April 25, Orpheus Celebrates Milestone 20th Anniversary Click here for reflections, pictures, memorabilia |
Excitement
is in the air. The countdown has started, and the anticipation continues
to grow as the target date is fast approaching. For months now, heavy
organization and preparation have been underway. Vocal chords have been
relentlessly running musical scales. The sounds of a multitude of feet
executing dance steps in time with island and mainland rhythms can be
heard echoing Thursday nights in Northbrook and Saturday afternoons in
Glenview. What’s all the fuss about? The Orpheus Hellenic Folklore
Society is preparing to celebrate its 20th birthday. And, do we have a
show planned for all! It all began in the spring of 1989, when a group of approximately 15 young adults came together, on Chicago’s North side, who shared a common interest in Greek folk dancing. Eventually, this group evolved into a performing dance troupe, complete with authentic costumes, instructors and an official name: The Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society (OHFS). As the word spread about OHFS, its membership began to expand, as did its repertoire and reputation in the Chicagoland area. By 1995, the Lyra newsletter was in circulation, and the OHFS website made its debut, shortly thereafter, in 1997. In 1999, ten years after its inception, OHFS opened its doors to the Greek youth of Chicago, and established the OHFS Youth Group with a handful of members. Flash forward to 2009. The Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society has enjoyed great success as a folk arts organization. Adult enrollment boasts over 60 members, while the Youth program fills to capacity each year with more than 100 new and returning members. The troupe has become a staple at annual events and celebrations such as Chicago’s Greek American Parade, the Greek Consulate Independence Day Reception, Taste of Greece, the Museum of Science and Industry’s ‘Christmas Around the World’ celebration, the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade, and the Skokie Festival of Cultures program. Anyone passing by either of the two practice venues will probably hear the sounds of various unique instruments coming together to create distinctive Greek melodies, as Orpheus members “leap, two, three” and “step-hop, step-hop” along with the beat. Since its inception, OHFS has travelled to Greece three times: Thessaloniki, Athens (Odeon of Herodus Atticus Theater at the foot of the Acropolis) and, most recently, Kalamata, Messinia in the summer of 2007. The land that “started it all” continues to motivate and inspire Orpheus’ directors and members alike. The fortunate members who participated in these trips will attest to the “magical” experience of performing in the motherland, and gaining a unique, priceless understanding of their heritage and culture. Recently, OHFS debuted its revamped music ensemble, featuring professional instructors, and a variety of traditional folk and brass band instruments. The music group supports the troupe during various presentations, but also performs on its own. The music group has performed at the annual Orpheus Vasilopita events, the Greek American Rehabilitation Center and at the Orpheus Youth Group’s End of the Year Event. Some of the featured instruments include the clarinet, violin, toubeleki, daouli, santouri, accordion, trumpet, saxophone, bouzouki and baglama. In the interest of keeping the material fresh and members on their toes, the troupe participates in folk dance conferences, seminars, workshops and lectures, across the country and abroad. Over the years, Orpheus has collaborated with other wellknown, and very talented folk dance instructors and enthusiasts such as the late Paul Ginis, Yvonne Hunt, Joe Graziosi and John Lulias in the US, Nancy Harmanta, George Kotsos, Lefteris Drandakis, Hara Deligianni, Niki Niora, Lazaros hadjipanagiotou, Giorgos Zervas, George Mavropoulos, Kyriakos Moisidis, Tasos Mihos and Anna Mavrou from Greece. OHFS’ collaboration with the Chicago Hellenic Choir (CHC), directed by Eftihia Papageorgiou has been especially successful. For over three years, Orpheus has been collaborating with the CHC, practicing and presenting a variety of traditional and modern Greek songs, thereby adding another dimension to the dance troupe. Orpheus and the CHC have joined forces on numerous occasions to perform at various events and venues including, the Hellenic Museum, CHC Spring Concerts, the FDF competition, OHFS Vasilopita celebrations and Kalamata, Greece. Through the years, OHFS has made over 700 appearances, both near and far. The troupe has traveled throughout the Chicagoland area and surrounding states, and as far as Canada and Greece. Media credits include appearances on such networks as ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, and FOX, as well as the troupe’s 2002 appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show. In addition, Orpheus has made several appearances in media outlets in Greece and has been featured in magazines and newspaper articles. Furthermore, OHFS has the distinction of representing Greece by performing in the 1994 World Cup opening ceremonies, at Soldier Field in Chicago, in front of 65,000 fans, including U.S. President Clinton and an estimated worldwide television audience of over 1 billion! Dates that at one point seem ‘so far away’ have a tendency to sneak up on you. Such is the case with Saturday, April 25, which, for Orpheus members, will arrive sooner than we think! That night, Orpheus will celebrate its 20 years of existence with a special program to be presented at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie. The program will feature the OHFS adult and youth group members, performing folk songs and dances in a variety of colorful, authentic, one of-a-kind costumes. The dancers will be accompanied by members of the Orpheus music ensemble, the Chicago Hellenic Choir and special guest performers from Greece and the US. An audio visual presentation will feature highlights from the past 20 years and patrons will also enjoy various OHFS exhibits as well as several other surprises. Join the Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society as we take a look back and celebrate two decades full of song, dance and memories, and, at the same time, look forward to another 20 years full of culture, heritage and even more memories! |
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Orpheus Banners Debut in Greek Town |
If you’ve passed through Greek Town lately, you
might have noticed something new “hanging around” in the neighborhood. Light
posts along Halsted street are draped with colorful banners inviting
everyone to join the Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society in celebrating its 20
year anniversary. The banners were designed by Orpheus’ own Christina Kakavas, and sponsored by the SSA #16 with the help of Bessie Grosso. The displaying of the banners is significant for many reasons. For several years, OHFS has been a staple in Greek Town, participating in many events, including the Greek-American parade, the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center and the Taste of Greece Festival, as well as performing at different restaurants in the neighborhood. Furthermore, the banners proudly mark a huge milestone for Orpheus, serving as yet another reminder that the Hellenic culture and traditions are definitely alive in Chicago. On April 25, Orpheus will celebrate 20 remarkable years of traditions, culture, Hellenism, song and dance. We invite each of you to join us at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie as we celebrate the past and look forward to an even more remarkable future. |
Spotlight on Orpheus..! |
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Hometown: |
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Parents/Family From: |
My parents are from Thessaloniki but most of the family members come from the Peloponnese |
Time Dancing with Orpheus Group: |
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Thoughts on Dancing: |
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Favorite Dance: |
All of them. |
Most Vivid OHFS Memory: |
Too many to list but some memorable moments were the formation of the
group 20 years ago, the establishment of the youth and music groups, the
trips to Greece, the concerts with visiting musicians, |
Favorite Greek Dish: |
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Favorite Place in Greece: |
Athens, Thessaloniki, Kalamata. |
Hobbies/Sports/Other Interests: |
Traveling, music, theatre and multicultural performances. |
Nobody knows I: |
like Mario Frangoulis concerts. |
Best Childhood Memory: |
The first time a member of
the group was able to distinguish Yanni and Kosta |
Dream vacation/the perfect weekend: |
Performing in Greece and then going to the
beach. |
Someone I'd like to meet: |
All the papous and yiayias that kept the traditions alive all these years |
Favorite building/spot in Chicago: |
Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Soldier Field,
Halsted St. |
I'm currently looking for/forward to: |
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I stay home to watch: |
Workshop DVDs and past performances. |
Prized possession: |
My Hellenic heritage and traditions |
Where I heard about Orpheus Dance Troupe: |
From Niko, Yanni and Kosta |
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Last revised:
01/06/2013 01:06 PM