Orpheus
Youth Group Celebrates End of the Year |
![]() ![]() Both songs are performed by girls only, and combine song and dance elements that certainly make for an interesting presentation. Let’s not forget the talents of Dimitri Dallas who accompanied the girls’ steps and singing with his ever-present toubeleki (hand drum). From the simple Kalamatiano syrto, which opened the program, to the modern hasapiko and hasaposerviko, which made for an enthusiastic conclusion, the program was a great way to end what was certainly a year full of progress and accomplishment! Other highlights of the past year included performances at the Museum of Science and Industry in December of 2001 and most notably the performance at the concert of the Festival of Greek Music and Dance that took place last March. In that event, ten renowned folk musicians from Greece presented songs and music from the Greek Islands and both adult and youth groups performed dances accompanied by those artists. It was a memorable and unique experience that we hope will become an annual tradition here in Chicago and something that all Orpheus members along with the Greek American community will be looking forward to. ![]() The Orpheus Youth Group has enjoyed tremendous growth, which can be attributed to the quality of this program. It is very exciting to incorporate the first generations of youth members into the adult group. The future of the Orpheus Dance Troupe is indeed bright as its members not only possess dance skills but have demonstrated a great deal of commitment, enthusiasm and respect toward preserving Hellenic folk culture and traditions. |
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The
Custom of Yianitsari and Boules in the City of Naoussa |
Three typical features characterize the Carnival in the city of Naoussa (located in Macedonia, Northern Greece), namely:
its inhabitants’ adherence to tradition, customary Greek hospitality and the spontaneity and enthusiasm that accompany the beginning of the feasts. Groups of people in disguise who indiscriminately satirize everything, including even the representations of customs, form part of the celebration of the Carnival. The highlight of the Carnival is the appearance of people disguised as Yianitsari and Boules (Brides). In an effort to trace the stages of evolution of the custom of Yianitsari and Boules, it is inevitable that we mention its close relationship with the rites of Dionysus. As it has been argued, not only for the custom under discussion, but also for similar ones celebrated in other regions of Macedonia (Kali Vrisi, Drama), the distant predecessor of all these customs must have been the grand festivities (called Anthestiria) with which people welcomed spring in antiquity; Dionysus was closely connected with the spring season and, therefore, worshipped by the people in the belief that in this way they would be favored and would reap a good harvest. No documents have been found referring to the history of the custom dating from earlier than the middle of the period of the Turkish occupation. The oldest known event connected with the custom is the violent recruitment of Christian boys for the Turkish army in 1705 where the Sultan sent Achmet Tselebi to proceed with the first recruitment in the city of Naoussa. The inhabitants of Naoussa not only refused to give up their children, but also killed Achmet Tselebi. The event took place during the Carnival period. As a consequence, many men in Naoussa left the city and found shelter at Mount Vermion where they formed rebel troops under the leadership of Zisis Karadimos. ![]() The custom of Yianitsari and Boules is held to strict guidelines. The performance of this ritual requires disciplined obedience to certain rules. Only young, unmarried men are allowed to participate. Special care is required when donning the traditional disguises. The strict execution of the performance with traditional music and dance is expected. The troupe (Mpoulouki) must follow a specific itinerary as they travel throughout the city and the only instruments that accompany the troupe are the zournas and the daouli which are referred to as a couple (zygia). ![]() over the belt, made of embroidered leather and is embroidered), betsfes (white tights which cover the legs up to the thighs), skoufounia (white socks), tsarouhia (leather shoes with black tassel at the front), taramboulo zounari (large headscarf consisting of three separate pieces sewn together that is made of pure silk and bears motifs of eastern origin). The costume of Yianitsaros is augmented with a wide variety of jewels, which bear different names according to their shapes, motifes, and way of manufacture. On the front of the costume coins dating from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries are attached. The silver ones are of Turkish, French or Austrian origin. They are suspended from chains, the end of which is decorated with a cross or an amulet. Today, for simplification, these coins are sewn onto the waistcoat. The most impressive item in the costume of Yianitsaros and Boula is the mask (prosopos). It is of special importance and one of the indispensable parts of the costume. The mask is made from a thick cloth covered by a layer of plaster. It is then lined with beeswax in order to keep the face of the wearer cool. The moustache is made of horsehair and tar. The colors used to render the characteristics of the face are mixed with egg yolks. It