| 'Tiny Great
Performances' - DuPage Children's Museum |
The Orpheus dance group
participated at the season opener of the 'Tiny Great Performances' that
was held at the DuPage Children's Museum.
(Naperville, IL - October 2008) |
The Tiny Great
Performances provide a great way to introduce young children to the
magic of live performances. This is the fifth season of this
popular program.
(Naperville, IL - October 2008) |
The Angelos family came out in
force, Angelo, Andrea and Spiro demonstrating Greek folk dances to
visitors of the museum.
(Naperville, IL - October 2008) |
Elaine Drikakis, Major Gifts
Associate of the DuPage museum, with her daughter enjoying the
festivities. It was a chance to reacquainted with Elaine Drikakis
who used to be a staff member of the Hellenic Museum and Cultural
Center.
(Naperville, IL - October 2008) |
Visitors and
staff members of the museum had a chance to be part of the presentation
by learning a couple of Greek folk dances.
(Naperville, IL - October 2008) |
Marcia MacRae, Arts Specialist of the DuPage museum, shows her dancing
skills while holding a handkerchief.
(Naperville, IL - October 2008)
|
| Orpheus Youth
Group - First Day of Class |
It is September and that means
the start of another year for the Orpheus Youth group. 2008 marks
the 10th year anniversary of the Orpheus Youth group which established
back in 1998.
(Northbrook, IL - September 2008) |
Students at the
Glenview branch pose for group picture to mark the beginning of the 2008
year
(Glenview, IL - September 2008) |
The Orpheus youth group
teachers joined the students for a group picture. The ranks of the
Orpheus Youth group teachers have been expanded this year. A few
of the teachers are past members of the youth group.
Welcome all and let's have another great year!
(Glenview, IL - September 2008) |
| Savina Yannatou &
Primavera en Salonico - Chicago World Music Festival 2008 |
Savina Yannatou accompanied by
members of Primavera en Salonico performed at the Old Town School of
Folk Music during the 2008 Chicago World Music Festival. Kostas,
Bessie and Yannis with Savina after the concert.
(Chicago, IL - September 2008) |
Kostas,
percussionist Kostas Theodorou, Yannis, violinist Kiriakos Gouventas,
Niko (a newly arrived music teacher from Greece, welcome to Chicago!), Georgia, Izaki and Sophia. Kiriakos Gouventas is a well
known violinist in Greece and participated in the
2001 Festival of Greek Music and Dance.
(Chicago, IL - September 2008) |
The next day Savina and members
of the band Primavera en Salonico had a chance to do some sightseeing
around Chicago.
Niko, tour director Helen, Kiriakos, Savina, Kostas and Haris Lambrakis
(nay).
Savina and tour director Helen had a chance to try some Orpheus wear.
(Chicago, IL - September 2008) |
| North shore Greek
Festival - Hellenic American Academy |
Orpheus members had a chance to
participate at the annual Northshore Festival that took place at the
Hellenic American Academy grounds during the Labor week end
(Deerfield, IL - August 2008) |
Elena and
Patricia.
(Deerfield, IL - August 2008) |
The girls dancing Ballaristos
from the island of Mykonos
(Deerfield, IL - August 2008) |
The guys wearing costumes from
the island of Cyprus. A suite of dances from the Greek Islands
were presented.
(Deerfield, IL - August 2008) |
Alex during a
Patima moment from the island of Limnos
(Deerfield, IL - August 2008) |
Maria and Felicia enjoying
dancing Pyrgousikos from the island of Chios
(Deerfield, IL - August 2008) |
| Greek Town
Festival |
Group picture having the Sears
Tower as a background.
(Chicago, IL - August 2008) |
Many familiar
and unfamiliar faces had a chance to visit the Orpheus booth during the
2-day festival
(Chicago, IL - August 2008) |
Time for some dancing in front
of a populous crowd
(Chicago, IL - August 2008) |
The girls enjoying the
performance and encouraging the guys
(Chicago, IL - August 2008) |
The girls ready to showcase Pentozalis from the island of Crete
(Chicago, IL - August 2008) |
It must have been a good performance since everybody seems to be
smiling!
(Chicago, IL - August 2008)
|
| Parthenon
Restaurant - 40th Anniversary |
Orpheus members joined in the
celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Parthenon Restaurant at
Chicago's Greek Town.
(Chicago, IL - July 2008) |
The first
presentation included dances from mainland Greece. The guys during
a Tsamiko moment.
