The Newsletter for friends and members of OHFS inside Vol. 7, Issue No. 4, Fall 2001 this issue…

Nikos Economidis 2

Fun in the Sun 3

My Summer Dance Experience 4

Spotlight 4-5 St. George in Crete 5 Festival of Greek Music & Dance 2002 Picture Gallery 6 Music and Dances from the Greek Isles We’ve Moved! 7

The Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society serve basis. Ticket prices are $25 for adults and Personals 7 proudly announces that the Festival of Greek $20 for children 18 and under. Call 847-729- Music & Dance will take place again in 2002! 3406 for ticket purchases or further Performances 8 The Festival includes a musical presentation information. Check the OHFS web site, from notable folk artists from that will www.ohfs.org, for updated information about tour the U.S. Last year’s sold out concert this concert. We hope to see you there! r included music groups from Greece’s northern regions, Macedonia and Thrace. Featured Artists: The 2002 Festival will include music and Festival of Greek Music & Dance dances from the Greek islands. The upbeat 2002 and sweet sounds of the violin, lute, dulcimer and tsabouna (island bagpipe) will Nikos Ekonomidis 606 Greendale Rd. transport us to the sunny beaches and violin / vocal Glenview, IL 60025 traditional villages of beautiful destinations. 847.657.0958 The event will take place on Saturday, March Kostis Kalaitzakis e-mail: [email protected] 16, 2002 at the Niles West High School laouto / mantola / three-strings / vocal http://www.ohfs.org auditorium, 5701 West Oakton St., Skokie, at Louloudi Souti-Fakiri 7:00 p.m. The organization of this event is in vocal in Eastern Aegean cooperation with the World Music Institute Tax-exempt of New York and the Hellenic Club of Niles Eleni Charou-Koroneou Not-for-profit West High School. vocal in Kithira Organization Antonis Koutsokeris Next year’s musical group includes ten artists tzoura / lafta / Yiannis Economou lead by Nikos Economidis who is one of the 847.657.0958 most popular and recognized authorities on Nikos Karatasos Director/President island musical traditions [see biography on santouri page 2]. The program will include music and Kostas Economou dances form the islands of the Northeastern Kostas Kallipetis 847.729.3406 Aegean Sea, the Dodecanese, the Kyklades tsabouna Instructor and the island of Kythira. The Orpheus Dance Nikos Parianos Marianna Damianides Troupe is scheduled to perform dances from souravli 847.967.5103 these areas accompanied by the visiting Artistic Director/Vice President musicians. Make sure you mark your calendar Chrisoula Galathri for this unique and inspiring event. Assigned toubec Bessie Kouchoukos-Grosso seating will be available on a first-come-first- Maria Karathanasopoulou 773.286.5132 Youth Group Coordinator percussion

Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society Lyra - Fall 2001 Nikos Economidis to be Featured at the Festival of Greek Music & Dance 2002 Nikos Economidis is one of the most highly acclaimed violin players in Greece. He was born on the island of Shinousa in the Kiklades to a musical family. His grandfather and father, both well-known violinists, sparked his interest in music. Economidis studied classical violin at the Athenian Odium under Ismini Carter- Chrysochoos and at the National Odium with Kosta Setta. At the same time, he never ceased to research and study the style of music that interested him the most, that is, traditional music. He began his professional career at the age of 15 with Dora Stratou and involves himself in the official cataloging of our national music, from Evros to , in records and films for the national TV network. He is engaged in teaching traditional music and archiving traditional pieces like those included in the records “Perasma sta Kythira” and “Sea Passages” containing songs executed by himself, along with Noted violinist Nikos Economidis will be featured at the Festival of Greek Music and Dance 2002 Mariza Koh and others. which will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2002.

