The first-ever Zeibekiko Festival is coming to Australia this July thanks to Ventouris Productions.
The Zeibekiko Festival will run from July 1 to July 10 and will feature international guest, Greek master of Zeibekiko dance, Christos Shakallis, all the way from Cyprus.
The festival is curated by Sophia Ventouris, a Greek dance teacher of 30 years in Australia.
With only five weeks to go before the Zeibekiko Festival, a full program of events has been released. The Greek Herald, which is a proud media partner for the event, has all the booking details.
Saturday, July 1: Meet & Greet Shakallis in Australia – Show Dinner Dance
Meet and Greet Christos Shakallis, the Zeibekiko master in person. Take a picture and get an autograph with this international teacher/dancer. Ticket includes dinner and soft drinks only. Sit down to a delicious dinner by Kouzina Catering – 3 course meal and enjoy a spectacular show from Shakallis in Cypriot dance and Zeibekiko show. Support acts: the Cyprus Community Dancers and Sophia Ventouris School of Greek Dance. Held at the Panarcadian Ashbury Bowling Club. Book here.
Sunday, July 2: Cypriot Dance Workshops with Shakallis
Christos Shakallis will be conducting Cypriot dance and zeibekikos workshops on Sunday, July 2 at the Cyprus Community Club all day for the Cyprus Community dance groups from 11am. The club cafe will be open all day. Christos Shakallis will lunch downstairs in cafe area and will happily meet, greet and sign autographs from 1.30 – 2pm. We open a Cypriot dance workshop to the general public from 4 – 5pm. Book here.
Monday, July 3: Shakallis to hold Zeibekiko workshops in Adelaide
Christos Shakallis will be in Adelaide for one day only on Monday, July 3. There are three workshops available. Session 1: 11.00 – 12.30pm, Session 2: 1.30pm – 3.00pm, and Session 3: 4.30pm – 6.00pm. He will be teaching laiko zeibekiko, self improvisation and traditional forms of zeibekiko from Asia Minor including aptaliko, aivaliotiko, karsilama politiko, sigano karsilama and more. To be held at the Cyprus Community Centre of South Australia. Book here.
Monday, July 3: Adelaide taverna night with Christos Shakallis
With the initiative of Harry Patsouris, Zeibekiko Festival Australia will be hosted in Adelaide by The Foundation for Hellenic Studies. On Monday, July 3, a taverna night will take place with Shakallis. You will get a chance to meet and greet, take his autograph and watch him dance in a warm atmosphere of fans and Greek dance/music lovers. Dinner is taverna mezze style. Drinks not included. Held at Adelaide Pavilion. Book here.
Tuesday, July 4: Zeibekiko Musical Journey at Koutouki
Join our “parea with Christos Shakallis & his family” at the well-known Koutouki Greek taverna at 138 Norton Street, Leichhardt. The in-house band will play live a musical journey of the Zeibekiko songs from its traditional form to the Laiko Zeibekiko as we know it today. Ticket includes the delectable mezzethes from Koutouki’s yummy kitchen, live music and the parea and a “zeibekia” of Shakallis Christos. It’s promising to be an intimate night full of Kefi. Book here.
Wednesday, July 5: Rembetiko Zeibekiko Workshop
Christos Shakallis will take people on a journey through the Greek Blues Rembetiko Era. Bring your komboloi, hat, Greek chair, yeleko (vest) and learn a new artform. From 6.30pm – 8.30pm, there is a seminar/workshop. From 8.30pm -10.30pm the workshop is transformed into an intimate taverna night. Wine, dine and take the opportunity to spend time with Christos and the gang, and enjoy more dance until 10.30pm. $85.00 includes ouzo shot, rembetiko workshop and dinner taverna – food/mezethes and dessert by Kouzina Catering. Max 85 people. Held at the Panarcadian Ashbury Bowling Club. Book here.