(Chicago, IL - July 2008) |
Peter and Tina during a
relaxing moment while dancing Sygathistos from Metsovo.
(Chicago, IL - July 2008) |
A special guest performer made
his debut with Orpheus, Andonis from Tucson, Arizona
(Chicago, IL - July 2008) |
Kostas and Peter
(Chicago, IL - July 2008)
|
The second presentation
included some 'modern' style dances, Hasapiko, and Hasaposerviko.
(Chicago, IL - July 2008) |
| Jimmy's
Restaurant - Just Having Fun |
It is the end of another
Orpheus dance year and once again the Orpheus family gathered at the
Jimmy's Restaurant to relax and enjoy a splendid meal courtesy of the
Stergios family.
(Des Plaines, IL - July 2008) |
Angie, Dimitri,
Kathy, Yanni, Anastasia and big Yanni
(Des Plaines, IL - July 2008) |
Kostas, Mary,
Effie and Adam.
(Des Plaines, IL - July 2008) |
Dino, Ethel and Theresa in the
'parents' table. But this year a few of the parents joined the
ranks of the Orpheus dance group and did an excellent job.
(Des Plaines, IL - July 2008) |
Elena, Patricia,
Felicia, Maria and Zacharia. It is always good to see some members
that have not been to practice for some time ;)
(Des Plaines, IL - July 2008) |
Bessie,
Alexandros and Albert.
(Des Plaines, IL - July 2008) |
It is time for the dancing to
start to burn some of the calories.
(Des Plaines, IL - July 2008) |
It did not take
much for everybody to join the dancing lines.
(Des Plaines, IL - July 2008) |
Jimmy, the owner
of Jimmy's Restaurant, had a chance to showcase his Tsamiko skills.
(Des Plaines, IL - July 2008) |
Spiro and Peter trying to
demonstrate some Tsamiko figures.
(Des Plaines, IL - July 2008) |
Son and father
Tsamiko moment.
(Des Plaines, IL - July 2008) |
The dancing
continued non-stop for several hours. See you back in August.
Have a good Summer break!
(Des Plaines, IL - July 2008) |
| Channel 11 - PBS
- Pledge Drive |
Orpheus members helped manned
the phones for Chicago's PBS station, Channel 11 during the showing of
the 'Journey: Greek American Dream' TV program.
(Chicago, IL - June 2008) |
NBC 5 news
anchor Anna Devlantes was one of the co-hosts of the pledge drive.
Pictured here with Bessie and Yanni.
(Chicago, IL - June 2008) |
Effie with Gene Honda, co-host
of the pledge drive. Gene Honda is a popular public address announcer
for the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks, DePaul University
basketball and the NCAA Final Four.
(Chicago, IL - June 2008) |
Group picture at Channel's 11
studios.
(Chicago, IL - June 2008) |
Alexander,
Catherine and Eleni answering the pledge drive calls
(Chicago, IL - June 2008) |
The event provided the chance
to reunite with a couple of alumni members of Orpheus, Christina Pagones
(second from left) and Joanne.
(Chicago, IL - June 2008) |
| Assumption Church
Greek Festival, St. Louis |
During Memorial weekend the
Orpheus dance group re-visited the community of the Assumption Church in
St. Louis during their Greek Festival.
(St. Louis, MO - May 2008) |
A couple of
suites of mainland and island suites were presented.
(St. Louis, MO - May 2008) |
Peter during one of his flips
while performing Tsamikos.
(St. Louis, MO - May 2008) |
The Kyklos dance group of the
Assumption Church performing during the festival. Orpheus and
Kyklos close friendship goes back close to 15 years.
(St. Louis, MO - May 2008) |
Having the
chance to relax between performances by dancing some Kalamatiano and
Syrto dances under the big tent.
(St. Louis, MO - May 2008) |
It is time to eat and re-fuel
for the next performance.
(St. Louis, MO - May 2008) |
Mary enjoying the Diples
dessert.
(St. Louis, MO - May 2008) |
A visit to St.
Louis would not be complete without a visit to the Gateway Arch.
(St. Louis, MO - May 2008) |
Going out and experiencing St.
Louis after festival hours.
