Ten
Tremendous Years by Alex Kapotas |
Ten Galactically Great Moments of the Last Ten Tremendous Years In the movie Field of Dreams, James Earl Jones’ character exclaimed that baseball was the one constant in the history of America. As I look back on the last ten years, I guess you could say that Orpheus has been a constant in my life. It was there when I graduated college, drifted in and out of careers, traveled, made friends, and a thousand other experiences that one has in his 20’s. After ten years, Orpheus is still there, and I don’t see it going away. The experience of first walking into practice was a strange one. I had no idea what I was in for when I entered the old park district field house that cold January night. Strangers would become friends, doors would be opened, lessons would be learned, and, in the process, one darn good time was to be had. To most of America, Thursday night means a series of must-see television shows. To others, it is one jump away from the weekend. To us, it is a break from the week’s demands where we join hands and celebrate, in our own way, the benefits and joys of friendship, community, and, above all, being Greek. Now, it’s been a while since an Orpheus Top Ten list has been published, so I think it’s time for a little comic relief as I take you on a trip down the alleyway, the “steno”, of memories that have defined a decade and characterized my career in choreography. Here we go! Alex K’s Top Ten Defining Orpheus Moments, 1995 - 2005 10. Greek Parade, 2001 ![]() 9. Illinois State Fair, 1995 We woke at 5 am and boarded a bus to pick up a Mexican dance troupe on the way to the state fair. I can still hear them singing the Macarena, and Christina Kakavas belting out Dalaras’ “Manouela” in response. After a four-hour trip downstate, we left the climate-controlled bus and were greeted with a terrible blast of thick, sticky heat. The performance took place in the middle of the day, with two costume changes. By far, the best worst experience I’ve ever had in the troupe. 8. Birth of Karagouna Nation, 1998 The “Karagouna Nation” was born through an email brainstorm of theme titles for our 1998 benefit. Patriotism boomed when citizens of the Karagouna Nation (population 3) adopted as its sign one of Hara Deligiannis’ improvised hand movements during her sessions with us earlier that year. 7. Media Blitz, Summer 2004 ![]() 6. Macedonia Mania, April 2001 ![]() 5. Greek dance haikus, Summer 1997 Girl from island of big scarves. That fez under there, isn’t that Turkish? Cubicle doldrums were swept away with an afternoon whirlwind of email exchanges between myself and fellow Orpheans Christina Kakavas, Kiki Kakavas, and Linda Damianides. This was LOL before there was LOL. I really hope they’re archived on someone’s C: drive. There are more, but they’ll have to remain private. There are some whistles that only dogs hear. There are some jokes that only we get. 4. Zournades, 1998 3. Vasilopita, 2001 ![]() 2. Vaggeli’s Going Away Party, 1995 An event to send off our good friend Vaggelis Zartaloudis, who was moving back to Greece. It was one of those nights when you forget space and time and just have fun. Only a handful who were there are still with the group, but the memory still lingers. I was pretty new to the group at the time, but was a true Orphean by the time the night came to an end. And the #1 moment is… 1. Festival of Greek Artists Abroad, Athens, 1997 ![]() Okay, so many of these were “guess you had to be there” moments. To those of you who were there, though, I’m sure you will agree that these were indeed some good times, and I’m glad to have shared them with you. What’s great is that there are many, many more to be had. In fact, the next top ten list for the next ten years has already begun… Thanks, everyone. It’s been a blast. |
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Guest
Voice Instructor Joins Orpheus |
![]() Eftihia Papageorgiou is a familiar face in the Chicago Greek Community, both as a performer and music educator. Eftihia received both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Northeastern Illinois University where she studied vocal performance, vocal pedagogy, opera, and piano. For the past 12 years she has been performing, teaching private lessons, directing choirs and musicals, coaching vocalists and vocal ensembles, and doing extensive research on French opera and French art songs. She enjoys composing and has a special passion for children's musical theatre. She is currently the choral director at Northtown Academy. In September of 2004 Eftihia created an original choral group, the Chicago Hellenic Youth Choir. This choral group is open to all elementary and high school children of the Chicago area Greek Community. The purpose of this choir is to bring its members in contact with the most famous Greek composers and various styles of Greek repertoire, and also to provide a variety of performing opportunities. For more information, you can contact Eftihia at 773.576.0445. |
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Spotlight on Orpheus Youth Dancer... |
Ariana![]() |
Hometown: |
Arlington Heights |
Parents/Family From: |
My mother is from Kalavryta and Tripoli, and my father is of Persian descent. |
Occupation: |
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Time Dancing with Orpheus Group: |
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Thoughts on Dancing: |
It’s fun and it really lets you express yourself. Greek dancing is part of our culture and it’s a way for us to become more familiar with our heritage. |
Favorite Dance: |
Koutso |
Most Vivid OHFS Memory: |
Probably the concert we had in April two years ago. It was the first time I performed at one of the spring concerts and it was probably the most fun one. |
Favorite Greek Dish: |
Spanakopita or Tiropita |
Favorite Place in Greece: |
I haven’t been there yet, but I really want to go to Crete. |
Hobbies/Sports/Other Interests: |
I love reading and writing and I love to swim. I’m really big on music and I love dancing. |
Dream vacation/the perfect weekend: |
Definitely in Greece. I would be able to meet all the family I haven’t met yet, and I honestly think Greece is the most beautiful place in the world. |
Favorite building/spot in Chicago: |
I love going to downtown Chicago, whether it’s Greektown, Millennium Park, Michigan Avenue, etc. My absolute favorite time to go there is during Christmastime. |
I'm currently looking for/forward to: |
The summer without a doubt. I’m hoping we go to Greece and my favorite thing to do by far is go to the Greek picnics. |
I stay home to watch: |
Friends or Life As We Know It. I also LOVE to watch football and basketball. |
Prized possession: |
My Greek key ring my mother gave me. |
Where I heard about Orpheus Dance Troupe: |
When I was at Athena Greek school, we heard about it from all the other families like the Leberis’s, Arvanitis’s, and Minakakis’s. |
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Last revised:
12/31/2012 04:09 PM