The Zeibekiko Festival Australia is awaiting a major return following its maiden edition in 2024, with the event looking to go bigger and better as this year’s edition features big talents, headlined by Greek artist Areti Ketime.
The festival, presented by Ventouris Productions, will feature numerous special events and dance seminars from 3-12 October.
The event, curated by Sophia Ventouris, will kick off with an Opening Night Glendi in Sydney at the Greek Community Club on Friday 3 October, which will feature Cretan Music Group, Tassos Bouzouki, and numerous Greek dance groups.
Ketime will also be at the event, which will precede two concerts she will deliver with the Festival alongside her violinist maestro Dimitrios Stefopoulos.
The first will take place in Melbourne on 5 October at Ivanhoe Girls Performance Art Centre, with the second to be held on 10 October at Sydney’s Hurlstone Park RSL.
Ketime will also make an appearance at the “Greatest Zeibekika Hits” event at Steki Taverna in Marrickville on 8 October, which will see Steki band take attendees on a musical journey of many iconic zeibekika songs.
The Festival will also include numerous dance seminars, with Dr Christos Theologos and Stefanos Kyriazakos to share their keen insights surrounding zeibekiko dancing for both Sydney and Melbourne audiences.
The duo will be in the Victorian capital on 4 and 5 October, teaching various seminars throughout both days at St Eleftherios Church Hall, with them to then do the same in NSW’s capital on 11 and 12 October at Sydney Technical High School.
Some other events that are part of the program include a free dance seminar in the courtyard of St Nicholas Church in Marrickville on 6 October, as well as two lectures by Dr Theologos.
The first will be delivered at St Nicholas Church on the same day as the seminar and is titled ‘Church/Religion in the heart of tradition’.
The second will take place the following day on 7 October at the Greek Community Club and will deal with the topic ‘Zeibekiko: from cultural memory to pegadagogical act. The interpretational memory of the dance for the refugee experience’.
A women’s only workshop will also take place on 9 October at Sydney Technical High School, adding another element to the wide program that honours zeibekiko dancing.
More information on the festival can be found at its website, and its Facebook and Instagram pages.
