It’s not often that one gets the opportunity to attend a traditional wedding in Greece. Luckily for me my sister and fellow Orpheus member, Christina, planned her wedding in the Peloponnese this past September. When Christina and her fiancé Marjan  headed to the hills outside the city of Kalamata to celebrate their nuptials, little did they realize the treasure trove of  traditional customs that our family and neighbors in Kalamata had planned for them!

We rented a house in the small village of Verga overlooking Kalamata and the Messinian Bay. Why Verga you ask? Well, the village’s 400-year-old village church is located steps away and is believed to have a miracle icon of the Virgin. And better yet, from the courtyard there is a stupendous view of the Kalamata valley and the Messinian Bay below. Due to its relative isolation, this mountain area on the edge of Tayegetos Mountain has clung fiercely to its traditional ways. For Christina and Marjan, this was a perfect setting for a romantic and traditional wedding.

At my aunt’s house, which was decorated with white tulle and ribbons, all the women in the family participated in making the boubounieres (wedding favors) a few days before the wedding. These treats of odd numbers of koufeta (sugar coated almonds) were wrapped in handkerchiefs. Making rice and koufeta packets for tossing at the bride and groom were also on the agenda for the night. With the help of some Metaxa brandy my aunts and mother sang songs to celebrate the upcoming happy event.

On the day of the ceremony, koufeta were placed on the tray with the wedding crowns. After the ceremony these koufeta were offered to the single women by the priest to place under their pillows in order to dream of their future husbands. The night before the wedding, Christina was escorted to our aunt’s house in Kalamata to keep her well away from Marjan. On the wedding day, while Christina was busy getting beautiful, back up in Verga, Marjan, his family and friends were experiencing a true 
village celebration. A cousin had arranged for a traditional group of musicians (with laouto, daouli, and klarino in hand) to serenade the groom while he was dressing. On learning of the band’s arrival, several of the older village women arrived at the house to sing a number of songs especially for the groom. This led to an impromptu dancing party with the Koumbaro (Best Man) leading the dances while the village women sang.

With the sun beginning to set and the band loudly playing, an entire house full of guests, family and neighbors led Marjan down the village road to the church where he awaited Christina’s arrival on the steps. When the dark car adorned with dozens of red roses and white tulle pulled up, the band began to play again. An uncle led Christina to Marjan, placed her on his arm and the priest led the entire group into the church.

Unlike in the States, the village churches in Greece do not have pews. This allows for the wedding table to be set right in the middle of the church so that all attending the wedding can crowd around the couple to watch the ceremony. When the priest led Christina and Marjan around the table for the Dance of Isaiah, hundreds of arms tossed koufeta and rice at the couple for good luck. Several times, the priest took refuge behind the bible he held up to his head. After the ceremony, a few rounds of spontaneous dances broke out in the church courtyard since the band was still at hand.

As local Kalamata tradition dictates, Christina and Marjan headed back up the hill to the house so that Marjan’s family could meloso (sweeten) the bride and groom. Marjan’s sisters stopped them at the doorway and bound them together in a white silk scarf; symbolically uniting them in a beautiful but strong bond. Once across the threshold, Marjan’s sisters fed both the bride and groom a spoonful of honey to ensure that their life together will be sweet.

Next, the couple was instructed to step on a piece of iron to ensure that their union together will be siderenio (strong). Since we couldn’t find a traditional horseshoe, we used a fireplace poker instead! Then, it was off to a nearby local taverna where the wedding guests enjoyed a night of traditional Greek food and music. The trio of musicians who played for Marjan at the house were joined by the rest of the band (bouzouki, santouri, toumbeleki, violin) who played late into the night. Since a cousin dances in a local folk dance group, he arranged for a small performance of traditional dances at the reception. 
Being an enthusiastic Orpheus member, Christina could hardly contain her excitement and jumped up to participate.

Thank you Christina and Marjan for providing us with this unique opportunity. Congratulations!!

The Oprah Winfrey Show has been one of the most popular talk shows hosted by probably one of the most recognized personalities of the entertainment industry. 

