COMMUNITY2 THE NATIONAL HERALD, JULY 16-22, 2011

QUESTION OF THE WEEKVote on our website!

You have the chance to express your opinion on our websiteon an important question in the news. The results will be pub-lished in our printed edition next week along with the questionfor that week.

The question this week is: Should Greek education be takenout of the hands of the Archdiocese? Yes No Maybe ! Yes! No! Maybe

The results for last week’s question: Did Greek police useexcessive force on protesters?14% voted "Yes"79% voted "No"7% voted "Maybe"

Please vote at: www.thenationalherald.com

" JUNE 10 – AUGUST 5TARPON SPRINGS, FL - AegeanLegacy, a solo exhibition featur-ing the outstanding works ofartist Pantelis Klonaris, will beon display at the Tarpon SpringsCultural Center from June 10thru August 5. A native of Tar-pon Springs, Klonaris has spentthe last 30 years designing com-positions across a wide range ofmediums. His large, vivid, anddynamic canvases combine im-ages from ancient Greece andthe natural world. Klonaris be-lieves that his work advocateshuman sustainability, increasedsocial awareness, and improvedquality of life—conditions heconsiders essential to positivehuman development. He usessuch varied sources as worldhistory, technology, design, andbusiness strategies to contextu-alize current events and shedlight on the dominant factorsthat structure our society.Klonaris attributes much of hissense of social responsibility tohis Greek heritage and the roleof ancient Greece in creatingwestern civilization. Yet he alsobelieves that artists play an es-sential role in developing societyand culture through their vision-ary abilities to think outside thebox. Free admission. The Tar-pon Springs Cultural Center islocated at 101 S. Pinellas Av-enue. For more information,contact Lisa Cobb at 727-942-5605.

" JUNE 29 – AUGUST 7 (WEEK LONG SESSIONSSTARTING EACH MONDAY)BOSTON, MA – Greek OrthodoxMetropolis of Boston presentsSummer Camp 2011 for youthsaged 8-18. The weeklong sum-mer camp sessions embrace chil-dren from throughout theworld, and feature a dedicatedstaff of counselors, priests, andlay leaders. Activities includesports, swimming, arts andcrafts, and Greek dancing. Chil-dren also learn more about theirGreek Orthodox faith and cul-tural heritage. For more infor-mation on the camp, please visitwww.mbcamp.org or call 603-746-4400.

" JULY 15ASTORIA, NY - On July 15 aspecial visit by the POEMobile,projections of poems on thesides of buildings and perfor-mances of poetry dance and mu-sic will mark the 100th anniver-sary year of the birth ofOdysseas Elytis. The GreekAmerican poetry communitywill honor its cultural heritagewith SING IN ME, O MUSE! atthe Federation’s Stathakion Cen-ter at 22-51 29 St. in Astoria onJuly 15 at 8 p.m. Dean Kostos,editor of Pomegranate Seeds:An Anthology of Greek-Ameri-can Poetry, Nicholas Samaras,winner of the Yale Younger Po-ets Award, Penelope Kara-george, and Sylvia Mouzourouwill read their poems and TheGreek-American Folklore Soci-ety will perform dances. Formore info visit citylore.org orhellenicsocieties.org or call 212-529-1955 x 308.

" JULY 15 – 17CENTERVILLE, MA – St. GeorgeGreek Orthodox Church of CapeCod presents Greek Festival2011. Delicious Greek food andpastries and authentic Greek cof-fee, as well as live entertainmentand Greek boutiques. Live Greekmusic performed with dancing.There will also be a raffle. Freeadmission and parking, rain orshine. The Festival is located at1130 Falmouth Road. For moreinformation, call 508- 775-3045.

