One of the local cultural organizations with which the Orpheus Dance Troupe has established a strong relationship throughout the years is the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center. The Museum recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a special event at which the Orpheus Dance Troupe was honored to participate. The elegant gala took place at the Intercontinental Hotel in downtown Chicago. This celebration offered an opportunity for museum supporters to reflect on the Museum’s past as well as its future. Construction plans for the Museum’s new building in the heart of Chicago’s Greek Town are underway.

The relationship between OHFS and the Hellenic Museum has been maintained through their cooperation in a number of events during the last ten years.  In 1994, one of the Museum’s most notable exhibits was that of the Dora Stratou folk costume collection. The unique collection was first exhibited at the Chicago Historical Society. Members of the Orpheus Dance Troupe worked with the exhibit committee by offering their knowledge of folk costumes and assisting in cataloguing and translating text concerning the history and origin of these costumes. The Orpheus Dance Troupe performed at the Opening Reception and also co-sponsored satellite events at the Hellenic Museum showcasing Greece’s rich folk tradition in relation to the costumes exhibited.

In 1998 the Orpheus Dance Troupe co-sponsored the exhibit “Marika’s Koukles” which featured a rare collection of miniature dolls in Greek folk costumes. Again, Orpheus members participated actively in the presentation and organization of the exhibit with the Museum’s curators. Throughout the years the Orpheus Dance Troupe, in cooperation with the Hellenic Museum, has participated in the annual ethnic fashion show at Daley Plaza celebrating the anniversary of the United Nations. Recently, the Troupe performed at the Swedish Museum at an event where Swedish and Greek customs were exhibited. The Field Hellenic Museum Celebrates 10th Year Anniversary Museum of Chicago sponsored this event as part of its “Spring 2002: Cultural Connections” program that encourages partnerships among Chicago’s museums and cultural centers.

We look forward to a continued collaboration with the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center and we wish the Board of Directors the best in the ambitious mission of establishing a permanent home for the Museum..

The Orpheus Dance Troupe had the distinguished honor to perform at the Illinois Executive Mansion in Springfield, Illinois. Governor George Ryan and his wife Lynn hosted a reception at their official residence in honor of the Hellenic Community of Illinois.

The Governor’s mansion is located in downtown Springfield, a few blocks from the state’s Capitol building. It was built more than 150 years ago and consists of several structures. Construction of the Executive Mansion began in 1853 and was completed in 1855. John Murry Van Odsel, a Chicago architect, designed the basic structure of the Mansion in a modified Georgian style. The interior is pure Greek Revival. The Illinois Executive Mansion is the oldest historic residence in Illinois and the third oldest Executive mansion in the country. This red brick Italianate mansion has been the home of Illinois governors since 1855, when Joel A. Matteson and his family moved in. William Bissell, who received the Lincolns at several large parties before they left for the White House, followed him. Carefully restored in 1971, the building houses many treasures. When you enter the mansion, you immediately see the exquisite elliptical stairway, which leads to spacious rooms decorated in the British
Regency style.

Once upstairs you can see portraits of the Lincolns and their friend Edward Baker, White House china from the Lincoln administration, a bust of Lincoln modeled from life by Thomas D. Jones, and a table presented to President Lincoln that contains more than 20,000 pieces of inlaid wood.

The not-for-profit Illinois Executive Mansion Association was formed and incorporated in 1972 to promote and preserve the historical integrity of the Executive Mansion for its 30,000 annual visitors. The Mansion was added to the National Register of Historic places in 1976. 

The evening’s official host was Ms. Judy Bar Topinka, the Illinois State treasurer. A major part of the reception’s planning was organized by the local Greek community in Springfield, which was represented in part by the parish of St. Anthony.

The event began with cocktails and a dinner. Later, Governor Ryan made his welcome remarks and thanked the Hellenic Community for its contributions to the state of Illinois. Among those mentioned was State Senator Angeline Geokaris who attended the reception. Her tenure in the Illinois political scene spans several decades and, as Governor Ryan stated, her integrity and dedication to public service have been an inspiration to many. He pointed out that a reception recognizing the Hellenic Community at the Executive Mansion was long over due as Governor Thompson hosted the last one. The Governor then recognized the efforts and achievements of various Greek American organizations such the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center and the Greek American Nursing Home. He took the members of the Orpheus Dance Troupe by surprise by presenting them with a plaque honoring the Troupe’s contribution toward the preservation of Hellenic culture and traditions.
Following the Governor’s presentations, the Troupe performed a selection of Greek folk dances and then led guests to the dance floor accompanied by the music of the Hellenic Five Orchestra.

We would like to extend our gratitude to one person in particular with whom we have had the honor to work since the founding of the Orpheus Dance Troupe. That person is Mrs. Pat Michalski, the governor’s representative for Ethnic Affairs. She has served with unparalleled dedication and passion under several governors who have considered her to be irreplaceable. Throughout the many years we have known Pat, she has always kept in touch, despite her hectic schedule, and has been able to attend many OHFS functions. We wish her continued years of contribution to the ethnic communitiesof Illinois! 

Plainfield, Illinois

My father is from Athens 
and my mother is from Tripoli.

Nuclear Operator for Exelon Nuclear in Braidwood Illinois.

A year and a half.

Its a lot of fun and a great escape from the outside world. There is definitely some work involved with being in a troupe, but its all worth it.

Patima from the island of Limnos.. The crowd always seems to love it too...

The Winter Dance Conference in Tarpon Springs, Florida in January of this year. We probably danced more than we slept!! I made some really great friendships there.

Oh, where do I start. Oven baked lamb & potatoes, avgolemono soup, octopus.

Plaka and Monastiraki in Athens. Santorini and Rhodes were awesome as well.

I recently started playing the bouzouki and the doumbek. I jet-ski a lot in the summer. I also enjoy reading, traveling, movies, playing tavli and most of all spending time with friends.

Used to teach Taekwondo. I also hosted a couple of radio
shows for a year and a half in college. 

Any one of my random Saturdays spending the day with my father... 

My dream vacation would be to take a trip around the world. To do nothing else but see new places for 6 months.

Bruce Lee. 

Its a toss up between Navy Pier and the John Hancock Building. 

The Winter Dance Conference next January in Atlanta!  

Just pay per view fights or DVDs... I don't watch much TV. 

My new home that I built last year.  

I came across the Orpheus web page while surfing the internet looking at Greek sites. I've been hooked ever since the first session.

Na ta ekatostisete!