(St. Louis, MO - May 2008) |
Orpheus Youth End
of Year Event
Picture Gallery and Order Form |
The Orpheus music ensemble
escorted the dancers in most of the dances presented
(Des Plaines, IL - May 2008) |
The Orpheus
Junior group with music instructors George Lowler and Eve Monzingo
(Des Plaines, IL - May 2008) |
The graduate youth class of
2008
(Des Plaines, IL - May 2008) |
Orpheus youth member Deanna
reflecting on her past years with Orpheus
(Des Plaines, IL - May 2008) |
Dr. George
Sianis presented the Dina Sianis Merit Award to two youth members,
Louisa and Marino
(Des Plaines, IL - May 2008) |
The first youth group
presenting dances from Thrace, Thessaly, Epiros and Chios
(Des Plaines, IL - May 2008) |
The second group presented a
suite of dances from the Greek islands
(Des Plaines, IL - May 2008) |
The third group
presented a suite of dances from Macedonia and Thrace
(Des Plaines, IL - May 2008) |
The fourth group presented a
suite of dances from the island of Crete
(Des Plaines, IL - May 2008) |
| Dance Instructor
Anna Mavrou visits Chicago |
|
Anna is
originally from the island of Kalymnos. During a couple of
workshop sessions with Orpheus, Anna had a chance to demonstrate dances,
songs and customs from the island of Kalymnos.
(Northbrook, IL - May 2008) |
Anna with the girls
(Northbrook, IL - May 2008) |
Pavlo is familiar with Chicago
since his brother used to leave in Chicago for some years. During
one of his visits to Chicago (1986), Pavlo had a chance to get
acquainted with the community of St. John Church and his priest
Father Leonakis. Pavlo had a chance to meet Father Leonakis again
during the Sunday service at St. John Church where the community was
celebrating the opening of its new school building.
(Des Plaines, IL - May 2008) |
Anna and Pavlo
had a chance to visit many Chicago's landmarks
(Chicago, IL - May 2008) |
Kosta, Yanni with Anna enjoying
the nice view from the John Hancock building
(Chicago, IL - May 2008) |
| Chicago Hellenic
Choir Spring Concert |
Right after the Skokie of
Festival performance Orpheus members participated in the annual Spring
Concert of the Chicago Hellenic Choir.
(Chicago, IL - May 2008) |
Orpheus
presented 3 songs, 'Filntisenio Karavaki', 'To Pelago Ine Bathi' and
'Venetia'
(Chicago, IL - May 2008) |
The Adult Chicago Hellenic
Choir
(Chicago, IL - May 2008) |
The last part of the program
Orpheus joined the youth and adult groups of the Chicago Hellenic Choir
for 3 pieces, 'Ena To Helidoni', 'Tis Dikeosinis', 'Pou 'nai Ta Hronia'.
(Chicago, IL - May 2008) |
Since the last song
presented 'Pou 'ne Ta Hronia' has a 9/8 rhythm, the Orpheus members had a
chance to dance to it in a karsilama beat.
(Chicago, IL - May 2008) |
Chicago Youth Hellenic choir
and Orpheus Youth member Paul with Orpheus youth members Constantina,
Stavroula, Katerina and Mary Eli.
(Chicago, IL - May 2008) |
| Skokie Festival
of Cultures |
The Orpheus dance group
participated for the 17th year at the Skokie Festival of Cultures.
(Skokie, IL - May 2008) |
A suite of
dances from the Greek Islands was presented. Some mainland
costumes had to be used since the youth group members were using most of
the island costumes.
(Skokie, IL - May 2008) |
The Sousta from the island of
Chios was presented for the first time by the Orpheus dance group.
(Skokie, IL - May 2008) |
It seemed that people liked the
dance as some of them lined up to take their picture with Orpheus!
(Skokie, IL - May 2008) |
Taso, Felicia,
Lefteris and Christina during a Sousta moment.
(Skokie, IL - May 2008) |
The guys had a chance to
showcase their skills during 'Patima' from the island of Limnos
(Skokie, IL - May 2008) |
Alex, Kostas and Dean
(Skokie, IL - May 2008) |
Peter finishing
up the guys variations during 'Patima'
(Skokie, IL - May 2008) |
We have lift off!
Kostas and Nina during Sousta from the island of Kalymnos.
(Skokie, IL - May 2008) |
| Dance Instructor
Hara Deligiannis Visits Chicago |
A close friend of Orpheus
Lyceum of Ellinidon of Athens dance instructor Hara Deligiannis (second
from left) visited Chicago during Easter. Pictured here with
Bessie, Yanni, Kosta, her son Rafael and his father Tasso.
(Chicago, IL - April 2008) |
Hara's son
Rafael with Alexander, Peter, Christina and Catherine. Rafael is a
member of the Lyceum of Ellinidon of Athens and had a chance also to
perform with Orpheus during the Summer of 2000 when Hara and Rafael
visited Chicago, click
here to read/reminiscence about the
1998 and
2000 visit.
