Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society Newsletter
Festival of Greek Music and Dance 2002:A Unique Experience
Hellenic
Traditions in South CarolinaYouth
Group NewsSpotlight on Orpheus Youth DancerPersonals
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2002 Festival of Greek Music and Dance: A Unique Experience |
| The auditorium of the Niles West High School was filled with the sounds of songs and music from the Greek Islands as Nikos Economides and the Keros Music Group from Greece entertained an audience of over 750 guests. The event, entitled "Festival of Greek Music and Dance," was sponsored by the Orpheus Hellenic Folklore society and SAE of America for the second consecutive year. The material presented included folk traditions from the islands of the Aegean sea, the Dodecanese, the Cyclades and the island of Kythera. The Orpheus Dance Troupe also performed dances from these island groups accompanied by the visiting musicians. It is very rare that this material is presented live in this part of the country by such talented musicians who demonstrated an array of unique instruments. Chicago was the last stop for the Keros Group whose US tour included presentations in Boston and New York. SAE congratulated the Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society for its excellent performance. Chris Tomaras, SAE vice president and a serious supporter of Orpheus, said, "The work of these young people is a significant contribution to our effort for the preservation of Hellenic culture and the values derived from it." "It was a fantastic event from start to finish and you should all be proud of this accomplishment," said Michael Orlove, coordinator of World Music Festival of the Department of Cultural Affairs in Chicago, as he addressed the Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society, and he added, "Clearly, your organization went through great efforts at putting the event together. I though it was smashing success. I look forward to seeing you soon." Cultural exchange events with artists from Greece allow the Greek American youth in Chicago to research, learn and demonstrate parts of Hellenic folk tradition on a large scale and depth. For more pictures and short video clips of the concert visit the web site of the Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society at www.ohfs.org |
| The Festival of Greek Music and Dance 2002 was made
possible through the generous contributions of the following sponsors:
Platinum Harvest Foods & Edgewater Produce William, George, John and Frank Touloumis – Olympia Development (In memory of our mother Athena) Gold Vasilios Giannopoulos Family Johnny’s Kitchen and Tap, Glenview Dr. Spiro C. Karras and Family North Elston Fruits & Vegetables Printing Arts Chicago Remax Preferred Property, Peter Dravilas Dr. Dimitris Zikos, Southwest Nephrology Associates Jim Stoynoff Silver 9 Muses Bar & Grill, Chicago Kostas and Kelly Apostolopoulos Athens Construction Co. Billy Goat's, Chicago Egg Factory, Mt. Prospect Market Place on Oakton Sianis Family Alkis Tsoutsias & Associates Bronze Adime Louis Atsaves, Cosmos Realty Insurance Capital Resource Group Chicago Carryout Napoleon Damianides Devon Realty Dr. Spiros Giannoulias Theodore Lymberopoulos The Parthenon Restaurant, Chicago Mrs. Julia Patrianakos Premier Billards & Cafe, Glenview Supreme Lobster, Villa Park Wolf Foods, Des Plaines The Works Restaurant, Glenview Yianni’s Restaurant, Arlington Heights Sponsoring Organizations: Chicago-Athens Friendship Committee, Sister Cities of Chicago Hellenic Link, Chicago Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center Hellenic Professional Society of Illinois We would also like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their assistance with this event: Michael Adam - World Music Institute George Alexopoulos - Hellenic Link George Bravos - Niles West High School Hara Deligiannis - Lyceum of Greek Women, Athens, Greece Alexa Gianakos - Greek Circle Magazine Alvaro Gualdron - Event Photographer Allison Heller - Hellenic Museum & Cultural Center Dr. Michael Kontos - Apollo Dance Troupe, Aurora Dimitri Kozonis - Chicago-Athens Friendship Committee Antigone Lambros - Antigone’s Corner TV program Diane Lymberopoulos-Adam - Greek Star Newspaper Charalambos Mylonas - WHPK (88.5 FM), University of Chicago Marta Nicholas - WHPK (88.5 FM), University of Chicago Michael Orlove - Dept. of Cultural Affairs, City of Chicago Mitaton Kythiron MIRTIA Cultural Society, Athens, Greece Helen Papagiannopoulos - Niles West High School Zafiro Papastratakos - Event Photographer Dina Pappas - Hellenic Professional Society of Illinois John Parish - Folk Culture Enthusiast Sotiris Rekoumis - Omogeneia Newspaper and Chicago Greek Hours Radio Eleni Sotos - SAE of America Chris P. Tomaras - SAE of America Kevin Wall - Niles West High School Our deepest gratitude goes out to the Festival’s Master of Ceremonies, James N. Stoynoff. |
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| Hellenic
Traditions in South Carolina |
| Two of our Orpheus instructors, Yannis and Kostas Economou were invited to serve as
