VIC
The Return of Dionysius
Experience the electrifying return of Dionysus at Bar Oussou.
Indulge in delicious eats as the kitchen opens at 5pm, then immerse yourself in the intoxicating sounds of The haBiBis and Tria.
Don’t miss this unforgettable night of music and merriment.
Traditional Greek meets Psychedelic Dance and Balkan Beats from Tria, with the talents of Byron Triandafyllidis on Strings Vocal & Nikos Kapralos on Strings Vocal.
ARIA Award winners for Best World Music Album, The haBiBis perform exquisite music with timeless vocals from the Hellenic universe, (spanning Anatolia, the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean as well as contemporary ballads and songs).
The haBiBis are: Achilles Yiangoulli, Vocals Bouzouki Percussion) Irine Vela (laouto,, bouzouki, and Mulaim Vela (Guitar)
Joining them will be clarinettist George Athanasakos – from the new generation of talented Greek Australian musicians.
When: Sunday April 14, 6pm
Where: Bar Oussou, 653 Sydney Road Victoria, VIC 3056
Free bookings: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-return-of-dionysus-bar-oussou-tickets-877139506877
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is one of the three largest comedy festivals in the world.
An annual event, the festival literally takes over Australia’s comedy capital, Melbourne, each autumn with an enormous program of stand-up, cabaret, theatre, street performance and more. Meanwhile, Australia’s largest arts festival is once again pitching its tent at the Greek Centre from 28 March to 21 April as the Melbourne International Comedy Festival hits town. The Greek Centre will be transformed into comedy central creating a venue that features six rooms and boasts an international line-up of artists such as Danny Bhoy (Sco), Jason Leung (Mys), Helen Bauer (UK), Elf Lyons (UK) and more.
As always, there will be plenty of Greek shows to enjoy. Anthony Locascio “Pappou”, Effie “UpYourselfness”, Chris Demos “Legs in the Pool”, George Zacharopoulos – 2024 Greek Comedian of the Year “Greek in the Sheets”, Elouise Eftos “Australia’s First Attractive Comedian” and Charisa Bossinakis “Thank You for Your Time” to name a few.
When: Until April 21
Where: Various Venues
Bookings: www.comedyfestival.com.au/2024
Psarokokalo – Athens short film festival
A selection of Greek and Cypriot short films from the Athens Short Film Festival
Look At The Stars sci-fi | Dir. Aris Kouvaras
In the twilight of his life, an elderly man revisits a bittersweet memory and reshapes it in the way he would have liked to have lived it.
Short Draft comedy | Dir. Spyridon Papaspyrou
A man hijacks a taxi when the taxi driver refuses to take him where he wants. Two men will share a ride where everything will go wrong and a girl will change their way, where the end will be a mystery even for the heroes of Short Draft
Until You See Me comedy | Dir. Eleanna Santorinaiou
Petros takes an emotional journey whilst he walks through the corridors of a cemetery, holding an old Hi8 camera and burying a beloved person.
The Armchair on the Pavement drama | Dir. Mary Kolonia
An old song from the radio suddenly triggers memories of youth in an elderly ex-army General suffering from dementia, making him momentarily recall the evening of his engagement to his wife.
Dustlight drama | Dir. Chryssanthi Kouri
While facing pivotal life changes Matina arrives at the family summer house to clear out her late mother’s things. There she begins to unravel, as past and present collide until she reaches a personal epiphany.
Buffer Zone drama | Dir. Savvas Stavrou
Two young soldiers across enemy lines fall in love and find an escape from their oppressive environments through music.
When: Sunday May 19, 5pm-7pm
Where: Greek Centre, Mezzanine 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1206506
NSW
Muse
An exhibition that transcends time, celebrating the enduring influence of Greek heritage on our contemporary landscape.
The artwork of Herk Alexander invites us on a profound journey into the realm of classical aesthetics, celebrating the idealised human form through evocative narratives in Greek mythology. A
Alexander masterfully illuminates the timeless essence of classical antiquity with contemporary relevance. His drawings radiate the visual splendour of Greek ideals, infused with extraordinary detail and vitality through his distinctive style.
“Muse” provides a remarkable experience through the transformative influence of art, continuing to captivate the human imagination while celebrating the ongoing relevance and profound influence of Greek heritage in today’s world.
