VIC
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
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 as the Melbourne International Comedy Festival hits town.
As always, there will be plenty of Greek comedians to enjoy. Mary Coustas (This Is Personal), George Zacharopoulos (2025 Greek Comedian Of The Year: The Butterfly Effect), Elouise Eftos (Australia’s First Attractive Comedian), Chris Demos (Actually Kinda Hot), Charisa Bossinakis & Alex Keen (Should We Just Take Half Each?).
When & Where: March 26 to April 20, Various venues across Melbourne
Find a show: www.comedyfestival.com.au
NSW
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
NICHOLAS ARONEY DEMOCRACY LECTURE: ATHENIAN DEMOCRACY
What relevance is there for modern liberal democracies from the ancient Athenian experiment?
Anthe Philippides, former judge of the Queensland Supreme Court will deliver the lecture by examining ancient Athenian democracy and asking difficult questions of what and how we in the modern world may learn.
Athenian democracy required a power sharing model that was revolutionary for its times. It is a different model from that of present-day democracies.
How did it evolve and what were the context and background to its evolution?
What were the core values of Athenian democracy and how are they to be understood?
Do those values have a relevance for modern democracies and why has Athenian democracy been a source of inspiration over the centuries to those considering modes of governance?
Light refreshments will be served after the public lecture.
When: Tuesday March 18, 6pm
Where: Pavilion, Chau Chak Wing Museum, University Place, Camperdown 2050
TRIBUTE TO VASILIS TSITSANIS & SOTIRIA BELLOU
Estudiantina of Melbourne presents this celebration of two of Greece’s most legendary musical icons.
Experience the timeless melodies and heart-stirring lyrics that have defined Greek music for generations.
With Tsitsanis’s masterful bouzouki and Bellou’s unforgettable voice, this tribute brings their songs to life with passion, precision, and the vibrant energy that only Estudiantina can deliver.
Let the music transport you to the soul of Greece, where tradition meets artistry in perfect harmony.
When: Sunday March 30, Doors open 6.30pm, Showtime 7pm
Where: The Theatre, 8 Greenfield Parade, Bankstown 2200
Bookings: bankstownsports.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/145194
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. $4 entry (16 and under free).
When: Saturday March 15, 4pm-9pm
Where: Mt Gravatt Showgrounds, 41 Broadwater Rd, Mount Gravatt East 4122
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 & Where: Until March 23, Various venues across Adelaide
Find a show: adelaidefringe.com.au
