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The Newsletter for friends and members of OHFS inside Vol. 13, Issue No. 1, Summer 2007 this issue… Destination: Kalamata 1-2 Youth Group End of Year Program 3-4 Spotlight 4-5 Orpheus Participates Destination Kalamata: Orpheus Takes in Choral Concert 5 Greece by Storm... Again! OHFS Youth Musicians 6 Teen Odysseys 7 Question: Where can one go to swim in lime green attire, enjoying everything the blue waters of the Mediterranean, Kalamata and the surrounding towns enjoy a tasty honey and sesame pasteli have to offer. Future Performances 8 and frolic among the olive trees? The last time Orpheus made the journey Answer: The beautiful city of Kalamata, to Greece was in 1997. That summer, Greece! the troupe participated in the 51st Pan- Macedonian Convention of the U.S. and Kalamata is home to some of the most Canada. A few months later, Orpheus stunning beaches, magnificent scenery, returned to Greece, representing the and centuries old traditions and history. U.S. at the First Festival of Greek Artists Soon it will be filled with almost two Abroad at the annual Athens Festival. hundred Orpheans and their families, Highlights from these trips included vis- 606 Greendale Rd. proudly wearing their specially designed iting various museums and archeological Glenview, IL 60025 847.657.0958 Continued on page 2 e-mail: [email protected] http://www.ohfs.org Tax-exempt Not-for-profit Organization Yannis Economou 847.657.0958 Director/President Kostas Economou 847.729.3406 Instructor Marianna Gudmundsson 847.967.5103 Artistic Director/Vice President Bessie Kouchoukos-Grosso 773.286.5132 Youth Group Coordinator Near Kalamata lie the ruins of the ancient city of Ithomi (Messini) which have proven to be one of the most significant archeological sites in Greece. This view of the stadium is one of the many projects underway. Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society Lyra - Summer 2007 Continued from page 1 Ksenitia”. Yannis Economou observes, sites, a reception at the Governor’s “The collaboration for the trip to mansion in Thessaloniki, and the Greece comes at a good time as it will rare opportunity to perform at the enhance our presentations there… Odeon of Herodes Atticus Theater. Eftihia has added many interesting elements to the folk songs that we are This summer, Orpheus looks forward presenting during our program.” to surpassing those experiences as many of its members and their fami- Of course hard work merits some lies make their way back to Greece. much deserved play time, and there This time the destination will be are plenty of adventures waiting for Kalamata, the capital city of Messinia, Orpheus members and their families. located in the southern part of the The city of Kalamata offers endless Peloponnese. “Kalamata was chosen opportunities for shopping, dining, The crystal clear beach in the village of Stoupa, as the destination for our trip because a hopping night life and some guar- in Messinian Mani is one of many award winning many of our members are from that anteed fun in the sun. The excur- beaches in the area. Kalamata and the Peloponnese. This sion agenda includes visits to natu- offers the opportunity for many of ral wonder sites, archaeological sites Principal Instructor Kostas Economou our members to participate and for and, of course, fabulous beaches. comments on the significance of this their relatives to attend the perfor- trip: “Going to perform in Greece is mances”, says Orpheus president Ancient Messini, near the town of like ‘completing the cycle’ of what Yannis Economou. The itinerary Mavrommati, is another important Orpheus’ mission and goal is. All of us includes performances in the town archeological discovery as Spartans, feel a special pride that we will have of Finikounda, ancient Messini and Athenians and Romans left their the chance to showcase Hellenic tra- at the famous Kastro Amphitheater mark on this fallen city. In addition ditions in our homeland.” He contin- in Kalamata, as well as dance work- to the theater, stadium, agora and ues, “Hopefully it will instill in all of shops with the Kalamata Branch of the Arcadian Double Gate, scientists us a sense of pride, achievement, and the Lykeion Dance Group. tell us there is still much more to camaraderie. It will bring us closer to Messini. It is an archaeological work our traditions and customs, and pro- in progress, as excavators are still vide us with strength to continue with uncovering sculptures, inscriptions the same zeal in the years to come.” and pottery, learning more and more about the lives of our ancestors. Performing in Greece means some- thing different to all involved. Arguably, A few hours drive into Mani, the the most resonant theme is the sense Diros Caves are a stunning and geo- of immense pride the performers logically significant natural wonder. and their families are experiencing. The Paleolithic and Neolithic arti- Youth Group Coordinator VA Grosso