" JULY 17MANHATTAN - AmericanThymele Theatre continues itsNYC Euripides Free Summer Fes-tival Series with the celebratedtragedy Medea to be presentedJuly 12 -17. Nichole Hamiltondirects. American Thymele The-atre, founded by producing artis-tic director and accomplishedcharacter actor Stephen Di-acrussi, was created to promoteHellenic culture in America.Medea will be performed at theChernuchin Theatre July 17 at314 W. 54th St. at 6:30 p.m. Ad-mission is free. No reservationsare required. For information

visit http://www.smarttix.comor call (212) 868-4444. For fur-ther information go towww.AmericanThymeleTheatre.yolasite.com

" JULY 22 – 24NEWPORT, RI – St. SpyridonGreek Orthodox Church pre-sents Greek Festival 2011 July22-23. Come enjoy Greek food,pastry, live music, and dancing,and shop at the Greek market-place. Bring the whole family tothis spectacular celebration ofHellenic heritage and culture.Free admission. The Festival islocated at 390 Thames Street.For more information, call 401-846-0555.

LA CROSSE, WI – Join St. Eliasfor its Mediterranean Festival.Gourmet complete dinner ofchicken, lamb, or vegetarian,bake sale, fresh beer, clowns,stilt walkers, and a silent auc-tion. From 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. onFriday, July 24. The Festival islocated at 716 Copeland Av-enue. For more information, call608-782-8641.

" AUGUST 18 – 21PORT JEFFERSON, NY – As-sumption Greek OrthodoxChurch is pleased to present itsannual Greek Festival, a com-munity event put together by thefamilies of The Assumption. Fea-turing culinary delights like gy-ros, pastitsio, moussaka, sou-vlaki, spanakopita, tyropita, andmuch more! Also traditionalGreek pastries such as baklava,galaktobouriko, among others.There will also be a folk dancingexhibition, and continuousGreek music. Church tours willacquaint the public with the richsymbolism that is inextricablylinked to Orthodox Christianworship. Finally, the Festival willfeature the most successful raffleon the East Coast, with a totalof 270 prizes. Thursday, August18 from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m., Friday,August 19 from 5 p.m. – 11p.m., Saturday August 20 from1 p.m. – 11 p.m., Sunday August21 from 1 p.m. – 10 p.m. TheFestival is located at 430 SheepPasture Road. For more informa-tion, call 631-473-0894, emailgoc.assumption@gmail.com, orvisit www.portjeffgreekfest.com.

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH –Sts. Constantine and HelenGreek Orthodox Cathedral pre-sents the 38th annual Greek Fes-tival 2011. Come for amazingGreek meals, such as souvlaki,saganaki, and calamari, home-made pastries, live music anddancing. Authentic Greek musicperformed by three Greekbands, including Orion Express,and Hellenic dancers in tradi-tional folk costumes. Two tav-ernas offer Greek wine and beer.The Kid’s Corner offers treats,two large bounce houses, andface painting. Thursday from 4p.m. – 10 p.m., Friday from 3p.m. – 11 p.m., Saturday from12 p.m. – 11 p.m., Sunday from12 p.m. – 9 p.m. The Festival islocated at 3352 Mayfield Road.For more information, call 216-923-3300, or visit www.cleve-landgreekfestival.com.

SOUTH GLENS FALLS, NY – St.George Orthodox Church pre-sents the 2nd annual Adiron-dack Greek Festival. Friday Au-gust 19 from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.and Saturday, August 20 from11 a.m. – 9 p.m. The Festival islocated at 55 Main Street. Formore information, call 518-792-2359.

WINCHESTER, VA – Dormitionof the Virgin Mary Greek Ortho-dox Church presents the Win-chester Greek Festival August 20-21. Join us for live Greek music,delicious Greek food, and greatfun for all. The Festival is locatedat 1700 Amherst Street. For moreinformation, call 540-667-1416.

" NOTE TO OUR READERSThis calendar of events sectionis a complimentary service tothe Greek American community.All parishes, organizations andinstitutions are encouraged toe-mail their information regard-ing the event 3-4 weeks aheadof time, and no later than Mon-day of the week before theevent, to english.edition@then-ationalherald.com

GOINGS ON...