(Chicago, IL - April 2008) |
Christina, Rafael and Catherine
(Chicago, IL - April 2008)
|
| Greek American
Parade - Greek Town |
Members of the Orpheus on top
of the Pan-Hellenic Scholarship Foundation float.
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
Peter and Spiro
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
Niko and Patricia
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
Getting ready to march down
Halsted Street
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
Spiro, Taso and
Yanni having a cheerful moment
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
Louiza, Valerie and Eleni
enjoying the parade
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
Anastasia, Ethel and Gayle
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
Maria and Eleni
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
This year members of the music
group had a chance to showcase their talents along with members of the
youth group on top the Parthenon Restaurant float
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
An energetic
contingent
from the youth group manned the Parthenon restaurant float
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
Marching down
Halsted Street
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
Peter and Christo holding the
Orpheus banner
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
Youth members waving proudly
the Greek flags
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
There is always
time for some dancing
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
It is time to warm up with
Zonaradiko
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
A Grosso family moment
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
Time to raise
the energy level
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
The guys doing the traditional
'energy' run
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
| Chicago Greek
Consul Greek Independence Day Reception |
The Honorable Greek Consul Mr.
and Mrs. Petrovas with members of the Orpheus dance group
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
Marinos, Maria,
Zacharias and Spiros welcome guests during the reception
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
Mr. and Mrs. Rekoumis, hosts of
the Greek Radio Program 'The Chicago Greek Hour'.
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
Group picture before the
performance
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
Pictured with
Zoe and her constant camera companion
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
Jimmy stretching before the
performance and trying to reenact a Greek revolutionary moment.
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
Eleni with Zoe
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
Last minute
preparations before the performance
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
Performing dances from mainland
Greece.
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
| Kalavrita Society
Dinner Dance |
Group picture at the Kalavrita
Society Dinner Dance that took place at the Hilton Hotel in downtown
Chicago
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
Bessie, Effie,
Nina and Mary
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
The guys practice some of the
dance steps before the performance
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
Pictured with the ever present
secretary of State Jesse White
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
Nina, Ethel,
Mary and Effie
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
It is time to start the
official program and festivities
(Chicago, IL - March 2008) |
| Greek American
Nursing & Rehabilitation Center |
The Orpheus Youth group
revisited the Greek American Nursing Home presenting a suite of songs
and dances.
(Wheeling, IL - March 2008) |
The boys
performing Tsamiko
(Wheeling, IL - March 2008) |
Kostas and George leading the
line while performing Xysyrtos from the region of Thrace
(Wheeling, IL - March 2008) |
The Orpheus Junior musical
group accompanied the dancers. In violin Izaki and Angelo, and
Dean playing the clarinet
(Wheeling, IL - March 2008) |
Yannis on the
bouzouki, Dimitri on baglama and Paul on toumbeleki
(Wheeling, IL - March 2008) |
Performing Pyrgousikos from the
island of Chios
(Wheeling, IL - March 2008) |
Performing Ikariotikos from the
island of Ikaria
(Wheeling, IL - March 2008) |
At the end of
the program the music group played the Zeibekiko tune of Evdoxia and a
couple of youngsters had a chance to showcase their skills
(Wheeling, IL - March 2008) |
Residents of the nursing home
had a chance also to showcase their skills by joining the Orpheus
dancers and instructors. In addition Greek flags were distributed
to members of the audience commemorating the upcoming Greek Independence
Day.
(Wheeling, IL - March 2008) |
| St. John Church
Philoptohos Dinner |
A suite of dances from the
Greek islands was presented during the St. John Church Philoptohos
Society dinner dance to benefit the St. Iakovos Retreat Center in
Wisconsin and the Orthodox Mission House in Champaign Illinois
(Kildeer, IL - February 2008) |
Catherine and Nina
(Kildeer, IL - February 2008) |
Also present was His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos
(Kildeer, IL - February 2008) |
Dancing Pyrgousikos from the
island of Chios
(Kildeer, IL - February 2008) |
Christina and Elaine
(Kildeer, IL - February 2008) |
You can tell also from the short haircuts that the swimming season is
over
(Kildeer, IL - February 2008) |
| Greek Dance
Workshop |
A Greek dance workshop took place for members of the Unitarian Church of
Evanston.
(Evanston, IL - February 2008) |
Several Greek dances were demonstrated from different regions of Greece.
