One of Australia’s best bouzouki performers, Tommy Tsonis is now offering lessons for people to learn how to play the Greek beautiful instrument.
Tommy has been playing the bouzouki since he was 7 years old. His passion for this Greek instrument is unprecedented and his music has reached the hearts and souls of all of his listeners. Bringing unforgettable moments in the lives of many people, Tommy is now giving people a chance to learn the secrets behind his techniques.
Bouzouki jamming with George Nikolopoulos on guitar and Evan Kalfayan on Keyboard 🎶🇬🇷#greekband #weddingentertainment…
Typically a three or four course instrument, the bouzouki is one of the most difficult instruments to master. Now a centrepiece of modern Greek music, the instrument graces the ears of all Greeks, also being used in rebetiko performances.
With limited spots available for private lessons, Tommy will be teaching from beginner level up to advanced level.
For all enquiries, contact Tommy on Ph: 0438 279 547 Email: tommy@bouzoukiplayersydney.com.au
Celebrating it’s 10th anniversary, the Antipodean Palette responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by creating a virtual gallery for art lovers to witness this years ‘In Isolation’ artists.
After the devastating pandemic shook the world, the Greek Australian Cultural League sent a call out to all Greek Australian artists, asking them to take part in the AP2020 ‘In Isolation’ exhibition.
These incredible works can now be viewed online as a ‘walk through’ gallery, which continues until the end of October 2020.
The work of the 15 Greek Australian artists taking part in the AP2020 ‘In Isolation’ exhibition, can now be viewed online as a ‘walk through’ gallery, which continues until the end of October 2020.
Greek-Australian Cultural League President Cathy Alexopoulos has been overwhelmed at the response of the exhibition since it’s launch 10 years ago.
Prior to COVID-19 restrictions, the Antipodean Palette 2020 was to involve the collaboration of Indigenous, Greek Australian artists and performers in a unique exhibition titled ‘CONNECTION’.
Changing the theme, Ms Alexopoulos and the event organisers decided to acknowledge the profound impact the virus has had on artists and the Arts industry.
The Antipodean Palette was re-branded into a virtual exhibition, titled ‘IN ISOLATION’, with the Cultural League asking artists to send in a piece of isolation-themed work.
As a result, 15 Greek Australian artists sent in a variety of pieces, along with a statement, proving that artistic expression and innovation can arise from any challenge.
“This is probably the saddest and funniest at the same time thing that has ever happened in my career,” is what Tsitsipas wrote on Twitter soon after finishing his match, and he couldn’t have been more right.
Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas has bowed out of the US Open after losing to Borna Coric in a five set thriller this afternoon.
The first three sets were an intense dual between two well-respected players. Tsitsipas went into cruise control in the fourth set, with Coric trailing 1-5, 0-30. Tsitsipas was only two points away from proceeding to the next round.
Borna Coric in action against Stefanos Tsitsipas during a men’s singles match at the 2020 US Open. (Photo by Brad Penner/USTA)
That was until Coric managed to break Tsitsipas in the next game. Tsitsipas managed to pull it back, taking the next game, with only one more expected game in sight.
Coric managed to recover from an incredible 0-40 deficit, saving two match points. Then saving four match points. Then saving five match points. It was at this point, a shocked Tsitsipas was forced to hold out and try and break the Croatian.
Photo by Brad Penner/USTA
Managing to break the Greeks nerve, the match went on into a fifth set.
The fifth set managed to go to a tie-breaker, with neither players giving out. Unfortunately, it was Tsitsipas who couldn’t use his serves to his advantage, losing a 4 hour and 36 minute game to Coric.
A title contender for the Open, the Greek will surely be disappointed with the result.
Australian actress, writer and comedy icon Mary Coustas, has lent her voice to a new children’s audio book called Where Happiness Hides written by Anthony Bertini and illustrated by Jennifer Goldsmith.
We all know happiness can be found in little things, but sometimes we simply forget. We forget because life gets in the way. The weather changes, things don’t go to plan, a global health pandemic takes over our news cycle and our lives, our borders are closed down … and we forget what really matters.
Through humble dialogue and stellar drawings, Where Happiness Hides is an extraordinary tale in an extraordinary time that reminds adults and children across the world that happiness is free and that it exists eternally in the little things around us.
It is this child-like love in the discovery for happiness in the simply things that attracted Coustas to volunteers like many others to the project, and narrate the audio book version in her native Greek.
“As adults we can forget what happiness is. We way too often choose ambition over discovery. But looking at the world through a child’s eyes we see that curiosity, adventure and playfulness bring the greatest joy. Letting awe and gratitude dance hand in hand over the simplest things is where happiness lives. This book is a beautiful reminder of this,” adds Mary Coustas.