Gypsy George Mihalopoulosplays a number of instrumentsand is a songwriter and pro-ducer, but an interview must be-gin with his name. Does heshare genes with that colorfulethnic group known for musicalbrilliance, especially with a vio-lin, or did Ellis Island do a num-ber on his ancestor?

TNH: Why Gypsy? GGM: It began a few years

ago with my insatiable desire torandomly hop in the car – with-out a map – and road trip. Leav-ing for days on end, I’d travelthe depths of America. Aftersome time, I received the nick-name ‘Gypsy George.’ Somehow,it stuck (plus, it’s a lot less of amouthful than Mihalopoulos).This occurred during a periodin my life where I was trying tofigure out if I was ‘Greek’ or‘American.’ I am fluent in theGreek language and culture, yetI grew up in America. For thelongest time, I would view my-self as a Greek who happenedto live in America. It wasn’t untilthese random road trips that Ibegan to discover the true cul-ture of America. Having beengreatly influence by the Blues, Iwould travel up and down everynook and cranny of the Missis-sippi River visiting the sameplaces as Leadbelly and MuddyWaters had before me. I beganto see a connection between thisversion of America and myself.It was through these trips that Idiscovered that I am truly aGreek- American, fifty-fifty, acombination of BOTH cultures.These experiences culminatedmusically in the formation ofGypsy George & the Open RoadLove Affair. The band consistsof myself on multiple instru-ments combined with a revolv-ing door of band members, wholive all over the country. Mymotto is, ‘if ya played with meonce, you are a lifetime mem-ber!’

TNH: What first drew you tomusic?

GGM: Coming from a HUGEGreek family, there are twothings one has to be great at do-ing: cooking & music. Music hasbeen around me since child-

hood. Growing up, my parentswould throw these get-togetherswith all their Greek friends. Itwould begin with a homemadedinner – enough to feed the Cy-clades – followed by an impro-vised jam session. My father,who is a fantastic singer andmusician in his own righe,would usually lead the group.It was here that I first beganplaying music in earnest. Iwould sit in with my cheap, be-ginner’s guitar playing the threechords I knew – D, G & C. Be-fore everyone thinks that wewere playing the new hits fromDalaras & Ploutarchos – thinkagain. The music was a mixtureof Greek artists such asSavopoulos, Theodorakis,Poulopoulos and Americanartists such as Bob Dylan, CCR& R.E.M.

TNH: How is the response to

your new album so far? (Is ityour first?)

GGM: So far, so good. Tech-nically, this is my third album(‘Door County Nights’ & ‘Joe’sBeginning’ are the other ones).The new record, entitled ‘Loneli-est Man In New York,’ is proba-bly my proudest recorded workto date. I’ve been describing itas the Beach Boys ‘Pet Sounds’meets Bob Dylan’s ‘Blood OnThe Tracks’ meets DionysisSavopoulos’ ‘To Perivoli TouTrelou’ sprinkled with somebluegrass. I spent a lot of timecrafting the sounds and arrange-ments for this record to reallydevelop an emotional, sonicarch of gain and loss within thecontext of feeling like the onlyperson in a city of millions. Al-though I have been getting a lotof positive response, I feel it hasbeen trying to really get signifi-

cant exposure to the work. Inthis day of DIY Music (do ityourself), it is progressively get-ting more and more difficult toget heard. With that, you canobtain a copy atgypsygeorge.bandcamp.com(pay what ya like) or the peren-nial iTUNES ($9.99)!

TNH: How do you find theBrooklyn music scene? Has itbeen fruitful for you?

GGM: I LOVE the Brooklynmusic scene, particularly whereI live in South Slope. Everyonealways clamors about Williams-burg. However, the REAL musicscene is in the South Slopebased simply on the gravity ofmusicians and artists who livein close proximity. I find beingimmersed in all this talent hasreally inspired my own work ina way that I really haven’t ex-perienced in all my travels. I amespecially humbled and appre-ciative that I can spend everydaysurrounded by such wonderfulpeople.

