2010OLI

MAZIthe official FDF publication

34th Annual Greek Orthodox Folk Dance and Choral Festivala ministry of the metropolis of San Francisco

iSSue 1 january 2010

�� �Faith. Dance. Fellowship.

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We extend our love and greetings to His

eminence as he celebrates his

10th Anniversary as Primate of the Greek Orthodox

Church in America, and pray that the Lord will continue to grant

him wisdom and strength in his

ministry.

Welcome His eminence

Archbishop Demetrios

Directors Mission Statement:

A common phrase I hear exclaimed by dance directors is, “make a circle!” As dancers we all understand the defi-nition of a circle. Web-ster defines, a circle as, “ a simple shape of ge-ometry consist-ing of those points in a plane which are equi-distant from a given point called the center. The com-mon distance of the points of a circle from its center is called its radius.” Usually, after hearing that com-mand, we grab hands and spread out hoping to make that director happy. I don’t know if a formal study has ever been completed, but I am convinced, in my heart of hearts, that our Greek Culture has us dance in circles, because of the im-portant role the circle plays in our Orthodox Faith. An-other example of the con-nection between our Heri-tage and our Faith.

There are three, specif-ic, occasions when dance is used in Orthodoxy: the

We are the Cultural Ministers of the Greek Orthodox Folk Dance & Choral Festival of the Metropolis of San Fran-cisco. We are united through the Orthodox faith in our commitment to teaching and perpetuat-ing our Hellenic cultural heritage through dance, song and music. We shall carry out this commit-ment by upholding the teachings and principles of our Orthodox faith; serving as role models for our students; respecting clergy, fellow directors, students, parents, judges, Board of Trustees mem-bers, Management Team members and site staff; and by working in part-nership with fellow direc-tors to expand our knowl-

edge and to improve our teaching skills for the love of the FDF Ministry. Though FDF contains an element of competition, this aspect shall never be the highlight or sole pur-pose of our teaching. The ultimate achievement to be gained is the element of sharing, teaching, knowledge and love. We shall never promote the idea or thought that one’s good fortune is another’s misfortune, but strive to see that all of us grow in spirit, strength and fel-lowship. We shall always seek to bring out the best in our teaching in terms of ethics, morality and character, holding high the banner of Christian-ity. ■

The Circle Fr. Gary’s Message

Sacrament of Baptism, the Sacrament of Marriage and the Sacrament of Ordina-tion. All three come at a climax in the ceremonies. None are ever performed alone, and all take place going counter-clockwise.

In the Sacrament of Baptism, as soon as the newly baptized is clothed in the radiant white attire he is brought back to the bap-tismal font for a “dance.” The sponsors, holding the new Christian, and led by the clergy, sing in unison, “All those who have been baptized in Christ, have put on Christ. (Galatians 3:27).” The first steps tak-en as a Christian are then a “dance” around the font, in the Church, with, what is now, family!

In the Sacrament of Marriage, after being mar-ried, the couple is escorted by the Priest (holding the Gospel) around the wed-ding table three times*. The couple is accompa-nied by their sponsors, who along with the guests and clergy sing “O Isaiah dance with joy for the Vir-gin has conceived a child, the Emmanuel, both God and Man: Dayspring is His name; as we magnify Him we call the Virgin Blessed.”

Lastly, in the Sacra-ment of Ordination, prior

to the Bishop asking the congregation to exclaim, “Axios,” the Candidate is lead around the Altar three times*, by brother priests, as they sing, “O Holy Mar-tyrs, who have fought the good fight and have re-ceived your crowns: en-treat the Lord that He have mercy on our souls.” This hymn, celebrates the mind-fulness of the new struggle the young man has been called to accomplish by spreading the Good News of Christ.

Each of these Sacra-ments is key in the lives of those of us that call ourselves Orthodox Chris-tians. All are performed in the Church, all are per-formed in community, and all are performed in a CIRCLE! All of these then indicate the significance of the never-ending joy that grows from the love of God! When you hear a di-rector yell, “make a circle,” know that they are asking you to do more than just stand next to each other. Let this be a call to action, a renewal of our Baptismal pledge and a version of the vow of ordination.

As we dance let’s not forget that each step we take and each hand we hold evolves from an un-derstanding that God is with us! We are connected through the joy of Christ, the love of God and the fel-lowship of the Holy Spirit! ■

Board of Trustees 2010:His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, executive Chairman

Father Gary Kyriacou – Chairman

Spiro Beckas – Vice Chariman

Katia Bakas Boudouvas – Operations Officer

Michael Syrengelas – Director of Finance

John Boudouvas – Director of marketing/Public relations

Kathy Loukatos-Meck – Director of Choral Festival

Christa Barbas – management Team Director

George Demos – Director of endowment

Liana Bekakos – Secretary

John Buzas – Legal Consultant

Alex Papaefthimiou – Legal Consultant

George Nickols – Scholarship manager

Anne Sirota – judge Consultant

George Papangellin – Board member

Father Bob Fox – Chaperone Coordinator

Father Peter Stratos – Diakonia Project Coordinator

Father John Hondros – Liturgical Coordinator

Deacon Niko Bekris – metropolis youth Director

Maria Barbas – Parent representative/ north West

Laurie Sahines – Parent representative / north

Amalia Chryssopoulos-Skarzenski – Parent representative / South

Danny Staveris – Director representative / north

Management Team Members 2010:Fr. Gary Kyriacou – ChairmanSpiro Beckas – Vice ChairmanMichael Syrengelas – Director of FinanceJohn Boudouvas – Director of marketing/Public relationsChrista Barbas – management Team DirectorManoli Rodarakis – Director of LogisticsGus Sverkos – Director of events/entertainmentGeorge Mitsopoulos – Director of SecurityKathy Meck – Director of Choral FestivalVoula Kolios – Director of CompetitionKatherine Dikeakos – Division i CoordinatorVasili Dikeakos – Division i CoordinatorKristina Plumis – Division ii CoordinatorLea John – Division iii CoordinatorMichelle Hawe – Workshops/Diakonia CoordinatorEleni Pappas Beckas – Director of registrationElizabeth Syrengelas – Director of registrationMaria Vorgias – Opening Ceremonies CoordinatorKatina Mitsopoulos – Banquet awards CoordinatorTed Cocoles – Security Team VolunteerSoteria Syrengelas – management Team VolunteerKassandra Kirages – management Team VolunteerAndrea Bakas – management Team VolunteerAnthony John – management Team VolunteerBob Barsakis – management Team VolunteerFr. Michael Tervo – Liturgical ServicesDeacon Niko Bekris – Workshops/youth DirectorPantelis Stathoudakis – management Team VolunteerSteve Gaihos – management Team Volunteer

Visit the Station 22 booth at the Civic Auditorium. DVD’s will be on sale

throughout the weekend starting Thursday evening at Opening Ceremonies.

Get your 2010 FDF DVD’s

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to generations past, along with the obligation to share their knowledge with gen-erations to come.

May the Lord bless this gathering with His mighty hand, and may the indis-soluble bond of our faith be a source of strength and inspiration as we bring praise and glory to God in song, dance and unceasing prayer!

