THE LARGEST YET

The expanded offering saw the Festival take over the city’s busiest thoroughfare from Swanston Street right up to Exhibition Street, making this year’s event the largest in its history.

Before Crete's Giannis Haroulis hit the stage on Saturday night, the UNESCO recognised tradition of Momogeri was performed by international dancers from Kozani, presenting a captivating performance with dance groups from local community group Pontiaki Estia. By the time folk musician Haroulis appeared on stage with his band and the uniquely talented Konstantis Pistiolis (Villagers of Ioannina City) Lonsdale Street was overflowing, as all stages erupted with very different types of entertainment. The AA Holdings Stage was inundated with Greek-pop fans when DJs from Beautiful People turned up the volume.

COMPETITION WINNERS

ZORBA 'TIL YOU DROP
Proudly presented by Touchdown Tours
Deon Manasis danced away with a flight to Greece after 61mins of continuous Zorba-ing.

MY BAKLAVA IS BETTER THAN YOURS
Christine Polyzos of Kali Orexi impressed judges with her baklava recipe, beating 16 other entrants. She walked away with a delicious hamper from Kathy Tsaples (Sweet Greek) and the crown of Best Baklava 2018.

MAGIC MIC
Elizabeth Pardallis wooed judges with her interpretation of Στο Θεό Με Πάει (Eleni Fourera) taking home $500 from the National Bank of Greece and a recording studio session at Bakehouse Studios.

FESTIVAL OF FOOD

With smoke and aromas billowing through the street, attendees were enticed to try a plethora of food options. Mythos Bar partners Elyros served up traditional Cretan fare while the bar stirred some new Greek-Inspired cocktails. Truly a Festival of food, the Procal Greek Kitchen hosted some of Melbourne’s favourite chefs and cooks including Kathy Tsaples (My Sweet Greek) Phil Vakos (Bahari + Gringlish), Angela Nicolettou (Angela’s Kitchen), Mary Valle (Mary’s Kitchen) and Spiri Tsintziras (My Ikaria and Afternoons in Ithaka) along with Festival newcomer Ella Mittas (Gertrude Street Enoteca). Bar tender extraordinaire Jack Sotti of Boilermaker House, inspired by his Greek-Cypriot roots, flaunted his award-winning skills with a range of Greek-flavoured cocktails. A 101 lesson in brewing Greek coffee was delivered by our friends at Oasis and Vikki Moursellas (My Kitchen Rules) joined presenters as the host of the weekend.

Celebrating diversity and cross-cultural collaborations was a key focus in this year’s Festival program with moving performances such as Akrites Tou Pontou: The Argonauts of the Pacific, which used dance to share the cultural links between the Maori people and the Pontic Greeks through the richness of their shared seafaring histories and including a performance of the Haka (traditional Maori dance) and Serra (Pontic war dance).

The Greek Community would like to thank every single sponsor, performer, musician, dancer, food presenter, competition entrant, MC, stall holder and volunteer being part of the Greek Community's largest event. The 31st Lonsdale St Greek Festival is a Greek Community of Melbourne event.