VIC
Halloumi Festival
The Cyprus Community of Melbourne & Victoria (CCMV) is again holding its fourth annual Halloumi Festival
Brunswick will home to the festival, which has quickly become a highlight in the Melbourne calendar of events.
The festival celebrates arguably Cyprus’ most famous food product, halloumi, which has now become a staple in cuisines around the world. In Australia most cafés or venues offer the cheese on its menu in some capacity.
More than just about cheese though, the festival is a celebration of Cypriot culture, with dance, music and a narrative on the history of Cypriots in Australia.
Other inclusions at this year’s Halloumi Festival will include cooking demonstrations and traditional cheese making, children’s activities and haloumi-based products for tasting and purchase.
When: Saturday March 2 & Sunday March 3
Where: 495-511 Lygon Street East Brunswick, 3057
Info: www.facebook.com/HalloumiMelbourne
Kaleidoscope 2024: Greek Family Fun Day
The Point Cook Pop Up Park Kaleidoscope is a 10-week series of events celebrating the cultural diversity of the local area.
This Sunday the park will come alive with all things Greek – music, kids’ activities, sport events and sweet treats.
There will be an Open event with National Anthems and throughout the day, market stalls, food trucks, kids’ activities and DJ.
Photo booth with traditional Greek costumes between 12pm and 4pm and Mini Olympic games at 1pm-3pm, a dance performance by Afrodite from Dance Fit and a dance lesson with the crowd from 1.30pm to 2pm, Zorba lesson with Manassis Dance Group at 2pm – 4pm and Agape music between 4pm and 5pm.
When: Sunday March 3, 12pm-5pm
Where: Point Cook Pop Up Park in Stockland, Murnong St, Point Cook VIC 3030
Info: www.facebook.com/events/922423605914147
Tsiftes Band @ Oakleigh Music Hall
Rebetiko comes to Oakleigh next Friday. Known as the Greek blues, Rebetiko emerged in Greece in the 1920s as the music of the poor and the outlawed. Early songs were written in prisons where inmates crouched in circles, singing and playing their shonkily made baglamas. Central to Rebetiko are the subjects of pain, heartbreak and comradery, themes relevant to the subculture of the time.
Eager to preserve this small piece of cultural history, the members of Tsiftes are known for their authentic renditions and vocal harmonies. Plate smashing is allowed only in a strictly metaphorical manner.
Line up: Con Kalamaras – Bouzouki/Vocals, Nikos Kapralos – Bouzouki, Stav Thomopoulos – Vocals, Alex Petropoulos – Guitar/Vocals, and Jenny Dixon – Violin.
When: Friday March 8, 8.30pm – 11.30pm
Where: Oakleigh Music Hall, 95 – 97 Drummond Street, Oakleigh Victoria 3166
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1171865
Frenzee
Greek rock band from Crete, made up of Melbourne born siblings – Apollonia, Adonis and Nick, Frenzee will be performing across Melbourne at several venues.
They play with a kinetic and relentless energy that nods to the intensity of those Cretan traditions but is built from the AC/DC, Bikini Kill, Motorhead, Hole, Jon Spencer, The Prodigy and Annihilation Time records of their childhood.
The firing collective synapses bonded by blood and hours repetition show here.
Frenzee are hair trigger tight, pulverizingly mean and lean. Starting through the pandemic, Frenzee have erupted out of Greece and toured all over Europe in the past 18 months, releasing a debut EP and recording it’s follow up full length LP due out in mid-2024.
When & Where:
Saturday, March 2, 8pm, The Old Bar, 74-76 Johnston Street, Fitzroy, VIC 3065 – Frenzee supporting MOD CON alongside Serpette.
Sunday March 3, Sydney Rd Street Party – Brunswick Ballroom stage, 314 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056 (free entry). Doors open 1pm, Frenzee play at 6.30pm
Friday March 8, 9.30pm, The Beast, 80 Lygon St, Brunswick East VIC 3057 (free event). Frenzee play at 11pm
Saturday March 9, 6pm-midnight, Estonian House, 43 Melville Rd, Brunswick West VIC 3055. Frenzee supporting Highly Contagious alongside Gut Health, Sneaks and Vanessa Worm.
Opou Gis & Patris
This theatrical production is coming direct from Greece to Melbourne next 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 8, 7pm, Saturday March 9, 7pm & Sunday March 10, 5pm
Where: Clayton Community Centre, 9/15 Cooke St, Clayton VIC 3168
Bookings: www.greekcommunity.com.au/events/opou-gis-patris
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
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: Saturday March 15 to Sunday March 16, 7.30pm
Where: Anita’s Theatre Thirroul, 264-270 Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Thirroul NSW
Bookings: www.anitastheatre.com.au/all-events/nick-giannopoulos-tickets-ae1441543
The Cutting of The Vasilopita
The Mytilenian Brotherhood of Sydney & NSW will be holding a cutting of the vasilopita event this Sunday.
A BBQ lunch will be held with live music led with Stratos Kelligiannis on vocals, Stephan Katselas on keyboard and Giannis Zymaras Bouzouki.
Tickets are $20, drinks not included.
When: Sunday March 3, 1pm
Where: Mytilenian House, 225 Canterbury Road, Canterbury NSW
Bookings: 0402207546, 0435604433, 0412465652, 0401268888
TAS
Estia Greek Festival 2024
The word Estia (Ἑστία) means “home” in Greek.
Estia was founded in 1994 with the main objectives to present the Greek-Australian culture, heritage and tradition to the broader Australian community.
The first Estia was themed “two-cultures” which celebrated and demonstrated the integration of Greek and Australian cultures generally and within the Tasmanian context.
Since inception, Estia has become a vibrant showcase of our rich culture and heritage.
Enjoy the festivities with everything from souvlakis to loukoumades, colourful national costumes to the Zorba and the sweet sound of the bouzouki.
When: Sunday March 3, 9am-4pm
Where: 65-67 Federal St, North Hobart
Info: www.greekcommunitytas.com.au/estia
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
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
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: Open 10am-5pm until March 10
Where: 47 Leslie Street, Dudley Park (Mandurah), WA, 6210
More Info: leonholmes.au/postcards-from-greece
Time Travellers: Greek Mythology
For children 8 to 13 years, go back in time and explore history in these fun hands on workshops.
This program will be held in the Innovation Lab, Ruth Faulkner Library
Are you curious who the Ancient Greeks were, ever wondered who are Zeus and Hercules? In this workshop we will be exploring Ancient Greek mythology and recreating the famous tale of Icarus and Daedalus on terracotta pots.
When: Wednesday March 6, 4pm
Where: Innovation Lab, Ruth Faulkner Library, 213 Wright Street Cloverdale, WA 6105
Bookings: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/time-travellers-greek-mythology-tickets-792355234837
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