Thursday, July 6: Traditional forms of Zeibekika with Shakallis
The lesson will be conducted with live music under the instruction of Michael Platyrrahos (Outi, toumberleki, violin and guitar). Did you know that the Zeibekiko family of dances are rich, not only historically, but dance variations from different regions of Greece and Asia Minor? The popular Zeibekiko dance as we know it today migrated to Greece after the Asia Minor Catastrophe with the exchange of populations in 1922.
Zeibekiko holds great historic significance and was danced in different forms by our forefathers. The workshop will explore these forms including: Aptaliko, Karsilamathes, Kamilieriko, Smyrneiko, Vrakathiko, Mytilinis, Fokiano, and of course include the Cypriot Zeibekiko. Ticket includes seminar, live band instructed by Michael Platyrrahos, 9-11pm buffet Politiko style dinner from Kouzina Catering, in line with our theme. A chance to further socialise, chat with Shakallis and use new dance moves. Held at the Panarcadian Ashbury Bowling Club. Book here.
Friday, July 7: Shakallis Popular / Laiko Zeibekiko Workshop
Popular / Laiko Zeibekiko focus. Will also touch on Rembetiko Zeibekikiko, Aptaliko, Karsilama and Cypriot Zeibekiko. Ticket includes light lunch and beverage for half time break. Held at Marrickville PCYC, Level 1, Studio 1. Book here.
Saturday, July 8: Shakallis Popular / Laiko Zeibekiko Workshop
Popular / Laiko Zeibekiko focus. Will also touch on Rembetiko Zeibekikiko, Aptaliko, Karsilama and Cypriot Zeibekiko. Ticket includes light lunch and beverage for half time break. Held at Marrickville PCYC, Level 1, Studio 1. Book here.
Saturday, July 8: Zeibekiko Spectacular from Greek Cinema starring Shakallis
Zeibekiko Dance Spectacular Show starring Christos Shakallis and local Greek dance groups. A dance spectacular show encompassing some of the greatest Greek cinema Zeibekiko music and song hits that have embedded themselves in our Greek culture. A night that will not be forgotten. Includes 3 course dinner meal and show. Drinks not included. Held at the Greek Community Club in Lakemba. Book here.
Sunday, July 9: Shakallis men only workshop
Shakallis Zeibekiko dance workshop from 1.30pm – 3.30pm for men only. Dances include popular/laiko zeibekiko, rembetiko, aptaliko, cypriot and karsilama. Held at Marrickville PCYC. Sold out.
Sunday, July 9: Shakallis women only workshop
Shakallis Zeibekiko dance workshop from 3.30pm – 5.30pm for women only. Popular/laiko zeibekiko and rembetiko focusing on steps, stance, figures, speed, movement, hand positions and etc., suitable for women. Held at Marrickville PCYC. Book here.
Sunday, July 9: Shakallis men only workshop
Shakallis Zeibekiko dance workshop from 6 – 8pm for men only. Popular/laiko zeibekiko teaching “figoures,” “xtipimata – hits,” tricks and male orientated moves. Taught by the male master himself. If you are a male, young or old and want to learn, improve and polish your Zeibekiko skills this is the right workshop. Held at Marrickville PCYC. Book now.
Monday, July 10: Zeibekiko workshops with Shakallis in Melbourne
Christos Shakallis will be in Melbourne on July 10 for one day only! We have four workshops available: Session 1: 1.00 -2.30pm, Session 2: 3.00 – 4.30pm, Session 3: 5.00 – 6.30pm, Session 4: 7.00 – 9.00pm. Teaching laiko zeibekiko, self improvisation with figures (figoures). Also traditional forms of zeibekiko from Asia Minor including aptaliko, aivaliotiko, karsilama and cypriot zeibekiko. Held at the Cretan Brotherhood of Mlebnourne. Book here.
If you would like to get involved or sponsor the first-ever Zeibekiko Festival, please email Ms Ventouris: info@zeibekikofestivalaustralia.com.au. To book tickets to the Zeibekiko Festival and its workshops, visit this link: https://bit.ly/40M8nCD
