VIC
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: Until April 20, Various venues across Melbourne
Find a show: www.comedyfestival.com.au
KALEIDOSCOPE: GREEK FESTIVAL
Celebrate all that is Greek. Dance, Music and performances by Manasis School of Greek Dance and Culture, Greek Food and market stalls, along with kid activities and photo booth.
When: Saturday April 5, 12pm-4pm
Where: Murnong St, Point Cook 3030
WHISPERING TO MY DAUGHTER
A book launch of a historical autobiography by Anastasia Gessas-Liveriadis, depicting the stony years of the economic, social and political crisis in Greece during the late interwar period; her early years of survival in Australia and the years of maturity and interknitting as an able and pioneering lady of Greek ancestry, who excelled as a mother and spouse and achieved a most rewarding professional ascend in the discipline of Health Sciences.
Presented by Christina Kotsifaki-Saris, Dimitra Flessas and launched by Panagiotis Gogidis.
When: Sunday April 6, 3pm
Where: Lyceum, Alphington Grammar School, 18 Old Alphington Road, Alphington 3078
HOOVES, HORNS & WINGS: UNICORNS & OTHER HORSEY THINGS!
Meet the many horse-like creatures of Greek mythology in this school holiday activity for ages four to ten.
Enjoy a 30-minute tour around the Hellenic Museum discovering the fantastic facts and terrific tales of mythical horses, handling objects over 2,000 years old, and learning about the history of the unicorn. After the tour, participants will then be guided through creating their very own flip book featuring the creatures they’ve encountered.
Tickets include general entry to the Hellenic Museum on the day, including the current family exhibition, Michael Zavros: Gods and Monsters!
When: Saturday April 5, Wednesday April 9 & Sat April 12
Where: Hellenic Museum, 280 William St, Melbourne 3000
Bookings: www.hellenic.org.au/event-details/hooves-05-1030
CHARA TSIOLI IS FREAKED OUT
She’s made a bang on social media and her live show has sold out all across Europe and now, the famous Greek influencer and self-described “Laugh Coach” Chara Tsioli, is heading to Australia to sort things out.
Are you Freaked Out? A failure? Grumpy? Miserable? Moneyless? Are you mired in mediocrity and have not managed to stand out and distinguish yourself so far in your life? Don’t worry! Laugh coach Chara Tsioli brings to Australia for the first time the world’s first self-improvement comedy.
This show is performed exclusively in Greek.
When: Thursday April 24 to Saturday April 26
Where: The Greek Centre, Mezzanine, 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 3000
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1375601
SARBEL LIVE
Sarbel (Greek-Arabic Singer) – The global superstar is BACK with his smash hit “Se Pira Sovara (Sidi Mansour)”! Known for his fusion of Greek and Arabic sounds and his legendary Eurovision performance, Sarbel has performed on the biggest stages worldwide—now it’s Australia’s turn to experience his magic.
Also performing is Andreas Habibi and Alexandra Preher.
When: Saturday May 3, 8pm-3am
Where: QRoom, 371 Settlement Road Thomastown 3074
Bookings: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/sarbel-live-in-australia-melbourne-ages-16-tickets-1296471423929
The show will also be in Adelaide the day before on May 2.
Bookings: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/sarbel-live-in-australia-adelaide-18-tickets-1296570520329
NSW
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS BY NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS
Presented by the Hellenic Art Theatre and the Greek Festival of Sydney, Christopher Columbus by Nikos Kazantzakis brings to life the legendary explorer’s odyssey. Performed in Greek with English surtitles, this production, directed by Stavros Economidis, offers a powerful exploration of ambition, discovery and human resilience.
A theatrical event celebrating one of Kazantzakis’ most compelling works. Tickets $35 ($30 concession).
When: Until May 4
Where: Hellenic Art Theatre, Building 36/142 Addison Rd, Marrickville 2204
Bookings: hellenicarttheatre.com.au Enquires: 0413 989 007
GREEK FESTIVAL – GREEK ROCK TRIBUTE
Join IHO NYX for a musical journey in the Greek Rock music scene which will cover beloved songs that include bands such as Trypes, Xylina Spathia, Ypogeia Revmata, Pyx Lax and individual artitsts such as Papakonstantinou, Sidiropoulos, Yiokarinis and Tzimis Panousis.
IHO NYX will be joined by Carly Yelayotis for an event that has never before been performed in Sydney.
When: Sunday April 6, 6.30pm
Where: The Factory Theatre, 105 Victoria Road, Marrickville 2204
Bookings: bit.ly/4kuXIqd
THE IONIAN ISLANDS: HISTORY AND HERITAGE
Illustrated talk by Alfred Vincent, music by Makis Voutsinas and Thanasis Pylarinos.
The Ionian islands of Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Ithaki, Kerkyra, Paxoi and Lefkada, together with Kythera, have a special profile in the modern history and culture of Greece, owing to their geographical position and the experience of Venetian and then British rule.
Having researched intensively on Greece under the Venetians, Vincent will describe some effects of this distinct history on the islands’ music, poetry, art and traditional life, as well as reminding us of Ionian contributions to Italian culture.
The talk will be in Greek, with a detailed English summary and illustrations on Powerpoint.
When: Wednesday April 9, 7pm-8.30pm
Where: Greek Community Club, 206-210 Lakemba Street, Lakemba 2195
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1348162
SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM: MYTHOS, THE MYTHS OF ANCIENT GREECE
Explore the myths of Ancient Greece in this school holiday program with archaeologists and ancient historians from the Chau Chak Wing Museum as they take you on a journey through the collection of vases, statues and other works of art of Ancient Greece.
Throughout the workshops, you’ll be able to:
– Handle ancient Greek artefacts and discover how archaeologists learn about the past
– Hear ancient mythological stories of gods, goddess and heroes
– Make your own ferocious monster
– Help decorate an ancient Greek vase with your favourite mythological scene
– Explore the museum for ancient heroes, goddesses and gods
These activities are perfect for children aged six to 12. Parents/guardians are required to stay with children throughout the session.
When: Various dates from Mon April 14 to Thur Apr 24, 10.30am sessions
Where: Chau Chak Wing Museum, University Place Camperdown 2006
GREEK AUSTRALIAN WRITERS’ FESTIVAL
Presented by the Greek Festival of Sydney and UTS Journalism and Writing.
Two new books will be launched at the festival, there will be contemporary new storytelling, photography books, retellings of Greek Mythology, memoir and psychology. The biggest festival yet with parallel sessions.
Director Dr Helen Vatsikopoulos, Professional Fellow UTS and Deputy director and Hellenic Historical and Cultural Centre archivist, Dr Vassiliki Veros.
When: Sunday April 27, 9am-6pm
Where: Prince Henry Centre, 2 Coast Hospital Rd, Little Bay 2036
