With only a few days away from the thrilling Antipodes festival, once again the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) is bringing the buzz back to the historic Greek precinct on February 25-26.
This year’s main act will be the famous vocalist Alkistis Protopsalti who is eagerly awaiting to perform her most popular songs at the main stage of the Antipodes festival on Saturday, February 25.
Leo Vlahakis, Community Outreach + Cultural Programs Chair, shared his excitement about the upcoming visit of Alkistis.
“We are honoured that Alkistis is going to perform at this year’s 2023 Antipodes Festival. She is an artist with more than 40 years in the music industry. She has successfully created a following with people from all walks of life. We are certain that she will stun the crowd and create an electric atmosphere,” Mr Vlahakis said.
The GCM Vice President, Jim Bossinakis, also commented on Alkistis’ appearance at the Antipodes festival.
“Having this opportunity to see this worldwide famous artist live is priceless. I am sure that the visitors of the festival will get the opportunity to enjoy her amazing songs as much as we do,” Mr Bossinakis said.
This year, GCM is partnering up with Scoot Airlines to offer a return ticket to Greece to the winner of the infamous “Zorba till you drop” on Saturday, February 25. The contestants will dance their heart out until there is only one standing.
The Antipodes Festival will feature 80 stalls, three stages with live performances and extended trading hours at local Greek businesses across the weekend.
Over seventy hours of music and dance performances are planned for the weekend, in addition to cooking demonstrations, “Karagiozis” shadow theatre, various competitions with amazing prizes to be won and bonus impromptu street performances by festival visitors.
President of the GCM, Bill Papastergiadis, said: “Welcome the 35th Antipodes Lonsdale Street Greek Festival. This year we are proud to announce an action-packed festival full of fun for the whole family to enjoy.”
“To be Greek is to be proud. Proud of our heritage, our language, our history, our culture and our values. At the heart of this pride is the joy we find in celebrating together,” Mr Papastergiadis added.
“Since its inception, the Antipodes Festival has always brought together friends and family to experience Australia’s largest celebration of Greek culture in what is Australia’s largest Greek speaking city.
“We encourage you all to enjoy what Antipodes Festival has to offer, the music and dance from our talented musicians and performers. Be entertained by the hilarious new skits from Karagiozis Shadow Puppets and the talented vocalist Alkistis Protopsalti – we guarantee she will stun the crowds with her amazing performance.”
Full Program (subject to change)
Main Stage Saturday:
| 12:30 PM | Zorba Til You Drop |
| 02:30 PM | Anatreptix (with guests) |
| 03:25 PM | Demotika |
| 04:25 PM | GCM School Dance Group |
| 04:50 PM | Greek Orthodox Community of SA Dance Academy |
| 05:40 PM | The Central Pontian Association Of Melbourne and Victoria ‘Pontiaki Estia’ |
| 06:10 PM | Bagpipes of Greece – A Dance Group Collaboration |
| 06:45 PM | GCM Dance Group | Foustanella Bracket |
| 07:00 PM | Alphington Grammar School Choir |
| 08:50 PM | Alkistis Protopsaltis |
Main Stage Sunday:
| 10:00 AM | Rythmos |
| 12:30 PM | Nestoras College Band |
| 01:05 PM | St Johns School Band |
| 01:35 PM | Alphington Grammar School Greek Band |
| 02:05 PM | O Periklis – Thraki Opos Palia |
| 02:45 PM | Dance with Alki |
| 03:00 PM | Canberra Hellenic Dancers |
| 03:25 PM | Pegasus Dance Academy | Senior |
| 03:50 PM | Kalymnian dancing group |
| 04:20 PM | Akrites Tou Pontou |
| 04:45 PM | The Cultural Centre of Florinians “O Aristotelis” (TCCOFA) |
| 05:15 PM | Pontiaki Estia Musicians “Οι Μαυροθαλασσίτες” |
| 06:10 PM | Bendjo Academy |
| 06:25 PM | GCM Dance Group | Zournades |
| 06:50 PM | Panagia Soumela Pontian Association of Melbourne |
| 07:20 PM | Cretan Brotherhood & Pancretan Association Dance Group Collaboration |
| 07:40 PM | Karkanis Band |
| 08:50 PM | Anagennisi |
LoveLonsdale Saturday
| 11:00 AM | Rythmos |
| 12:00 PM | Cooking Demonstrations |
| 02:30 PM | Omiros College |
| 02:55 PM | Paddy and Wayne |
| 03:45 PM | Oikogenia Anastasiadis |
| 05:20 PM | Cats and the Canary |
| 06:15 PM | That Changes |
| 07:25 PM | Anagennisi |
| 08:45 PM | Demotika |
| 10:05 PM | Paul Kaspar |
LoveLonsdale Sunday
| 11:00 AM | Rythmos |
| 12:00 PM | Cooking Demonstrations |
| 02:30 PM | DANCEGR |
| 02:55 PM | Drama In The Family |
| 03:55 PM | The Central Pontian Association of Melbourne and Victoria ‘Pontiaki Estia’ | Juniors |
| 04:25 PM | Pegasus Dance Academy | Intermediate |
| 04:50 PM | Pancretan Dancing Group |
| 05:20 PM | Totally Kicking Brass (TKB) Stage Perfomance |
| 06:15 PM | Dimitris Varnas | Epirotika |
| 07:15 PM | Heirs of Apollo |
| 08:05 PM | DJ Thomas Nico |
| 09:00 PM | DJ Randy Lipz XXX |
A&A Holdings Saturday
| 10:30 AM | Rythmos |
| 11:35 AM | Melbourne Bellydance |
| 11:55 AM | Opacize |
| 12:20 PM | Inspirit Dance Fitness |
| 12:45 PM | Flambouro philanthropic society dance group |
| 01:15 PM | Sophia Kiriakidis Greek Classical Guitar Solos |
| 01:55 PM | Gales Edge | Acoustic |
| 02:50 PM | Dimotica Alios |
| 03:45 PM | The haBiBis |
| 04:40 PM | Dimitris Varnas | Epirotika |
| 05:35 PM | Anthea & Mosaic Music |
| 06:20 PM | Tsiftes |
| 07:15 PM | Dio Patrides Band |
| 08:25 PM | Paul Kaspar |
| 09:05 PM | Kosmos Events |
A&A Holdings Sunday
| 11:00 AM | Rythmos |
| 12:00 PM | St Johns College Dance Group |
| 12:25 PM | Harika Dance |
| 12:40 PM | Valia Gianinska |
| 01:00 PM | Intermediates – Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne |
| 01:20 PM | Arxondises |
| 01:40 PM | Freedom Dance Fitness |
| 02:15 PM | Pegasus Dance Academy | Junior |
| 02:40 PM | Viglatores Dance Group Seminar |
| 03:20 PM | Gales Edge | Electric |
| 04:15 PM | Taxithi Project |
| 05:10 PM | Antonis Bouzouki & YK Entertainment |
| 06:00 PM | VeleCon |
| 06:55 PM | Cypriot Style Entertainment |
| 07:50 PM | Agapi & Friends |
| 08:50 PM | Cats and the Canary |
