VIC
Laikon presents Anatreptix (Rebetika)
Anatreptix is a musical group playing Rebetika – music of the Greek underground from the 1930s through to late 1950s.
Songs of sorrow, poverty, loss, grief and death are the content of this stirring music that touches the core of the human condition.
Anatreptix are: Maria Antaras-Dalamagas: vocals, piano accordion; Alex Petropoulos: vocals, guitar; Katerina Stevens: violin, baglama; Rosko Heck: percussion
When: Every Wednesday this month, 7pm
Where: Odeon Richmond, 267 Swan St, Richmond VIC 3121
Bookings: tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/94b9a1bd-ebcd-4d11-bac0-ba7c1abe0cc5
The Hot August Nights program
Enjoy Greek inspired cuisine from the Peninsula Hot Springs elevated Amphitheatre café. Celebrating fresh, local ingredients with an emphasis on simplicity and flavour, enjoy a souvlaki beside our Amphitheatre stage with a view of the nearby festivities across all three days of the festival celebration.
Bathe in Cinema: My Big Fat Greek Wedding Thursday 15 August | 6:30pm Amphitheatre Stage
A family favourite that highlights the humourous and often poignant aspects of navigating a change in perspective while trying to find a balance between personal happiness and family relationships. My Big Fat Greek Wedding explores themes of cultural identity, family expectations and the blending of traditions, remaining a timeless, charming film that cleverly portrays the joys of family and cultural heritage.
Bathe in Cinema: Zorba the Greek Friday 16 August | 6:30pm Amphitheatre Stage
A landmark in Greek cinema, this classic 1964 film has gained international acclaim for its vibrant portrayal of Greek values. The film’s score, most notably “Zorba’s Dance,” has become synonymous with Greek culture and identity. Zorba the Greek explores themes of freedom, embracing life’s experiences, and the stark realities of rural Greek life. It is centred around two characters; Zorba who embodies the spirit of living life to the full, and Basil who adopts a cautious and analytical approach to life.
House of Pan Karalis/Kalamaras
Paul Karalis and Con Kalamaras present House of Pan, where they blend Rebetika and Palia laika in the intimate atmosphere of Brighton’s renowned House of Pan.
Immersed in nostalgia, they perform classics by Mitsakis, Tsitsanis, Papaioannou, and others, weaving melodies that transport you to bygone eras with a modern twist.
When: Saturday August 17, 8.30pm
Where: House of Pan, 121A Church St, Brighton VIC 3186
Bookings: Contact 0407 556 704
Visitor Voices: Childhood 1
Every third Saturday of each month, the Hellenic Museum guide participants through a Socratic-style discussion among a small group, unleashing their inner philosopher and creating a dialogue between institution and visitor.
Each theme is explored over two to three sessions, and every session centred around a different question. There’s no prior knowledge required.
This month is the first session exploring the topic of childhood in the ancient world.
What was childhood like in the ancient world and how does it compare to our experiences today?
In ancient times, surviving childhood was no small feat. Infant mortality was so high that Greek parents did not name a child until it had survived beyond ten days, natural dangers were plentiful, and child abandonment and slavery were common.
This symposium session will discuss the social concept of childhood, its evolution through time, and how we should create the conditions for children to experience their youth.
When: Saturday August 17, 12.40pm-1.55pm
Where: Hellenic Museum, 280 William St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Bookings: www.hellenic.org.au/event-details/visitor-voices-childhood-1
The Northcote Festival
Celebrating youth with culture and heritage in honour of the Dormition of the Mother of God.
Greek food and sweets, capers pop up bar, roaming performances, face painting, rides and activities, animal farm, camel rides, live music, dance performances, variety of stalls and more.
When: Sunday August 18, 11am to late
Where: Archdiocesan church of Our Lady Axion Estin, 7 Hartington St, Northcote VIC 3070
Youth Conference 2024 – District of Northcote
This free event will give like-minded young people the opportunity to learn and grow in faith, have fun and make amazing connections. The program consists of various talks, workshops, activities, and festivities.
For young people aged 14 to 29.
See the GO Youth Northcote social media for outline of the conference.
Attend Friday August 16 6.30pm at Axion Estin monastery in Northcote to confirm your registration, followed by an opening ceremony with the official Blessing by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia and a cocktail party to begin the celebrations.
Everyone who confirms their registration will go into a draw to win 1 RETURN TICKET TO GREECE.
When: August 16-18
Info/Register: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1244710
Greek Orthodox Parish of the Dormition of Our Lady Annual Festival
The Greek Orthodox Church of North Altona & Districts are holding this annual Greek festival, which will have something for all to celebrate Greek culture.