With Love in Christ,

XMetropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco

As we gather together this

weekend to celebrate the

richness of our faith and culture,

let us, as one family of Orthodox

Christians, bring praise and

honor to God through our song,

dance and fellowship.

With Love in Christ,

✠ Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco

FDF_Ad.indd 1 1/5/10 8:45:41 AM

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It is truly a joy to join with so many of our be-loved faithful for the 34th Annual Folk Dance and

Choral Festival in San Jose, California. This gath-ering is more than just an expression of our faith and culture; it is a celebration of the bond we share as Or-

A Message from His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimosthodox Christians – as one family in united in Christ. As Saint Paul says, “… he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit” I Corinthians 6:17.

This year’s FDF theme, “Family Takes Center Stage”, exemplifies the spirit of FDF. We are sur-rounded by proud parents, grandparents, aunts, un-cles, cousins and siblings who have all come togeth-er to show their support for their loved ones who are dancing. Beyond this, these relatives have also embraced the entire group as an extension of their own family, recognizing the deep bonds of friend-ship which have been formed through the years.

Some people say FDF is driven by competition, but I contend that it is moti-

vated by friendship and by the unity of all the partici-pants who share the com-mon threads of our faith and heritage. Throughout the years, FDF has created an environment much like that of a family reunion. All one has to do is witness the smiles, laughter, hugs and tears shared by those from near and far who cherish every moment together to see the deep impact of this ministry.

A remarkable ongo-ing legacy is also found in many aspects of FDF. Dancers from the 1970’s are now parents, directors and judges. Grandparents have mentored their chil-dren and grandchildren on native instruments and mu-sic, passing down to them the history of their ances-tors and instilling in them a deep-rooted connection 2

010OLI

MAZIthe official FDF publication

“Some people say FDF is driven

by competition, but I contend that it is motivated by

friendship and by the unity of all the participants

who share the common threads

of our faith and heritage.”

as those indigenous to Macedonia. He has presented many aspects of his research at conferences on traditional dance and music, in Greece and in many other countries, such as Australia, England, Scotland, Holland, Spain, France, Russia and Canada, and has collaborated with other dance specialists of the Balkans in presenting the dances, music and folklore of specific geographical areas and various Balkan ethnic groups, i.e., Vlachs, Roma, Sarakatsani, Arvanites, etc.) Yannis is President and Artistic Director of the “Lygistes” Cultural Association (with branches in Athens and Florina), and a founding member of “The Academy of Traditional Folklore Dance and Music” located in Athens, Greece. He is also actively involved with the “Association for the Preservation and Dissemination of Traditional Dance and Music”.

Olympians:

When one hears the soulful sound of the

Musician Bios:

Makedonikos Ichos

Olympians

Paradosi

Paradosi is a Greek folk band comprised of several musicians from around the United States. Their goal is the preservation of the paradosi, or tradition, of Hellenism through music, song and dance. Paradosi’s members include Yianni Themelis of New York (laouto, violin, lyra, sandouri, zourna, saxophone), Dimitrios Dallas of Chicago (tsabouna, clarinet, gaida, zourna, lyra, laouto, violin, accordian), Dimitri Papadimitriou of Atlanta (daouli, defi, doumbeleki, drum set, guitar), Andrea Goustas of New York (lyra, violin) and Billy Hioureas of Anaheim (gaida, kaval, floghera). Having an extensive dance background and musical education from well-known musicians and teachers, the members of Paradosi provide music from most regions of Greece. They all share a deep love for music as well as their rich Hellenic culture. For more information or booking, please visit www.paradosimusic.com or e-mail info@paradosimusic.com.

Makedonikos IchosYannis Konstantinou

is a well-known teacher

of Greek traditional dance, specializing in the culture and traditions of Macedonia. He holds a degree in Education from the Pedagogy Academy of the University of Florina, Greece, and a Master’s degree in Language and History from the University of Philosophy of Yugoslavia. His knowledge of Greek dance began in his childhood, first with his father, Simos Konstantinou, who was a lead dancer and master teacher of Greek folkdances, and later, with his very early participation in dance performing groups. He is the principal organizer of dance seminars held every summer in Prespes in northwest Greece.

Since 1990, Yannis has conducted in-depth research of the dances, music, customs, and traditions of social groups and ethnic minorities who migrated to Macedonia - such as the Vlachs and refugees from Thrace and Asia Minor, as well

bouzoukia, the beat of the drums, the strum of the guitar, and the powerful klarino, you know you are listening to the Olympians Band. This is a signal to dancers that the celebration has started and it is time to dance the night away to the band’s vast repertoire of music people love so much.

A 15-year-old boy by the name of George Karidakis, his 12-year-old brother Jim, and a fifteen-year-old friend, Peter Begakis, did not realize that the band they formed in 1976 would gro w not only into a local Long Beach favorite, but the favorite among many Greek communities across the United States. The band later recruited 17-year-old drummer Bill Contreras who was not only Peter’s neighbor and childhood friend, but had a driver’s license! This gave the group initial mobility to embark on a musical legacy that has lasted for over 25 years. Their first paying job was in 1977 for a Mother’s Day Luncheon at the old Assumption Church Hall in Long Beach. They made $25.00 and received free meals for their services. From that moment on, they built a list of engagements, and added Jim and George’s friend and neighbor, Steve Kidd on guitar. Bill was unable to continue further with the band due to a full-time job,

and so, another friend and neighbor, Steve Opdahl, joined the band on drums.

Though the Olympians continued to dance, their first connection to FDF was in 1978 as musicians when they provided entertainment for the “Evening of Mediterranean Magic,” a theatrical show where all dancers performed. The Olympians Band helped develop and expand the integration of live music with Greek folk dance performances. Groups were no longer constrained by cassette recordings; the Olympians were able to take performances to a higher level, as the musicians became an integral part of the dances.

Tragedy struck the band in 1986 when guitarist Steve Kidd was fatally injured in an automobile accident. The band went without a guitarist for a couple of years, but saw the talent and energy of the group’s present, Jerry Thermos. George, Jim, Peter, Jerry and Steve make up the present members of the band. They have been truly blessed as the band members have played for their own weddings and their children’s baptisms. ■

