VIC
ANZAC The Greek Chapter Screening with Q+A
This free screening event is part of the 2024 Greek Film Festival.
April 1941 – Hitler launches his invasion of Greece. In homes across Australia and New Zealand, people feared what lay ahead for their loved ones who were sent as part of the Allied force sent to defend Greece.
This documentary tells the story of that valiant defence like never before.
Drawing on over 130 hours of veteran interviews, see and listen to the story of the campaign from the veterans themselves.
See them make their way north to stand alongside their Greek comrades as part of the Allied defence force. Listen to them recount the bitter battles and sorrows of the campaign. Hear them praise their Greek hosts who fought with them and helped them.
Followed by a Q&A with historian and filmmaker Dr Peter Ewer, journalist and narrator Barrie Cassidy, and associate producer Jim Claven OAM.
When: Thursday October 17, 8pm-10pm
Where: Palace Cinema Como, The Como Centre, Level 1, Toorak Rd & Chapel St, South Yarra VIC 3141
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1283276
There will be another free screening (no Q+A) on Sunday October 27, 4.30pm-6pm.
Book here: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1283278
Estudiantina of Melbourne
The newly formed ensemble Estudiantina of Melbourne gathers musicians whose unlikely backgrounds bring them together to passionately express this thematic period of Greek music.
Lead singer and bozouki player Con Kalamaras has drawn a clutch of great musicians together including vocalists Maria Antaras-Dalamagas and Vagelis Ginis, violinist Jenny Dixon, Alex Petropoulos on guitar, Paul Karalis playing bouzouki and Camille El Feghali playing qanun.
Estudiantina of Melbourne, which translates to ‘students of Melbourne’ intertwines Greek, Turkish, Jewish, and Armenian influences. The ensemble acknowledges the vibrance of Melbourne with its resonance of rebetiko and Smyrneika.
This performance is a collection of works that paved the way for generations to come. No glitz, no plate smashing, just brutally honest and achingly beautiful songs.
When: Saturday October 19, 8pm-9.50pm
Where: Kew Court House, 188 High Street Kew 3101
Bookings: www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/events/estudiantina-melbourne
The group will also be at The Greek Centre on Lonsdale Street on Friday November 8.
Info and tickets: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1283478
Greek Cooking Class Melbourne In Person
Join in the Greek Cooking Class Melbourne In Person with Kelly from The Hellenic Odyssey, a Greek home cook with a proud heritage, to create a generous spread of food and to learn about the Mediterranean diet, its origins and its benefits.
You will learn how to prepare traditional authentic dishes that you won’t commonly find in a Greek restaurant. Instead, it is food that you would expect to eat in the kitchen of a Greek family home or at Yiayia’s house.
Learn about the Mediterranean based diet, its health benefits and the 10 ground rules of the Mediterranean diet and how to make traditional Greek food using authentic family recipes.
Sample menu (may vary): Dips & Pita Bread, Dolmades, Gemista, Glykokolokithokeftedes, Keftedes & Bougatsa. Drinks included: Greek coffee & Greek mountain tea.
When: Saturday October 19, 10am-1pm
Where: The Hellenic Odyssey, 12 Narooma Street, Moorabbin 3189
Info/Bookings: www.thehellenicodyssey.com/event-type/in-person-cooking-classes
Live at the Greek Presents Dio Patrides
Dio Patrides was formed in 2017 as a group of friends who decided to merge their musical talents and create a live Greek band.
The band consists of bouzouki, keyboard, drums, guitar, toubeleki and vocals and their focus is on old and modern Greek Laika, with some aspects of rebetiko, traditional and entechno music.
Their passion for Greek music drives them to play for Melbourne’s Greek community at various functions such as parties, weddings, christenings, and club dinner dances, as they would like to share with the community the unmatched vibe that live music can bring to the night.
When: Friday October 25, 8.30pm (bar from 7.30pm)
Where: The Greek Centre | Mezzanine 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 3000
Bookings: www.greekcommunity.com.au/events/live-at-the-greek-presents-dio-patrides
12th Greek Student Film Festival
Returning for its 12th year, this festival showcases a selection of films from primary and secondary students of the Greek Language.
The selected works are short films within the genres of fiction, animation or documentary, which incorporate a given theme. This year’s theme is ‘Children Know Everything’ and participants were asked to interpret the following question:
How do children’s unique wisdom and innate understanding of the world offer fresh perspectives and profound insights often overlooked by adults?
Each short film must also include the signature item, which this year is a window. The free screening will be followed by an Awards Ceremony.
Sydney are also holding the event, but is sold out.
