VIC
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is one of the three largest comedy festivals in the world.
An annual event, the festival literally takes over Australia’s comedy capital, Melbourne, each autumn with an enormous program of stand-up, cabaret, theatre, street performance and more. Meanwhile, Australia’s largest arts festival is once again pitching its tent at the Greek Centre from 28 March to 21 April as the Melbourne International Comedy Festival hits town. The Greek Centre will be transformed into comedy central creating a venue that features six rooms and boasts an international line-up of artists such as Danny Bhoy (Sco), Jason Leung (Mys), Helen Bauer (UK), Elf Lyons (UK) and more.
As always, there will be plenty of Greek shows to enjoy. Anthony Locascio “Pappou”, Effie “UpYourselfness”, Chris Demos “Legs in the Pool”, George Zacharopoulos – 2024 Greek Comedian of the Year “Greek in the Sheets”, Elouise Eftos “Australia’s First Attractive Comedian” and Charisa Bossinakis “Thank You for Your Time” to name a few.
When: Until April 21
Where: Various Venues
Bookings: www.comedyfestival.com.au/2024
Songs from Smyrne
This live concert tribute will focus on compositions that emerged after the population exchange, including the songs that gained prominence through gramophone recordings thereafter.
The concert aims to celebrate cultural diversity through its music, focusing on the composers who relocated to mainland Greece and their profound effect on the musical landscape.
The music from Smyrne was significantly affected by the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in the 1920s, leading to a dispersion of diverse musical traditions and their preservation and evolution in different regions.
Today, elements of Smyrneika music can still be heard in various contemporary musical compositions, traditional ensembles, and even in the works of modern artists who draw inspiration from the rich musical legacy of this historically vibrant city.
Smyrne, now known as Izmir in Turkey, holds a significant place in the history of Greek and Turkish musical traditions. It was a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities, influencing its music with a blend of Greek, Turkish, Jewish, and Armenian elements.
Bringing together a unique ensemble of Melbourne musicians this concert will not disappoint.
Musicians from this newly formed ensemble “Estudiantina of Melbourne”
Maria Antaras-Dalamagas – Accordion/Vocals
Vagelis Ginis – Vocals
Camille El Feghali – Qanun
Jenny Dixon – Violin
Alex Petropoulos – Guitar
Paul Karalis – Bouzouki
Con Kalamaras – Bouzouki/Vocals
When: Thursday April 11, 6.30pm
Where: Brunswick Ballroom, 314 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056
Bookings: www.moshtix.com.au/v2/event/songs-from-smyrne/162131?ref=RSS_rss_bb_homepage&skin=brunswickballroom
Greek Migration in Brunswick
The next meeting of the Brunswick Community History Group will be held at the Pallaconian Brotherhood Hall in Albert Street.
Helen Politis will talk about the wonderful contribution of Greek migrants to Brunswick.
Helen is the daughter of Greek migrants and has lived in Brunswick all her life.
She will talk from her own experience about the places and people who are important for this vibrant community.
When: Saturday April 6, 1.30pm-3pm
Where: Pallaconian Brotherhood Hall 253 Albert Street, Brunswick, Victoria
Info: brunswickhistory.org.au/events
Ancient Attire: Kids’ Holiday Workshop
Discover tales of tailoring in Ancient Greece, construct your own ancient clothing and put it to the test in a series of physical challenges.
Kids will find out the answers to why so many ancient statues are naked? How was an old shirt so deadly that it managed to kill the mighty Hercules? Did the ancient Greeks have pockets in their robes — and if not, where did they keep their loose change!?
They’ll then get to make their very own ancient cloak, hat and staff, before embarking on a series of physical challenges.
Recommended for ages 6-13.
When: Sunday April 7, 10.30am-12pm
Where: Hellenic Museum, 280 William St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Bookings: www.hellenic.org.au/event-details/ancient-attire
Oh My Goddess! Divine Dollmaking with Adrienne Doig
The Hellenic Museum’s newest exhibition explores ideas of identity, feminine ideals, divinity and sustainability through artist Adrienne Doig’s fabric goddess statuettes.
Inspired by ancient votive figures, Doig’s colourful and iconic figures explore the many facets of her own inner goddess.
To celebrate the opening of this playful new exhibition, Doig is leading a day of creative fun
Join Adrienne in this hands-on workshop where participants will be guided in exploring their inner gods and goddesses, and decorating a fabric template to create their own divine self-portraits.
Book now to secure a spot in the workshops – the exhibition itself will run until July 21.
When: Saturday April 6, 10.30am & 12.30pm sessions
Where: Hellenic Museum, 280 William St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Bookings: www.hellenic.org.au
NSW
Wisdom, and the Rise of Intelligent Machines
This play combining Greek philosophy and drama will comprise a talk by Dr Edward H. Spence, followed by a dramatic performance of the play Logos Unbound.