2010OLI

MAZIthe official FDF publication

2010 FDF Memorial Service To be honored at Sunday’s Archieratical Divine Liturgy 2009 John Gianakopoulos Las Vegas, NV Dancer Dimitri Simvoulakis Modesto, CA Son of FDF Judge Irene Peros 2007 Father Efstathios Mylonas Pasadena, CA Priest 2006 Tasia Tsobanoudis Dancer Jivko Bebelekov Musician 2005 His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony San Francisco, CA Metropolitan & Spiritual Father of FDF For 25 Years 2002 John Papadoupoulos Atlanta, GA Dancer, formerly with Dora Stratou Theatre 2001 Kathy Trapp Castro Valley, CA Choir Director2000 Anna Efstathiou Oakland, CA Dancer, Director, Researcher Vilma Matchette Lynwood, WA Dancer, Director, Researcher, Costume Judge, Author Jim Papangellin San Jose, CA Dancer, Director1999 Elizabeth Angelis Harper Seattle, WA Dancer, Mother of three Fisher Theodore Harper Seattle, WA Son of Elizabeth Harper Ian Joseph Harper Seattle, WA Son of Elizabeth Harper Katherine Velthoen Modesto, CA Dancer1998 John P. Angel Seattle, WA Dancer 1997 Kim Efstathiou Castro Valley, CA Dancer, Director, FDF Officer Paul Ginis Founder and Director of the Greek American Folklore Society, Choreographer1994 Nick Varvitsiotis Pasadena, CA Dancer, Director, Choreographer Soula Kunelis Granada Hills, CA Mother of three FDF Dancers & Directors Chris Tsantilas Seattle, WA Dancer Manolis Abazis Redondo Beach, CA Dancer1993 Jim Markus Sacramento, CA Dance enthusiast and supporter, Researcher, Director Chris Tasulis Los Angeles, CA Judge, Dancer, Director, Producer, Choreographer Father A. Homer Demopulos Seattle, WA Priest1992 Spiro Pathos Pasadena, CA Dancer Katerina Perivoliotis San Jose, CA Dancer1988 Bill Angeles Seattle, WA Dancer Ted Petrides Athens, Greece Judge, Dancer, Musician, Professor1986 Dora Stratou Athens, Greece Dancer, Choreographer, Researcher1980 Christos Papadimitrakis Bakersfield, CA Dancer1979 Cynthia Anderson Castro Valley, CA Dancer

The accomplishments of current Metropolis of San Francisco Philopto-chos President Valerie Roumeliotes are a living testament to a life devoted both to her religion and to her family. She is a true philanthropist in every sense of the word – a lover of mankind – to which her successes in fostering nu-merous charitable enter-prises attests.

A member of the Me-tropolis Philoptochos Board for the last 22 years, and currently in her eighth year as President of the Metropolis Philoptochos, Valerie has established a truly outstanding record of dedication and magna-nimity. Valerie’s forte is fundraising, and she feels blessed to have chaired several beneficial events through the years and takes satisfaction in knowing that the Metropolis Philop-tochos has been able to

Kenneth Frangadakis has been an active mem-ber of the Greek Orthodox Church throughout his en-tire life. Both as a Church leader and a dental profes-sional, Kenny has used his skills and resources to help others, especially in pro-moting the Greek Ortho-dox faith and our Hellenic heritage.

As a founding member of the Elios Society, Ken-ny has worked tirelessly as Vice President and Pro-grams Chairman contrib-uted countless hours plan-ning special events which raise funds to support programs which promote Hellenism. Kenny is also a member of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, shar-ing his generosity with the Church to allow for the growth of many vital ministries. His service to

Past Humanitarian Award Recipients1985 His Grace Bishop anthony - San Francisco, Ca

1986 Don and ellie Hiatt - San Diego, Ca

1987 His eminence archbishop iakovos - new york, ny

1988 William Korinthias - San Francisco, Ca

1989 Litsa Preovolos - San Diego, Ca

1990 Sydney mcintyre - Tacoma, Wa

1991 john Haretakis - anaheim, Ca

1992 andrea Kyprianides - Los angeles, Ca

1993 angelo Tsakopoulos - Sacramento, Ca

1994 George Kokalis - Phoenix, aZ

Dena Stamos - modesto, Ca

1995 Christine Peratis - Long Beach, Ca

1996 nicholas Petris - Piedmont, Ca

1997 Panos and Bertha angels - northridge, Ca

1998 Helen Lambros - San marino, Ca

1999 anna efstathiou - Oakland, Ca

2000 George m. marcus - Palo alto, Ca

2001 athan Karras - Tarzana, Ca

2002 Loula C. anaston - Belmont, Ca

2003 Fanis economidis - Los altos, Ca

evanthea n. Condakes - Boston, ma

2004 mark arapostathis - San Diego, Ca

2005 His Grace Bishop anthimos of Olympos

2006 Frosene Phillips maniatis - Orinda, Ca

2007 reverend Father Thomas j. Paris - Oakland, Ca

2008 nikolaos Stefanidis, Ph.D - Los angeles, Ca

2009 isidoros Garifalakis - Vancouver, Wa

Valerie RoumeliotesThe Metropolitan Anthony Humanitarian Award

support many worthwhile projects. Under her Presi-dency, the Kids ‘n’ Cancer Family Camp and Camp Agape programs have grown to five active camps throughout the Metropolis of San Francisco. In No-vember 2007, she chaired the very successful Na-tional Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon in New-port Beach, California. Valerie is chairman of the Bishop Anthony Philopto-chos Seminarian/Student Aid Endowment Fund which awards scholarships to students and seminar-ians from the Metropolis of San Francisco who attend Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, Massachu-setts.

She established the Women’s Health and Well-ness Program, a program for women focusing on the mind, body, and spirit. Valerie established the Feastday events in honor of His Eminence, Metro-politan Gerasimos of the Metropolis of San Francis-co, supporting the Family Wellness Ministry and the relocation of the Metropo-lis offices. She also serves on the Executive Board of the National Philoptochos, the San Francisco Me-

Dr. Kenneth FrangadakisElios Award 2010

the Church was recognized by the Ecumenical Patri-archate with Kenny being an Archon of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, the highest award given to a layperson in the Ortho-dox Church.

One of the nation’s most prestigious awards, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, was awarded to Kenny in 2004. This award pays tribute to individuals who have distinguished themselves in their profes-sion, community, and in the American way of life. This is the only award, other than the Congres-sional Medal of Honor, to be recognized by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, with recip-ients’ names listed in the Congressional Record.

Within the Metropolis of San Francisco, Kenny has been active in the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in San Jose, Cali-fornia for many years, and also served as a member of the Parish Council. He was also a member of the Board of the All Saints Founda-tion to raise funds for the ministries of the Metropo-lis of San Francisco.

“Elios is proud to honor its beloved Kenny Frangadakis for his exem-plary contributions and support to his profession and the ideals and princi-ples of our Hellenic culture and Orthodox faith. He is a remarkable man, eager to help when the need arises, always giving more that he receives in recognition,” said Fanis Economidis, President of Elios.

A highly-respected dentist, Kenny has received numerous honors and ac-colades for his exemplary service to the community of his profession including the Medallion of Distinc-tion from the University of Pacific (UOP) School of Dentistry. He continues to mentor prospective stu-dents applying for dental school, and serves on the UOP Freshman Orienta-tion Committee. He has also received fellowships honoring his outstanding work and research from the International College of Dentists and the American College of Dentists.

Kenny was honored in 2004 with the Axion Award presented by the Hellenic American Pro-fessional Society for out-standing contributions in the field of dentistry and

see ROUMELIOTES on page 10 see FRAngADAkIS on page 10

Dance JudgesLouise A. Bilman,

LCSw (National Diplo-mate) is a psychotherapist in private practice and su-pervisor of a training pro-gram for psychotherapists in the Pasadena area. She was initially trained as a musician and professional accompanist in her native Canada before moving to California.

Louise Bilman has pursued studies in Greek music since 1960. She taught the dance portion of UCLA’s first course in Greek, which was given by Dr. Sotirios Chianis in 1966, and together they set up the first formal course of dance instruction in a Southern California Greek Orthodox church, which was pioneered by St. Kath-erine Church of Redondo Beach.

