The countdown is on for the Oakleigh Greek Glendi, set to take place next weekend.

But aside from celebrating Greek culture, the two-day event is being looked upon as an opportunity to embrace the area’s multiculturalism.

“Our underlying theme is ‘unity through diversity’, so we’re incorporating the rich Hellenic culture of Oakleigh with those other cultures that also make up the city of Monash,” event organiser Tammi Crupi told Neos Kosmos.

On the Saturday there will be a number of different multicultural groups taking centre stage, including the Indonesian Club of Melbourne and the Kingston Chinese Senior Citizens Club.

The second day of the festival will see a greater emphasis on Greek culture, with a parade from Eaton Mall to start the day’s festivities and live Greek performances throughout the day.

With the glendi now in its third year, while there will be an array of tasty food choices, along with music and dance performances, Ms Crupi says organisers are going all out with this year’s program.

“This year we have the inclusion of cooking demonstrations with some high profile chefs; we’ve got Philip Vakos from MasterChef, and Bahari The Hellenic Palate, and Vasili from Vasili’s Garden,” Ms Crupi said, giving festivalgoers a chance to pick up a tip or two.

To ensure there’s something for all tastes, there will also be artisan market stalls to peruse, along with a kids stage with karaoke and free rides to keep the young ones entertained.

Co-managed and presented by the Greek Orthodox Community of Oakleigh and District, and Oakleigh Grammar, organisers are expecting to attract over 30,000 people throughout the weekend.

Attending this year’s glendi will be opposition leader Bill Shorten, Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews, Consul General of Greece Christina Simantirakis, along with Helen Kapalos, chairperson for Victorian Multicultural Commission, and state member for Oakleigh Steven Dimopoulos, amongst various others.

The Oakleigh Greek Glendi will be held on Saturday 31 November from noon to 10.00 pm and Sunday 1 November from noon to 8.00 pm at Warrawee Park, Oakleigh, Victoria. Entry is free of charge. For more information, visit www.oakleighgreekglendi.com.au/

Oakleigh Greek Glendi stage program

WORKSHOPS:
Saturday 31 October
12.30 pm Heavy in the Movement break-dancing
1.00 pm Simda: School of Indian Music and Dance
3.30 pm Nuholani Entertainment
4.00 pm Sankat Mochan Samiti Group
4.30 pm Kingston Chinese Senior Citizens Club Inc.

MAIN STAGE:
Saturday 31st October

12.10 pm Cyprus Community of Melbourne and Victoria
12.30 pm Indonesian Club of Melbourne
12.55 pm La Voce Della Luna
1.50 pm Glendi Band
3.25 pm Akrites Tou Pontou
3.55 pm Kingston Chinese Senior Citizens Club Inc.
4.20 pm Byzantine Male Choir
4.40 pm Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne
5.05 pm Roberto De Sanctis
5.45 pm Sarayi Dance School
6.10 pm Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne
6.35 pm Australian Zhong Hua Qun Yi Lion Dance Association
7.00 pm Ignite Bollywood
7.30 pm Acequia
8.15 pm Unique Celebrations
Sunday 1st November
11.30 am Parade from Eaton Mall
11.45 am Welcoming speeches and blessing
12.15 pm Oakleigh Grammar
12.40 pm Oakleigh Grammar
12.55 pm Opa – School of Hellenic Dance
1.20 pm Strofes Live Band
2.15 pm Pontiaki Estia
2.35 pm Hellenic Cultural Association of Melbourne
‘O Periklis’ Inc.
3.00 pm Glendi Band
4.10 pm SBS Live Broadcast
5.15 pm POLYXENI
6.15 pm Unique Celebrations
7.10 pm Anagennisi

OAKLEIGH CENTRAL
COOKING STAGE:
Saturday 31st October

1.00 pm My Green Garden
2.00 pm My Greek Kitchen
3.00 pm Thermomix Demonstration
4.00 pm Emelia Jackson – MasterChef 2014 contestant
5.30 pm Vasili’s Garden
Sunday 1st November
1.00 pm Sweet Pea Cuisine
3.00 pm Sweet Greek Stall
4.00 pm Philip Vakos – Bahari
5.00 pm My Greek Kitchen

KIDS STAGE:
Saturday 31st October

1.00 pm Karaoke For Kids
1.50 pm Lexi School of Modern Greek
2.10 pm Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne
2.30 pm Nuholani Entertainment
3.05 pm Sputnik Connect Russian Dance
3.20 pm Karaoke For Kids
4.10 pm Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne
4.40 pm Simda: School of Indian Music & Dance
5.10 pm Sankat Mochan Samiti Group
Sunday 1st November
1.00 pm Karaoke For Kids
1.50 pm Sts Anargiri Greek Language Centre
2.10 pm Oakleigh Grammar
2.25 pm Opa – School of Hellenic Dance
2.45 pm Kids Karaoke
3.35 pm Pontiaki Estia
4.00 pm Pancretan Association of Melbourne