Since opening its doors on Lonsdale Street, the Greek Centre has become a central meeting place with a host of cultural events taking place almost every night of the week.
Adding to the already jam-packed calendar is the return of Live at the Greek. The fortnightly music program held on Friday nights, is a chance to showcase some of Melbourne’s best Greek musicians ranging from traditional to contemporary sounds.
Next in line on Friday 30 June, is the return of the Epirotiko Ensemble. The group consists of members Arthur Kostarakis on clarinet, Tony Iliou on laouto, Nikos Kapralos on guitar, and John Kostarakis on percussion accompanying Polyxeni Theologidis on vocals. Together they are known to take listeners on a taxidi (journey) through the region of Epirus with their rendition of traditional songs about history, love and hardship, along with classic dance pieces.
To follow, on Friday 14 July, Rebetika Revealed will celebrate the Greek urban blues.
The genre which is a fusion of rebetika, smyrneika and laika has seen a resurgence of late, and will see a number of guest musicians taking part. Performing on the night will be Achilles Yiangoulli (vocals, bouzouki, tzoura, bagalma, dubeleki), Jacob Papadopoulos (bouzouki, tzoura), Nikos Koutsaliotis (vocals, bouzouki), Nicholas Baltas (guitar), Agapi Gioftsidis (vocals), and Theano Milides (violin).
Hosted by Anthea Sidiropoulos, the event will be made particularly special with the presence of ethno-musicologist Demeter Tsounis from Adelaide. The event coincides with her free lecture on ‘Rebetika and their Asia Minor Roots’, to be presented at The Greek Centre on Thursday 13 July.
Live at the Greek takes place at The Greek Centre (168 Lonsdale St, Melbourne, VIC). Bar opens at 7.30 pm for an 8.30 pm start. Tickets $20 full, $18 Greek Community premium members. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit greekcentre.com.au, email tickets@greekcentre.com.au or call (03) 9662 2722