In 1968 UCLA hired her to teach an academic course on Greek dance, “Greek Dance in its Cul-tural Context.” This at-tracted some people from the film industry and was popular enough to be con-tinued for seven years. At the same time, she began a series of study tours to Greece, initially with Dr. Chiannis and his fam-ily on an ethnomusicology course, subsequently each year independently. Her area of interest has taken her to extended visits to Samothrace, Epirus, South Western Greece and the Thracian-Bulgarian and Thracian-Turkish borders.

In recent years she has focused her interest in Kalymnos and the cen-tral Dodecanese Islands. Because her study is not only the forms of dance but also its social utiliza-tion as a representation of community values, she is interested in the “raw ma-terial” - the dances and songs of shepherds and sponge fishermen of small villages - rather than the performance group as a vehicle to perpetuate tra-ditional values. She has also presented seminars on this topic for the ITHACA Cultural Study Program in Greece, which is under the direction of Dr. Nikos Ger-manakos.

She has been serving as a judge since 1989 and was given the FDF Heri-tage Hall of Fame award in 1999. Louise Bilman cur-rently teaches dance class-es at Kypseli Folk Dance Center in Pasadena.

JUDgES continue on page 7

Renee Cleary has taught Greek Dance at Ful-lerton College and was a member of a performing Greek Dance Group for thirteen years, seven as the director. She has traveled widely through Greece, collecting and research-ing both costumes and dances. She observed both professional and amateur dance groups and village festivals. Renee has been involved continuously for 35 years with Greek dance

workshops, festivals, con-sultations and as a teacher of Greek dancing. She first participated in FDF in 1981 and has been a cos-tume or dance judge every year since 1985.

Larry Halfhill has 19 years of FDF experience as a dancer, director and cho-reographer, and became an FDF competition dance judge in 2006. He wants to contribute back to a vi-tal youth program, and also bring a different perspec-tive to the judging process. Larry’s broad-based dance experience over a period

of 25 years spans regions and borders, and he con-siders all Greek dances to be of special interest and worthy of discovery, re-search and preservation. Larry’s Greek roots derive on his mother’s side from Arcadia. He was born in Marin County, Califor-nia, and has called many places home, including the Pacific Northwest, Up-state New York, the Neth-erlands, Germany, and fi-nally Southern California. Larry and his wife Bessie Nicolaou Halfhill, a for-mer FDF dancer and direc-

tor, live in Seal Beach with children Thanasi and Ma-ria. He is an active mem-ber of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Anaheim. Larry attended USC, where he earned BS and MS degrees in aero-space engineering and an MBA in finance and mar-keting.

Yiannis Konstantinou is a well-known teacher of Greek traditional dance, specializing in the culture and traditions of Macedo-nia. He holds a degree in Education from the Peda-

Evangelia koutsouConsul for Educational Affairs – Western States

The Certificate of Attainment in Greek was established in No-vember 1998 (Presidential Decree 363/1998) by the Greek Ministry of National Education, in order to provide official certification of the Greek Language.

The Center for the Greek Lan-guage (CGL) has been assigned the exclusive and overall responsibil-ity for the examination procedures through which the Certificate of at-tainment in Greek may be awarded and has been conducting the exam-inations since 1999 in Greece and around the world. Celebrating the 10 years since the establishment of the Certificate, we wish to ac-knowledge and congratulate all the successful candidates who have been awarded with any of the four levels of attainment.

The Education Office in San

Metropolis Greek Education and Culture Committee Launches Greek Village “Immersion” Summer Camp

Students Excel in Greek Language, Earn Certificate of Attainment

Francisco is an examination cen-tre for the Western States since 1999. The first examinations were conducted in May 2000 and since then a Certificate of Attainment in Greek has been awarded to over 150 students. A special awards presentation will be included in the Cultural Night program on Satur-day, January 16, 2010. Please join us in supporting and congratulat-ing past and future candidates.

“I extend to these students my congratulations for their outstand-ing efforts to obtain such proficien-cy in the Greek language. They are to be commended for this tremen-dous achievement, and I hope that others will strive to earn this Cer-tificate in future years. Knowledge of the Greek language will benefit these students throughout their lives and careers,” stated His Emi-nence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco.

Visit yourfdf.org for student and certificate info. ■

gogy Academy of the University of Florina, and a Master’s degree in Language and History from the University of Philosophy of Yugo-slavia, (Belgrade and Pristina).

His knowledge of Greek dance began in his childhood, first with his father, Simos Konstantinou, who was a lead dancer and mas-ter teacher of Greek folkdances, and later, with his very early par-ticipation in dance performing groups. He was a charter member in the development and organisa-tion of seminars of Greek tradi-tional dance organised for dance teachers and dancers in the village of Agios Germanos in the Prespes region, and is now the principal organiser of these seminars, which currently educate between 50 and 60 dance specialists from around the world per year.

Since 1990, Yiannis has con-ducted in-depth research of the dances, music, customs, and tradi-tions of social groups and ethnic minorities who migrated to Mace-donia - such as the Vlachs and ref-ugees from Thrace and Asia Mi-nor, as well as those indigenous to Macedonia. He also has been in-volved with comparative research studies of social communities be-yond the Greek borders.

He has presented many as-pects of his research at conferenc-es on traditional dance and music, in Greece and in many other coun-tries, such as Australia, England, Scotland, Holland, Spain, France, Russia and Canada, and has col-laborated with other dance special-ists of the Balkans in presenting the dances, music and folklore of specific geographical areas and various Balkan ethnic groups, i.e., Vlachs, Roma, Sarakatsani, Ar-vanites, etc..

Yiannis is President and Artis-tic Director of the “Lygistes” Cul-tural Association (with branches in Athens and Florina), and a found-ing member of “The Academy of Traditional Folklore Dance and Music” located in Athens, Greece. He is also actively involved with the “Association for the Preserva-tion and Dissemination of Tradi-tional Dance and Music”.

Yiannis is highly regarded in Greece and abroad, not only be-cause of his comprehensive re-search and fieldwork, but because of his professional dance and teaching skills, and his knowledge of both the theoretical and practi-cal aspects of this field. His stu-dents are taught the most neces-sary information about the various and complex cultural aspects of the many regions of Greece, and receive instruction on teaching, re-searching, and transcribing dance patterns (‘simeographia’). Since 2001, he has been a teacher for the student dance group of the Balkan Studies department of the Aristotle University of Thessalonika.

Anna Mavrou; Place of birth:Thessaloniki

Place of origin: Kalymnos/Dodecanese islands

Marital state: married with 2 children

Occupation: pharmacistI have been involved with

traditional folk dance and sing-ing since the age of 6. From 1976 I was a member of the dance and choral group of the Lykeion of Greek Women of Kalymnos, where my mother, Popi Mavrou is the president. I attended the School of Pharmacology at Aristo-teleion University of Thessaloniki. While studying there I was danc-ing in various groups and I was a dance teacher at the Association of the Dodecanese People of Thessa-loniki.