When: Sunday October 27, 11am
Where: Palace Cinema Como | The Como Centre Level 1, Toorak Rd & Chapel St, South Yarra 3141
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1296727
NSW
The Mother Must Die – Sydney launch
Join bestselling poet Koraly Dimitriadis to celebrate her debut short story collection “The Mother Must Die”.
Includes an in-conversation with poet and academic Michele Seminara, offering an opportunity for literary enthusiasts to delve into Dimitriadis’ work and her perspectives on contemporary writing.
When: Sunday October 20, 2pm-4pm
Where: Chau Chak Wing Museum – The University of Sydney, University Place, Camperdown 2050
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1285340
Italian Greek Festa!
As part of the Bellingen Taranta Festival 2024 Opening night.
The afternoon starts at the Memorial Hall with an Italian traditional ‘Aperitivo’ with a great variety of goodies and drinks accompanied with live music.
The night will kick off with the music of ARIA winner Kavisha Mazzella, singing heartfelt songs in honour of her Italian ancestors.
As for the where the Greek comes in.
From Greece passing through Melbourne and Sydney is a Greek Traditional trio led by multi-instrumentalist Byron Triandafillydis, together with Sydney legend George Doukas on guitar and local Double bass player Emiliano Beltzer, will delight the audience with music from the Greek cantinas and festive traditional dance tunes. Be ready to learn a few steps and dance along.
The night will finish with a Greek Italian jam with musicians from Santa Taranta and local musos.
When: Friday November 1, 5.30pm-9.30pm
Where: Bellingen Memorial Hall, 32 Hyde St, Bellingen 2454
Bookings: events.humanitix.com/bellingen-taranta-festival-2024-opening-night-italian-greek-festa
QLD
The Essence of Greece
Prepare to embark on a nostalgic musical journey around Greece with the best golden melodies.
Christina and George Lignos guarantee your Greek musical initiation. With each note, they promise to create a sensual and alluring atmosphere that will fill you with good vibes.
Their performances will transport you back in time while providing a contemporary edge.
Allow yourself to be swept away by their tantalising tunes, put your dancing shoes on and prepare to be transported to a world of elegance and beauty.
Every night is special (spontaneously unexpected), so you’re in for a great experience.
When: Friday Oct 18, Oct 25, Nov 8, Nov 23, Dec 27, 7pm-10pm
Where: The Greek Club, 11 Besant St, South Brisbane 4101
Info/Bookings: info@thegreekclub.com.au or (07) 3844 1166
WA
PAPPOU | Perth Encore Show
Greek/Italian comedy sensation Anthony Locascio returns to Perth with his critically acclaimed show PAPPOU – in honour of his grandfather.
Pappou immigrated to Australia from Greece in the 1950’s, ferried over to become the top goalkeeper in Australian soccer.
This dream ended abruptly when Pappou’s fist had a chance encounter with a referee’s head.
In 2024, his grandson’s dream of being a stand-up comedian hangs in the balance, as he contends with the challenges of a modern man; staying off the vapes, raising kittens, and defeating the corruption of world football from the safety of a podcast microphone.
This show shall determine if Anthony is carrying on Pappou’s legacy by chasing his dream, or if he just should’ve become a doctor like his grandfather always wanted.
When: Saturday October 26, 7pm-9.30pm
Where: Hellenic Club of WA, 75 Stirling Street Perth 6000
Bookings: here
SA
The Odyssey Greek Festival
One of South Australia’s biggest annual events hosted by the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) has begun.
There are events on for everyone, from lectures, cooking and painting classes, film and documentary screening, festivals and much more.
This includes the Virginia Greek Spring Festival on Sunday October 13 in Virginia, celebrating the Spring season with a day filled with entertainment by Adelaide’s own traditional Greek band Sizmos, a warm family atmosphere and food.
Loukoumades with Yiayiades Cooking Workshop on Tuesday October 15, where community champions Yiayia Gardiakos and Yiayia Vlachos teach you the secret to make their loukoumades recipe.
A film screening of Zorbas: The Real Life Story of George Zorbas on October 29 and the next day a documentary screening of Kay Pavlou’s Two Homelands, where six senior Australian Greek Cypriots give emotional eyewitness accounts of their beloved island and their migration to Australia.
The 2024 Greek Film Festival is part of events and it all concludes with the Grattan Street Paniyiri on Saturday November 2, featuring a seven-piece band from interstate, Greek food and market stalls.
More info and program: gocsa.org.au/odyssey-program
AUS Wide
Greek Film Festival 2024
The Greek Film Festival in 2024 heads nationwide in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra and Perth.
This year’s festival promises to be a captivating cinematic journey that will transport you to the heart of Greek culture, history, and creativity, all while celebrating the rich and diverse world of Greek cinema.
More info: greekfilmfestival.com.au