TNH: As a California Greek,have you noticed any differ-ences in the East Coast GreekAmerican culture?

GGM: Actually, my back-ground as a ‘Californian Greek’is somewhat of a misnomer.True, I was born in Hollywood,CA. However, I’ve always con-sidered myself a Chicagoan overa Californian. My father cameover from Greece on the boat(yes folks!) when he was 10 or11 years old. His family woundup in the Northside of Chicago(where a lot of my extendedfamily resides present-day).When mom was pregnant withme, my parents decided to moveto Los Angeles. After I was born,we moved back to Chicago fora few years, then back to LosAngeles. While living in Los An-geles, I was raised purelyChicago: Bulls, Bears, Cubs,‘Hawks’. I moved back toChicago to attend NorthwesternUniversity. After I graduated, Imoved back to L.A. for a stint,moved to Greece for a little bit,went back to LA-LA land, theneventually wound up in Brook-lyn (starting to see the ‘Gypsy’motif?)

TNH: What are someareas/projects you'd like to workon in the future?

GGM: I am spending timepromoting the new record, it isavailable for download, but Iwill be releasing a limited edi-tion box set exclusively sold atRoots Café. These will be indi-vidually numbered, signed andwill feature art pieces by someof South Slope’s finest artists.After that, I will be releasing avinyl version of the record. I willcontinue to play shows through-out the New York area (upcom-ing @ Southpaw, Saturday July9th) with my band GypsyGeorge & the Open Road LoveAffair. There are also plans todo some ‘mini tours’ throughoutthe Northeast and Midwest. Fur-thermore, I am currently pro-ducing and recording a fewartists as well as mastering al-bums. There is, finally, a planfor a follow-up record, whichwill be coming out early nextyear. In early 2012, I will havemy first, full-length art show @Roots Café featuring my originaldrawings, paintings and pho-tographs. Lastly, my novella,‘Burning of the Fragile Fire,’ iscurrently published online, andI am currently working on anew novel as well as a collectionof poetry.

TNH: Share with us somewords of wisdom.

GGM: There is no resistanceto your existence, just the shad-ows that you create. Oh, anddon’t forget an extra pair of un-derwear. See ya’ on the openroad! – gypsy george.

In the Spotlight: Gypsy George - Musician

Gypsy George is as Greek and American as you are. He justmoves around alot, and the band he leads are not gypsies.

AHEPA Thermopylae Chapter 445 Makes TracksThe judges at the 32nd Tanos-Constantinidis Track and Fieldcompetition in Upper Darby pose for a commemorative photo.Chaired by Dimitrios Constantinidis, participating communitiesincluded St. Demetrios of Upper Darby, St. Lukes of Broomall,St. George of Media and St. Sophia of Jeffersonville, PA.

The Bronx is Thriving: Progress at St. Peter’sFr. Nick Soteropoulos presides over the last Divine Liturgy tobe held in the temporary home of the community of St. Peter’sin Riverdale, which will now undergo renovation. Services willresume this fall in the Church being built upstairs. Fr. Nick ishelping the parish move forward its long-delayed plans.

TNH/COSTAS BEJ TNH/COSTAS BEJ

If you'd like to nominate a no-table member of the GreekAmerican community for “Inthe Spotlight”, please contactenglish.edition@thenationalher-ald.com with your suggestions.

HTTP://WWW.SmartTix.com (Medea),

www.AmericanThymeleTheatre.yolasite.com & AmericanThymeleTheatre@Gmail. Com

Featuring: Danijela Popovic as Medea. With: Devin Moriarity,

Andrew Block, Luke Vedder, Eric Liu, Ruth Priscilla Kirstein,

Vassilea Terzaki, Debby Skaler, Hollis Beek, Kimberly DiPersia,

Emily Eden, Alexandra Milne, Zenon Zeleniuch, Leo Goodman,

Bryce Edward Walsh, Marcus Watson, Danielle LaPonsie.

Directed by: Nichole Hamilton