Inspired by the brevity and preciousness of life, Anthony Bertini spins a tale of endearing observations. At the heart of Where Happiness Hides, two children find pleasure in the little things: a bowl of soup, beetles, sunshine and shadows, but also in disappointment and in hope. Meditative, inspiring and filled with soulful warmth, Where Happiness Hides invites children and the child in us all to savour the moment and find joy in the little things.
“This has been the most exciting project I have been involved in. I have to thank Dirt Lane Press for sharing my vision and making everything happen. To imagine millions of children reading Where Happiness Hides during this difficult time is just wonderful,” says Bertini.
Published by Dirt Lane Press, this beautifully illustrated picture-book encourages children to find magic in everyday moments and happiness in little things.
“This is possibly the most inspiring adventure of my publishing career. It aligns perfectly with the aims of Dirt Lane Press, which is to reach out to audiences who don’t always have access to books, and to inspire and delight with meaningful fables. Sharing a book freely with the widest range of readers possible – in this case, by offering it in 35 or more languages – is what Dirt Lane Press is all about,” says publisher Margrete Lamond.
As Coustas narrates in Greek, children in Greece and here in Australia can listen to the tale in Where Happiness Hides in their ancestral language as they flick through beautiful illustrations.
Illustrator Jennifer Goldsmith said that the project gave her “the opportunity to remember the moments of joy with which life gifts us, often when we least expect them. It was a chance to look back on memories of my children’s childhoods and re-imagine the characters finding similar happiness. The story’s message of appreciating little things isn’t unique to any one nation or culture. It’s humbling to know that it can be enjoyed in so many languages at a time when it’s never been so important to think of and include others.”
The book is currently available online for free and is offered in up to 30 languages including English, Greek, Swahili, Dinka, Telugu, French, Castilian, Catalan, Italian, German, Marathi, Japanese, Russian and more. Where Happiness Hides also comes in an English audible version narrated by the adored Italian-Australian actress, Greta Scacchi.
“I feel so stupid” were some of the only words to come out of a British tourists mouth after he and seven others were diagnosed with coronavirus.
Exclusive footage emerged from the Daily Mail of hundreds of British tourists crowded together on a boat, ignoring social distancing measures. Now, the worst possible senario has taken place, which involves eight of those party goers being diagnosed with coronavirus.
Jamie Raine tested positive after returning home from a four-day trip to Zakynthos. The 20-year-old, from Shildon in County Durham, is now self-isolating in his bedroom at home because he lives with his 77-year-old grandmother Maureen.
Image: Daily Mail
“It was stupid,” he told MailOnline. “It really wasn’t worth it – I feel dead guilty.
“It’s really bad out there. Something like this could start a second wave of coronavirus. I don’t think people should go.
“I guess the message is, don’t go on holiday and if you have to, have a more chilled out holiday with no night clubs.”
His advice is far too late however, with thousands of tourists still crowded on the Greek party islands of Zakynthos, Mykonos and Ios.
Despite government advice to avoid large gatherings and maintain social distancing, Jamie and Adam Scott (right), also 20, and Adam Pybus (left), 19, behaved as if it were business as usual. Of the three, Jamie was the only one to test positive but seven other friends who went the week before also caught coronavirus
Jamie explains that while Greek authorities put new ‘no-standing’ rules in clubs, “there were people standing and the clubs were getting fined so they started shutting earlier.”
“It wasn’t that strict. The clubs were packed. People go to the beach afterwards because they want something to do and there are hundreds and hundreds of people.
“There was no enforcement, nothing. Looking back now I wish I’d been more careful.
Despite government advice to avoid large gatherings and maintain social distancing, Jamie and Adam Scott (right), also 20, and Adam Pybus (left), 19, behaved as if it were business as usual. Of the three, Jamie was the only one to test positive but seven other friends who went the week before also caught coronavirus
“I didn’t think it was that bad over there, you didn’t have to quarantine, it looked as though there weren’t that many cases, so I thought it would be fine, but obviously not. It’s not safe.”
Hundreds of holidaymakers from Wales were told to quarantine after several groups returned from Zakynthos with the virus on a Tui flight to Cardiff on August 25.
Another 30 tourists from Plymouth were found to be infected after returning from Zakynthos in August.
With Father’s Day this weekend, many NSW families would be wondering if they are able to visit their elderly father’s in aged care homes.
NSW Health confirmed on Friday that families in some areas of New South Wales have been advised to stay home after announcing eight new cases of COVID-19 in the state.
“NSW Health confirms the advice for residents of the Sydney Metropolitan, Nepean Blue Mountains and Central Coast regions to not visit friends and family in aged care facilities will continue through this weekend,” health authorities said.
NSW residents have been advised not to visit aged care centres for Father’s Day. Credit: Portra Images/Getty Images
“This decision has been reached after careful consideration of the risks of COVID-19 being introduced into an aged care facility while the CBD cluster is brought under control.
“While we understand and acknowledge this will be difficult for many families on Father’s Day, our priority is to prevent the spread of the virus to the most vulnerable people in the community.
