HALLOUMI FESTIVAL
The Cyprus Halloumi Festival enters its fifth year in Melbourne.
At the free entry festival you can:
Sample halloumi from the home of the famous cheese
Watch live halloumi making demonstrations
Choose from a range of delectable Cypriot cooked foods that will be for sale
Experience cultural music and dance
When: Saturday March 1 and Sunday March 2, Doors open 12 noon
Where: Cyprus Community of Melbourne & Victoria, 495-497 Lygon St, Brunswick East 3057
OPOU GIS & PATRIS2 – APO TI MIA AKRI STIN ALLI
Αfter the successful tour of the show ‘Opou Gis & Patris’ in Australia and Greece, comes the sequel of the show by Konstantinos Kalymniou, Elena Tsefalas, Vassilis C. Yavris. A comedy… that makes you cry.
The play is modular – it consists of four stories that move along the same theme: the relationship of the Greek immigrant with mother Greece, the difficulties he faces away from his homeland, his relationship with his children and grandchildren, and his deep need to ‘root’ in his new homeland. The stories bear the titles: ‘Doxa Patris’, ‘H epistrofi tis petheras’, ‘Sintaxiouhos erotas’, and ‘Den tous fovamai’.
The stories touch the souls of uprooted Greeks everywhere, the pain of separation and ‘loss’ away from their birthplace, the uprooting, the challenges, the dilemmas, the conflicts, the anxieties, the joys, the incurable ‘love’ for the homeland and the need to put down roots without losing their ‘identity’. All this is given with humour and emotion.
The duration of the performance is 90 minutes without an intermission, enriched with songs and music.
When: Friday March 14 and Saturday March 15, 7pm Doors, 7.30pm Start
Where: Kew High School Theatre, 826 High St, Kew East 3102
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1351520
TAVERN NIGHTS
A night of music, dancing, feasting, and plate smashing. With entertainment by Greek Band Aetos and Belly Dancer, it’s the ultimate Greek celebration.
Enjoy a Greek feast, sing, dance, smash a few plates and say “OPA!”
$80 per person (Includes dinner & entertainment). Full payment required when booking.
When: Friday March 14 and March 28, 7.30pm
Where: Eleni’s Kitchen + Bar, 28 Anderson St, Yarraville 3013
Bookings: bit.ly/BookElenis, call (03) 9943 4233 and quote GREEK TAVERN NIGHT
GREEK GARDEN FEAST
Greek Plateia are organising an evening at Jonathon’s – a charming nursery in Kew – bringing together the best of Greek flavours, culture and community.
For $90 (tickets extremely limited), you’ll be welcomed with a complimentary Ouzeus cocktail and indulge in a multi-course Greek feast featuring classic dishes. As the sun sets, enjoy the company of friends, live music, and the tranquil atmosphere of the garden, transformed into a picturesque Greek escape. Sip on hand-crafted cocktails, while surrounded by lush greenery and twinkling lights
Exclusive Ouzeus $12 cocktails available all afternoon, enter a Raffle with over $1,000 worth of prizes and listen to a live Bouzouki performance by Thomas K Bouzouki.
There will also be a Greek Tasting Station by Galanis Foods, featuring Honey, Olive Oil, Halva… direct from Greece, and a Hellenic-inspired Art Gallery by Tartaglia Artworks, showcasing paintings, limited prints & statues.
When: Saturday March 15, 4pm-8pm
Where: Jonathon’s Café, 2 Gladstone St, Kew 3101
Bookings: events.humanitix.com/greek-garden-feast-by-greek-plateia
HILLS HELLENICA FESTIVAL
Celebrating the music of Greece, local act Estudiantina of Melbourne – will take you on a musical journey like no other.
With a profound appreciation for the diverse influences that shape Smyrneika, ranging from Greek and Turkish to Jewish and Armenian, the ensemble creates a mesmerising fusion that breathes new life into this age-old genre.
Their music, adorned with instruments like the oud, bouzouki, violin, kanun, and guitar, resonates with an authenticity that captivates audiences. Through the harmonious interplay of instruments such as the bouzouki, baglama, and accordion, Estudiantina of Melbourne crafts a soundscape that pays homage to the rich cultural heritage of Greece.
When: Sunday March 16, 3pm
Where: Sooki Lounge, 1648 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave 3160
Bookings: tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/a84743f5-08e2-4448-8f8d-a65bde7c0e7c
NSW
INTERNATONAL WOMEN’S DAY LUNCH
Greek Young Matrons host an International Women’s Day Lunch with special guest speakers’ artist Felicia Aroney, cosmetic physician Dr Diana and TV presenter Helen Tzouganatos.
When: Thursday March 6, 11.30am-3pm
Where: The Grand, Beta, 238 Castlereagh Street, Sydney 2000
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1334875
HELLENIC WINE-MAKING EVENT
The Kytherian Association of Australia’s Wine Klub, (KAWK) and Samian Brotherhood of Sydney and NSW, will be holding an inaugural Hellenic wine making event.
This will be a social event, wine making is not compulsory.
They will be crushing the grapes on March 8 in preparation for pressing the grapes on March 15. The grape pressing day will have catering.
When: Grape Crushing – Saturday March 8, 9.30am-12pm, Grape Pressing – Sat March 15, 9.30am-3.30pm
Where: Samian House, 61- 65 Kingsway, Kingsgrove 2208
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1344322
ANNUAL DIONYSIOS SOLOMOS AWARDS
NSW Higher School Certificate students who have achieved the highest marks in Modern and Classical Greek are honoured at the annual Dionysios Solomos Awards, as well as high achievers from Greek afternoon schools.