Food, from gyros and sweets like loukoumades, music, dancing, raffles, stalls and fun for the kids like balloon twisting, jumping castles, petting zoo and much more.
Last year’s event was a big success so they hope to have an even bigger festival this year.
When: Sunday August 18, 11am-late
Where: The Dormition Of Our Lady Greek Orthodox Church, 272 Milers Road, Altona North, VIC 3025
NSW
In Conversation with Sally Jane Smith – Packing for Greece
Author Sally Jane Smith has lived on five continents and visited thirty-three countries, but she gives credit to Greece for turning her into a writer.
In 2006, the bus on which she was travelling through Sri Lanka suffered a head-on collision, breaking both her body and her spirit.
A decade on, she journeyed to Greece in a quest to recover her wanderlust – and proved it is possible for an out-of-shape, middle-aged woman on a budget, equipped only with a guidebook and her mother’s 1978 travel diary, to experience a life-changing adventure.
This is the story that became the ‘Packing for Greece’ series. This is a free event.
When: Wednesday August 14, 2pm
Where: Lane Cove Library, Library Place Lane Cove, NSW 2066
Bookings: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/in-conversation-with-sally-jane-smith-packing-for-greece-tickets
Paniyiri celebrating Panagia Soumela
The Pontian Association of NSW ‘Pontoxeniteas’ presents this celebration of Panagia Soumela.
A fun afternoon for everyone with food and live entertainment featuring Kosta Papoulidis, Adam Neou, Zoe Karatsas, Peter Tsenkas and Prodomos Moysiadis.
The Souvlas will be on for a BBQ lunch, entertainment music, dancing in the outdoors and a Panigiri to celebrate.
When: Sunday August 18, 12pm-6pm
Where: Pontian House, 15 Riverview Rd, Earlwood NSW
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1259750
QLD
Greek Festival
Get ready to experience an unforgettable night in Greece, as the next Mt Gravatt Street Food event brings you the best of Greek entertainment and a lively Mediterranean atmosphere.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant entertainment of Hellenic Dancers and more.
$3 entry, 16 years and under free.
When: Saturday August 17, 4pm-9pm
Where: Mt Gravatt Showgrounds, Mount Gravatt QLD 4122
Info: mtgravattmarkets.com/street-food
Music in the Greek Orthodox Church
We often have only a vague sense of music in the Orthodox Church, perhaps sensed through the music of Rachmaninov, Tavener and Arvo Part etc. But how is music used in Greek Orthodox worship?
In what promises to be an interesting and informative session, Demi Politakis will take us into the music of this tradition, including its place in current-day Australia, allowing us to appreciate further this fascinating liturgical tradition.
When: Tuesday August 20, 7pm-8.30pm
Where: St George’s Greek Orthodox Church, 33 Edmondstone St, South Brisbane QLD 4101
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1257228
Greek Dinner Dance
The Greek Community Sunshine Coast invites all to a Greek Night.
Join them for a great night of Greek music with DJ Nik, the Cypriot Youth Brisbane Dancers and a buffet dinner at the Headland Golf Club.
Bookings are essential so get in early & book a table with family & friends.
Adults $65 Kids 3-10 $27 Kids U3 Free
When: Saturday August 31, 6pm-11.30pm
Where: Headland Golf Club, Golf Links Road, Buderim QLD 4556
Bookings: SMS Mary on 0412 968 704 or email greekcommunitysunshinecoast@gmail.com
AUS Wide
Agapi & Other Kinds of Love
Luka ‘Lesson’ Haralambou is taking his show around Australia next month, visiting Byron Bay NSW, Adelaide SA, Bendigo VIC and Araluen NT.
The Ancient Greek types of love are revealed via timeless love stories told in rap and spoken word with live musicians.
Based on Plato’s The Symposium, Agapi & Other Kinds of Love begins with Socrates telling a banquet of friends everything he learned from a mysterious lover named: Diotima.
The gods then take the audience on a journey – collapsing time and space to arrive in modern day Athens, where the two reincarnations of the Ancient lovers fall in love (again) in the midst of a riot.
Equal parts a rap concert, poetic musical & classical history lesson, Agapi & Other Kinds of Love shows the audience how love prevails despite the trials and tribulations of the ages.
He’ll have more shows in Melbourne VIC and Bellingen NSW later this year.
More info and bookings:
Byron Bay, August 11: www.byroncentre.com.au/theatre-events/agapi-other-kinds-of-love-by-luka-lesson
Adelaide, August 16: events.humanitix.com/agapi-and-other-kinds-of-love-by-luka-lesson
Bendigo, August 23: www.bendigoregion.com.au/arts-culture-theatres/event/agapi-other-kinds-of-love-with-luka-lesson
Araluen, August 25: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1255026