Kalamata became my perma-nent place of residence in 1990 and since then I have been an ac-tive member of the local Lykeion of Greek Women, taking part in all performances and festivals in Greece and abroad. In 1997 I be-came a member of the board of the Lykeion of Kalamata, responsible for the choir and dance groups. I coordinate the dance teachers and I also teach teenagers traditional dance, as well as instructing the adult group in Aegean dances .I am also responsible for the research, spoken texts and stage scenery for all choir performances. In 2006 and 2007 I was honored to be a member of the judges panel at FDF in California. I also teach dances and songs of Kalymnos and the general Dodecanese at seminars in Greece and abroad.

George Nickols is a native Los Angeleno, holds a BA in Math-ematics and is currently employed by a public data networking and telecommunications corporation. His devotion to his ethnic Greek heritage in both dance and theatre has brought him immense joy and pleasure. George has been in-volved in Greek dance since 1963, has participated in many Greek cultural events, productions, inter-national festivals, TV and films. George is a member of the FDF Board of Trustees and is the desig-nate Scholarship Chairperson. He has been a judge since 1986, “the year of the great flood” in San Di-ego.

George Papangellin began dancing in 1974 with the Ionian Dancers, at St. Nicholas parish in San Jose. He helped start the Parnassos Dancers for Holy Cross parish, Belmont in 1981. In 1983, he directed the Epirus Dancers at St. Nicholas in San Jose. After moving to Fresno, he joined and directed the Kefi Dancers, for St. George.

During his time in both Frenso and San Jose, he stage directed var-ious Greek variety (music, dance, skit) performances in San Jose, San Francisco, Phoenix, Fresno and Seattle. In Fresno, he choreo-graphed “Zorba, the musical” for The Good Company Players.

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GroupS Save 30% at The Tech Museum Located in Downtown San

jose, the Capital of Silicon Valley. FDF attendees get a special $7.00 price to visit The Tech museum’s regular gallery exhibits and choose an educational imaX movie.

The Metropolis of San Fran-cisco Office of Greek Education and Culture is pleased to an-nounce a Greek Village “Immer-sion” Camp from June 12 – 19, 2010 at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center. This one-week program, designed for youth ages 6 – 11, will focus on developing Greek language skills and learn-ing the customs and traditions of our Hellenic heritage, all while forming friendships with other children who share the common elements of our Orthodox faith and Greek culture. Registration forms will be available shortly, but please save the date as space is limited.

“The Greek Village Immer-sion Camp has been a goal of the Metropolis, and through the gen-erosity of Dr. and Mrs. James Kal-lins and family, this program will become a reality in June 2010. Saint Nicholas Ranch offers a beautiful setting, and the children who participate will experience our Greek language and culture in a fun, loving and nurturing en-vironment,” said His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco.

The Office of Greek Educa-

tion and Culture is committed to teaching and learning Greek through open minds, open hearts, and open doors. Led by a dedi-cated volunteer committee, this group is committed to the mission of developing a strong and endur-ing organization of learners, fac-ulty, and staff through informed leadership and sustainable de-velopment. To accomplish this, there is a need for open minds that would drive organizational improvement, open hearts that would ensure the continuing pa-thos for teaching, and open doors that would enable all learners to achieve and thrive.

We are eager to work with educators, clergy, administrators, and all parishioners towards rais-ing the bar in meeting the diverse educational needs of our parishes throughout the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco.

For more information on the Greek Village “Immersion” Camp, or how you can be in-volved with preserving our Greek language and culture in your par-ish and at the Metropolis level, please contact Theodora Kou-nalakis at: sfgreekeducation@sanfran.goarch.org. ■

He continues to either direct or work with various dance groups in Fresno’s St. George Greek Com-munity, and teach Greek folk dance, traditions and costumes to Elder Hos-tel classes at St. Nicholas Ranch, in Dunlap.

George has held sev-eral positions within the governing and operational bodies of the Folk Dance and Choral Festival (FDF) of the Metropolis of San Francisco. During the past 13 years, he served as Dance Judge Coordina-tor, and most recently as a dance judge. He has also been a dance judge at the HDF in Georgia, North Carolina, and most recent-ly at the innaugural AGDC (American Greek Dance Competition) in Chicago.

He has traveled throughout Greece and, together with Dr. Mary Coros, prepared the Ka-mari Dance Group, St. George, Fresno, to perform at various venues in Crete in the summer of 1999.

Nikos Savvidis was

born in Chrysoupoulis near Kavala, in Macedo-nia, Greece, where his par-ents settled after leaving Pontos. His father played the Pontian lyra, and as a young boy, he learned Pon-tian dances and folklore. At the age of seven, he entered the Pontian Club and participated in dance performances at festivals. Nikos moved to Athens, where he danced in vari-ous Pontian organizations and acted in Pontian the-ater. In Athens, he became interested in dance from all parts of Greece and was invited by Dora Stratou to join the National Ensemble of Greece. With them, he toured Greece, Europe and Asia. In the US, Nikos has given workshops and insti-tutes and directed perform-ing groups. He also makes and sells handcrafted Pon-tian lyras. Nikos has been an FDF judge since 1985.

Anne Gani Sirota was born in the Greek commu-nity in Alexandria, Egypt, where her grandparents immigrated in the early 20th century from Arta and

Ioannina, Epirus. Anne has studied, performed, and taught Greek dance for over 40 years. She was assistant director and lead dancer of the Ellas Dance Theater, directed by Char-lie Kyriacou for four years, as well as a member of sev-eral other Los Angeles per-forming companies includ-ing the Intersection Greek Dancers, Panegyri, direct-ed by Nikos Varvitsiotis, and O Pontos, directed by Nikos Savvidis. Anne trav-els to Greece often and has concentrated her studies of Greek dance on Pontian and Macedonian villages in Northern Greece, attend-ing festivals, weddings, seminars, classes and per-formances in Greece and the United States. She pre-sented a paper on “A Wed-ding in Florina” at the In-ternational Organization of Folk Arts (IOFA) in 2000 and has written articles for Oli Mazi. She consults fre-quently with dance groups and has taught Greek danc-ing classes at Kypseli Greek Dance Center in Pasadena as well as Pierce

and Santa Monica Com-munity Colleges. Anne is one of the founders and leaders of the Café Asteria Greek Dance Club in Los Angeles, preserving and disseminating traditional dance. Anne has been an FDF judge continuously since 1988 and an HDF judge since 2003.

Nikos Stefanidis was born in Chios, Greece and though he did not dance that much as a youngster, he did pay undivided at-tention to the dances per-formed by elders in his native island of Chios. His love of dancing was not put into action until he saw a performance by the Terp-sichoreans in Philadelphia in 1976 celebrating the country’s bicentennial. He remained an active dancer until August of 1983 when he left the east coast to pursue graduate studies in Los Angeles. He stumbled upon the Panygiri dance group while they were performing at the Greek festival in Arcadia that very summer, and attended practices as time allowed. His first involvement with FDF was when he was in-vited to dance Chios danc-es for a memorial to Mano-li Abazis in San Francisco. Nikos is a psychologist in Los Angeles, working with homeless and troubled teens. He was the recipi-ent of the 2008 Humani-tarian Award. Nikos has taught dances from Chios at Kypseli, and consults with various groups in the Los Angeles area. Nikos has been an FDF judge since 2006.