judges at the Second Annual Hellenic Dance Festival (HDF). The Greek Orthodox Diocese of Atlanta sponsors this annual event where dance groups from parishes within its jurisdiction showcase their dance abilities. The host parish was St. George of Greenville, South Carolina, which consists of a vibrant Greek American community of over 400 families. It was interesting to learn that many of the parishioners have very strong ties with the Chicago area. The panel of judges also included Spiros Spirou, a member of the Greek American Folklore Society in New York. The list of participating dance groups was impressive and included dance groups from Wilmington, North Carolina, Charleston, North Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, Atlanta, Georgia, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Birmingham, Alabama, Marietta, Georgia and many others. It was truly moving to witness the effort that these communities are putting towards maintaining their identity and traditions in areas where the Greek American population consist of a handful of families. Even though this was only the second year that the HDF was held, all groups have made great progress and their potential is very promising. Instructors are getting more involved in researching and learning about Greek folk dance culture. In addition to the dance component of the festival, all three judges were able to meet with group instructors and their members to address their many questions. Information was shared regarding instruction techniques, availability of dance material, Greek folk music resources, costumes, motivating group members and generally anything that had to do with the organization of a successful dance group. We would like to thank Kiki Papadimitriou of Troupe Hellas of Atlanta and John Lulias of Tarpon Springs, Florida for this opportunity to meet representatives from all the participating communities and assist them in their efforts. Our gratitude also goes out to the community in Greenville, South Carolina for their hospitality and friendship during our stay. We hope to see our new friends again in the future. |
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| Youth Group News |
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The 2001-2002 year for the Orpheus Youth Group is approaching its conclusion with the "End of the Year" event, which will take place on Saturday, May 19 2002. On that day, the Youth members will present material that was taught throughout the year. The event will take place at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Des Plaines, between 3:30-5:00 p.m. All family members and friends are welcome to attend. Refreshments and sweets will be served and admission is free. |
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| Spotlight on Orpheus Youth Dancer... |
Maria K. |
| Parents/Family From: |
My father is from Sparti, Laconia |
| Occupation: |
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| Time Dancing with Orpheus Group: |
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| Thoughts on Dancing: |
It's a lot of fun, and I enjoy learning dances from all over Greece. |
| Favorite Dance: |
I love Pentozalis from Crete because of the fast pace. |
| Most Vivid OHFS Memory: |
The "Festival of Greek Music and Dance". It was really cool dancing to music from a live band from Greece. |
| Favorite Greek Dish: |
Avgolemono, dolmades, and kalamarakia. |
| Favorite Place in Greece: |
I really enjoyed going to Knossos in Crete, ancient Olympia, and the Acropolis in Athens. |
| Hobbies/Sports/Other Interests: |
I love playing basketball and swimming; I like reading books, and I play the piano. |
| Where I heard about Orpheus Dance Troupe: |
Mrs. Grosso told my mom about it and I saw them performed at our annual church festival a few years ago. |
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| Personals |
| Welcome aboard new Orpheus members Pheobos
Bolaris (Youth), Vaggelis Giorgas, Vickey Kazamias, Stefanie Lialios,
Kostantinos Liolios, Pinelopi Logotheti, Eleni Maheras, Petros Petridis,
Elpida Rallis, Vivian Theriopoulos, Panagiota Trakas, Vicky Tsangos Congratulations to Kostas Dovas, Vicky Karabelas on their first performance with Orpheus. |
| Birthday greetings to Christina Economou and George Karahalios on April 4, Paul Grosso on April 7, Alex Pavlos on April 12, Elizabeth Economou on April 16, Eftychia Gouvas on April 21, Christos Gikkas on May 17, Phaedra Bounas on April 29, Christine Minakakis on May 3, Barbara Siargos on May 6, Katerina Economou on May 11, Patricia Minakakis on May 12, Pat Tomaras on May 19, Antigone Matsakis on May 21, Irene Chiotis on May 29, Tom Mihalopoulos on June 4, Ariana Koshavari on June 6, Dimitra Bounas on June 16, Tommy Minetos on June 24, Catherine Grosso on June 26 Na ta ekatostisete! |
| Nameday greetings to George Kakis, Georgia Limberopoulos on April 23, Tom Mihalopoulos on May 5, Irene Chiotis on May 5, Elena Antonakos, Kostas Dovas, Dean Economos, Kosta Economou, Kosta Giannopoulos, Eleni Gouvas, Eleni Limberis, Konstantinos Liolios, Eleni Maheras, Eleni Poulakis on May 21. Chronia
Polla! Chronia Polla! |
| Anthi Georgakopoulos received her Bachelors Degree in Forensic Anthropology from University of Illinois, Urbana and she joined the Northwest Community Hospital as a Lab Representative. Giota Trakas will receive her Master's Degree in Special Education from Northeastern Illinois University this May. Congratulations! Congratulations to Catherine Grosso for winning the first prize at St. George Church for her Icon that will be represented at the Oratorical Feast. Catherine also graduated this year from Plato Academy and plans to attend the Regina High School in Wilmette. Good Luck! Congratulations to Christina Grosso for being invited to the Chicago City Wide All Star Soccer team! |
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Last revised:
12/27/2011 08:27 AM