Sat 28 Feb
1:00pm Sophia Ventouris School of Greek Dance (Sydney)
- Dance Performance
Travelling from Sydney, this dance school marks 30 years of Greek dance, presenting both traditional and modern Laïka styles. Led by Sophia, a dynamic figure in Sydney’s Greek dance scene, the group has recently delivered major projects including the Zeïbekiko Festival and Areti Ketime concerts in Sydney and Melbourne.
1:15pm Zorba Til You Drop
- Competition
The crowd-favourite Zorba ’Til You Drop competition is back, inviting participants to test their stamina. The final dancer still moving will take home return flights to Greece.
2:00pm Hellenic School of Dance, Culture, Music and Arts of the Archdiocese of Melbourne (joint with Kogarah School of Greek Dancing, Sydney)
- Dance Performance with Live Music
Founded in 2021 under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Melbourne, the Hellenic School of Dance, Culture, Music and Arts recognises Orthodox Christian faith as the foundation and primary root of Greek cultural tradition. Operating across Balwyn, Malvern, and Forest Hill, the school runs weekly classes on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday school sessions.
Under the direction of Jordan Moshcovitis and Assistant Dance Teacher Panos Stamatopoulos, with spiritual guidance from His Grace Bishop Kyriakou and support from Father Nicholas Georgiou and Father George Adamakis, the school teaches dance as an expression of faith-based community life.
The Kogora School of Greek Dance, based in Kogarah, Sydney, with teacher Kosta Papoulidis and ioanna Diamadis, serves as the dance school for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Sydney and the broader Kogarah community.
Like its Melbourne counterpart, Kogora recognises traditional dance as inseparable from Orthodox faith and community practice. Both schools span children to adults, preserving folk traditions that are themselves rooted in Orthodox faith – performed at liturgical feasts, parish celebrations, and within the community contexts where dance serves as living tradition passed through generations.
2:30pm Flambouro Philanthropic Society of South Australia
- Dance Performance
The Flambouro Philanthropic Society of SA was established in 1957 from the first generation of immigrants to Australia. This society in Australia is the second village for all the immigrants and now their extended families and has been and will continue to be a proud society. Complete with a rich heritage of dance, food and community spirit, It is an extension of home and keeps alive traditions and friendships from our beloved village. The Dance group is a proud part of this society and perform a mix of traditional dances with some modern choreography. They practice Tuesday nights and always have fun while learning dances from their families history.
3:00pm Hellenic Dancers - Hobart
- Dance Performance
Hellenic Dancers – Hobart is a youth dance group of performers aged 14–25, sharing the joy and rhythm of traditional Greek dance. Known for their energy and strong group spirit, they represent the next generation keeping Greek culture alive in Tasmania.
3:30pm Pontian Association of Melbourne “Panagia Soumela”
- Dance Performance with Live Music
Bringing together members of the Pontian Community to retain our customs through music and dance. Est. 1978.
4:05pm Canberra Hellenic Dancers
- Dance Performance
CHD is Canberra’s only dedicated Greek dance organisation, with around 200 students held at Hellenic Club in Canberra. We offer classes for ages 5 to 75, creating an inclusive space for anyone interested in Greek dance and culture. Our performances showcase traditional dances from all regions across Greece and Cyprus.
4:30pm O Periklis
- Dance Performance with Live Music
O Periklis is a Melbourne-based Greek dance troupe dedicated to preserving and celebrating Hellenic traditions. Through vibrant performances and cultural storytelling, they bridge generations, honoring ancestral roots while fostering a deeper appreciation for Greece’s rich heritage in the Australian community.
5:40pm Dance with ALKI
- Dance Performance
5:55pm Florina Aristotelis Dance Group (Seniors & Intermediates)
- Dance Performance with Live Music
Established in 1956, TCCOFA preserves and promotes Florinian culture in Melbourne. Through vibrant dance ensembles, live Halkina music, youth programs, and cultural events, the Centre engages all ages, showcasing authentic traditions from Northern Greece, fostering community, inclusivity, and intercultural connection, while passing Florina’s rich heritage to future generations.
6:35pm Greek Lyceum of SA School of Greek Dance and Culture
- Dance Performance
The Greek Lyceum of SA is an Adelaide based school of Greek dance and culture, established in 1993. We have approximately 65 students ranging in ages from 3 years old to adults. Our mission is to present and perpetuate the rich history and traditions of the songs, dances, music and costumes of Greece to the greater public.
