Greek Dancing in Greece mainland

Subject: Greek Dancing in Greece mainland
From: Muffin
Date: 17 Sep 08 - 10:51 AM

We're planning a trip in October/November and would love to receive any information about Greek dancing in mainland Greece.

Any suggestions?

Subject: RE: Greek Dancing in Greece mainland
From: Peter T.
Date: 17 Sep 08 - 10:58 AM

Same time! Same here!

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Greek Dancing in Greece mainland
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 17 Sep 08 - 11:04 AM

You will be late, the Dora Stratou theatre in Athens (home of Greek traditional dance, the equivalent to Cecil Sharp House for the EFDSS in the UK) is open May to September. But here is the link, contact them, and they may be putting on performances in covered venues somewhere.

Though it has to be said - the main Dora Stratou theatre in the summer, with the oleander bushes and the basil and myrtle putting out a symphony of smells in the evening, high up Philopappou hill overseeing Athens, a cool beer in your hand and the finest Greek traditional dancing, is an experience to be savoured.

* sob *

Subject: RE: Greek Dancing in Greece mainland
From: Muffin
Date: 17 Sep 08 - 11:56 AM

Thanks, George. The plan is to participate as much as we can. I wonder where we'll find that sort of event at this time of year?

Subject: RE: Greek Dancing in Greece mainland
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 17 Sep 08 - 12:09 PM

If you are after traditional dances, try contacting the "Lykeio Ellinidon" (Lycaeum of Greek Women), which has branches everywhere and organises dances, mostly for exhibitions, but also for participation of the public. Their Athens phone number is [phone] (address is Dimokritou14, Athens 10673).

There are generally very few dance-specific events organised for general participation in greecem because there is no need for them. With dancing being inherent in ordinary Greek culture, most participatory opportunities are as part of some social event or celebration: wedding, christening etc. All you need to do is identify where one such celebration will be taking place near wherever you are (likeliest Friday-to-Sunday but could also be midweek), and then insinuate yourself into it, or rather approach the celebrants politely and ask if it would be OK to join in. Three times out of four they will have no problem with that, and even encourage you.

Subject: RE: Greek Dancing in Greece mainland
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Sep 08 - 01:37 PM

What about Paneyiri? That's always been a great venue for dancing on the island where I go. Don't they do that in mainland Greece?

On the feast day of the saint to whom any church is consecrated, the parish hosts a religious festival, their annual "paneyiri." It usually includes live bouzouki music and dancing in the town square till late into the night. It's a public event, offered up by the parish in honor of their patron saint, so anyone can join in the dancing.

Subject: RE: Greek Dancing in Greece mainland
From: Rasener
Date: 17 Sep 08 - 02:42 PM

Oh the memories.
In the late 70's, we did a self organised trip for a month to Athens, Samos, Chios and Lesbos.

In Chios we made friends with a fisherman from Athens who spoke very little English (we were living in a taverna right on the beach and the fisherman was living in a tent on the beach and earning his money fishing for the summer). Anyway he invited us to a special feast for a religious festival in a small village about 20 miles away. We went and we had a great evening and the Greek viilagers were so freindly. They had a Greek folk band playing and everybody was dancing and eating and getting thoroughly pissed and really enjoying themselves.

I worked for Polaroid at the time and was loaded with instant film. A Greek person came up and asked if I would take a couple of photo's of him and his family. I took 3 photo's and gave them to him. He was so pleased. A bit later he sent a waiter over with a tray of food for my wife and I as a thank you.

That night was a wonderful memory of Greek hospitality, which we have never forgotten.

Whilst in Athens, I was going to do the guards Dance outside the palace, but Inge wouldn't let me. :-)

Don't that make you proud George :-)

Subject: RE: Greek Dancing in Greece mainland
From: Rasener
Date: 17 Sep 08 - 02:47 PM

In fact it was exactlyu as GUEST said above me.

Subject: RE: Greek Dancing in Greece mainland
From: Muffin
Date: 17 Sep 08 - 03:51 PM

We found the friendliness on Spetses many years ago - but not the dance.

We wonder how the mainland small towns will compare for dance and hospitality in late autumn. We'll look out for saints days and the other celebrations mentioned - thanks for the suggestions.