These awards recognise excellence and promote the study of Greek language.
When: Sunday March 9, 4pm
Where: Maclavrin Hall, Manning Road, University of Sydney
Contact: 02 9740 6022, rsvp@gfos.com.au
A STROLL THROUGH GREECE AT KOUTOUKI
Experience the magic of Greece at Koutouki with an evening of soulful melodies, traditional tunes, and an electric atmosphere.
A talented line-up of musicians, including a special guest, will bring the night to life with authentic Greek sounds.
When: Sunday March 9, 7pm-11pm
Where: 138 Norton Street, Leichhardt 2040
Bookings: 0422 736 072, georgiaskoutouki@hotmail.com
THE GREEK-AUSTRALIAN MILK BAR: A TRANSNATIONAL HISTORY
A public lecture presented by Presented by Effy Alexakis & Leonard Janiszewski.
In 1932 Mick Adams (Joachim Tavlaridis) established the world’s first ‘modern’ milk bar – a refreshment retailing revolution that became one of the nation’s most popular cultural icons.
It has now finally been publicly recognised with the installation of a commemorative Green Plaque in Martin Place by the City of Sydney Council.
This free public lecture will discuss the concept’s elements, its expansion nationally and internationally, revealing migrant-settler entrepreneurship and how transnational, diasporic migrant experiences, particularly of modernity, can shape business retail innovation.
Whilst milk bars have silently faded from our streetscapes, the ongoing power of their sociocultural symbolism remains.
When: Tuesday March 11, 6pm-8pm
Where: Dixson Room | State Library of New South Wales, 1 Shakespeare Pl, Sydney 2000
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1346075
GREEK YOUTH COMEDY GALA
A showcase of the country’s brightest up and coming comedians of Greek origin, brought together for a night of laughs exclusive to the Greek Festival of Sydney.
Join Anthony Locascio and his fellow stand-up comedians, for an unforgettable night.
Anthony is one of the country’s most in demand comics, having toured internationally across 2024, including New York and London, and selling out multiple years at the Sydney and Melbourne Comedy Festivals.
He will be accompanied by actor, singer, dancer and one of Australia’s most electrifying new comedians, with a truly unique style, Elousie Eftos, actor, writer and comedian Korinna Gouros and fellow acclaimed comedians Chris Demos, Stella Kappos and Charisa Bosinakis.
When: Saturday March 15, 6.30pm-8pm
Where: Showroom | Canterbury Leagues Club Entertainment Quarter, The Shop 215/122, 26 Bridge Road, Belmore 2192
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1346881
QLD
SALONI SESSIONS
Welcome to a very special Saloni Session—a unique fusion of culture, music, and storytelling.
Inspired by the Greek word for ‘good living room,’ Saloni Sessions reimagines the essence of gathering in a welcoming, intimate space where diverse stories and soulful melodies come together.
Through signature Greco Retro Jazz, they’re reclaiming their narrative—no more of the “good little Greek girl” stereotype. This is about power, independence, and celebrating women who are rewriting the rules.
Rediscover roots, challenge what it means to be Greek, and amplify the voices of women breaking barriers in music, culture, and life.
Line up:
Vocals: Katerini Manolatos & Mel Lathouras
Button Accordion/Piano: John Reeves
Bouzouki: Nick Paras
Guitar: Eddie Gazani
Double bass/electric bass: Dr. Bob
Percussion/drum kit: Dave Kemp
When: Sunday March 9, 2pm-4pm
Where: The Cave Inn, 47 Balaclava St, Woolloongabba
Bookings: events.humanitix.com/saloni-sessions-a-bold-celebration-of-women-music-and-culture/tickets
SA
ADELAIDE FRINGE
Adelaide Fringe is a world-renowned, annual arts festival that celebrates culture, place and artists from across the globe.
Bringing thousands of independent artists far and wide to South Australia, Adelaide Fringe is a destination for culture seekers in search for a hive of activity.
There are several shows from Greeks throughout the festival and Greek related shows.
Tanya Gyzi is back after sell-out Adelaide Fringe seasons in 2023, ‘My Big Fat Single Greek Life!’ and 2024, ‘Fifty Shades of Greek’.
My Big Fat Single Greek Life 2 sees Tanya hilariously explore single life, family, and work, blending Aussie and Greek humour in a way that will have everyone in stitches.
A Migrant’s Son Desert Tour is an award winning, original musical cabaret exploring one of the most colourful times in Australian history: the arrival of the Greeks!
With a story that millions can relate to, critically acclaimed performer Michaela Burger pays tribute to her Greek migrant family and her father Luke, in a tale traversing 100 years from turn-of-the-century Russia to the Australian outback.
Greek Cypriot refugee singer-songwriter Loucas Loizou will be presenting several shows, including an intimate with some ballads from Greece, [Mikis Theodorakis, Manos Hatzidakis, K.Hatzis].
He’s also presenting his new one-man play, CASSANOVA IS MORE THAN JUST A LOVER, a unique tale of this real-to-life character Giacomo Casanova (1725-1798].
‘HOMER’S ODYSSEY – A Mini Musical’ sees Loizou perform the Odyssey in spoken word and songs.
George Zacharopoulos returns to Australia with 2025 Greek Comedian of the Year; The Butterfly Effect, and Mary Coustas presents Effie in UpYourselfness, and much more.
When: Until March 23
Where: Various venues across Adelaide
Find a show: adelaidefringe.com.au