Stelios Zoumbera-kis has been participating in FDF for over 25 years through dancing, direct-ing, and organizing. He began his dancing ca-reer at St. George Parish in Downey, California and later at Assumption in Long Beach, California. He started directing 15 years ago at various churches in the southland includ-ing St. Sophia, St. George, and Assumption, and has gained a vast amount of experience with many regions throughout Greece. He has extensive-ly studied the dances and traditions of Rethimno, Crete, which is where his family originates, and has a broad knowledge of dances and traditions from the Cy-clades, Dodecanesa, Ep-tanisa, Macedonia, Thrace,

and Pontos. He also has provided consultation with various dance directors throughout the southland.

Costume JudgesBertha Angels: My

name is Bertha Angels and I am excited to be rejoining the cast of judges partici-pating in this years’ FDF. I first got involved in FDF in 1983 as an observer and my involvement progressed over the years as my chil-dren embraced Greek Folk dancing. Through this in-volvement I developed a passion for costumes that has led to years of contin-ued research and learning. As a result of my efforts, I have previously served as a costume judge at FDF.

I’ve been fortunate to be part of several Commu-nities in the Los Angeles area.

Currently, I’m an ac-tive member of Saint So-phia Cathedral. Over the years I’ve done extensive research and made cos-tumes from every region of Greece in support of mul-tiple communities. In the course of researching cos-tumes, I have gained exten-sive exposure in materials, pattern making, embroi-dery, crocheting trim and detailed sewing in an ef-fort to preserve the rich au-thentic Greek traditions of costume making. I hope to translate my experience in critical support of the tre-mendous efforts shared by all at FDF this year.

Julie Mamalis has been involved in the folk dance movement for the last 28 years, where she has researched and created Greek costumes for the An-nunciation parish in Sacra-mento. She is instrumental in presenting a “cultural exhibit” for the parish’s annual Greek festival, pro-viding visitors a historical overview of ancient Greece to the present, through the display of a vast collection of photographs, authentic items and clothing. She currently serves as a mem-ber of Annunciation’s par-ish council, and is a long-time member of the church choir, where she was the organist for 25 years. Ju-lie has retired from a long career at the State Capitol where she worked as an administrative assistant for a state assemblymem-

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Save the Date

1st Annual Greek Immersion Summer Camp

for children ages 6-11 “The Greek Village”

Fun for the summer – Memories for a lifetime

June 12-19 2010 St. Nicholas Ranch

Dunlap, CA

Metropolis of San Francisco

Hellenic Education and Culture Committee

For Additional Information Please call 650.594.9585

2010OLI

MAZIthe official FDF publication

 

Now accepting applications for 2011 Management Team. For more info and a copy of the official application form, email FDFMT2011@gmail.com

Your next major performance is just one click away.

JUDgES from page 8ber and senator. Julie is the mother of two grown children, who both partici-pated in FDF, and now en-joys watching three grand-children who are presently enthusiastic participants of FDF!

Irene Peros is a native of Modesto, California. She has been dancing since a very young age. Her pride and love for her Greek her-itage have encouraged her to study Greek dance, cos-tumes, and to help teach and share her knowledge and experience with people of diverse backgrounds. Her formal involvement in Greek folklore began in 1984 when she was instru-mental in forming, dancing and directing the Patriotes of Modesto. From 1984 to 1999, she directed, assisted or danced in 10 different dance groups in Modesto. She was also involved with the coordination, re-search and production of 11 award-winning cos-tumes. Irene also chaired 3 very successful FDF Sym-posia held in Modesto. Irene has served on the FDF Board of Trustees in several positions and has been involved with various aspects of FDF. Irene has been a costume judge at FDF since 2001.

Dena Stamos has been involved in Greek dance since her childhood in Chi-cago. She first performed at age seven. She became involved in FDF eighteen years ago as Executive Di-rector of the Modesto dance groups. During this time the Modesto representation grew from twelve dancers in two groups to 140 danc-ers and seven groups. Dena is respected and admired for the accomplishments of the Modesto groups at FDF: 57 awards, includ-ing 6 Sweepstakes medals and 19 First Place medals. Her expertise in costum-ing is also evident in the 8 costume awards won by Modesto teams. She did the research for those win-ning costumes, and parents and dancers did the work with her help. Dena has one of the largest private collections of Greek Folk Costumes on the West Coast and has done mul-tiple exhibits throughout the state. Dena has been involved with FDF for 25 years, including serving on the FDF Board of Trustees. She was a recipient of the FDF Humanitarian Award. She was also honored by

the California Arts Council for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts in 2002. Dena has been an FDF costume judge since 1999 and is also a costume judge for HDF.

Choral Judges:Yiorgos Vassilandon-

akis holds MA and PhD degrees in Composition from UC Berkeley, and has also studied at UCLA, and at the École Nationale de Musique et de Danse, Erik Satie in Paris. His music is widely performed, and has been commissioned and premiered among oth-ers by the National Opera of Greece, the New York New Music Ensemble, the SF Contemporary Music Players, Nouvel Ensemble Moderne, the Juilliard Per-cussion Ensemble, ALEA III, and the Athens Cam-erata, supported by grants

from Meet-the-Composer, the Onassis Foundation, American Music Center and the French Ministry of Culture. Awards include the George Ladd Prix de Paris, the Hertz Fellowship, the Henry Mancini Award, 1st prize in the Mediterranean Music Center International Competition, the Hellenic Composers Union Award, as well as the Nicola di Lorenzo and Eisner Prizes in Music. A dedicated edu-cator, Dr. Vassilandonakis has taught Composition and Music Theory at the University of Virginia, the University of California, Berkeley, the Centre de Création Musicale, Iannis Xenakis in Paris as well as the John Adams Young Composers Program at the Crowden School. He is the Music Director at the Oak-land Ascension Cathedral and serves on the Music

Committee of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Church Mu-sic Federation.

Jim HronasJim’s love of and in-

volvement with Greek de-motic and liturgical music began nearly five decades ago when as an altar boy, he took many of his cues for what to do during the Divine Liturgy from the hymns he heard coming from the choir loft and psaltirion at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Northridge, California.

In the mid sixties as a member of the clarinet sec-tion in junior high school orchestra and high school marching band, he decided it was time to form a group with some of his fellow Goyans for the purpose of playing Greek music at various parish functions.

While pursuing his

bachelor’s degree at UCLA, he obtained his first bouzouki and began teach-ing himself how to play the instrument in his spare time. Upon graduating from college, he joined the Hellenic Sounds orchestra and, along with playing for hundreds of wedding and baptismal receptions, and Greek festivals all over the western United States, he had the opportunity to play for some of the earliest FDF events when the folk dance ministry was still in its infancy.