7:00pm The Central Pontian Association of Melbourne and Victoria 'PONTIAKI ESTIA' (Seniors)
- Dance Performance with Live Music
Our senior performing group aged from 18 onwards perform an array dances from Pontos, Black Sea area to live traditional Pontic music.
7:50pm Greek Orthodox Community of SA Dance Academy
- Dance Performance with Live Music
The Greek Orthodox Community of SA Dance Academy was established in 1980, there approximately 100 students ranging from 5years to adulthood. It endeavours to maintain Greek culture for current & future generations of Greek/Australians through traditional dance.
8:10pm GCM Dance Group
- Dance Performance
Our senior performing group aged from 18 onwards perform an array dances from Pontos, Black Sea area to live traditional Pontic music.
Ioulia Karapataki
- Headline Artist
Ioulia Karapataki
12:15pm O Periklis (Intermediates)
- Dance Performance
Periklis Dance Group celebrates Greek culture through authentic traditional dance. Based in Melbourne, the group brings together dancers of all ages to preserve regional styles, share community spirit, and perform at festivals, cultural events, and paniyiria. Their passion, teamwork, and dedication keep Hellenic traditions alive for future generations.
12:30pm Zorba Til You Drop
- Competition
The crowd-favourite Zorba ’Til You Drop competition is back, inviting participants to test their stamina. The final dancer still moving will take home return flights to Greece.
1:15pm Macedonian Halkina Brass Band Show
- Music - Brass Ensemble
HALKINA is a Macedonian-style brass ensemble, performing the powerful sounds of Northern Greece. Driven by trumpets, clarinet, saxophone, and traditional percussion, the group delivers high-energy village rhythms, festival melodies, and rich Macedonian textures that ignite audiences. Their performances celebrate community, heritage, and the unmistakable spirit of Balkan brass music.
2:15pm Mavrothalassites Youth Ensemble - Pontiaki Estia Melbourne
- Music - Youth Ensemble
Bringing Pontian heriatge to life, this vibrant youth ensemble of 3rd and 4th generation Pontic Greek Australians performs music of the Pontos region9 Asia Minor/ Black sea). The Mavrothalassites Youth ensemble celebrates culture, tradition and community, keeping the spirit of their ancestors alive through every note and rhythm.
3:15pm Kaliopi Stavropoulos
- Music - Group
After a groundbreaking three months in Greece collaborating with Blues Wire, Blues Cargo, Sakis Dovolis and more, Kaliopi returns home to Australia for a limited season before heading to Europe in April 2026 with Lava Blues, representing Greece at the European Blues Challenge in Katowice, Poland.
4:15pm Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne Intermediates
- Dance Performance with Live Music
The Cretan Brotherhood is a vibrant cultural organisation in Melbourne dedicated to preserving and celebrating Cretan heritage through dance, music, education, and community events. It fosters intergenerational engagement and pride among youth and families.
4:50pm Epidexia
- Music - Group Performance
Epidexia unites generations through Pontic music. Joseph (uncle), Dimitri (father), and 15-year-old Petros (son) share their heritage with lyra, daouli, and laouto — uniquely blending tradition and innovation. A family ensemble keeping Pontic melodies alive with authenticity, skill, and heartfelt connection across generations.
17:45pm Opa Opa
- Music - Group Performance
Opa Opa was born at Monash University when six musicians accidentally formed a band instead of doing their assignments. We mix modern and traditional Greek bangers; happy, loud and dangerously dance‑inducing. With two Greeks and a multicultural crew, we bring Melbourne the ultimate OPA‑powered party.
6:30pm Kaliroy - K Studios School of Greek Singing & Performance
- Music - Group Performance
Kaliroy is a Greek-Australian vocalist and founder of K Studios – School of Greek Singing & performance, dedicated to preserving and celebrating Greek music, language, and cultural identity through song. An experienced vocalist and singing mentoring coach, With a deep passion for folk & traditional Greek music, Kaliroy has spent years guiding and developing young singers, helping them build confidence, stage presence, and a strong connection to their heritage. Through K Studios, students are given the opportunity to grow artistically and perform, representing the next generation of Greek music in Australia. Tonight’s performance proudly showcases her students alongside a group of talented and respected musicians who continue to support and shape the Greek music scene: Pantelis Krestas, a bouzouki music teacher, performing with his students Theo Karamaloudis and Thomas Kargas, together with Chris Nikolaidis on keyboards. Together, they bring experience, passion, and authenticity to the stage, uniting tradition with today’s energy and spirit. This performance is a celebration of culture, identity, and the future of Greek music — carried by young voices and shared with the community.
