A Night of Love and Longing with Encardia at Theatre of the NO
Athens’ first English-speaking theatre, Theatre of the NO, will host a powerful May Day celebration with the acclaimed ensemble Encardia, known for their evocative blend of music, movement, and Mediterranean memory. The concert begins at 21:00 on Thursday, May 1st, inviting audiences into a world of love songs, exile ballads, and high-energy tarantellas—traditional dances with roots in Southern Italy’s Greek-speaking regions.
Encardia’s performances, shaped by two decades of exploration and creative expression, fuse folk traditions with contemporary arrangements. Drawing inspiration from Grecanic music, Byzantine chant, and oral histories, their sound is both deeply rooted and refreshingly alive. With seven albums and an award-winning documentary to their name, the ensemble is marking a new chapter in their journey, staying true to their core: storytelling through rhythm and dance.
The show will feature Natalia Kotsani on vocals and percussion, Vangelis Papageorgiou on accordion and harmonica, and a full cast of musicians and dancers. Tickets are priced at 12€, and advance booking is available online.
Family-Friendly Festivities at Stavros Niarchos Park with the Sakaraka Orchestra
Earlier in the day, the Stavros Niarchos Park offers a joyful, open-air May Day festival filled with creative workshops, games, and sensory delights for all ages. The park’s lush grounds will buzz with spring colors, scents, and sounds, culminating in a free live performance by the Sakaraka Orchestra—a genre-bending musical collective with Balkan, Greek, and Romani roots.
Founded by Florian Mikuta of Mode Plagal and Nicolae Tatulescu of Locomondo, Sakaraka fuses rebetiko and traditional Greek sounds with ska, dub, jazz, and Afrobeat. Expect an eclectic mix of brass, wind, percussion, and bouzouki that transforms the park into an open-air dance floor.
Whether you’re arriving from a protest march or simply seeking a spirited welcome to May, the SNFCC event promises joy, rhythm, and community in equal measure.
Despite the day’s political weight, Athens proves once again that resistance and celebration often walk hand in hand. As voices rise in protest and music fills the air, May Day becomes not just a moment of pause, but a reminder of what we stand to protect: community, culture, and the right to gather in joy.
