Feature • Greek Fest------We Brought It Back,” Said Conway
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-----------------Feature • Buskerfest ---------------- Expect the Unexpected By Ashley Moti the Chicago fire dance group Pyrotechniq, said that the growth in popularity has to do Downtown Fort Wayne is about to ex- with the audience’s desire to experience perience the ultimate live street performer something new – and something perhaps revival. On June 30, Buskerfest returns to even a little bit dangerous. the streets of Wayne and Calhoun to amaze, “We feel that the audience is interested inspire, and mesmerize. in being intrigued and entertained with new The Downtown Improvement District forms of performance they haven’t been started Buskerfest in 2009. It quickly grew able to experience before,” Campanella in popularity with buskers and event attend- said. “Our performances are very visceral, ees alike. Buskerfest took a hiatus in 2011, very primal. There’s an element of danger and according to DID event coordinator Tara Conway, the void was noticed. “Last year the DID combined with Taste of the Arts and had Busker Square, PYROTECHNIQ a smaller version of Buskerfest. The people of Fort Wayne loved it but re- ally missed the full-out Buskerfest, so -----------------Feature • Greek Fest ---------------- we brought it back,” said Conway. “I think people enjoy it for a number of reasons: it’s fun, it’s family-friendly and it’s spontaneous and random. You never know what you’ll see.” The lineup for Buskerfest’s return No Passport Required will capture the wonder of the whole crowd with music, magic and dancing. By Ashley Motia event such a success. There are over 25 com- And sword swallowing. Yes, you read mittees for the 32nd go-around. that right. Fort Wayne is known for its annual sum- “We start planning this community- The program contains 14 acts on mer of festivals, and one of the biggest high- driven event in January – forming commit- two stages, with three lead performanc- lights of the season is Greek Fest. A celebra- tees and putting things in motion for the end es: Dan Meyer, an Indiana native who tion of Greek culture, this festival provides result,” said Rios. “It takes a lot of people has mastered the dangerous art of sword the chance to experience the food, traditions, and a lot of effort. It’s immense. And it’s swallowing; Project Dynamite, a self- and dance of Greece without digging out such an honor for Holy Trinity to host such a described “‘Saturday Night Live’ meets your passport. fine festival.” Cirque du Soleil without the tights” duo; Now in its 32nd year, Greek Fest chair- Beginning on Thursday, June 21 at and Pyrotechniq, an 11-member fire per- man Sal Rios says the festival is a well-oiled Headwaters Park, the much anticipated formance troupe machine that remains relatively unchanged Greek Fest brings a slice of Greece to down- regarded as the BUSKERFEST each year. town Fort Wayne. Midwest’s pre- “We’ve added Festival-go- miere fire danc- Saturday, June 30 • 4-11 p.m. an extra day to this GREEK FEST ers can enjoy a tra- ers. Wayne & Calhoun streets, Fort Wayne inherent in what year’s festival, but ditional homemade Thursday-Saturday, June 21-23 I asked Free admission we do. Our au- other than that it assortment of more Conway how diences feel that hasn’t changed,” he 11 a.m.-11 p.m. than 27 food and these national www.downtownfortwayne.com and are attracted said. “A lot of it is pastries, including acts are select- to it like a moth carried over from Sunday, June 24 • 11 a.m.-6 p.m. crowd favorites like ed. She replied that the inspiration comes to a flame.” No pun intended, of course. year to year to year, Headwaters Park Greek salads and from the busker community in addition to Sword Swallower Dan Meyer chalks making sure that S. Clinton Street, Fort Wayne fries, spanakopitas, local influences. “We research other busker the resurgence of busker-like acts up to all the pieces of the souvlaki, gyros, festivals like Indy Fringe, we listen to what computer generated special effects in mov- festival that people Tix: $3 after 4 p.m. Thurs.