Economidis recorded and released two Economidis completed the research and immense effort that such work required. It albums, “Arhondisa tou Limaniou” cataloging of the musical tradition of the hopes that the final product will stand for (Mistress of the Seaport) and “Choros sta North and East Aegean, which he a long time and that it will be inscribed in Kymata” (Dance in the Waves), and two presented to the public in a record entitled the musical pantheon of peoples’ others “Agapi kai Thalassa” (Love and Sea) “East of the Aegean” released by Verso. consciences and histories. t and “Otan akoun to violi” (When I Listen Recently, he completed the research and to the Violin) with Eleni Lekaki, which registering of the traditional music of were both very successful. Songs from Amorgos, which is presented in the record those records, such as “Opa Opa” and “Passage to Amorgos”, released by Keros “Gianda na Min Theleis Gianda” became Music. In his record we find remarkable big hits throughout the country. He has artists such as Domna Samiou, Giasemi participated in International Festivals and Saragoula, Popi Kovaiou and others. has contributed to the formation of traditional music bands such as Keros and The Educational and Cultural Society of “I Akrites. He has worked with many great Vokaria” of the island of Chios was the artists of traditional music (Chronis producer of Economidis’ CD, “East of the Aidonidis, Domna Samiou, etc.) as well as Aegean”. In its introduction, the Board of Mariza Koh, , Giorgos Directors mentions that it was a great Dalaras at the Music Megaron of honor and pleasure to see that Mr. and in concerts in Greece and abroad. Economidis had accepted the undertaking Economidis has taught traditional music of this album. He is considered to be one at the University of Southern Maine as the most recognized, beloved and superior part of a cultural exchange program artists whose expertise is endorsed sponsored by the ministry of Aegean and without any hesitation. The Board U.S.M. He is currently preparing to release absolutely trusts his ethos, style, musical “Nissiotiki Zigia”, a record with traditional education and respect for the true songs from the western Cyclades and meaning of folk traditions. Nikos Economidis’ virtuoso talents will feature an array other neighboring regions. During the of musical instruments such as the violin and lute. Mr. summers, he gives concerts accompanied The Board greeted Niko’s initiative from Economidis will lead a group of ten folk musicians that by the music group Keros. In 1998, Nikos the bottom of its heart, realizing the will provide an evening full of Greek island traditions.

2 Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society Fun in the Sun by Kathy Tomaras

