The Antipodes Festival is coming back to Lonsdale Street. Expect plenty of entertainment, activities and food at this boisterous street party, with singer Alkistis Protopsalti as the headline act.
This year, the festivities run from Saturday, 25 February to Sunday, 26 February, featuring live performances, DJs, culture, baklava-eating contests and cooking demos interspersed with souvlaki and loukoumades stalls.
Speaking to Neos Kosmos, Greek Community of Melbourne president Bill Papastergiadis sent an open invitation to Melburnians.
“Welcome to the 35th Antipodes Lonsdale Street Greek Festival. This year we are proud to announce an action-packed Festival full of fun for the whole family to enjoy,” Mr Papastergiadis said.
“To be Greek is to be proud. Proud of our heritage, language, history, culture, and values. At the heart of this pride is the joy we find in celebrating together. Since its inception, the Antipodes Festival has always brought together friends and family to experience Australia’s largest celebration of Greek culture in what is Australia’s largest Greek-speaking city. We encourage you to enjoy what the Antipodes Festival offers, the music and dance from our talented musicians and performers.”
Hyping the entertainment by the hilarious new skits from Karagiozis Shadow Puppets and the much anticipated live show by vocalist Alkistis Protopsalti, the GCM president added that “we guarantee she will stun the crowds with her amazing performance. As always, I’d like to thank everyone who comes and supports the Festival. The festival would not be the same without you and your dedication.”
Overall, there’ll be three dedicated stages showcasing more than 70 hours of entertainment, not to mention the ‘Zorba ‘Till You Drop’ competition, carnival rides and extended opening hours for attendees to be able to enjoy the strip’s famed Greek eateries.
The festival’s annual cocktail party is set to return on Saturday evening, overlooking all the action from the mezzanine level of the Greek Centre (limited tickets are available).
When: Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 February from 10 am to 11 pm and 10 am to 10 pm respectively.
Where: The Festival is held in the City of Melbourne’s historical Greek Precinct Quarter on Lonsdale Street between Swanston Street and Jones Lane (West of Exhibition Street) and Russell Street between Little Lonsdale and Little Bourke Street.
Click here for the 2023 Antipodes Festival Program.
