ASTORIA, NY – A musical journey through the works of important Greek composers was experienced by the audience who attended the Greek Cultural Center’s (GCC) 50th anniversary concert on January 18 in the Tony Bennett Concert Hall at the Frank Sinatra High School of the Arts in Long Island City.
Titled ‘Ti Na Thimitho, Ti Na Xehaso’, the concert featured Manolis Androulidakis, Rita Antonopoulou, Violeta Ikari, and Kostas Triantafyllidis, with artistic direction by Androulidakis, along with an orchestra including Greek community members and Americans, offering a musical experience with some of the most timeless Greek songs, while putting their own stamp on the great evening for the GCC.
The attendees were welcomed by GCC President Iraklis Kremmidas, who expressed his thanks to the Greek community for their long-standing participation in the Center’s activities, while making a special mention of the supporters of this concert, who contributed to making it a reality.
Then, Kremmidas received, on behalf of the Center, a Proclamation from a representative of New York City Mayor Eric Adams and from New York State Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas. A message from Archbishop Elpidophoros of America was also read by Fr. Gregory Stamkopoulos.
On behalf of the artists, the main welcome was given by Manolis Androulidakis, who praised the GCC’s work and the relationship he has developed with its people in recent years. The other artists also shared similar sentiments, receiving warm applause from the audience.
The program included songs by well-known Greek composers such as Mikis Theodorakis, Thanos Mikroutsikos, Yannis Markopoulos, Stavros Kougioumtzis, Grigoris Bithikotsis, and Mimis Plessas, while the repertoire also included traditional songs.
Among the songs that moved the audience were ‘Ah Ellada S’Agapo’, ‘Min Mou Thimonis Matia Mou’, ‘To karanti’, ‘Itane Mia Fora’, ‘Ta Smyrnaeika’, ‘Fabrika’, ‘Paraponemena Logia’, ‘Eleftheroi kai Oraioi’, ‘Dromoi Palioi’, ‘Zeimbekiko’, ‘Roza’, ‘Erotas Archangelos’, ‘Ta Matoklada sou Lamboun’, ‘Ta Kavourakia’, and ‘Milo Mou Kokkino’, with the enthusiastic interaction between the performers and the audience throughout the concert.
Among those present were Consul General of Greece in New York Iphigenia Kanara, Head of the Greek Public Diplomacy Office Mary Vaxevanidou, and Consulate General of Greece in New York Department of Economic and Commercial Affairs Head Nikos Thomopoulos.
Anniversary event in February
It should be noted that, as reported recently by The National Herald, Kremmidas had announced that he had contacted the only one of the founders of the GCC who is still living, to participate in a special event for the 50th anniversary of its founding. This event is expected to take place on Saturday, February 8, at the GCC, during which there will be an extensive presentation on the purpose of its foundation and the work it has produced from the early years to the present day.
