When the Past Is Left
The stories in this generational history form an anchor of love and pay tribute to a brave Maria who let go of her most devastating secrets before her passing.
It’s award winning author Helena Kidd’s second publication and a companion memoir to her first book, ‘When the Past Awakens.’
Kidd was raised in Richmond, Victoria. As a young woman, she was caught between two worlds. She is of Cypriot heritage, but as a second generation Australian she tried hard to fit into the ‘Australian way’. The bonds of mother and daughter were fractured for a time, but as Maria and Helena worked towards a better future together their connection became unshakeable.
The book launch will be conducted in English and the book will be available for purchase on the day.
This event is open to the public, and attendees will have the opportunity to engage in discussions with the author after the book launch.
When: Saturday November 16, 2.30pm-4.30pm (doors open 2pm)
Where: Greek Centre, Mezzanine Level, 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 3000
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1228443
Book Launch of Delphi
The long-awaited release of DELPHI is finally here. Please come and share in the celebrations as it is launched by Konstantinos Kalymnios.
With a rich tapestry of snakes and prophetic visions, and a captivating heroine in search of her own truth, DELPHI offers a spellbinding exploration of the human spirit. Prepare to be swept away by a story that seamlessly weaves the threads of ancient lore with a young woman’s unyielding quest for understanding.
Although the sequel to DANCING THE LABYRINTH, it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel. It is the third book in the thematic series Women Unveiled, which blends myth, history and imagination in the telling of (almost true) stories.
When: Sunday November 17, 3pm-5pm
Where: The Greek Centre for Contemporary Culture, 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 3000
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1310056
Saying farewell to Gods, Myths & Mortals
After ten remarkable years at the Hellenic Museum, Gods, Myths & Mortals: Greek Treasures Across The Millennia will close its doors on Wednesday 20 November. Don’t miss your final opportunity to experience 8,000 years of Greek history through this remarkable collection of over 200 objects from the Benaki Museum in Athens. To mark its final days, the Hellenic Museum will be running guided tours on Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 November, allowing visitors to hear insights and get up close with the collection before it closes. These tours are free with the cost of general admission. Places are strictly limited, so bookings are essential.
When: Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 November – Exhibition closes – Wednesday 20 November
Where: Hellenic Museum, 280 William St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Bookings: Here
Songs from Smyrne
Experience a live concert by the “Estudiantina of Melbourne” as they continue the Songs from Smyrne series, highlighting music from the post-population exchange era. This concert will explore the legacy of Smyrneika, blending Greek, Turkish, Jewish, and Armenian influences. Hear traditional instruments such as the oud, bouzouki, and violin, and enjoy performances by Maria Antaras-Dalamagas (accordion/vocals), Vagelis Ginis (vocals), Camille El Feghali (qanun), and more. Co-presented by Con Kalamaras, The Hellenic Museum Melbourne, and The Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne.
When: Saturday November 23, doors open at 6pm
Where: Bird’s Basement, 11 Singers Lane, Melbourne, 3000
Bookings: birdsbasement.com/show/1412/songs-from-smyrne
Cooee
A new Greek play in the upcoming Festival of Mother Tongues.
Look up. The stars you see now call to us from another time. Can you hear their stories?
Cooee! is an enchanting journey through memory, myth and familial love.
When: Saturday November 23, 2pm & Sunday Nov 24, 2pm & 4pm
Where: La Mama Courthouse, 349 Drummond Street, Carlton 3053
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1269806
Ariadne/ Αριάδνη
A bold reimagining of the ancient Greek myth of Ariadne of Crete with original music.
Departing from the traditional focus on the Minotaur and Theseus, this contemporary tragedy delves into Ariadne’s upbringing in Crete and her yearning for freedom.
Written in both English & Greek, this immersive storytelling experience takes the audience through Ariadne’s personal labyrinth of finding her voice as she reclaims her agency as a heroine.
Inspired by the #metoo movement wave in Greece, Αριάδνη/Ariadne acknowledges that in the struggle for change, the only way out is in.
Αριάδνη/Ariadne is a poignant reflection on the universal struggle for self-discovery resonating with audiences in Australia, Greece, and beyond as it navigates the complexities of gender, power, and identity.
The play features a live chorus of women who weave spoken text with 13 original songs.
When: November 22 to 24
Where: La Mama Courthouse, 205 Faraday Street, Carlton 3053
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1269790
Two Homelands
Q&A Screening with Producer/Director Kay Pavlou.
Fifty years after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, TWO HOMELANDS is both a commemoration of war and a celebration of community as six senior Australian Greek Cypriots give emotional eyewitness accounts of the cost of war, their migration to Australia and their desire for peace for all Cypriots. As diaspora, they speak of having their heart in two homelands.
Interviews in Greek (with English subtitles) and English voiceover.
When: Sunday November 24, 4.30pm
Where: Sun Theatre Yarraville, 8 Ballarat St, Yarraville 3013
Bookings: here
EROS FC
Athenian siren ARTEMIS returns to Melbourne with a thrilling new show – EROS FC.
Buckle up for a whirlwind love affair set on the sizzling streets, underground clubs and football pitches of 1960’s Athens.
Known for her unique brand of Greek Jazz, masterful storytelling and quick-tongued on-stage banter, ARTEMIS brings new life to beloved Greek tunes and promises to make you fall in love – the Greek way.
Performed in English, there will be jazz reimagining’s of iconic Greek love songs, as well as genre bending mash-ups.