No bookings required besides Monday.
When: Friday April 19, 7pm. April 20-27, 11am-4pm
Where: Gallery Herk Alexander, 206 Parramatta Road Stanmore NSW
Info: greekfestivalofsydney.com.au/event/muse
Cats and the Canary
Greek swing band Cats and the Canary will be performing a one-night-only show in Sydney later this month.
The Melbourne based band bring a uniqueness to Australia’s music scene, standing out as the first and only band to introduce Greek Swing.
They perform as a tribute to Greece’s most prolific composers, where melodies of the past are transformed for today.
With a blend of Tsitsanis, Chiotis, Hadjidakis and the occasional tsifteteli or traditional smyrneika, the band fuses these with swing, jazz and even Latin rhythms.
Cats and the Canary’s music excites and entertains its audience wherever they play, from Greek bars to the pubs of Fitzroy in Melbourne where the group originates from.
The band has risen to widespread acclaim from both audiences and local media, having performed at a number of festivals such as Brunswick Music Festival and Antipodes Festival, as well as sold-out shows in Melbourne and Sydney.
Their name also emphasises their diversity, with cats representing the stray and cunning nature of the band, while the canary represents the delicate and settled style of their music.
When: Sunday April 21, doors open 6.15pm, show starts 7pm
Where: The Factory Theatre, 105 Victoria Road, Marrickville, NSW 2204
Info/Bookings: aucentury.sales.ticketsearch.com
Autumn School Holiday Program: Ancient Greek Myths
The Chau Chak Wing Museum is set to showcase a workshop on Ancient Greek as part of their range of activities mythology organised for this coming holiday break.
They have arranged for a set of programs aimed at children aged 6-12 this Autumn break, including a workshop centred on Ancient Greek myths.
The activity will see participants explore Greek mythology with archaeologists and ancient historians, during which they will get to handle ancient Greek artefacts, listen to ancient mythological stories and also help decorate an ancient Greek vase.
All 10am sessions SOLD OUT, 1pm still available.
When: Monday to Friday April 15-19, 10am and 1pm
Where: Chau Chak Wing Museum, University Pl, Camperdown NSW 2050
Info: www.eventbrite.com.au
Karagiozis Live
Theatrical Comedy, directed by Stavros Economidis
Musical Director: Dimitris Fotiadis| Production Manager: Evelyn Tsavalas
The Folkloric Greek Shadow puppet Karagiozis and his troop break break through the shadow barrier and come to life.
When: Friday to Sunday April 12-14, 19-21, 26-28, 7.30pm, 5pm Sunday’s
Where: Addison Road Community Centre, 142 Addison Road, Marrickville
Bookings: 0413989007 or greekfestivalofsydney.com.au/event/wisdom-and-the-rise-of-intelligent-machines
QLD
The Girl From Greece – Saloni Sessions
Join Mel & Kat and the Girl from Greece band for the third Saloni Session at South Brisbane’s real-life musical Saloni ‘It’s Still A Secret’.
Featuring soul jazz band, singers Mel Lathouras and Katerini Manolatos will be presenting their eclectic mix of Greco Retro Jazz, soul and funk with a nod to ’60s camp and guru Nana Mouskouri – with new repertoire.
The Band: Paula Girvan – Piano, Nick Paras – Bouzouki, Eddie Gazani – Guitar, Casey Glennen – Double Bass and Miguel Mendoza – Drums.
$25 online or $30 at the door.
When: Sunday April 21, 2pm-4pm
Where: It’s Still A Secret, 48 Montague Rd, South Brisbane QLD 4101
Bookings: events.humanitix.com/the-girl-from-greece-saloni-sessions/tickets
WA
Illyria “Sirens” Single Launch
After success with their 2023 single Pragma, Illyria are back to celebrate the release of their latest single “Sirens”, A self-proclaimed “modern take on the ancient Greek tale”.
Expect an unforgettable night with support from the heavy hitters in Woewarden, Allocer and Aeons.
When: Friday April 26, door opens 7.30pm
Where: Amplifier, 393 Murray Street, Perth
Bookings: tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/ae2662ed-327e-4fc6-a8ec-67b826796924
