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
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
GREEK WRITING IN AUSTRALIA: AN EVENING WITH THE AUTHORS
Writing in the Greek language has a long history in Sydney and new works are continually being published. In this event Greek-language writers will present their work and discuss it with the audience.
Taking part will be Yannis Dramitinos, whose bilingual Divertente and Other Poems appeared in 2022; George Michelakakis, whose new book Η φαντασιακή ζωή στην ιστορία του πολιτισμού has particular relevance to Greek creativity in Australia, and Adrian Kazas, whose poems were published under the title Εκεί που φυσούν οι άνεμοι.
Panel discussion in Greek. Free tickets.
When: Thursday April 3, 7pm
Where: Greek Community Club, 206-210 Lakemba St, Lakemba 2195
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1348160
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: April 4 to May 4
Where: Hellenic Art Theatre, Building 36/142 Addison Rd, Marrickville 2204
Bookings: hellenicarttheatre.com.au Enquires: 0413 989 007
FUNDRAISING DINNER FOR MODERN GREEK LANGUAGE STUDIES AT UNSW
A fundraising dinner for Modern Greek studies at UNSW. A night of delicious food, great company, and supporting a fantastic cause. This in-person event is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow supporters of Greek culture and education. Your presence will help us raise funds to further develop Modern Greek studies at UNSW.
When: Saturday April 5, 7pm-11pm
Where: Hermes Lounge, 20 Belgrave Street Kogarah 2217
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
QLD
PANIYIRI POP UP AT FISH LANE
A little taste of Paniyiri in May. Expect all the Greek festival vibes, golden honey puffs, sizzling souvlaki, and plenty more bites to transport your taste buds straight to the Mediterranean. Plus, live Greek dance performances.
When: Saturday April 5, 5pm-8pm
Where: 59 Melbourne St, South Brisbane 4101
SA
FESTIVAL HELLENIKA
Adelaide’s annual multi-disciplinary arts festival dedicated to the maintenance, development, promotion and celebration of Hellenic links in the Arts, and their rich and diverse Australian manifestations. From March to May.
The events in the next two weeks include:
SS Amazonia, 1924 -1925 – Celebration 100 years: Presented by Spiros Sarris (President of the SA Friends, Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens). A lecture on the Amazonia ship that brought approx. 110 ethnic Greek males to Australia.
Greeks in Space: Join astronomer Mary Adam for a night at the Adelaide Planetarium, where she walks through Ancient Greeks and their understanding of the sky. You will be looking at Greek constellations and how Greek mythology comes alive in the sky.
Yiasou Adelaide Greek Festival: The festival promises a full day of cultural immersion, from traditional foods and activities to all things Greek. Featuring KEFI Entertainment, bringing the lively atmosphere of the Greek Islands to life with music, entertainment, and dancing under the stars.
Koulourakia with a Twist: An engaging Easter baking demonstration that brings a creative twist to the traditional Greek Koulourakia. Learn how to infuse these classic butter cookies with exciting flavours like Biscoff, Choc-Orange and Pistachio while exploring fun shapes and decorative techniques.
A productive garden with a link to my Greek heritage: Anna Polias’ garden has appeared on Gardening Australia and has also been part of Open Gardens SA. The focus will be on what grows well on the Adelaide plains, with an emphasis on Mediterranean plants.
Full program: festivalhellenika.org.au