facts found in the caves led scien- and her family will be performing in tists to believe the caves were one Finikounda, near her mother’s home The porous limestone mountains of the southern of the earliest inhabited places in town of Lahanatha. Like many of our Peloponnese formed the spectacular caves of Diros, which are filled with stalagmites and stalactites. Greece. The awesome, endless rows ancestors, Bessie’s mother left Greece of stalagmites and stalactites adorn- decades ago and made the long, dif- Orpheus is excited to have choral ing the caves in the underground ficult journey to Chicago in search of a instructor Eftihia Papageorgiou and waterways are something few people better life for her and her family. Now members of her Chicago Hellenic get to experience. history comes “full circle” as Bessie Choir joining us on this trip. For and her family will be back perform- over two years, Orpheus has been Also in Mani, along the foothills of ing in the region her mother once working with Eftihia, practicing and Taygetos Mountain are the beaches called home. “I am going to dance like presenting a variety of tradition- of Stoupa. Known for sandy beaches never before and be proud of who I al and modern Greek songs, add- and clear waters, Stoupa is a favor- am and proud of everyone coming. ing another dimension to the dance ite destination for natives and for- Meet me in Kalamata on July 23rd and troupe. Under Eftihia’s direction, the eigners alike. Besides swimming, don’t forget your fousta, shoes, and of troupe will perform selections such visitors can go boating, fishing, hik- course your bathing suit…I don’t think as “Thalassaki Mou”, “Ston Afro Tis ing, shopping, or simply dine and Kalamata will ever forget us!” r Thalassas”, “Gerakina” and Orpheus’ relax with friends while enjoying the signature piece, “Tora Pou Pas Stin incredible sunset. 2 Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society augment the adult group in com- Orpheus Youth Group: munity performances, presented a Thracian suite including Sygathistos Passing on the Torch of Tradition and Culture Syrtos, Mantilatos, Koulouriastos, and Sihtir Havasi. With the quick tempos and energetic leaders in each of these dances, the audience responded with equal enthusiasm and pride. Throughout the event, youth mem- bers reflected on their own personal discovery of Greek music and dance traditions (speeches may be found at ohfs.org in their entirety.) From the first Palamakia danced, to the more complicated Pentozalis, Connie dis- covered that Greek dance not only allows self-expression, but also strengthens her bond to the Greek community. Connie has danced and Members of the Orpheus Youth group pose for a group picture at the conclusion of the End of the Year Celebration. performed with the youth for the past 5 years and is graduating to the The Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Youth from three levels of experience adult group. Society’s end of the year youth event performed dances from Chios, Thraki, demonstrated once again that tra- and Northern Greece. Opening the Another five-year veteran and gradu- ditions of Greek song and dance celebration, accompanied by Izaki ate, Zacharias, stated, “I suddenly are flourishing in the Chicagoland on violin and Paul on toumbeleki, realized that I had left the minors area. As guest speaker Dr. Angelyn the youngest group danced and sang and joined the pros. I realized that K. Balodimas-Bartolomei, associate “Ksenitemeno mou Pouli,” an immi- there is more to Greek dancing than professor in the School of Education gration-themed folk song. Next, they Kalamatiano.” Performing for oth- at North Park University, vividly traveled to the eastern Aegean, stop- ers is one thing, but Zach reflected described the historical background ping by the island of Chios, known for on his love of Greek dance for its of Greek dance through the ages, she its epic poets. Youth members skill- own exhilaration. He shared, “I will noted “…dancing is divine in nature fully demonstrated their knowledge never forget the first Vasilopita party and is the gift of the gods…given to of Greece’s geography as each dance where my friends and I danced some select mortals, who in turn was introduced. Keeping the history together for hours, not for an audi- taught their dancing to fellow men and dances alive and well, mem- ence, but for ourselves.” and women”. Indeed, these gifts have bers performed Pyrgousikos from been passed down through all levels Chios and Thracian dances Xysyrtos, Katerina expressed gratitude toward of OHFS’ youth group. Dentritsi, and Mantilatos. her instructors and friends for shar- ing themselves and their culture. One of the highlights at this year’s Following the fresh talents of the She will also be joining the adult performance was the use of live youngest dancers, the intermediate group and shared, “I am ecstatic music played by youth members.

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