-Sat., and loukoumades the crowd liked at past festivals, and we look ies coupled with television programs like know and love are Sunday free (see the sidebar on to our community.” “America’s Got Talent” and “Stan Lee’s there.” the next page for And while the big three for the 2012 Superhumans.” While the on-screen enter- Festival orga- www.fortwaynegreekfestival.org more). Coffee will show are from as far away as Boston, Con- tainment industry has created a buzz around nizer Holy Trin- be available at the way said it’s equally important to secure lo- performance acts like his, the 22-time world ity Greek Orthodox Church must be doing “Kafenio” (coffee bar), and Greek wine cal talent and nurture the northeast Indiana champion sword swallower and holder of something right. As Rios said, an additional and beer will also be served to those over busker scene. five Guinness world records said Buskerfest day was added to the schedule to accommo- 21 at the “Taverna” (beer and wine bar). For “Local talent is hugely important. While provides a unique opportunity to see the im- date the increasing number of attendees and the younger crowd, Greek Fest has a “Kids we have both international and national acts possible magic in person. Greek experiences. The festival was also Korner” complete with amusement rides and performing at Buskerfest, our local acts “The real appeal is for audiences who recently voted Northeast Indiana’s Number other activities. are what make the Fort Wayne Buskerfest have become desensitized to movie special One Family Festival. Ohio’s Greek band Lazaros return to unique,” she said. effects that now crave to see real feats per- “Each and every year, our festival has provide live music each day of the festival. “We’re excited to listen to the End formed live in rare busker-style performanc- grown,” said Father Paul C. Bebis of the Rios says that Lazaros have become a repu- Times Spasm Band and the Afro Disiacs, es like the Fort Wayne Buskerfest,” said Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. “We table Greek Fest staple, with their popular- see Jim Reams’ magic act, and watch a per- Meyer, adding that the curiosity factor alone not only express our gratitude for [the com- ity now spilling over to into Holy Trinity’s formance by Fort Wayne Taiko drums, plus usually draws people in. munity] support over the years, but I would annual Greek Ball as well. Lazaros perform many, many local roaming buskers. We will “Most audiences believe that the ancient also like to express my heartfelt appreciation music that spans the generations from tradi- have lots of talented performers both on the art of sword swallowing is just a magician’s for all of the parishioners of our church for tional Greek Bouzouki sounds to the more stage and off.” trick or illusion. I enjoy challenging that their incredible effort year in and year out.” modern style of present day. Buskers – or street performers who en- idea and persuading my audience to see that Greek Fest is Holy Trinity’s biggest an- And there will be plenty of what Rios tertain for sport or tips – seem to be gain- sword swallowing is actually real, extremely nual fundraiser, and each church member says is another crowd favorite: dancing. ing momentum in popularity, not only in dangerous and very, very rare,” Meyer said. takes it very seriously with diligent plan- “Dancing plays a major role in Greek northeast Indiana but across the country. Liz ning and organization. As the festival grows, Campanella, manager and performer with Continued on page 7 so do the committees required to make the Continued on page 17 6 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- www.whatzup.com ------------------------------------------------------------------- June 21, ’12 Festival Promises --------------------------------Feature • Papa Roach ------------------------------ Area Food Lovers Rocking Faces Right Off a Taste of Greece By Kathleen Christian For foodies Papa Roach hit it big about the time I hit in Fort Wayne, high school, and they were everywhere – the Greek Fest is a theme song makers for my generation of ad- Mecca. Taking olescents. Their hard-rocking party anthems place June 21-24 set the radio waves aflame inside my car and at Headwaters propelled the usual teenage angst into over- Park, the event drive in a way only they could. will feature When I was offered the chance to write Greek cuisine their story I jumped at it without hesitation. that’s sure to My youthful idols? What an opportunity. make your mouth water. From the well- They were, in my estimation, the first good known Gyro to lesser-known dishes like band I listened to out of my Backstreet Boys Tiropita and Loukaniko, there’s some- phase, and I knew all the details already. thing for everyone. Yeah, I knew the stuff everyone knew. According to Nikos Nakos, a Greek Jacoby Shaddix – founder, lead vocalist and Fest volunteer, a new feature this year is main songwriter – came up with this band a lamb spit, a traditional Greek way of when he was in high school back in ’93 on a preparing an entire lamb. When I visited football field. What most people don’t know Greece five years ago, scoring a fresh is that Shaddix played clarinet, drums and slice of lamb from the spit was hands- bass before he settled on singing or that he down my favorite food experience. worked as a janitor right up until ’99, If you’ve never tried Greek food, a year before Papa Roach released PAPA ROACH make Greek Fest a priority on your week- their debut major-label album that end to-do list.