In 1975, Jim mar-ried his darling wife Ma-ria, who at the time was a member of the Hellenic Dancers, one of the pre-mier Greek folk dance en-sembles in southern Cali-fornia. This courtship was literally the story of “the boy in the band who met

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The Greek Orthodox Folk Dance and Cho-ral Festival and Board of Trustees extends its sincere thanks to the Preovolos family for their 32 years of service and leadership of the FDF ministry. Most recently, the Preovolos family collected, compiled and digitized past FDF video archives that will now reside in the library

FDF Hosts 1976 - Present1976 St. Spyridon, San Diego1978 St. Spyridon, San Diego1979 St. Spyridon, San Diego1980 St. nicholas, San jose1981 St. Spyridon, San Diego1982 St. George, Fresno1983 St. Spyridon, San Diego1984 The annunciation, Sacramento1985 resurrection, Castro Valley1986 St. Spyridon, San Diego1987 assumption of the Virgin mary, Long Beach1988 The annunciation, Sacramento1989 ascension, Oakland1990 St. Demetrios, Seattle1991 Folk Dance Festival Council – Los angeles1992 St. john’s, anaheim1993 Folk Dance Festival Council – Sacramento1994 Folk Dance Festival Council – Phoenix1995 Folk Dance Festival Council – Ontario1996 Folk Dance Festival Council – San Francisco1997 Folk Dance Festival Council – Ontario1998 Folk Dance Festival Council – Ontario1999 Folk Dance Festival Board of Trustees – Ontario2000 Folk Dance Festival Board of Trustees – San jose2001 Folk Dance Festival Board of Trustees – Pasadena2002 Folk Dance Festival Board of Trustees – Spokane2003 Folk Dance Festival Board of Trustees – anaheim2004 Folk Dance Festival Board of Trustees – Ontario2005 Folk Dance Festival Board of Trustees – Ontario2006 Folk Dance Festival Board of Trustees – San Diego2007 Folk Dance Festival Board of Trustees – Ontario2008 Folk Dance Festival Board of Trustees – Ontario2009 Folk Dance Festival Board of Trustees – Ontario2010 Folk Dance Festival Board of Trustees – San jose

Preserving the Pastof the Metropolis of San Francisco. These videos will be used for historical reference as well as for de-velopment of new videos and promotional materials. This important step, thanks to the help of past FDF member Peter Preovolos and his family, will create a stronger foundation for the FDF ministry and its fruit-ful future. ■

JUDgES from page 9the Greek community. Re-maining close to his ethnic roots, Kenny is also active in the Pan-Cretan Associa-tion, Ikaros Chapter, hav-ing previously served as President.

Kenny is the son of George and Kay Franga-dakis. He and his wife, Angie, reside in Saratoga, California. They have two children, George and Naki, son-in-law Michael Bauer, and are the proud grand-parents of Zoe and Dylan Bauer. ■

FRAngADAkIS from page 5

Aeti, St. Demetrios, Tucson, aZ, advanced intermediateAidhonia, St. Demetrios, Seattle, Wa, Choral - Div iAkrites, St. Demetrios, Seattle, Wa, advanced SeniorAnagennisis, annunciation, modesto, Ca, Senior Anastasi, resurrection Church, Castro Valley, Ca, PrimaryAnatoli, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Portland, Or, advanced PrimaryAnemos, ascension Cathedral, Oakland, Ca, advanced intermediateAntilali, St. Demetrios, Tucson, aZ, Choral - Div iiAstaria, Holy Cross, Belmont, Ca, Division iiiAstrape, ascension Cathedral, Oakland, Ca, advanced juniorAstrapi, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Phoenix, aZ, intermediateAthanatoi, annunciation, Sacramento, Ca, SeniorAvyerinos, St. George, Downey, Ca, juniorAxios, St. nicholas, San jose, Ca, Division iiiBouboukakia, St. anthony, Pasadena, Ca, Division iiiChrysi Aeti, ascension Cathedral, Oakland, Ca, advanced SeniorDelfinia, St. john the Baptist, Las Vegas, nV, PrimaryDynami, Holy Cross, Belmont, Ca, advanced PrimaryDynami Choir, annunciation, modesto, Ca, Choral - Div i

fornia. This courtship was literally the story of “the boy in the band who met and fell in love with the girl in the dance group!” Their two daughters, Anas-tasia and Nicole have par-ticipated in dozens of folk dance festivals (with their adoring parents as either active “behind the scenes” participants or spectators).

With his musical per-formance days on hold

since 1986 to devote time to his family and career as a sales representative for Johnson and Johnson, Jim’s love of liturgical mu-sic, and his desire to be a member once again of a performing group, prompt-ed him to join the choir at Saint Anthony Greek Or-thodox Church of Pasade-na, California in 1999. He has been the choir direc-tor there for the last three years. ■

Eirini, annunciation Cathedral, San Francisco, Ca, PrimaryEkrixi, St. Demetrios, Concord, Ca, juniorEkrixi, annunciation Cathedral, San Francisco, Ca, advanced juniorEliaktithes, St. Katherine, Chandler, aZ, advanced intermediateElliniki Floga, St. nicholas, San jose, Ca, advanced PrimaryElliniki Klironomia, St. nicholas, San jose, Ca, advanced juniorElliniki Psihi, St. George, Downey, Ca, Division iiiEllinopoula, St. nicholas, northridge, PrimaryElpida, Sts. Constantine and Helen, Cardiff, Ca, advanced juniorEnomenoi, Holy Cross, Belmont, Ca, SeniorEpithia, Holy Cross, Belmont, Ca, intermediateFilarakia, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Phoenix, aZ, PrimaryFilarakia, St. anthony, Pasadena, Ca, advanced PrimaryFourtouna, St. Sophia, Los angeles, Ca, SeniorGlendi Dancers, resurrection Church, Castro Valley, Ca, advanced intermediateHara, annunciation, Sacramento, Ca, Choral - Div iHelidonia, Greek Orthodox mission, San juan Capistrano, Ca, advanced PrimaryHelidonia (Choir), annunciation, modesto, Ca, Choral - Div ii

Hrisi Thisavri, St. john the Baptist, Las Vegas, nV, advanced PrimaryI Parea, St. George, Downey, Ca, PrimaryJunior Olympians, assumption, Long Beach, Ca, advanced juniorKardoules, St. Demetrios, Seattle, Wa, Division iiiKateyitha, St. George, Fresno, Ca, juniorKeravnos, St. Sophia Cathedral, Los angeles, Ca, advanced PrimaryKleftopoula, St. nectarios, Covina, Ca, SeniorKsefteria, St. nicholas, San jose, Ca, advanced SeniorKymata, St. Sophia Cathedral, Los angeles, Ca, intermediateLevendia, St. john the Baptist, anaheim, Ca, advanced SeniorLiondaria, St. john the Baptist, Las Vegas, nV, Division iiiLittle Minoans, nativity of Christ, marin County, Ca, Division iiiManiates, resurrection Church, Castro Valley, Ca, juniorMethorios, Greek Orthodox Mission, San juan Capistrano, Ca, advanced juniorMikra Asteria, assumption, Long Beach, Ca, PrimaryMinoan Dancers I, nativity of Christ, marin County, Ca, advanced SeniorMinoan Dancers II, nativity of Christ, marin County, Ca, advanced juniorMnemosyne, Holy Trinity, San Francisco, Ca, advanced SeniorNae Zoe, ascension Cathedral, Oakland, Ca, Division iii

