VIC

‘THALASSA’ ART EXHIBITION

Stella Zicopoulos-Greig’s latest solo exhibition of oil paintings ‘Thalassa’ explores the artist’s cultural identity and lifelong relationship with the sea. As a child of Greek migrants, her own memories of the sea and the long voyage from Greece to Australia had a profound influence on her artistic practice, further reinforced by her family’s annual summer holidays spent at the beach. These personal and symbolic memories continue to inform the narratives and technical compositions of Stella’s highly abstracted and gestural oil paintings. More recently, she has been exploring the compositional motif of ‘two-thirds of sky’ within the surface of her paintings, presenting the horizon line as a force which connects, disrupts, and creates discord within the picture plane. See her work first-hand. ‘Thalassa’ is on show now until 10 August at G3 Artspace (64 Parkers Rd, Parkdale). Catch Stella giving a talk at the exhibition space on Saturday 20 July at 2.00 pm. Free admission.

OUR PONTIAN KITCHEN
After last year’s huge success and increased demand, the Panagia Soumela Pontian Association of Whittlesea Youth Committee is presenting their 2nd Annual Our Pontian Kitchen. Taking place this Saturday 13 July at 18 Spring St, Thomastown at 7.00 pm, guests will be transported back in time with a night full of traditional Pontian food, live music, and performances by the Panagia Soumela dance groups. Pay at event.

CULINARY WALKING TOUR
Join Mary (Mary’s Kitchen) and Kelly (Hellenic Odyssey) on Saturday 13 July from 10.00 am–2.00 pm for a guided walking tour of Melbourne’s most popular and energetic Greek precinct, Oakleigh. Get ready to bite into a delicious galaktoboureko, crunch into the best koulouri outside of Athens, and savour the taste of Greek olives, dips, feta cheese and much more, all from the passionate traders in this bustling neighbourhood. With each bite you will learn about Greece’s enticing food culture, its history and its healthy essence. A delicious lunch at a traditional restaurant is included, and you will leave having experienced many flavours, taking recipes away with you to create at home. Meeting point: Entrance of Nikos Cake Shop (25 Portman St, Oakleigh). To book, visit https://bit.ly/2KMFYIa

GREEK DANCE PARTY WITH ZOUROUNA
Catch Melbourne band Zourouna performing at Open Studio (204 High St, Northcote) on Saturday 20 July at 9.00 pm. Enjoy their upbeat versions of traditional and modern tunes from Greece and all over the Mediterranean region.

BYZANFEST FILM FESTIVAL SCREEN & AWARDS NIGHT
Byzanfest Film Festival is a worldwide online film festival that promotes filmmakers of the Eastern Orthodox faith, and has a large following across the world. It will have its Premiere Screening on Sunday 21 July at St Haralambos Greek Orthodox Parish Templestowe and Doncaster (190 Porter St, Templestowe) from 5.00-8.00 pm, after which Byzanfest will be available for viewing via YouTub. Free to attend.

GREEK DANCING WITH RUSH
RMIT United Society of Hellenes is hosting Greek dancing lessons for people of all ages and backgrounds, taking you from the bare basics to different styles around Greece. Schedule: Friday 26 July: Cretan Dances, 9 August: Lakonian Dances, 23 August: Island Dances. Taking place at RMIT (Building 8, Level 3, Room 10, Wales Cor, Melbourne). Free to attend.

MY BIG FAT GREEK FESTIVAL
Join St Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church (22 Marsden Crescent, St Albans) for their annual festival on Sunday 28 July at 11.00 am. There’ll be live Greek music and dancing, and delicious food. There will be lots for the kids to do, including an animal farm, photo booth, kids karaoke, the kids ‘zorba till you drop’ competition, games, a baloonologist, and face painting. Free to attend.

