Ekon

Welcome!

Welcome to the 2nd Greek Music and Performing Arts Festival, a unique event that explores the world of art through the lens of Greek culture in new and exciting ways; but above all a celebration of talent and innovation. Inspired by the sounds and colours of the Mediterranean, the Festival has remained true to its promise to create a lively and entertaining space for artists and audiences alike.

This year the Festival is even more ambitious and adventurous offering something for every taste: from rebetiko – or the Greek blues – to classical recitals, from traditional folk dance to modern theatre performance, from exhibitions to drama workshops, from popular instrumentals to latin rhythms, from swinging jazz and blues to experimental music.

With its youthful spirit and impressive line-up of acclaimed artists and performers from all around Europe, the Ekon Festival is constantly growing in size and importance, pushing beyond geographical and cultural borders.

Join us this June on an amazing journey of artistic exploration and discover the new face of Greek culture as you may have never seen it.

Look out for our Programme of Events. In the meantime, here’s a taste of what’s to come.

Maria Thanassa

Chair & Director of Ekon Greek Festival

Events at the Festival – June 2009

Saturday, 13 June 2009: ‘Rebetika: Songs of the Greek Underworld’

An evening of rebetika musical gems performed in inimitable style by the famous rebetiko band Tzivaeri, featuring Makis Stamoulis (bouzouki/vocals), Eleni Lazarou (baglamas/vocals), Vasilis Skoutas (guitar/vocals), Dimitris Mitarakis (accordion/vocals) and Vasilis Giannisis (violin) in an exclusive London performance.

Listen to a sample

"Mazi sou xemialistika"

"Glikoharazoun ta vouna"

"O psaras"

Diary

Sat 13 June

7.30pm

Hellenic Centre

Rebetika: Songs of the Greek Underworld

Sun 14 June

2.00pm

Hellenic Centre

Drama, movement & music Workshop

5.00pm

Hellenic Centre

Youth Talent: Music & Theatre

7.00pm

Hellenic Centre

Greek Folk Dance: Crossing the borders

Mon 15 June

1.00pm

St Giles in the Fields

Classics revisited: Lunchtime Recital

6.00pm

Hellenic Centre

Classics revisited: Evening concert

8.30pm

Hellenic Centre

Jazz and Greek vibes for guitar

Tue 16 June

7.30pm

Hellenic Centre

Greek blues & jazz

Also participating, Maria Christina Papadopoulou and Alan Gibson in original explorations of Greek traditional music.

Sunday, 14 June 2009: ‘Youth Talent’

The day kicks off with a drama, movement & music workshop for primary/secondary school children – a holistic approach to enactment of stories inspired by Greek culture. Run by artists & educators Amaryllis Rizou & Vanio Papadelli.

Music & Theatre

Festivities begin with a varied programme of music and theatre performances featuring youth art groups.

Due to reasons beyond our control, we regret to announce that the theatre performance The Knights of the Fried Potatoes by the Greek Secondary School of London has been cancelled.

The programme will now begin at 5.00pm as follows:

*

A remarkable young trio – Anthony Kastelanides (vocals), backed by uprising young musicians Demetri Kastelanides (piano) and Alex Pepes (flute) in a mix of traditional and contemporary music and song.

*

It is with great pleasure that we present an exceptionally talented young duo – Valentino Altos (bouzouki) and Chris Valiantis (accordion) performing Theodorakis, Chiotis, Tsitsanis and lots of musical surprises.

*

Yiannis Polykandriotis and his School of Popular and Traditional Music “The New Generation of the Greek Diaspora” on a bouzouki musical journey dedicated to Stelios Kazantzidis.

Greek Folk Dance: Crossing the borders

The evening is given over to a superb programme of Greek folk music and dance from Northern Greece, Asia Minor & Cappadocia

*

Traditional vocalist Kostas Tsahourides is joined by the renowned Pazarentsis folk music band featuring Trifon Pazarentsis (clarinet/zournas), Michalis Pazarentzis (percussion), Dimitris Aliatzis (accordion) and Ioannis Kousoulakis (violin) in their first UK visit.

In performance are the folk dance groups

The London Lykeion ton Ellinidon * The Lyra Greek Dancers * The Greek Secondary School of London * The Greek Community School at St. Cyprian’s, with the participation of dancers from the Lykeion Ellinidon of Athens & Kalamata

Join us afterwards in a traditional Greek feast with live music, dance and food.

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Also hosting an exhibition of “Ruby Ginner: Classical Greek Dance” by the National Resource Centre for Dance in association with the University of Surrey.

Monday, 15 June 2009: ‘Classics revisited'

'Greek Chamber Music’

Two chamber music concerts featuring contemporary composers Tasoulla Christou, Benjamin Wolf, Evangelia Rigaki, Nikos Harizanos, Michail Palaiologos, Vassiliki Legaki, as well as favourite classics by Skalkottas, Constantinidis, Kassassoglou, Borboudakis, Dragatakis, & more.

Artists include the EKON Resident String Quartet led by George Zacharias * Maria Siomos, Anastasios Strikos * Natalia Gerakis, Despina Apostolou * Camille Malaawy, Adam Kowalczyk, Anneke Hodnett * Alda Dizdari * Panayotis Archontides, Natalie Tsaldarakis * Sophia Zarani, Detta Danford, Eliza McCarthy, Natasha Zielazinsky * Gareth McLearnon, Giorgos Tosikian, Mikes Sakelliou

‘Jazz and Greek vibes for guitar’

A concert of classical guitar bringing together prominent young Greek guitarists George Tossikian and Dimitris Kotronakis, performing Hadjidakis, Yann Tiersen, Luis Zea, Paco de Lucia, & more.

Tuesday, 16 June 2009: ‘Greek blues and jazz’

A vibrant programme of Greek jazz and blues with top Greek saxophonist/composer Dimitris Vassilakis and ‘The Greek Gang’ Young Generation Greek Jazz Musicians, featuring guitarist Apostolos Leventopoulos. Also participating, Theo Tsoumanis and 'The Nighthawks' performing an exciting mix of jazz, blues and innovative improvisation.

DISCLAIMER: The programme may be subject to changes. London Ekon Festival reserves the right to make any changes to the programme, and in the event of any such change, any refund would only be offered at the sole discretion of London Ekon Festival.