Like many Greek-Americans, I ventured the early morning hours, off this summer for a two-month vacation we retired to the beach to my parent’s homeland, Greece. My where we waited for the vacation began in Athens, where I spent sun to rise as we engaged the majority of my stay. I arrived in Athens in lively conversations, early in June (and when I say early, I mean games and song. Then 4:00 a.m. early!). My cousin picked me up we were off to bed at 6:00 from the “new” Greek airport, “EL. a.m.—and the process Benizelos,” and so my journey began. began all over again the next day! I spent the first month of my trip in my parents’ village of Agios Petros, Kinourias. The World Camp Apart from the typical bread baking, program also consisted donkey riding, and watching of old men of various events and enjoying wine in the plateia’s (town trips. Some of the daily square) taverns, I also experienced a events included pottery traditional Greek village wedding. The classes, cooking classes, religious ceremony took place at the and of course, dance church of Agios Petros. For the reception lessons. I had originally the bride and groom had set-up tables in signed-up for a pottery the middle of the plateia for their 900 class because I wanted guests, consisting of their family, friends to experience something and people from the village. The festivities new. However, after continued into the next morning with lots making one beautiful Yannis Gevgelis playing the daouli at the Festival of Greek Music & of food, music and dancing. sculpture in pottery class, Dance 2001 that was held in April. I was asked by the After the wedding, I boarded a bus back to director of the camp to help instruct the performed with Orpheus in the Festival of Athens—only to leave a few days later for a dance classes, and so I did. Other events Greek Music and Dance 2001 in April. trip to Skotina, a village about 30 minutes included day trips to Dion, an archeo- Yannis met me at the local train station in away from Katerini. In Skotina, I took part logical site in Northern Greece, and Kifisia, and took me to his home in Nea in “World Camp 2001”, a special camp Meteora, a beautiful mountain range with Smirni, where his family welcomed me organized by SAE for young adults of numerous Greek monasteries perched on with open arms. His mother, Despina Greek descent. From Athens, I had a long the mountain peaks. The ultimate event Gevgelis, is a former member of Dora train ride to Larissa, and then a two-hour for me, however, was my birthday Stratou’s theater. That night, Yannis took bus ride to the campsite on Skotina Beach. celebration. The night before my birthday, me to a performance at the Theater of we found a club in the village of Dora Stratou, where he plays the daouli After registering with the camp Platamona, about a mile from the and toumbeleki. Trees surround the counselors, I found myself trekking campsite, and this is where we had my outdoor theater and the large wooden through the woodland area to find my “birthday bash”! The festivities continued stage is decorated with cement columns tent, where I would be bunking up with the next day at the beach, and of course, and beautiful pottery. The Dora Stratou five girls: two from Canada, one from what’s a birthday without birthday cake? dancers performed traditional Greek France, one from , and my fellow The entire camp surprised me with a large dances from various parts of Greece, Chicagoan Denise Rekoumis. My days in birthday cake, and afterward the highlight including Crete and Thrace. After the Skotina were spent mainly on the beach of the evening was the theater performance, Yannis and I met up working on my tan or enjoying small boat concert! Yes, that’s right, I spent my with his friends for some fun in Athens. rides, which of course meant that I had to birthday with my new friends at the old help row the boat as well! The nights, theater of Dion listening to Dalaras—how The next day, I met Yannis’ father, Yiorgos however, were spent at the main hall of could anyone ask for a better birthday? Gevgelis, who is a well-known daouli and the camp where my group of friends (25 toumbeleki player. In fact, Yiorgos had just people to be exact) turned the outdoor hall After completing my ten days at the World returned from a trip to Monemvasia where into one large dance floor. On a nightly Camp, I returned to Athens, where I didn’t he had been playing at a local festival. basis, we would put on music and just hesitate to call Yannis Gevgelis, the After a long discussion with Yiorgos about danced until we were too tired to walk. In toumbeleki and daouli musician who had his school of music and the dance group continued on page 6

Lyra - Fall 2001 3 My Summer Dance Experience By: Renee Papageorgiou

Ever since I can remember, I have been to dancing with the beginners’ group going to Greece for my summer (younger kids). I knew many of the dances vacations! I look forward to leaving and that were performed. The horiani were being able to spend time in my horio very surprised to see a Greek-American (village) Rizes, which is a few minutes dancing all the difficult dances. They away from the city of Tripoli. There, I realized that we Amerikanakia (Greek- spend many hours with friends, relatives Americans) could rise to the occasion! and horiani (townspeople). One of my most favorite things to do is going to the Dancing this past winter with Orpheus plateia (town square) to play volleyball. made it much easier for me to dance and Another thing that I enjoy is dancing in learn the figoures (variations). I found my horio’s dance troupe. dancing in Greece just as fun as dancing here in the United States. The kids were Since my horio has many festivals just as excited and enthusiastic! When the throughout the year, a dance troupe has performance came around, I was so been formed. The dance troupe performs excited. I couldn’t wait for the presentation at the horio’s biggest festival at Agia to start! I was so confident because I had Marinas (St. Marina) in July and also at performed the dances many times many other festivals throughout the Tegea throughout the year. The performance was Orpheus Youth member Renne Papageorgiou area (Riza is located in the Tegea section of great fun compared to the practices we Tripoli). For the past four or five summers, had! We had many hours of daily practices I have been joining the troupe for the in the mornings AND afternoons. summer months. I learn many new and Everyone got up and joined. We all danced interesting dances from all over Greece; The performance was much like other until ximeromata (dawn). many like those that I learn at Orpheus. performances. There were picture-takers, video-taping parents, excited yiayiades and I will never forget the fun times I have had This summer, I was very happy to dance pappoudes (grandmas and grandpas) and in Greece, especially this summer’s with the dance troupe. With the help of proud horiani all waiting to see what the memories. I was so happy to be dancing Yiannis and Kosta, who wrote a children had prepared for them. I will never with the advanced group, finally, and I recommendation for me, and with the forget how the spectators were so excited to owe it all to Orpheus for teaching me the help of Orpheus teaching me many see us perform. After the performance, all dances. (Thank You Orpheus!!) I can’t wait dances, I was able to dance with the the kids stayed in their traditional costumes to go back next summer and show my advanced group (older kids) as opposed and opened up the dance for everyone. horio once again what I have learned!! t spotlight Hometown: on Orpheus Algonquin, Illinois. Parents/Family From: dancer… Filiatra, Greece. Occupation: Radio Frequency Electrical Engineer.