is worth mentioning that the openings in the mask corresponding to the eyes and the mouth of the wearer are so small that Yianitsaros and Boula can only, with great difficulty, breathe and see. The reason for this is that big eyes and a big mouth are considered to be ugly. The color of the mask is white with cheeks painted red. The costume of Boula differs in many respects from that of Yanitsaros. It should be made clear that in keeping with tradition, a Boula is a man disguised as a woman. Boula’s head is decorated with flowers, tulle and ribbons and her mask is painted white with red cheeks and a golden spot on the forehead. The preparation for the performance begins on the eve of the Carnival period. On Sunday morning the dressing of the Yianitsaros is completed and he is ready to join the troupe. The melancholic sounds of the zournas come from a distance accompanied by the drumming of the daouli. They play a tune to a free rhythmic pattern known as Zalistos or Proskinima (the homage or pilgrimage). The Yianitsaros will cross himself three times when he comes to the threshold of his home and then he will salute the members of the troupe who had come to fetch him. After the troupe has assembled, the procession moves to the Town Hall. The permission to proceed with the procession is nowadays granted by the mayor of the city. It is at that time that the zourna player starts playing the Rhoido, a song to which the Yianitsari dance and flourish the handkerchiefs tied to their hands before they draw their swords. Other dances and songs performed include Patinada, Thourios, Papadia, Makrinitsa, Nizamikos, Tsiamikos, Sarantapende, Melekes, Pouliana, Tou Ypsilanti, Tou Ypatrou, and O Milis o Perofanos. The custom of Yianitsari and Boules has survived until today because it carries with it old memories which, presented anew, express the worries and needs of our own time. Source: Takis Baitsis, “Yianitsaroi and Boula of Niaoustas”, 2nd Edition, Thessaloniki 2001 |
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Hellenic
Museum Celebrates 10th Year Anniversary |
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Orpheus
Performs at the Illinois Executive Mansion |
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Spotlight on Orpheus Dancer... |
Kostas Dovas![]() |
Hometown: |
Plainfield, Illinois |
Parents/Family From: |
My father is from Athens |
Occupation: |
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Time Dancing with Orpheus Group: |
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Thoughts on Dancing: |
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. |
Favorite Dance: |
Patima from the island of Limnos.. The crowd always seems to love it too... |
Most Vivid OHFS Memory: |
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. |
Favorite Greek Dish: |
Oh, where do I start. Oven baked lamb & potatoes, avgolemono soup, octopus. |
Favorite Place in Greece: |
Plaka and Monastiraki in Athens. Santorini and Rhodes were awesome as well. |
Hobbies/Sports/Other Interests: |
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. |
Nobody knows I: |
Used to teach Taekwondo. I also hosted a couple of
radio |
Best childhood memory: |
Any one of my random Saturdays spending the day with my father... |
Dream vacation/the perfect weekend: |
My dream vacation would be to take a trip around the world. To do nothing else but see new places for 6 months. |
Someone I'd like to meet: |
Bruce Lee. |
Favorite building/spot in Chicago: |
Its a toss up between Navy Pier and the John Hancock Building. |
I'm currently looking for/forward to: |
The Winter Dance Conference next January in Atlanta! |
I stay home to watch: |
Just pay per view fights or DVDs... I don't watch much TV. |
Prized possession: |
My new home that I built last year. |
Where I heard about Orpheus Dance Troupe: |
I came across the Orpheus web page while surfing the internet looking at Greek sites. I've been hooked ever since the first session. |
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Personals |
Welcome aboard new Orpheus members Youth Group: Dimitrios Burikas, Penelope Burikas, Dean Karahalios, Connie Leberis, Christos Tsekos, Adrienne Wicklund, Jeremy Wicklund, Photios Frangos Adult group: Irene Chiotis, Joy Economos, Pamela Economos, Elexes Wicklund, Amanda Frango Congratulations to Konstantinos Liolios, Pinelopi Logotheti, Stephanie Lialios on their first performance with Orpheus. |
Birthday greetings to Phoebos Bolaris, Jim Thanopoulos July 3; Vasiliki Kourkouvis, July 10; Kathy Tomaras July 14; Barbara Dallas July 18; Vivian Danaskos, Tasso Giannopoulos July 22; Katerina Skondos July 24; Elias Papadakis, July 27; Anna Salapatas July 31; Alexis Arvanitis August 1; Christina Kakavas August 15; Renee Papageorgiou, August 20; Melpo Katsaros August 21; Genevieve Theodorakakis August 25; Joanna Chiotis, August 26; Maria Karras August 27; John Revis September 12; Alexander Kapotas September 29. Na ta ekatostisete! |
Nameday greetings to Elias Papadakis on July 20; Marianna Damianides, Maria Daskalakis, Patty Droulias, Pat Tomaras, Peter Panagakis, Peter Papageorgiou, Peter Vass, Panagiota Gikas, Panagiota Trakas on August 15th; Alexis Arvanitis, Alex Pavlos and Alexander Kapotas on August 30th; Stavros Alexopoulos on September 14th; Sophia Radlowski, Sophia Tsipianitis and Sophia Sianis on September 17th Chronia Polla! |
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Last revised:
12/31/2012 02:59 PM