“We encourage people to make the best of the COVID safe measures the aged care sector has put in place to make contact with their loved ones, including through audiovisual links and window visits.”
NSW Health did not recommend for people to isolate from elderly grandparents if they are not from the regions listed above. People are still being advised, however, to maintain social distancing as much as possible to reduce potential spread of contamination.
Of the eight new cases, three are linked to the Sydney CBD cluster.
The total number of cases in that outbreak is now 57.
A paratrooper tragically died last night after he was swept away by strong winds during a night free fall, as officially announced by the General Staff of National Defence.
During the exercise, the paratrooper went out of the drop zone – signalling an alarm to the Armed Forces. A large operation was immediately launched to locate the man.
The causes and conditions of the tragedy are being investigated. The announcement of the General Staff of National Defence is as follows:
“The General Staff of National Defense announces that, on the night of 3 to 4 September 2020, the EPOP Sergeant (PZ) K.M.
“GEETHA expresses its heartfelt condolences to his family. The causes and circumstances of the accident are being duly investigated.”
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also expressed his condolences to the family of the drill sergeant on Friday, noting that he “fell in the line of duty.”
“I am well aware of the efforts of our uniformed personnel to avoid accidents by employing strict safety measures in the units. But training is laborious to keep the army effective in battle. And, unfortunately, that is where danger lurks,” he said.
Kefalonia Mayor Theofilos Michalatos made an announcement regarding fires that have sparked havoc in the late hours of Friday night, forcing many people to desperately try and save their homes.
Drawing attention of Kefalonia residents, the mayor emphasised that “some people are trying to burn down our houses”. The mayor then went on to claim that many of these fires have started as a result of arson attacks.
Photo: Kefalonia Press
“We would like to draw the attention of all residents and visitors of our Municipality to be on alert because we have received multiple arson attacks.
“Some are trying to take advantage of bad weather and burn our property and homes.
“We are on constant alert and immediately inform the Fire Department and the Police.”
Photo: Kefalonia Press
The mayor has asked all residents of Kapandriti and surrounding areas to evacuate to the nearby town of St George with a wet towel, small container of water, medicine and basic personal items.
Members of the Attica Security will be arriving on the island for investigations, along with a huge reinforcements from the Athens Fire Brigade.
“We are all on the streets and protecting our property,” the mayor said in a statement.
The lack of appearance from new Liverpool signing Kostas Tsimikas in the UEFA Nations League yesterday puzzled many Greek fans. It was later revealed however that the Greek left back had shown signs of illness on Thursday afternoon and remained at the team hotel as a precautionary measure.
Greece’s Sport 24 are claiming that the 24-year-old has been diagnosed with coronavirus, based on reports from sources within the federation.
“The Greek Football Federation was informed today of a positive sample Covid-19,” read a statement from the federation. “The member of the squad who had a positive sample was isolated for the last 36 hours for precautionary reasons.
Kosta Tsimikas. Photo: Twitter
“[He] leaves the mission tomorrow morning, while the preparation of the Greek team continues. The other members of the squad underwent a new test today and the results will be announced tomorrow.”
It was believed that either Tsimikas and Greek teammate Vassilis Lambropoulos were diagnosed with the virus, with both players being left out of the UEFA Nations League match versus Slovenia. Lambropoulos has now been identified training with the Greece squad, meaning Tsimikas is likely the Covid-19 positive player.
Both Tsimikas and Lambropoulos’ initial tests, performed when they joined up with the national team, were negative.
Kostas Tsimikas signed for Premier League champions Liverpool during the summer transfer window, moving from Olympiacos where he was a key player for the Greek club.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Friday Greece would start talks with Turkey to resolve conflicting claims over maritime boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean once Turkish “provocations” ceased.
Tensions escalated last month after Turkey dispatched a seismic survey vessel to a disputed area for energy exploration following a maritime deal between Greece and Egypt. Turkey says the pact infringes on its own continental shelf.
“(Our country) can and wants to discuss the demarcation of maritimes zones in the Aegean Sea, in the eastern Mediterranean, based on international law. But not under threats,” Mitsotakis said during a meeting with China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi who is visiting Athens. “Let the threats go for talks to begin.
“Once the provocations end, discussions will begin,” he said, adding that Greece’s foreign minister would deliver a letter from him outlining Athens’ case to U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres when the two meet in New York on Friday.
Photo: EPA-EFE/KOSTAS TSIRONIS
Mitsotakis spoke a day after NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that Greece and Turkey, both members of the Western alliance, had agreed to talks to avoid accidental clashes in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Turkey said it supported NATO’s initiative and that the talks were not about solving bilateral problems but about measures so far handled by the two countries’ militaries. It added that it expected Greece to do the same.
Commenting on NATO’s announcement on Thursday, Greek diplomats said a condition for dialogue was that Turkey de-escalated its activity in the region.
