Greek Performing Arts Festival at Queens Theater in the Park, January 24-27, 2008

All performances are held at Queens Theatre in the Park, an indoor performing arts center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Tickets are available by calling the box office at 718 760-0064 or online

Thursday January 24 8:00pm
THE REBETIKO ENSEMBLE - Opening Night and Reception – The Greek Blues

Tickets $25 / Senior $23 / Student $15
Featuring:Grigoris Maninakis (vocals), Vicky Palma (vocals), Christos Psarros (bouzouki), Kostas Psarros (bouzouki), Gabe Kontos (guitar), Glafkos Kontemeniotis (keyboards) and Bob Maloney (percussion).

Friday January 25 8:00pm
MODERNOS: Contemporary Greek-American Dance & Spoken Word - Tickets $18 / Senior $16 / Student $10

This fresh, exciting program of modern dance and spoken word features young Greek and Greek-American artists making a name for themselves in New York, Chicago and around the world. This dynamic trio of new, diverse works provides an invigorating look at the range of influences that inspire contemporary Greek-American artists. Featuring works by Silverspace Dance, Amanda Loulaki and Short Mean Lady, and angela kaRIOTis.

Saturday January 26 7:00 pm – Studio Theatre
Immigrant Voices Project Reading Series, in conjunction with the Greek Cultural Festival presents NIGHT BLOOMING CEREUS
Free Event – Reservations Required
by Alex Argyros, directed by Tom Rowan
A young Greek-American man struggles to find a place for himself in a family that is still reeling from the loss of its matriarch. Set in 1967 in Astoria, Queens, this new play examines the relationships between a immigrant father and his two American-born sons, one of whom follows in his father's footsteps, the other who seeks to make his own path. A talkback with the playwright, director and actors will follow the reading.

Saturday January 26 8:00pm
INDEPENDENT GREEK-AMERICAN FILMS
Presented by Greek Cultural Center
Free Event – Reservations Required
For more info: www.greekculturalcenter.org
The Astoria-based Greek Cultural Center has assembled a dazzling array of award-winning short films by Greek and Greek-American film makers which explore a wide range of subjects. The evening includes on very different subjects, from a humorous clash between father and daughter in Laura Neri's "A Kiss on the Nose", to a diner in Queens in "Niko's Restaurant," to the puzzling nature of love in Dean Kapsalis's "Jigsaw Venus," to a poetic journey through New York City in Minos Papas's "Kalipolis."

Saturday January 26 10:00pm
A CABARET EVENING WITH SONGS INSPIRED FROM MARIA CALLAS' LIFE
Conceived and performed by Alexandra Skendrou
Tickets $20 / Senior $18 / Student $10
A special cabaret evening with New York-based soprano Alexandra Skendrou. In this musical journey into Maria Callas's life the audience will hear a very special selection of songs related to the places she lived and the people she met.

Sunday January 27 3:00 pm
Celebration of Traditional Greek Folk Dance with Kyklos Dance
Tickets $30 / Senior $28 / Student $20
Featuring:
Artistic Director, Kyriakos Moisidis
Live Music by: Christos Tiktapanides (Pontian Lyra), Hector Bezanis (Gaida), John Themelis (Percussion), Demetri Tashie (Kaval), Matt Fass (Accordion) and the Kavalla Brass Band. Costume Demonstration by: Greek American Folklore Society (www.gafs.org)
Preserving and extending aspects of Greek culture, Thessaloniki-based Greek folk dance troupe Kyklos performs some of the most thrilling dances from different regions of Greece. Kyklos lights audiences on fire with their dynamic and athletic repertoire. The troupe will be joined by an array of local musicians specializing in the regional music of Greece and the Balkans. Also on hand will be Astoria 's own Greek American Folklore Society showcasing its stellar collection of authentic Greek folk costumes.