UNESCO's International Dance Council and Pres. Akis Raftis Announce 30th Annual Dance Day on 29 April 2011, Preparations and Guidelines for Participation

On the 29th of April, as every year since 1982, the official Dance Day will be celebrated all over the world by millions of dancers. It is an initiative of the International Dance Council CID, UNESCO, who have prepared the following guidelines as a checklist for persons involved in the wider field of dance: teachers, choreographers, group leaders, journalists, researchers, associations, suppliers, organizations etc. Read more.

"Apollo on Delos" cultural event with Filarmonica della Scala and soloists of the Teatro alla Scala Ballet-Delos, Greece--01 September 2007

The Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation will present a major cultural event entitled “Apollo Delios” on Saturday September 1, 2007 on the island of Delos. The event will feature participants of international acclaim, the Filarmonica della Scala and soloists of the Teatro alla Scala Ballet. “Apollo Delios” will consist of two parts: Igor Stravinsky’s “Apollo Musagete”, choreographed by George Balanchine, with Roberto Bolle in the leading role, and Gustav Malher’s 1st Symphony. The Filarmonica della Scala will be directed by Daniele Gatti. This major cultural event will be recorded and broadcast nationally on television by the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) and –via satellite- internationally to the Greeks of the Diaspora and to countries that have expressed interest in broadcasting the event. Read more.

Celebration of Greek Dance with the Hellenic Dancers of NJ-30 September 2006

Celebration of Greek Dance is a rare opportunity to experience a number of traditional Greek folk dances, some rooted in antiquity, as many of them are not danced outside the region or community in which they originated. The performance will include Serenitsa and Moskof - militaristic dances from the region of Pontos; Gaida and Nizamikos from Makedonia - which focus on precision and composure; and jovial dances like Kalymnikos and Ageranos from the islands, just to name a few. . Read more.

Looking for Greek Costumes?

With Greek Independence Day only a few weeks away, the search for Greek ethnic costumes begins anew. Parents and students can contact Eleni Zohdi in Lowell, Massachusetts, a master seamstress and designer, who makes and rents Greek costumes, as well as creates custom bridal attire and carries out expert alterations. For more information about Eleni's work, see her website at the URL: http://www.elenifashion.com

Did You Say Dance? By Athan Karras

There is urgency among Greeks to research and preserve their roots. Chapters of the Lykeion Ellinidon (Women's' Lyceum Club) in Greece have been instrumental in provoking an interest in Greek folklore customs by producing inspirational youth programs energizing the Greek identity as a continuing tradition. Premier dancer Lefteris Drandakis toured with the Lykeion Ellinidon through Europe and the US. He has since been appointed as instructor, director and producer fo dance and music festivals presented by the Lykeion such as the Greek dance rituals, wedding ceremonies, and the cycle of life in dance, for the Athens Festival. He has produced recordings and CD's with the traditional music library for the Lykeion. Read more.

Greek Dance: An Ancient Link--A Living Heritage
By Athan Karras

Exploring the roots of Modern Greek dance in the ancient Greek culture is an adventure in itself. Evidences of a connection are found in the popular rhythms in Greek dances today. They are the same 7/8 and 5/4 rhythms discovered in ancient poetry. In the Iliad, Homer wrote about a wedding dance where brides singing wedding songs were led from their homes up through the city by the light of flaming torches, while young men danced and whirled to the sounds of flutes and lyres—this scene was depicted on Achilles shield. Homer also mentions the Syrto dance in his writings and dozens upon dozens of references to dance are found in ancient texts from Lucian to Epaminondas. Read more.

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