Time Dancing with Orpheus Group: Seven years.

Thoughts on Dancing: Greek dancing is comparable to riding your Harry Georgakopoulos

4 Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society Elisseos Sianis and Eleni Gouvas during a scene at the play.

St. George School St. George School principal Julia Patrianakos along with Mrs. Dina Sianis at the conclusion of the play. Presents Play

in Greece represented the US. Greek schools from During the second week, the group toured Russia, , Australia, and Canada many ancient sites. They went to Chania, by Eleni Gouvas also attended the program in Crete. Heraklio, the remains of Knossos, the archaeological museum close to Heraklio, This summer the high school students of During the first week of the camp-type and many monasteries throughout Crete. St. George Greek school went to Crete for program, each group watched the others They also had a great time at various two weeks, at the invitation of the perform their play. Although they were beaches, restaurants, and taverns. The University of Crete, to perform The Great competing against each other, strong group will never forget such a wonderful Anger of Achilles, from The Iliad. Among friendships were formed. At the end of the experience. They met and made many these students were Orpheus members, week, the winners were announced. friends, they learned a lot about Crete from Ageliki and Giota Gikis, Eleni Gouvas, Australia was first, Germany and Russia the tours, and they learned how to improve Elisseo Sianis, and Katerina Skontos. The tied for second, St. George received third their acting skills. The group would like to students had performed this play as place and Canada came in fourth. Even thank Mrs. Julia, Mrs. Sianis, and Mrs. annual school performance. Their though St. George did not receive first Gouvas (the students’ teacher) for putting principal, Mrs. Julia Patrianakou, sent a place, they did a fantastic job. They won up with them. “Tous trelanamai,” we drove tape of the play to the University of Crete in first place for best costumes, thanks to Mrs. them crazy! Congratulations to all the Chania. Every year the university chooses Sianis who made all the costumes as well high school students of St. George! t one play from each country. This year, St. as the scenery for the play. Also, Elisseo George’s Greek High School won, and thus Sianis won first place for best actor.

bike downhill through a water sprinkler Favorite Place in Greece: magic, philosophy and cosmological during a hot summer day. Actually there are quite a few places I physics, working out, playing am particularly fond of (not limited to basketball, going to movies, clubbing, Favorite Dance: Greece.) Some of these include: Stomio playing tavli and chess, collecting Zeimbekikos. beach in Filiatra, the island of stamps, collecting comic books, Mykonos, the Monastiraki district in collecting coins, collecting various rocks Most Vivid OHFS Memory: Athens, the district in Athens, Las and minerals and politics. Post-performance celebrations at the Vegas, Miami, New Orleans and famous Bubba’s establishment in Cancun Mexico. Where I heard about Orpheus Dance Troupe: Saginaw, Michigan. I heard about Orpheus through the Hobbies/Sports/Other Interests: mother of a friend who in turn had Favorite Greek Dish: Playing , tzoura, baglama, heard about Orpheus on the radio!! t French fries with eggs. violin, guitar, dumbek, dancing, card

