by Steven Doyle
It is that time of year again. As Fall descends upon us we enjoy many cool-aired events such as the Greek Food Festival. This marvelous event runs September 23rd through the 25th. Our Greek friends have this festival down and they know how to throw a great party with music, dancing, food and libations.
You will wan to check out the special wine Taverna where festival-goers will enjoy specially selected wines from the owners of The Ivy Tavern, Tom and Lisa Georgalis. The hosts will be on hand to discuss the wines, Greek Mythology and their most recent travels to their home country. Enjoy flights of wine, or take hold of a bottle of your own.
Enjoy the many imports and creations of Greek and Greek-American artists and artisans, the Agora offers all the exotic pleasures of an international marketplace. Lose yourself in the marvelous array of gold and silver jewelry, worry beads, sailors’ caps, icons, pottery, t-shirts and more.
You’ll find the popular Festival Cooking Demos in the Agora. Here, Greek foodies share their secrets in ongoing demonstrations of everything from roasted leg of lamb to mouthwatering pastries. We have a list of times for the demos below.
If it is food your are looking to sample, you will not be disappointed. There will be plenty to purchase to dine at the festival, and plenty more to take home to enjoy.
The Pantopolion, or grocery store, features many of the ingredients that give Greek food its distinctive flair. Prepare your own tantalizing Greek feast with fresh and frozen foods, imported olives, cheeses, spices, and olive oils — everything needed for a well-stocked Greek kitchen. And don’t forget to check out the olive tree plants and the great selection of Greek cookbooks. Baklava is just one of many delectable temptations. Try the other five varieties too, all made by our own festival bakers: kourambiethes, fenekia, koulourakia, sesame cookies, and paximadia.
The renowned New York-based, Greek band, Thymios, will set the festival tone for spirited music and dance (and plate smashing). Expect the pace to be lively and the party to be spontaneous! Keep an eye on center stage where the Festival Dancers, all parishioners of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, bring dance traditions from throughout Greece to life.
The Greek Dancers are part of a dance group called the Holy Trinity Hellenic Dancers. Practicing and performing year-round, they play an important role in preserving traditional Greek dance customs.
In Greece today, and in Greek communities abroad, traditional dances are still passed from generation to generation. Some of these not widely known local dances are at risk to become forgotten. Fortunately, there are systematic efforts of local organizations, like our own, to encourage older people to pass their talent and knowledge to the next generation. The dances Holy Trinity Hellenic Dancers will be performing are from various regions of Greece —from the mountains of Epirus to the shores of the Dodecanese Islands.
Festival Hours and location
Friday lunch is back this year! They open at noon.
Friday, September 23th — noon to 11pm
Saturday, September 24th — 11am to 11pm
Sunday, September 25th — 11am to 6pm
The festival supports Holy Trinity’s ministries, community outreach, and youth programs.
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church | 13555 Hillcrest Road at Alpha | 972-233-4880
Cooking Demonstrations
Friday, September 23, 2016
7:00
Baklava
John Nicholas
9:00
Pasticio
Jenny Sideris
Saturday, September 24, 2016
Noon
Spanakopita
Ellena Fox and Victoria Semos
3:00
Vasilopita
Melissa and Toney Nikolatsopoulos
6:00
Dolmas
Anne Marie Cariotes
8:00
Tiropita
Mary Ann Trapalis and Vanessa Stevens
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Noon
Kefthethes
Joanne Canellos
3:00
Paximathia
Mary Ann Trapalis and Vanessa Stevens
Entertainment Schedule
Friday, September 23, 2016
12:00 PM
Classic Greek Music by Ouzo Entertainment Services
2:00 PM
Thymios and His Greek-American Super Band
4:00 PM
Holy Trinity Hellenic Dancers
5:00 PM
Thymios and His Greek-American Super Band
6:30 PM
Holy Trinity Hellenic Dancers (PreK – 5th)
7:30 PM
Holy Trinity Hellenic Dancers (6th – 12th)
8:00 PM
Thymios and His Greek-American Super Band
9:45 PM
Hasapiko Suite — Holy Trinity Hellenic Dancers (9th – 12th)
10:15 PM
Contemporary Greek Dance Music by Ouzo Entertainment Services
Saturday, September 24, 2016
11:00 AM
Classic Greek Music by Ouzo Entertainment Services
12:30 PM
Holy Trinity Hellenic Dancers (PreK – 5th)
1:00 PM
Thymios and His Greek-American Super Band
2:00 PM
Holy Trinity Hellenic Dancers (6th – 12th)
4:30 PM
Holy Trinity Hellenic Dancers (PreK – 5th)
5:00 PM
Thymios and His Greek-American Super Band
6:30 PM
Holy Trinity Hellenic Dancers (6th – 12th)
7:30 PM
Holy Trinity Hellenic Dancers (6th – 12th)
8:30 PM
Hasapiko Suite — Holy Trinity Hellenic Dancers (9th – 12th)
9:00 PM
Thymios and His Greek-American Super Band
9:45 PM
Hasapiko Suite — Holy Trinity Hellenic Dancers (9th – 12th)
10:15 PM
Contemporary Greek Dance Music by Ouzo Entertainment Services
Sunday, September 25, 2016
11:00 AM
Classic Greek Music by Ouzo Entertainment Services
12:30 PM
Holy Trinity Hellenic Dancers (PreK – 5th)
1:00 PM
Thymios and His Greek-American Super Band
2:00 PM
Holy Trinity Hellenic Dancers (6th – 12th)
3:00 PM
Greek Comedian Basile
4:00 PM
Holy Trinity Hellenic Dancers (PreK – 5th)
4:30 PM
Classic Greek Music by Ouzo Entertainment Services
OPA!