7:45pm Δημοτική & Λαϊκή Παρέα
- Music - Group Performance
A few young musicians who will take the crowd through some of our most loved dymotika and laika tragoudia. A great music session for families and friends to get up and dance whilst enjoying the Antipodes festival.
8:45pm Cypriot Style Entertainment
- Music - Group Performance
Cypriot Style Entertainment is a Melbourne-based music group specialising in live Cypriot and Greek performances. With over 20 years of experience, we deliver authentic, high-energy music that showcases culture, tradition, and community. Our musicians perform at festivals, weddings, and major cultural events across Australia.
9:45pm Nico Entertainment
- DJ Set
Melbourne Greek DJ, who plays at all types of private events, youth events and clubs
11:00am Cooking Demonstration
Our line-up of chefs will be released shorlty.
11:45am Oakleigh Grammar Middle and Senior Dancing Group
- Dance Performance
The Oakleigh Grammar Middle and Senior School Dancing Group brings together Greek and non-Greek students who enthusiastically learn and perform traditional dances from different regions of Greece, celebrating culture with joy and teamwork.
12:05pm Cooking Demonstration
Our line-up of chefs will be released shorlty.
11:45am DanceIt Fitness
- Dance Performance
The Oakleigh Grammar Middle and Senior School Dancing Group brings together Greek and non-Greek students who enthusiastically learn and perform traditional dances from different regions of Greece, celebrating culture with joy and teamwork.
1:10pm Cooking Demonstration
Our line-up of chefs will be released shorlty.
3:15pm Hellenic School of Dance, Culture, Music and Arts of the Archdiocese of Melbourne (Teens)
- Dance Performance with Live Music
The Hellenic School of Dance, Culture, Music and Arts, founded in 2021 under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Melbourne, operates across Balwyn, Malvern, and Forest Hill. Under the direction of Jordan Moshcovitis and Assistant Dance Teacher Panos Stamatopoulos, with spiritual guidance from His Grace Bishop Kyriakou and support from Father Nicholas Georgiou and Father George Adamakis, the school recognises Orthodox Christian faith as the foundation and primary root of Greek cultural tradition. The teens group (ages 14-18) rehearses Wednesdays at 7pm at St Catherine Malvern under the instruction of Panos Stamatopoulos. These dancers represent youth at a formative stage where traditional dance becomes conscious cultural inheritance rather than simple participation. They embody the school’s mission of transmitting folk traditions rooted in Orthodox faith across generations, demonstrating how young people carry forward practices performed at liturgical feasts and parish celebrations.
3:45pm Smoking Figs
- Music - Group Performance
The Smoking Figs are a Melbourne rock band with deep Hellenic roots, performing original music and rock classics in both English and Greek. Their strong community commitment includes fundraisers for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, performances for the Vietnam Veterans Association, and concerts for towns affected by natural disasters.
4:45pm Gales Back
- Music - Group Performance
We’re a Greek rock band that brings a fresh take on Greek music — proving it’s not just traditional. Blending rock and alternative influences, we create a dynamic sound that’s both authentic and modern. We’ve been performing at this festival for many years, sharing our passion for live music and entertaining crowds with a mix of energy, emotion, and unexpected twists in genre.
5:30pm Pancretan Association Pre-Senior Dance group
- Dance Performance with Live Music
Pancretan Associations pre-senior dance group consists of dancers which are 3rd and 4th generation. Our kids are keeping our traditions alive through culture, dance and traditions.
6:00pm NUGAS Dance Group
- Dance Performance
NUGAS Victoria (National Union of Greek-Australian Students) for the first time have put together a dance group to provide avid learners an opportunity to learn new dancers and experience performing at the biggest festival of the year, in turn, better connecting with their Greek culture.
6:30pm Antonis Pitsokos, Anastasis Karamintzas & Harrison Giavris
- Music - Group Performance
New Greek band playing modern Greek music in a new age style Dancing
7:15pm Halkinades
- Music - Group Performance
Bringing a fresh edge to traditional Greek Balkan Brass music, blending raw village sounds with contemporary panigiri energy.
8:30pm Demotika
- Music - Group Performance
9:30pm Nikos Pontikakis, Giannis Spinthakis, and Charalampos Vagionakis
- Music - Group Performance