday.
When: Saturday February 24 & Sunday Feb 25, 10 am-10 pm
Where: Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour, Sydney
More info: greekfestivalofsydney.com.au
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’ Haralambou, 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
Wog Life
Nick Giannopoulos the creator and star of some of Australia’s most successful Stage shows, TV series & Films (‘Wogs Out Of Work’, ‘Acropolis Now’ & ‘The Wog Boy’) will be appearing live on stage in his brand new one man comedy show Wog Life.
The show, which Nick says will be the last chance to see him live on stage, will feature his hilarious stand up plus two of his most popular stage characters – The Cleaning Lady & The Taxi Driver.
Loyal wogboy fans can expect a proper farewell show true to the style of comedy Giannopoulos is known for.
Wog Life heads to NSW in March. The show’s tour includes stops in Brisbane and Perth, having already toured other parts of Australia.
When: Friday March 1 – Sunday March 3 (Sydney) & Saturday March 15 to Sunday March 16 (Wollongong)
Where: Enmore Theatre, 118-132 Enmore Rd, Newtown NSW 2042
Anita’s Theatre Thirroul, 264-270 Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Thirroul NSW
Bookings: via ticketek and via www.anitastheatre.com.au/all-events/nick-giannopoulos
Opou Gis & Patris
This theatrical production is coming direct from Greece to Sydney next week and Melbourne the following week.
Written by Konstantinos Kalymniou, the scenario is expertly brought to life by the talented duo of Eleni Tsefalas and Stamatis Tzelepis, highlighting the resilience of Greek immigrants and their ability to adapt, endure, and thrive wherever they may find themselves.
It delves into the complex relationship between Greek immigrants and their homeland, as well as their profound yearning to establish roots in their new surroundings, resonating with audiences through a blend of humour and heartfelt emotion.
The production aims to illuminate the lives of uprooted Greeks worldwide, addressing the pain of separation, the challenges faced, and the moments of happiness.
When: Friday March 1 and Saturday March 2, 7.30pm and Sunday March 3, 4.30pm & 7pm
Where: The Greek Theatre at Addison Road Community Centre, Building 36/142 Addison Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1168599
SA
Goodbye, Lindita
Turning theatre into visual meditation, Goodbye, Lindita is a wordless work from Athens-based Albanian theatre-maker Mario Banushi that comes to Adelaide after a critically acclaimed debut in the National Theatre of Greece Showcase.
This visually striking play tracks the life of a family through death and new birth, with domestic chores tangled up with poetic images and rituals from Balkan traditions. A series of strange events brings to the surface a hidden world of dreams and nightmares, an upside-down reality with its own rules.
At just 24 years old Banushi has been hailed as a rising star of Greek theatre. In Goodbye, Lindita, he works with lighting designer Tasos Paleoroutas and set designer Sotiris Melanos to create an intimate space, bringing together uncanny and everyday elements.
Beautiful and moving, Goodbye, Lindita is a chance to witness a fresh new voice in theatre.
When: Thu Feb 29, 8.30pm, Fri Mar 1, 8.30pm, Sat Mar 2, 5.00pm, Sun Mar 3, 4.00pm
Where: Dunstan Playhouse Adelaide Festival Centre, Festival Dr, Adelaide SA 5000
Bookings: premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=LINDITA24
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
Note some are starting to sell out, so book now.
When: Until Sunday March 17
Where: Various venues across Adelaide
Find a show: adelaidefringe.com.au
Norwood Greek Festival
A free family event, catering for all ages, with a taste of all things Greek.
Live local Greek band Kosmos accompanied by clarinet player Michael Papacharalambous and performances by the Prophet Elias Dance Group, the Cretan Dance Group, the Ukrainian Dance group and the Messinian Dance Group.
Lots of Greek dancing to dance the night away.
Free face painting and balloons for the children from 6pm to 8pm.
For those wanting to enjoy some Greek cuisine, there will be the usual lot, gyros and more.
For sweet tooths, Loukoumades, Revani, Baklava and Kataifi. Plenty of drinks and other deserts.
When: Saturday February 24, 5pm to midnight.
Where: 87 Belulah Road, Norwood
Info: www.npsp.sa.gov.au/events/2543_2024_norwood_greek_festival
WA
Postcards from Greece
An invitation to journey Greece through the eyes of professional, internationally acclaimed Perth artist Leon Holmes.
This exhibition celebrates Leon’s recent travels through Greece and showases a selection of the best impressions he painted during his travels as well as a number of inspired memories recaptured in the studio.
Greek friend and fellow artist Dimitris Voyiazoglou guided Leon not only to tourist hot spots but also remote locations oozing with true culture and everyday life.
When: General public opening, Sunday February 25, 2-5pm. Open 10am-5pm until March 10
Where: 47 Leslie Street, Dudley Park (Mandurah), WA, 6210
More Info: leonholmes.au/postcards-from-greece
AUS WIDE
NikoTeini
Greek urban, folk and Anatolian melodies inspired by the traditional, classical and folk modal music of Greece and Turkey.
NikoTeini consists of Lavta (Istanbul lute/politiko laouto) and Kanun (zither/kanonaki) virtuosos Nikos Papageorgiou and Asineth Fotini Kokkala. They are world-class Greek musicians living in Istanbul. They are inspired by the traditional, classical and folk modal music of Greece and Turkey as well as contemporary compositions written especially for them.
Their story started when they began studying music together in 2019. During COVID lockdowns they decided to share their music every Monday on their YouTube channel maintaining contact with their audience. These videos, made with simple technical means as a mobile phone, are essentially a representation of the simplicity and immediacy that represents them.
1 MARCH | FESTIVAL HELLENIKA [ADL]
3 MARCH | TOM MANN THEATRE [NSW]
5 MARCH | SMITH’S ALTERNATIVE [ACT]
7 MARCH | OPEN STUDIO [VIC]
8 MARCH | SWANSEA [TAS]
9 MARCH | HAWLEY HOUSE [TAS]
10 MARCH | EVANDALE [TAS]
11 MARCH | MONA [TAS]
12 MARCH | HOBART TOWNHALL [TAS]
Bookings: www.greekfringe.com