THE PHILHELLENES LIVE
Catch The Philhellenes performing at The Post Office Hotel (229-231 Sydney Rd, Coburg) on Saturday 3 August from 9.00-11.00 pm. They will play a mixture of traditional repertoire from Asia Minor and songs composed by Greek refugee musicians from the region, such as Dalgas (Antonis Diamantidis), Panos Tountas and Kostas Skarvelis. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2Y9az6O

THE GREEK GRAMOPHONE EXPERIENCE
Join Wayne Simmons and Con Kalamaras on Sunday 18 August at the Merri Creek Tavern (111 High St, Northcote) at 4.00 pm for a unique live performance delving into the rich history of Greek music that was recorded in 1920’s and 40’s Greece. You could call it abrasive, coarse and unrefined, or you could call it an historical, artistic, and social commentary on a rapidly changing country. This performance is a collection of works that paved the way for generations to come, no glitz, no plate smashing … just a collection of brutally honest and achingly beautiful songs. Bring an open mind and heart … your world will change.

COOKING CLASS: GREEK PROVINCIAL FARE
Expand your repertoire and knowledge of Greek cuisine with Niki Louca’s delicious selection of provincial dishes. On Saturday 31 August at The Neff Market Kitchen (Stall 90, Cecil St, South Melbourne) (11.00 am-1.30 pm), Niki will show you how to make prawn saganaki, kalamari krasato, spanakorizo, and to finish, traditional rizogalo. $120 p.p. includes lunch/dinner and a recipe pack. To book, visit https://bit.ly/2XJ9DZK

 

NSW

QUINCE SPOON SWEET PRESERVE DEMONSTRATION AND SAMPLING
Spoon Sweets (glyka tou koutaliou) have a special place in the kitchens and social interactions of the Mediterranean, symbolic of hospitality, welcoming and a readiness to open your door at any moment. Using quince, a fruit associated with love and fertility in Ancient Greece, Eleni Christou will teach you how to make spoon sweet preserve and take home your very own sample to share with family and friends! Drink a Turkish coffee, while Eleni discusses spoon sweets in a contemporary context, drawing on experiences in Sydney, Cyprus and Greece, navigating identity, community and always being ready for unexpected guests. Taking place on Saturday 20 July at Thirning Villa (40 Arthur St, Ashfield) from 10.30 am-12.30 pm. To book, visit https://bit.ly/2XlFall

 

QLD

STAR OF GREECE HERITAGE WALK
Take part in the annual National Trust (Willunga Branch) commemoration of the sinking of Star of Greece in 1888 at Port Willunga on Sunday 14 July at 10.00 am. The Star of Greece shipwreck heritage walk enables you to hear about the dramatic shipwreck event and visit some of the places associated with the shipwreck and its aftermath. Meeting point: Star of Greece Car Park (Port Willunga, Morphett Vale). Gold coin donation appreciated. Bookings essential.

 

SA

TAVERNA 60’S NIGHT
Taverna Night returns to the Greek Orthodox Community of SA Inc. (288 Franklin St, Adelaide) this Saturday 13 July, this time taking you back to the golden era of music and films – the 1960’s. Enjoy music from famous composers and song writers, music that made films, actors and singers household names to this day! Featuring Greek band MUSIC 3000 with Nick Arabatzis and Polixeni. $20 p.p. Mezze platters available for purchase. Doors open 7.30 pm.

KARAMELA GREEK NIGHT VOL. 2
On Saturday 20 July N&B Catering together with Dj Stelio present Karamela Greke Night Volume 2 at the Cypriot Club (8 Barrpowell St, Welland). Go along and party to all the latest Greek tunes together with some of the best laika. Enjoy Greek Happy (long) Hour between 8.30-10.30 pm. Entry fee $10.00 p.p. Wine barrel seating available and complimentary souvlakia throughout the night. To book a table, call Nick on 0404 847 897 or DJ Stelio 0412 399 169. Doors open 8.30 pm.

MODERN GREEK LECTURE SERIES
The LOGOS Australian Centre for Hellenic Language and Culture continues its lecture series on Tuesday 20 August at Flinders at Victoria Square (182 Victoria Sq, Adelaide) at 6.00 pm. Free to attend.

* If you know of any Greek events taking place across the country, including those organised by Greek community groups, please forward details to anastasia@neoskosmos.com.au