Greek Festival of Sydney 2006

This weekend the Greek Festival of Sydney kicks off in spectacular style with our daylong official opening celebration at Darling Harbour.

Bring your family, bring your appetite and bring your dancing shoes for a day of art, music, fine food and Greek festivities. Boasting high quality international and home grown talent, the foreshores of Darling Harbour will come alive to the sounds of fabulous Greek music, the aromas of sumptuous Greek food, dazzling displays of Greek dancing, and other amazing surprises.

The whole day is jam packed with different events across all of Darling Harbour, so there will not be a minute to spare.

10.00AM Stalls open

11:00 National Independence Day Parade, Pyrmont Bridge to Tumbalong Park

11:45 Parade arrival at Tumbalong Park

12:00 National Independence Day Official Ceremony, presented by John Mangos

13:20 Welcome by MC
of dancing groups

13:30 Paroula Thurban Dance School
Live Interviews with SBS

13:45 Performance by; Anthea Catopodis and Evelyn Georgalas
Live Interviews with SBS

13:50 Paroula Thurban Dance School
Live Interviews with SBS

14:05 Performance by; Anthea Catopodis and Evelyn Georgalas
Live Interviews with SBS

14:10 CVC Dance Acadamy - Canberra

14:30 The CVC Live Band - Canberra

14:35 The Argonauts - Pontian Cultural & Educational Association

14:45 Cyprus Community of NSW Dance Group

14:55 Greek Community of New Castle Hellenic Dancers

15:05 Sophia Venturia School of Dance

15:20 Gate-Krash LIVE

15:40 Toni Allyalias Performing exceprts of My "Of Course" Life

15:50 Paroula Thurban Dance School

16:00 Official Opening Ceremony: Welcome by John Mangos and National Anthems of Australia and Greece sung by Newtown School of the Performing Arts. Welcome to country by Tribal Elder and The Tribal Warrior Association, following on with Official Speeches and Presentations from NSW Politicians and Representatives. AND; Plate breaking with politicians

17:00 Paroula Thurban Dance School

17:10 Epsilon Fashion Parade -

18:00 ZIK ZAK AND KLONARIDIS LIVE

20:00 DJ Krazy Kon

It's free, and it runs from 10am until 10pm this Sunday, the 26th of March, at Darling Harbour. Get ready for one of the biggest celebrations of the year.

There are a multitude of other fantastic events taking place during the week as well, from fascinating lectures and engaging theatre, to passionate dancing and delicious food and drink. Here's a run down:

Maria comes all the way from Chios Greece, with her inspiring collection of paintings that are only available to view for 1 week at KUDOS GALLERY Paddington. In this rare exhibition Maria brings a collection of her work offering her vision of the beauty of Greek landscape and architecture. The opening night will feature an introduction by Maria herself in English and Greek, alongside Greek mezedes, treats and Greek wine.

DATE; Wednesday 29th March - Friday 2nd April
TIME; 10am - 6pm Tuesday to Friday, Saturday’s 11am - 4pm
VENUE ; Kudos Gallery, 6 Napier St Paddington NSW 2021
COST; Free
CONTACT; 9326 0034

This presentation is focused around Rebetika singers and the counterculture in contemporary Greece - from the rock groups of the sixties and seventies to the punk and alternative groups of today.
The Greek music scene is full of pleasant surprises and contradictions, together with serious attempts to modernize a very old tradition.

During the talk some crucial Rebetika figures will be presented as well as great rock groups like Socrates and the Idols, together with some radical voices expressing the anxieties and the aspirations of Greek society.
The presentation will include music from all these periods and video clips from some of the most important Greek music of today.

DATE; Wednesday 29th March
TIME; 7pm to 9pm
VENUE; Museum of Sydney, AGL Theatre, Cnr Phillip and Bridge Streets, Sydney NSW 2000
COST; Free
CONTACT; 9740 6022

GREEK and CUBAN Cross Cultural Night

Come and join the meeting of two vibrant cultures celebrating a union that is long overdue. The annual Greek Festival of Sydney Cross Cultural Night features lavish Greek mezedes, sweets, music and dance.

Representing Latin Music (and Cuba) is PAPALOTE with Cafe Carnivale's very own Justo Diaz and Olympia Karanges, alongside Cuban dancers, and the Greek Community's very own group of dancers and musicians. Come and join an evening of delightful passion for music, dance and food.

DATE; Friday 31stMarch
TIME; 7pm - Late
VENUE; The Greek Community Club,
206 - 210 Lakemba St, Lakemba.
CONTACT; 9740 6022

We'll also be giving away a double pass to one of the major highlights of the festival...

All the way from Patra Greece, for a single performance that is not to be missed, The Dance Association of the University of Patra - bringing with them an exquisite multifaceted performance, including traditional dances from various regions of Greece, and The Association's live band with traditional Greek musical instruments.

The first person to reply to info@greekfestivalofsydney.com.au telling us they'd like to come will receive the double pass to this fantastic event, so get writing.

Amazing Competition

RAFFLE EXTRAVAGANZA ON THE DAY, BUY A RAFFLE TICKET AT DARLING HARBOUR AND YOU GO INTO A COMPETITION TO WIN

The ticket will be drawn on 30th April 2006 at the Closing Party held a Georges Bar & Grill, King St Wharf.

Tickets are $2 each and you could win;

1st Prize - One Return ticket to Greece flying Gulf Airlines (conditions apply)

One Return ticket to Greece flying Gulf Airlines

2nd Prize - 1x 12 month subscription to UBI World TV

3rd Prize - 1 x 6 month subscription to UBI World TV

4th Prize - 1 set of ‘His & Her” Oxette watches for the raffle ticket prize (value around $500) - donated by Eurobelle.