Nea Ellas, assumption, Long Beach, Ca, advanced intermediateNea Genea, Holy Trinity, San Francisco, Ca, intermediateNeo Kyma, Sts. Constantine and Helen, Cardiff, Ca, Division iiiNeo Kyma, annunciation, Sacramento, Ca, advanced intermediateOikogeneia, St. George, Fresno, Ca, intermediateOlympian Dancers, assumption, Long Beach, Ca, advanced SeniorOneropoula, annunciation, modesto, Ca, PrimaryOpalakia, Sts. Constantine and Helen, Cardiff, Ca, advanced PrimaryOrama, annunciation, modesto, Ca, advanced PrimaryOrpheus, St. nicholas , northridge, advanced juniorParadosi, Holy Trinity, San Francisco, Ca, SeniorPeloponnisos, St. nicholas, San jose, Ca, intermediatePeriyali, St. Katherine, redondo Beach, Ca, intermediatePhilopatria, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Portland, Or, advanced juniorPoulakia, annunciation, modesto, Ca, Division iiiRomiosini, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Portland, Or, SeniorRythmos, St. Katherine, redondo Beach, Ca, juniorSeismos, ascension Cathedral, Oakland, Ca, advanced PrimarySeizmos, annunciation Cathedral, San Francisco, Ca, Senior

Souliotes, St. Demetrios, Seattle, Wa, advanced intermediateSpartiates, St. Demetrios, Seattle, Wa, juniorSpithes, annunciation Cathedral, San Francisco, Ca, Division iiiSt. John the Baptist Youth Choir, St. john the Baptist, Las Vegas, nV, Choral - Div iiStavroforoi, resurrection, Castro Valley, Ca, Division iiiStavroforoi, St. john the Baptist, Las Vegas, nV, intermediateTa Angeloudakia, assumption, Long Beach, Ca, juniorTa Angeloudia, annunciation, Sacramento, Ca, PrimaryTa Asterakia, St. anthony, Pasadena, Ca, advanced intermediateTa Levendopeda, annunciation, Sacramento, Ca, advanced juniorTa Patriotakia, assumption, Long Beach, Ca, Division iiiTa Pedakia, annunciation, Sacramento, Ca, juniorTa Xadelfakia, Holy Trinity , San Francisco, Ca, Division iiiTerpsichoreans, St. anthony, Pasadena, Ca, juniorThorivos, annunciation, modesto, Ca, intermediateThyrsos, Holy Trinity, San Francisco, Ca, juniorTo Thavma Tou Pnevmatos, St. Barbara, Santa Barbara, SeniorVeryina, St. George, Downey, Ca, SeniorZoi, St. Barbara, Santa Barbara, Primary

FDF 2010 Dance Group List

�� �Faith. Dance. Fellowship.

GREEK ORT

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O L K DA N C E & C

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2010OLI

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tropolis Council and Saint Nicholas Ranch and Re-treat Center Board.

“Valerie’s tireless leadership and abundant energy have been a tre-mendous blessing to the Metropolis of San Fran-cisco. As an individual, she truly exemplifies the work of Philoptochos, always being concerned about the welfare of oth-ers, especially through her work on the Kids ‘n’ Can-cer program and with the Student Aid Endowment Fund. Valerie is truly de-serving of this honor, and her faithfulness and com-mitment to the Church should serve as an inspira-tion to others,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Fran-

ROUMELIOTES from page 5 cisco.Valerie’s religious

foundation began in the Annunciation Greek Or-thodox Church in Dover, New Hampshire where her family was very active. While residing on the east coast, Valerie earned de-grees in Liberal Arts and Interior Design. Valerie is a specialist in Asian Arts and artifacts owning her own businesses with her husband Demetri of 40 years. Demetri and Valerie have traveled extensively throughout Asia, China, and the Philippines, and along with their daughter Stefanie, they have trav-eled to the land of their ori-gins on several occasions.

The Roumeliotes fam-ily has lived in San Fran-cisco and Belmont, Cali-

fornia for 40 years. A faithful steward of the Holy Cross Church in Belmont for many years, Valerie served the church as a Philoptochos Chapter President, and as a past leader of GOYA (a youth organization).

Despite the many hours spent in the service to her faith, Valerie finds time and energy to be a highly successful entre-preneur in two enterprises which she created and of which she is CEO: Valerie Roum Designs and Ko-pella Jewelry.

Valerie’s love and de-votion to her church and Philoptochos will con-tinue to be ever-present in her life. The Metropolis of San Francisco is the richer for her devotion and dedi-cation. ■

Visiting Greece is al-ways an adventure, but traveling with our St. Demetrios Dance Group was an extraordinary expe-rience.

This summer 71 danc-ers, musicians, parents, grandparents and dance friends from Saint Deme-trios in Seattle toured the Epirus region of Greece. The main purpose of our trip was to perform for the Greek people in various parts of this area by invi-tation of Kostas Mitsis. Mr. Mitsis is the director of the local dance group in Preveza, and has con-ducted dance symposiums throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe.

Our adventure began on July 31, 2009 in Kanali with a tour to the cliffs of Zalogo . We climbed the 410 steps to the Monument where the women and chil-dren of Souli jumped to

Greece 2009 St. Demetrios Dancers Seattle

their death to prevent be-ing captured by the Turks. The next day we visited the Archaeological Sites of Nikopolis , Ancient Kas-sopi and a Sarakatzani Vil-lage.

Sunday morning, Au-gust 2 we attended liturgy with Metropolitan Me-letios of Preveza at Agia Paraskavi Church in Kana-li; Fr. Photios Dumont and Fr. John Contoravdis offi-ciated. After services, we gathered for breakfast with the Metropolitan and other Kanali officials while our chorale, under the direc-tion of Ruth Hunter, per-formed Byzantine hymns.

By invitation from Demetrios Tellis, Presi-dent of the Organizing Committee, Brotherhood Agias Paraskevis Konitsas “To Kerasovo”, our group traveled to Konitsa and then on to Kerasavo (Agia Paraskevi near the Alba-nian border) . Our danc-

ers and chorale group sang and danced for an audience of over 800 villagers. The cheers and tears from the crowd left us with memo-ries we will never forget. Later that evening, we were hosted by the local people; we all ate, drank and danced to the music provided by Mr. Nikos Philipides , his fellow mu-sicians and our Christos Govetas. It was magical!

The following morn-ing before leaving Konitsa, we explored the beauti-ful Konitsa Bridge built in 1870; then on to an af-ternoon in Ioannina. That evening Kostas hosted a glendi at his home in Kanali where the dancers from Leros with Antonis and Roula Dallaris joined us for a wonderful evening of dancing and song.

Our final performance in Kanali was shared with groups from Leros, Pre-veza and Kanali to a crowd of over 1000 spectators. In true Grecian form, we were up till the wee hours enjoying the music of our Pangeo and the local band with dinner provided by the local community offi-cials.

The morning of Au-gust 5 we all said good bye to Epirus knowing many

would soon meet in Gero-limenas, Mani the southern most part of the Pelopon-nese.

The second part of our journey began at the villa of Kostas and Linda Ky-rimis, who, with the assis-tance of the Mayor of Ar-eopolis, arranged song and dance performances by St. Demetrios and several oth-er groups including their local Mani dancers. With warm hospitality, Kostas and Linda also very gener-ously opened their home in Gerolimenas hosting our families from Seattle along with arranging for our dancers to visit the Diros Caves.

Although our initial intent was based on per-formance, in our hearts we achieved so much more. The connections we creat-ed with our culture, home-land, and those we met will last a lifetime. ■