Joining on stage will be musical director and world class pianist Andrew Patterson, bouzouki virtuoso Jacob Papadopoulos and actor/musician Keegan Joyce.
When: Thursday November 28, 6.30pm
Where: Brunswick Ballroom, 314 Sydney Rd, Brunswick 3056
Bookings: www.moshtix.com.au/v2/event/artemis/170239?ref=RSS_rss_bb_events&skin=brunswickballroom
Mousik-i Festival 2024
The Mousik-ί Festival is back for its second instalment, celebrating the fusion of Greek melodies with contemporary rhythms and harmonies. Anatreptix, Cats and the Canary, Delyrium and H Division promise a sensational event.
Join them for an unforgettable night of Hip-Hop, rebetika, Greek folk and Greek swing.
Event is 18+, book now.
When: Saturday November 30, 7pm
Where: Northcote Social Club, 201 High Street, Northcote 3070
Bookings: tickets.northcotesocialclub.com/outlet/event/5a65f6d4-4c16-4cb2-84a7-4456b9333a1a
Fotis Vergopoulos
Hailing from Greece, Fotis Vergopoulos will make his return to Australia.
Leading an exceptional ensemble of local and interstate musicians, Fotis represents the new generation of Greek talent, renowned for his remarkable musicianship and deep affinity with rebetika (Greek Blues).
Having toured extensively across Europe, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, Fotis is currently based in Athens. He has collaborated with prominent artists such as Agathonas Iakovidis, Martha Fritzila, Babis Gkoles, and Manolis Pappos.
Joining Fotis on stage will key figures from the rebetika scene in Melbourne, Kostas Papapanagiotou, Maria Antaras-Dalamagas, Con Kalamaras and Niko Papadimitriou.
When, where and bookings:
Nov 28 Open Studio Bar Northcote VIC
Nov 29 Brunswick Ballroom VIC
Dec 5 Brunswick Ballroom VIC
Dec 13 Smiths Alternative ACT
Dec 14 Butchers Brew NSW– First show SOLD OUT, second show added
NSW
SousAnna’s Unplugged
Popular band Sousanna’s will present an evening of classics from Giannis Spanos and Giorgos Hatzinasios, two of Greece’s most celebrated pianists and composers.
Nikos Sousamidis (Guitar, Vocals) Anna Papoulia (Piano, Vocals) & George Karantonis (Vocals) will present timeless songs from the 60’s and beyond, made famous by the greats of Greek music including Parios, Marinella, Poulopoulos, Mitsias, Kokotas, Galari, Alexiou, Kanelidou, Tsanklidou and more…
When: Sunday November 24, 7pm-10pm
Where: Petersham RSL, Trafalgar Street, Petersham 2047
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1309359
WA
Matia Book Launch
The Castellorizian Association of WA presents an afternoon with Emily Tsokos Purtill, author of Matia.
There will be an in-depth discussion, Q&A, afternoon tea and book signings. Copies of Matia will be available to purchase on the day.
Emily will be in conversation with Marilyn Tsolakis discussing her debut novel, which is a deeply moving story about four generations of Greek women who carry with them four prophecies and four pieces of protective jewellery.
The novel begins with Sia, a young Greek woman who is emigrating to Perth in 1945 for a better life. Over four generations and three continents, linking back and forth over 125 years from Greece to Perth to New York and back to Greece, we follow the lives of Sia, her daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter and discover if their lives unfold as they wish or if they are chained to the fate of the prophecies.
When: Sunday November 24, 2pm
Where: Castellorizian House, 160 Anzac Rd, Mount Hawthorn WA 6016
Bookings: Kevin Kannis 0418 904 848 or Helen Anastasas 0421 644 163. Or visit this link
ACT
Migrant Stories
A collection of short films, Migrant Stories, will premiere in Australia as part of the official selection at the Canberra Short Film Festival.
One of the short films featured is Il Sangue Del Sole, directed by Katerina Zafiris.
Zafiris will also be a panel member in a special guest Q&A after the screening.
These films present an anthology of stories about and by people who have found new lives in a new world. They offer insight into the joys and struggles of these people and their families.
About Zafiris’ short film:
In an abandoned Sicilian village, after WWII, little Severo dreams of seeing the tomato seeds he has planted, come to fruition. Decades later, now a grandfather living in the suburbs of Melbourne, Severo spends his days telling stories to his grandchildren, tending to his garden, and reminiscing on his childhood.
When: Tuesday November 19, 6.30pm
Where: Dendy Canberra, Canberra Centre, North Quarter, Level 2/148 Bunda St, Canberra 2600
Bookings: canberra.dendy.com.au/movie/csff—migrant-stories/
AUS Wide
Culture Shock Stand Up Comedy Australia
Comedian Peter Kypri, known as ‘Cypriot Smurf’, is returning to Australia for a tour across the country.
His show ‘Culture Shock’ is a hilarious stand-up comedy show that promises to take you on a journey of laughter and self-discovery.
Kypri’s brings his unique perspective on life, which is bound to keep you entertained.
He shares his humorous take on everything from growing up in a different culture to navigating the ups and downs of adulthood, with clever anecdotes and side-splitting jokes that will have you in stitches.
But the fun doesn’t stop there! There’ll also be a special appearance from his infamous character, ‘Souvlakis’. This zany and unpredictable character will leave you in tears of laughter with his wacky, and somewhat stereotypical, antics.
He heads to Perth (Nov 22), Darwin (Nov 30), Brisbane (Dec 7), Wollongong (Dec 13) and Adelaide (Jan 29).
Info and bookings: cypriotsmurf.com/shows
