It is called Window to Greece but next Saturday’s gala dinner will also be a chance to see two local identities like you’ve never seen them before.
Steve Wisbey and Terry Diomis won’t just be sharing the MC duties for Window to Greece in Camden Civic Centre.
They will also be dressed the part.
As you can see from the attached photos, both Diomis, the Smarter Macarthur magazine publisher, and Wisbey, who runs Upstairs@Freds on Argyle Street, look like fair dinkum, dinky-di evzoni.
What’s an evzoni?
Well, that’s what they call the dudes who wear Greece’s answer to the Scottish kilt.
The most famous evzoni are the Greek Parliament guards who goose step outside as tourists jostle for a photo.
Wisbey and Diomis dressed in the traditional evzoni costume will be a small part of a very big cultural exchange evening right in the heart of Macarthur country.
Organised by Macarthur Greeks Inc, Window to Greece will bring the Australian and Greek cultures together through a shared history, both here and in the old country.
There will be an introduction to the history of Greek settlers in Macarthur, who first arrived here in 1829.
But guests will also be able to check out a photographic exhibition that includes images of Anzacs in Greece during World War I and II.
The Life on Lemnos and Battle of Crete photographic exhibition will be in the foyer of the Camden Civic Centre.
Guests will be served grilled octopus and ouzo as they inspect the exhibition on arrival.
The cultural theme will continue as the three course is served during the evening
Highlights include a live demonstration by a traditional Greek folkloric band playing instruments rarely seen in Australia such as a big drum called taouri, and a lira, a little quitar with just two strings.
And there will also be demonstrations of traditional Greek dancing by two local troupes, visual displays and some surprises as well, according to John Tsekas, of Macarthur Greeks Inc.
“This is a night for everyone – you don’t have to be Greek to come along and enjoy yourself,’’ Mr Tsekas said.
Although a love of things Greek would help, including smashing of plates.
Yes, that’s true, there will be plate smashing.
But what may not be true is the rumour that Steve Wisbey is changing Upstairs@Freds to Upstairs@Spiros.
“Mate, we already have Greek stuff at Freds,’’ he says.
“We have tapas, which is very Greek and I think the grilled octopus Greek style may find its way on the menu soon.’’
EVENT SNAPSHOT
WHAT: Window To Greece Gala Dinner
WHEN: 6pm, Saturday, September 24.
WHERE: Camden Civic Centre, Oxley Street.
Adult tickets are $80 per person (all drinks are included except for spirits) – children are welcome and tickets are $45 per child under the age of 13.
For more information and tickets call Antonia Tsekas on 0449 944 814, Magdalena Chatzopoulou on 0424 802 216 or Lambros Papadopoulos 0438 462 806.
Tickets can also be purchased on Eventbrite here.
