The Rembetiko Story – presented by Manasis School of Greek Dance and Culture – will be revived at the Oakleigh Music Festival for a one-off performance.
The school director Dimosthenis Manasis, told Neos Kosmos he “was overwhelmed by the success of the first presentation of The Rembetiko Story under the auspice of Oakleigh Grammar.
“What was great to see was the amount of young Greeks who were studying VCE, and took a keen interest in the topic so they could present the history of rembetiko music for their oral examination,” Manasis says.
The Rembetiko Story was first established when the students of the school took a keen interest in not only the intricate melodies and rhythms of rembetika, but the historical and political events surrounding that era. The school got together to devise a way to tell its story.
In the performance, an 11 piece band will present the music of Greek urban blues in the live cabaret style bouzoukia. Alongside a cast of actors, dancers and musicians, the concert will present close to 30 songs from bilingual Greek / Turkish melodies, to the famous Zembekiko Tis Evdokias, some of which were written and played throughout the darkest days of Greece’s history.
When asked the secret to the shows success, Manasis was quick to point out two things.
“The phenomenal talent of our 11 piece band, our actors and the entire cast and crew,” he says with certainty, “secondly, the astounding amount of plain and simple hard, honest, and genuine work that goes into all of our productions. Upon writing the entire show, I deliberately set very, very high standards for the entire cast and crew – including myself – to work towards.”
Outlining the origins, definition, identity, themes and connotations, historical background, musical styles, the three periods of rembetika – including the famed “Golden Era”, famous musicians and singers, substance abuse, the onset of censorship, the demise, influences and further development into laika style music and its revival, The Rembetiko Story covers everything.
Manasis says it’s an absolute “privilege” to bring the show back a second time round after the overwhelming success of the first one, that had to turn away 400 people two weeks before the event and says this event promises to be a sell-out again.
“I would like to thank all the performers and their families for their participation, patience and understanding with all the pressure and stress involved with presenting these works, and of course, the people – Greek and non-Greeks alike – who all support not only this show, but all events and performances we stage throughout the year.
“It really is a great feeling to be a part of a community like ours, and its an honour to have the responsibility and to have trust and respect of our followers to appropriately present and represent the Greek culture, be it a small snapshot of our history- in its darkest days.”
The Rembetiko Story – a journey through the birth, development and glory of Greek urban blues music is on at the Oakleigh Mechanics Hall, 142 – 144 Drummond Street, Oakleigh on Friday 9 March. Tickets are $10.00, for ticket and event information visit manasisdance.com.au.