Kostas, Bessie and Marianna demonstrating Apostolitikos from the island
of Tilos.
(Evanston, IL - February 2008) |
The dance session was extended due to popular demand and the last dance
shown was Tsamikos.
(Evanston, IL - February 2008) |
Orpheus
Vasilopita Celebration
Watch the Vasilopita Video
(QuickTime, 12 MB) |
The Orpheus family celebrated another successful
Vasilopita event.
Father Dimitrios accompanied by Deacon Sotiris Malamis performed the
prayer and the blessing of the Vasilopitas.
(Des Plaines, IL -January 2008) |
Before dinner, under the direction of Orpheus choral instructor Eftihia
Papageorgiou, the adult group presented 3 songs and then the youth
members joined in singing the New Year carols.
(Des Plaines, IL -January 2008) |
The Orpheus junior music ensemble made its debut appearance at the
event.
The Orpheus junior group was formed in October of 2007 under the
direction of Eve Mozingo and George Lawer.
(Des Plaines, IL -January 2008) |
After the junior group, the adult music ensemble took over and provided
live music entertainment for the rest of the might.
Joining also the adult group presentation was renown clarinet player Jim
Stoynoff (left).
(Des Plaines, IL -January 2008) |
Members of the Orpheus adult music ensemble
(Des Plaines, IL -January 2008) |
Eve Mozingo at santouri
(Des Plaines, IL -January 2008) |
It did not take long to fill the dance floor
(Des Plaines, IL -January 2008) |
The youngsters made their presence strong at the dance floor
(Des Plaines, IL -January 2008) |
Anastasia, Vasiliki, Anastasia and Androniki
(Des Plaines, IL -January 2008) |
It is time for the boys to showcase their dance skills.
(Des Plaines, IL -January 2008) |
Aris, Angie, Yiota, Ethel and Angela
(Des Plaines, IL -January 2008) |
Nina, Dean and Margarita
(Des Plaines, IL -January 2008) |
Ikariotikos is always one of the favorite dances
(Des Plaines, IL -January 2008) |
It is time to end the night with some Zeibekiko dances. Members of
the Orpheus junior music ensemble provided an interpretation of the
Zeibekiko tune, Evdoxia.
(Des Plaines, IL -January 2008) |
Zaharia and Panagioti dancing Zeibekiko with equal zeal and skill
(Des Plaines, IL -January 2008) |
| International
Night - Hoffman/Henkin Elementary Schools |
Members of the Orpheus Youth group participated at the International
Night festivities at Hoffman Elementary school in Glenview
(Glenview, IL -January 2008) |
Pictured with
Hoffman School
principal Mark Walther
(Glenview, IL -January 2008) |
The Hellenic delegation had the honor of being the Grand Marshal of this
year's opening ceremonies
(Glenview, IL -January 2008) |
Performing Zonaradikos
(Glenview, IL -January 2008) |
Paul, Louiza and Vasiliki
(Glenview, IL -January 2008) |
At the end of the dance presentation, audience members joined for an
impromptu Greek dance lesson
(Glenview, IL -January 2008) |
Katerina and Alexandros explained to the visitors of the Greek
designated classroom what it would take to get a stamp at the passport
booklet
(Glenview, IL -January 2008) |
You will need to either say in Greek a couple of Greek phrases or
pronounce a couple of letters from the Greek alphabet
(Glenview, IL -January 2008) |
Then with the help of Sophia, Mariel and Astero you will have your
booklet stamped and approved!
(Glenview, IL -January 2008) |
| Winter Dance
Conference - Tarpon Springs, Florida |
The Orpheus delegation pictured with the instructors of the conference,
Joe Graziosi (Boston), Kiriakos Moisidis (Thessaloniki, Greece) and
Yannis Papadopoulos (Kozani, Greece)
(Tarpon Springs, FL -January 2008) |
Joe Graziosi demonstrating dances from Orma, Macedonia. This
year's conference concentrated on dances and songs from the region of
Macedonia.
(Tarpon Springs, FL -January 2008) |
Mrs. Bokas, originally from Kozani, Greece, could not resist dancing
some of the dances from Kozani.
(Tarpon Springs, FL -January 2008) |
The Friday night event featured the renown music band Ziyia and it was
time to relax and enjoy the music and dancing.
(Tarpon Springs, FL -January 2008) |
Joe, Yannis and Yannis lead the line during a Koulouriastos moment
(Tarpon Springs, FL -January 2008) |
|