Lyra - Fall 2001 5 pictures

Youth and adult members perform at the Lincolnwood Festival that Crowd joins Orpheus members in an evening of Greek dance lessons at the 2001 took place last Summer. Chicago SummerDance in the Spirit of Music Garden in downtown Chicago. (Chicago, IL - August 2001)

Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer, with members of the Orpheus Dance Troupe at Channel 11 Studios. Orpheus members answered the phones during Pledge Week at Channel 11 studios during the Orpheus members manning the Orpheus Booth during the 2001 Greek Town showing of “Chicago Stories: The Chicago Greek Experience”. Festival. (Chicago, IL - August 2001) (Chicago, IL - August 2001)

continued from page 3

he has been running, he invited me to To top off my already wonderful trip in one by one, and put a piece of jewelry on travel with his band back to Monemvasia Greece, I celebrated my sister Pat’s either the bride or the groom. Then, like in September. Unfortunately, my stay in engagement to Vangelis Giorgas. The most Greek parties, we ate, drank, and Greece ended in August, so I was unable to arravones (engagement) were amazing. danced the whole night through. take the opportunity to travel with him. Friends and family, including friends from After a few more visits with Yannis, we Chicago, attended the engagement party. Although I have been to Greece a number became good friends and exchanged The party was held at Challet Kavallari in of times before, this trip was an numbers and addresses in order to keep in Athens. The evening began with the unforgettable experience. t touch. Since my return back home, I have exchanging of the rings, cutting of the cake, spoken to my new friend a few times and and the first dance. The couple then stood we've made plans for future visits! patiently as family and friends passed by,

6 Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society We Moved!! The Orpheus Dance Troupe, after The new location will enable the Orpheus practicing for nearly ten years at River Park Dance Troupe to be more accessible to a in Chicago, has moved its Thursday dance larger part of the Greek-American sessions to a new practice facility. The new community. It has been encouraging to see site is the multipurpose room of St. John the increased participation of our young Lutheran Church, 3020 Milwaukee Avenue members in the Orpheus Youth Group, in Northbrook. The facility is located a who have demonstrated remarkable mile north of the intersection of Lake dedication and enthusiasm in promoting (Euclid) and Milwaukee. our Hellenic culture and traditions.

Thursday practice hours at the new Practices will continue to be held at the facility will be: Glenview branch for Youth Group members only. Saturday sessions take place Youth Group - from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the multipurpose 5:30-6:30 p.m. room of New Church, 74 Park Drive in Adult Group (beginners/intermediate) - Glenview (a block west of the intersection 6:30-7:30 p.m. of Shermer and Glenview Rd.). For more Adult Group (intermediate/advanced) - information, maps, schedules and fees visit 7:30-9:00 p.m. the Troupe’s web site at www.ohfs.org or Members take a quick break during practice to pose contact one of its directors. t for a picture in the new practice facility. personals

