VIC
84TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF KALAMATA
The Society of Kalamata ’23 March’ host the commemoration of the 84th Anniversary of the Battle of Kalamata.
This commemoration service is in honour of those who fought and died in the defence of Greece
“Tell them we were here” was the call that went out across Kalamata, as the last embarkation boats rowed away, leaving eight thousand allies, Australians, New Zealanders, British, Indians, Cypriots, Palestinians (Muslims and Jews), Yugoslavs & Greeks, on the beaches of Kalamata to make their own way home.
When: Sunday April 27, 1pm
Where: Australian Hellenic Memorial, Domain Gardens, Corner Birdwood Avenue & Government House Drive, Melbourne 3004
Contact: kalamata23@hotmail.com or 0416 020 865
ESTUDIANTINA OF MELBOURNE WITH SPECIAL GUEST ELSA MOURATIDOU
Estudiantina of Melbourne offer a special guest appearance from visiting singer, Elsa Mouratidou.
Immersed in the music of Greece, especially Smyrneika and Rebetika, the players joining her on stage will be Melbourne’s own Estudiantina of Melbourne with musicians Maria Antaras-Dalamagas on Accordion/Vocals, Vagelis Ginis on Vocals, Camille El Feghali on Qanun, Jenny Dixon on Violin, Alex Petropoulos on Guitar, Paul Karalis on Bouzouki and Con Kalamaras on Bouzouki/Vocals.
The ensemble joined by their special guest, will give a mesmerising fusion that breathes new life into this age-old genre.
When: Sunday April 27, 2pm-4.30pm
Where: Church of All Nations, 180 Palmerston St, Carlton 3053
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1377854
NSW
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS BY NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS
Presented by the Hellenic Art Theatre and the Greek Festival of Sydney, Christopher Columbus by Nikos Kazantzakis brings to life the legendary explorer’s odyssey. Performed in Greek with English surtitles, this production, directed by Stavros Economidis, offers a powerful exploration of ambition, discovery and human resilience.
A theatrical event celebrating one of Kazantzakis’ most compelling works. Tickets $35 ($30 concession).
When: Until May 4
Where: Hellenic Art Theatre, Building 36/142 Addison Rd, Marrickville 2204
Bookings: hellenicarttheatre.com.au Enquires: 0413 989 007
GREEK AUSTRALIAN WRITERS’ FESTIVAL
Presented by the Greek Festival of Sydney and UTS Journalism and Writing.
Two new books will be launched at the festival, there will be contemporary new storytelling, photography books, retellings of Greek Mythology, memoir and psychology. The biggest festival yet with parallel sessions.
Director Dr Helen Vatsikopoulos, Professional Fellow UTS and Deputy director and Hellenic Historical and Cultural Centre archivist, Dr Vassiliki Veros.
When: Sunday April 27, 9am-6pm
Where: Prince Henry Centre, 2 Coast Hospital Rd, Little Bay 2036
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1347314
GIRLS IN CRISIS
Comedy play Girls in Crisis delves into the complexities of female identity, shaped by the roles and relationships that define a woman’s life.
This original production is a bold montage of scenes drawn from iconic theatrical works — from ancient Greek comedy and the theatre of the absurd to contemporary Greek playwriting.
Girls in Crisis. Women who judge — and are judged — constantly, and for everything. They flirt with madness, chase happiness, rebel and dream, fall in love, conspire, get anxious, and become resilient. They are both victims and perpetrators in a society in turmoil. A crisis of existence, of relationships, roles, power — a crisis of values and ideas.
Cast: Ioanna Gagani, Athina Giannou, Efrosyni Theodosiou, Syrmo Kapoutsi ,Stella Katsarou, Eleni Baveli, Maria Bakalidou, Pam Pollali, Niki Skouri & Kostas Stefanidis
When: Sat May 10 7pm, Sun May 11 5pm, Sat May 17 7pm, Sun May 18 5pm
Where: Doncaster Playhouse, 679 Doncaster Road, Doncaster, VIC 3108
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1388010
NSW
FROM ANCIENT TO MODERN WINES
Wine, window into a man” (Alcaeus of Mytilene, c. 625/620 – c. 580 BC)
From Homer to today, wine has been an integral part of Greek culture.
In this evening of celebrating Greek wines you will hear short talks from archaeologists and historians about the role of wine in the ancient Greek world and how this manifested itself in the way Greeks engaged with the gift of Dionysos.
Then, by courtesy of the Greek Trade Commission, you can sample wines from vineyards across Greece and to celebrate the legacy of Hellenic wine from ancient to modern.
When: Thursday May 1, 6pm-7.30pm
Where: Chau Chak Wing Museum, University Place Camperdown, NSW 2006
GREECE AND INDIA DIALOGUE
This book launch for artbook Tuning the Finite to Infinity presents a panel discussion and Q+A featuring Dr Vassilis Adrahtas and Dr Alfred Vincent as they discuss the correspondence of thought between Greek and Indian thinkers Nikos Kazantzakis and Sri Aurobindo.
It will also feature a video by the Art of Life Collective, six Greek artists who have drawn artistic inspiration from both thinkers. Free event.
When: Wednesday May 7, 6.30pm-7.30pm
Where: Marrickville Library and Pavilion, 313 Marrickville Road Marrickville 2204
SA
FESTIVAL HELLENIKA
Adelaide’s annual multi-disciplinary arts festival dedicated to the maintenance, development, promotion and celebration of Hellenic links in the Arts, and their rich and diverse Australian manifestations. From March to May.
The events in the next two weeks include:
Meraki Music Workshops: Try some singing. Learn to sing and play beautiful Greek songs. Bring an instrument to jam. Dance to the rhythms.
Greeks of Tashkent: Rare photos from the archive of the Greek Cultural Centre in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. At the end of the Greek Civil War, 12,000 combatants from the Greek Communist Army were smuggled from Albania to the USSR and settled in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Dr Helen Vatsikopoulos (academic, journalist and co-curator of the exhibition) and Mark Corcoran went to Tashkent in search of information about her aunt who was one of the exiled Greeks in Tashkent.
Anzac The Greek Chapter: Screening of documentary telling the story of the Allies aiding Greece’s defence from the Nazi’s in WWII through the eyes and words of Anzac veterans themselves.
Greece thru’ Pictures and Tall Tales: A live photographic talk with digital images and old-fashioned slides (transparencies) as seen through the eyes of a former travel author and photographer. Showcasing images and memories from Greece, Paul and Stella tell stories and tales from behind the scenes as he sought to collect invaluable traveller information and ideas during their many research trips to those countries.
Full program: festivalhellenika.org.au
AUS WIDE
SARBEL LIVE
The global superstar is BACK with his smash hit “Se Pira Sovara (Sidi Mansour)”! Known for his fusion of Greek and Arabic sounds and his legendary Eurovision performance, Sarbel has performed on the biggest stages worldwide—now it’s Australia’s turn to experience his magic.
Also performing is Andreas Habibi and Alexandra Preher.
Adelaide, May 2: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/sarbel-live-in-australia-adelaide-18-tickets-1296570520329
Melbourne, May 3: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/sarbel-live-in-australia-melbourne-ages-16-tickets-1296471423929
Sydney, May 10: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/sarbel-live-in-australia-sydney-16-event-tickets-1297639277009
