Over one weekend in March, the Antipodes Festival takes over Lonsdale Street's Greek Precinct to celebrate all things Greek and to share with Melbourne a culture synonymous with good food and a strong appetite for what is known as a 'glendi' or a party.

It is a celebration of Greek Australian life and culture in Melbourne, one the world’s most Greek cities outside Greece. This year is also about bringing together Greek and non-Greek audiences in celebration of all things Greek.  What better way to reach Greek and non-Greek other than by one of Greece’s greatest living singers Glykeria, who will grace the main stage on the weekend of the Glendi with a benefit concert for the Black Saturday bushfire victims of Victoria.

Glykeria is a skilled interpreter of rebetica, (Greek blues), laika and progressive music. She has performed with George Dalaras, master Turkish musician Omar Faruk Tekbilek, and the world-renowned Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra.  The Glendi will include roaming musicians, dance groups, children’s entertainers and chalk artists as well as classics like the Zorba till you Drop and Baklavomania and  Vasili’s Garden will be filming and broadcasting live on Chanel 31. Some of the hottest Greek Australian DJs will pump out a dance program, where funky house and Greek music will meld for all to groove to. There will be a host of community groups presenting their contribution to the maintenance of Hellenic culture along with tantalizing Greek cuisine. Read more