Welcome to new Orpheus Youth members: Elena Antonakos, Eleni Poulakis on October 12th; Angela Dimitra Bounas, Phaedra Bounas, Dean Economos, Chris Trikkas on October 30th; Joy Economos on Kalapodis, Christos Karahalios, George Karahalios, Vicky November 7th; Kostas Giannopoulos on Karahalios, Alexis Khosravani, Ariana Khosravani, Joanna November 17th; Jamie Leberis on Lialios, Nick Liavaditis, Evridiki Markoulatos, Tommy Minetos, December 7th; Dimitri Dallas on December Felicia Nikolaou, Maria Nikolaou, Eliza Roussis, Anna Salapatas, 12th; Georgia Limberopoulos on December Nikos Salapatas,Vasiliki Karapatakis, and John Revis. 17th; George Kakis on December 18th; Alexis Khosravani on December 25th and John and Kosta Economou on December Welcome to new Orpheus Adult members: Joanna Chiotis, Angeliki 30th. Na ta ekatostisete! Gikas, Vicky Karabelas, Eleni Leberis, Tom Mihalopoulos, Patricia Minakakis, Tom Rolfes, Ellisseos Sianis, and Kathy Skondos. Namesday wishes to Dimitra Bounas, Dimitri Dallas and Jim Thanopoulos on October 26; Barbara Dallas and Barbara Congratulations to Voula Drougas and Damon Papolovich who Siargos on December 4; Katerina Economou, Kathy Tomaras, were married on August 18th. Kathy Skondos, Kathy Grosso, and Katerina Trikkas on November 25th; Nick Livaditis, Niki Rigas, Congratulations to Kiki Kakavas and John Kouchoukos who were and Nicholas Vass on December 6th; and married on October 6th. Christina Dallas, Christina Economou, Congratulations to Pat Tomaras on her engagement to fiancé Christina Grosso, Christina Kakavas, Vangelis Giorgas. Chris Kalapodis, Christina Minakakis and Christina Pagones on December 25th. Congratulations to Angie Siargos on her first performance with Chronia Polla! Orpheus at this year’s Greek Town Festival. Congratulations to Alexandros Pavlos for graduating from the Congratulations to Sofia Sianis in joining the Orpheus Board of University of Illinois, Urbana with a degree in Electrical Directors. Engineering. Congratulations also on his new job as an Electrical Engineer at Motorola. Birthday greetings to: Katerina Trikkas on October 5th; William Pierce on October 8th; Angie Siargos on October 9th; Christina Congratulations to Harry Georgakopoulos on his new job as an Dallas on October 10th; Marianna Damianides on October 11; Radio Frequency Electrical Engineer at Andrews Corporation. t

Lyra - Fall 2001 7 performance schedule

World Music and Cultures Christmas Around The World Vasilopita Celebration Greek Festival Concordia University Museum of Science & Industry St. John The Baptist Church St. Demetrios 7400 Augusta St. 57th & Lake Shore Drive 2350 Dempster Street Greek Orthodox Church River Forest, IL Chicago, IL Des Plaines, IL Saginaw, Michigan Monday, November 12 Saturday, December 15 Saturday, January 19 Friday-Saturday, June 14-16 8:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:00, 9:00 p.m. Christmas Celebrations 2002 Winter Dance Conference Festival of Greek Music & Dance 2002 Hollywood House Tarpon Springs, Florida Music & Dances from the Greek Isles 5700 N. Sheridan Rd. Friday-Sunday, January 4-6 Niles West High School Chicago, IL 5701 West Oakton St. Friday, November 30 Skokie, IL 60077 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 16 7:00 p.m.

Performance schedule and times are subject to change. For the latest information visit http://www.ohfs.org.

practice schedule Youth Group: Dancers ages 10-14 (Northborook and Glenview locations). Orpheus Adult Group Orpheus Youth Group: Beginners: Members with little or no previous dance experience. Beginner/Intermediate: Every Thursday at: Intermediate: Dancers who have shown progress in the beginners’ 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. class attend the last hour of practice. At the discretion of the instructors, St. John Lutheran Church Intermediate/Advanced: the intermediate level dancers will be practicing in a separate line. 3020 Milwaukee Ave. 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Northbrook, IL All dancers, especially beginners, are encouraged to obtain a personal Every Thursday at: tape of the music used for performances, in order to practice on one’s Every Saturday at: St. John Lutheran Church own and become accustomed to the music. Please provide Yiannis or 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. 3020 Milwaukee Ave. Kostas Economou with a blank cassette tape. New Church Northbrook, IL Multipurpose Room Submissions for the Winter issue of Lyra will be accepted until December 20, 2002. We are (one mile north from the always interested in educational essays/articles dealing with the subjects of Greek folk dance, 74 Park Dr., Glenview, IL intersection of Lake (Euclid) , and folk traditions. We continue to accept personal announcements and all other

and Milwaukee Ave.) (one block west of Shermer/Glenview Rds) submissions pertinent to the dance troupe and its membership. If an individual wishes to

contribute material on a continuous basis, please inform the Editor.

Glenview, IL 60025 IL Glenview, 606 Greendale Rd. Greendale 606