Discussion with audience on how Greek Philosophy including Platonic and Stoic, can help us to better understand and evaluate the place of wisdom on our lives now.
As well, the impact on our wellbeing that AI agents, such as ChatGPT, Bard, and Pi have on our wellbeing.
Although scary smart and knowledgeable, can AI Machines acquire wisdom? Can they be as wise as Socrates?
When: Wednesday April 10, 7.30pm-10.30pm
Where: The Greek Theatre – Mantouridion Building 36/142 Addison Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1171877
Autumn School Holiday Program: Ancient Greek Myths
The Chau Chak Wing Museum is set to showcase a workshop on Ancient Greek as part of their range of activities mythology organised for this coming holiday break.
They have arranged for a set of programs aimed at children aged 6-12 this Autumn break, including a workshop centred on Ancient Greek myths.
The activity will see participants explore Greek mythology with archaeologists and ancient historians, during which they will get to handle ancient Greek artefacts, listen to ancient mythological stories and also help decorate an ancient Greek vase.
When: Monday to Friday April 15-19, 10am-12pm
Where: Chau Chak Wing Museum, University Pl, Camperdown NSW 2050
Info: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/autumn-school-holiday-program-ancient-greek-myths-tickets-807356965417
Karagiozis Live
Theatrical Comedy, directed by Stavros Economidis
Musical Director: Dimitris Fotiadis| Production Manager: Evelyn Tsavalas
The Folkloric Greek Shadow puppet Karagiozis and his troop break break through the shadow barrier and come to life.
When: Friday to Sunday April 12-14, 19-21, 26-28, 7.30pm, 5pm Sunday’s
Where: Addison Road Community Centre, 142 Addison Road, Marrickville
Bookings: 0413989007 or greekfestivalofsydney.com.au/event/wisdom-and-the-rise-of-intelligent-machines
QLD
The Girl From Greece – Saloni Sessions
Join Mel & Kat and the Girl from Greece band for the third Saloni Session at South Brisbane’s real-life musical Saloni ‘It’s Still A Secret’.
Featuring soul jazz band, singers Mel Lathouras and Katerini Manolatos will be presenting their eclectic mix of Greco Retro Jazz, soul and funk with a nod to ’60s camp and guru Nana Mouskouri – with new repertoire.
The Band: Paula Girvan – Piano, Nick Paras – Bouzouki, Eddie Gazani – Guitar, Casey Glennen – Double Bass and Miguel Mendoza – Drums.
$25 online or $30 at the door.
When: Sunday April 21, 2pm-4pm
Where: It’s Still A Secret, 48 Montague Rd, South Brisbane QLD 4101
Bookings: events.humanitix.com/the-girl-from-greece-saloni-sessions/tickets
SA
Action on Stage: exploring body movements in ancient Greek Comedy
Dive into the world of Ancient Greek comedy and uncover the secrets of body movements on stage through texts and visual sources.
A free public lecture by associate professor Alexa Piqueux (Université Paris Nanterre), author of the acclaimed book, The Comic Body in Ancient Greek Theatre and Art, 440-320 BCE (OUP, 2022).
Alexa Piqueux has pioneered the study of how the body was staged, represented, and perceived in ancient Greek Comedy, providing a unique insight into the performances of in the ancient Greek world.
When: Tuesday April 9, 7am-8.30am
Where: Lecture Theatre G04, Napier Building The University of Adelaide (North Terrace Campus), 259 North Terrace Adelaide, SA 5000
WA
Illyria “Sirens” Single Launch
After success with their 2023 single Pragma, Illyria are back to celebrate the release of their latest single “Sirens”, A self-proclaimed “modern take on the ancient Greek tale”.
Expect an unforgettable night with support from the heavy hitters in Woewarden, Allocer and Aeons.
When: Friday April 26, door opens 7.30pm
Where: Amplifier, 393 Murray Street, Perth
Bookings: tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/ae2662ed-327e-4fc6-a8ec-67b826796924
TAS
Year 12 Theatre – The Greek Mythology Olympiaganza
Two battling narrators attempt to cover the entirety of Greek mythology using audience participation and general theatrical insanity.
Creation myths such as Pandora’s Box and Cronos and the Titans jostle for space with other famous myths like Jason and the Argonauts (the original Super Friends).
Culminating in a heart-pounding, five-minute, ridiculous version of The Iliad, this fast-paced, free-wheeling play is wild, silly, and a complete blast.
Free event.
When: Tuesday April 9 – Wednesday April 10, 7pm-8pm
Where: Drama Studio – The Hutchins School, 71 Nelson Road, Sandy Bay TAS 7005