So when the Orpheus Dance Troupe was asked to participate at the show’s taping, a sense of excitement was in the air. The show was going to feature Nia Vardalos, the writer and main character of the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". This production has now been established as the most successful independent movie production of all time grossing over $180 million after an initial production cost of about $5 million. It debuted in April and its popularity is still growing! During opening day here in Chicago a large contingency of Orpheus members went to see the movie and barely made it inside the theater as most showings were sold out!

The first segment of the taping for the Oprah Show took place at Pegasus restaurant in Chicago’s Greek Town where about 60 of Nia’s relatives and close friends had been assembled to greet her. Among them were her parents who returned from Greece, while on vacation, just to be part of this occasion. Some of Nia’s relatives actually live in the Chicago area. In addition to her relatives, the parents of Rita Wilson, producer of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, were present as well. Rita is of Greek descent and she was the one that helped make the movie a reality as she convinced her husband, actor Tom Hanks, to undertake the production costs.

The Orpheus members were assigned to teach Oprah and Nia some basic Greek Dance steps. They both caught on rather quickly and were having a great time. Later, everyone was bused to Harpo studios for the remainder of the show in front of a regular studio audience. This is the second time that the Orpheus Dance Troupe has worked with Oprah Winfrey. The first time was during the opening ceremonies of the World Cup of Soccer in 1994 at Soldier Fiend where Oprah was the master of ceremonies. 
The Orpheus Dance Troupe was among 24 dance groups that performed that day representing the countries that made the final phase of the this event.

Many congratulations to Nia Vardalos for all the success that her movie has enjoyed and being courageous in pursuing her dream!

For 70 years, the International House at the University of Chicago has served as both a dynamic program center and residence hall to students from across the globe providing a safe haven and environment where boundaries are crossed, cultural gaps are bridged and people of vastly divergent beliefs learn to accept differences in though and tradition.

The embodiment of intercultural cooperation and understanding, I-House, founded in 1932 through a gift from John D. Rockefeller, Jr., has an impressive history of embracing multiculturalism through forums, conferences, and the performing arts. The I-House serves as a vehicle to increase international exchange throughout the Midwest-and throughout the world.

Beginning October 4th, in honor of I-House’s 70th anniversary, I-House launched a yearlong calendar of festive and informative events designed to celebrate as well as advance its prominence and visibility with friends, alumni and members of Chicago’s academic and public communities. The anniversary plan is intended to take advantage of the House’s strengths while moving it in new directions that will extend its citywide public profile and institutional identity.

The goal of the anniversary year is to enable International House to continue to expand its links with the University of Chicago and the City of Chicago in ways that are commensurate with its institutional position of promoting cross cultural understandings and respect and the exchange of ideas among people of all nations and backgrounds.

On Friday, October 4th, the Orpheus Dance Troupe had the pleasure of being part of an exciting evening featuring three Bulgarian bands, Kolorit, Balkanci and Izgerv and legendary Bulgarian clarinet virtuoso, Ivo Papazov. Ivo Papazov is the founder of and most influential musician in the svatbardki style – “wedding band style”-which is a fusion of traditional Bulgarian folk, Romany (gypsy), and jazz musical styles characterized by driving rhythms in Balkan meters, fluid improvisations, and dramatic key changes. The Orpheus Dance Troupe presented a suite of dances from Thrace, Northern Greece. Dancing followed the concert accompanied by live music until the morning hours. 

Many thanks to our friends, folklore enthusiasts John and Galia Kuo who helped organize such a splendid event. We hope to have the pleasure of participating in future events that promote cultural diversity and friendship. 

Northern Chicago suburbs

My parents were born in Chicago.
My dad’s parents are from Korinthos.
My mom’s parents are from Kalamata

6th grade student at Highcrest Middle School

One year.

Its fun!

The Cretan Syrto.

My first performance with OHFS at the Museum of Science and Industry, December 2001.

Saganaki and avgolemono (egg-lemon soup).

Kalamata.

I play the piano and the string bass. I also like to play basketball and baseball.

I saw them perform at SS Peter and Paul Greek Church and my yiayia (grandmother) signed me up.

Na ta ekatostisete!