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This Imax documentary, being shown in conjunction with the “A Day in Pompeii” exhibit, is subtitled “Secrets of the Past.” The filmmakers could have added “Meet Technology of the Future.”

Narrated by Nia Vardalos of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, the film uses high-tech computer graphics to re-create one of history’s most powerful volcanic eruptions. In 1647 B.C., the volcano at the heart of the island of Santorini exploded with a force estimated to be the equivalent of 80 atomic bombs. The eruption, which buried the city of Akrotiri, is believed to be similar to what happened to Pompeii.

Later, the filmmakers use their computers to create a 3D image of the Parthenon at the height of its splendor. The resulting virtual tour has the feel of a standard travelogue, but this one offers vistas you won’t find anywhere else.

At the Science Museum of Minnesota’s Omnitheater.

Good news for Transformers fans in Greece.

There are reports of new Transformers sightings. BlackMegatron of TFW2005 has reported finding Transformers Movie toys at various locations. So, to our fellow Transformers fans in Greece, Good Luck with the hunt!

Related Links >
View the Transformers Teaser Trailer > http://webmaster.transformersmovie.com/click.html?c=FLINCG

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showthread.php?t=139562

http://www.transformersmovie.com

Placido Domingo and Katherine Jenkins are performing tonight

The rich and distinctive voice of Placido Domingo is bound to captivate audiences at the Panathenaic, Kallimarmaro, Stadium this evening. Joined by British mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins and the ERT Greek Radio and TV Orchestra, the Spanish tenor will perform in aid of the children of the sorely tried region of Darfur, in a special concert organized by Medecins Sans Frontieres, Doctors Without Borders .

“It is a great pleasure to be here after such a short time,” said Domingo, who last performed in Greece two years ago, at yesterday’s press conference. Despite the scorching temperature, the room was tightly packed with everyone highly appreciative of the cool air-conditioned atmosphere, as Domingo himself was quick to point out. “It is always a phenomenal experience to sing for such a warm audience,” he said, adding that the city’s beauty, tradition and history made it all an even more overwhelming experience.

The highly distinguished tenor, one of the so-called “Three Tenors” along with Luciano Pavarotti and Jose Carreras, has made more than 100 recordings and has given more than 3,000 performances. Tonight, he aims to cater to all tastes, starting off with opera, moving on to musicals as well as his favorite zarzuelas, traditional mid-17th century Spanish compositions. “When you play at a big venue you have to please all kinds of public, you have to give everybody what they want.”

“You cannot do music without passion. If you don’t feel it, you can’t convince the public. I love it more and more every day. I cannot stop, I have to wait for my passion to wear out, but I think my voice will wear out before,” said Domingo, adding that he could feel that passion in the voice of Jenkins, with whom he will be performing for the first time.

“Ever since I started singing I have been dreaming of singing with Placido Domingo. To sing with him in Athens is a dream come true,” said Jenkins. The award-winning Welsh crossover mezzo-soprano may have started her career only two years ago, but has already given memorable live performances. She has released various albums, with 2004’s “Premiere” marking an almost unprecedented success.

On his part, maestro Eugene Kohn, who has already accompanied Domingo in concerts in Greece on a number of occasions, praised the ERT Orchestra for its discipline and hard work.

Domingo also talked about his recent decision to perform as a baritone. “I was not a natural tenor and I worked very hard day after day to adjust my voice and do all the operas that I did. Now my voice, which has always had a dark quality, is going back to its origins.” He pointed out that he remains a tenor and will only perform in Verdi’s opera “Simon Boccanegra” as a baritone.

“The dedication of Medecins Sans Frontieres is extraordinary,” noted Domingo, adding that the public should know more about the organization. “The concert is important in itself, but to be involved in something like this makes me twice as happy to perform.” He did not hesitate to voice his pleasure at the meeting that took place between US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and French President Nicolas Sarkozy to discuss Darfur on Monday. He also commented on the tragedies of war, referring to the recent deaths of six Spanish soldiers from the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon. “The children are the future of this world. It makes us think how much we are all responsible and that we should all do something. I believe that if there were no corruption in the world, everyone would be able to eat.”

“We should remember that as of 2003, more than 300,000 people have been killed in the region of Darfur while 2.5 million have been left homeless,” said Christos Christou, Vice President of the Medecins Sans Frontieres Greek branch. “Refugees do not dare leave the camps, even to seek food, for fear of rapes and violence and they are attacked even in the refugee camps. Ceasefire treaties are violated every day. As of July 2006, 12 NGO members have been killed and another eight remain missing. Attacks are carried out against our personnel as well,” said Christou, elaborating on the harrowing conditions prevailing in the western Sudan region. The organization works with both local and international volunteers to provide medical as well as other kinds of aid.

“I want to point out that Placido Domingo spent an entire year in Mexico after the earthquakes, searching for relatives and friends,” said Greek Cypriot baritone John Modenos, a longstanding friend of Domingo’s, referring to the devastating 1985 earthquake. “Not many artists do that.”

For tickets > Nikos Xylouris Music Store, 39 Panepistimiou Street, Athens, tel 210 7234567 or > www.ticketservices.gr

Related Links > http://www.msf.gr

Nena Karayianni’s installation is a work about memories and lineage > In the heart of Athens, in the run-down area of Kolonos, a contemporary art exhibition captures the grungy, urban feeling.

“Urban Legends,” curated by Marina Lagou, is being held throughout the building of the Epi Kolono, a theater that has recently also opened up to contemporary art exhibitions. It is a large exhibition that includes works by 25 artists and extends across the theater’s entire premises, from the main stage to the backstage rooms and courtyard. The participating artists vary from street and graffiti artists to photographers, painters, sculptors and artists who work with comics or performance.

Urban legends to themes related to urban life and Athens and lie between fiction and reality. It may be because of the venture itself and the surrounding area, yet the exhibition puts across a feeling of hard, urban reality and, at times, an underground culture.

Among the most interesting works is a painting by graffiti artist Faitakis, one of the rare items he has exhibited that is not a public mural, which stylistically combines elements of Byzantine icon painting with comics.

Quite different in style both from the work of Faitakis and from the rest of the exhibition is an installation by Nena Karayianni. Based on the artist’s family history, her aunt was the wife of the famous painter Nikolaos Lytras, son of Nikiforos Lytras, the work evokes the passage of time and refers to lineage and Greece’s bourgeois culture.

At Epi Kolono Theater, 12 Nafpliou and Lenorman Streets, Athens, tel 210 5138067, through Monday. Open 8 p.m. to midnight.

Greek fashion folk and local celebrities are showing their good hearts this week with two parallel events in aid of the capital’s homeless.

Greek designers are once again joining forces in a fashion bazaar today and tomorrow, while politicians, singers, athletes, actors and artists are participating in a charity auction tomorrow. Both events will benefit the homeless shelter of the City of Athens.

The Hellenic Fashion Designers Association (HFD) is organizing its third charity bazaar to date. In collaboration with Athens Fashion Productions and free press Athens Voice acting as communication sponsor, a large group of HFD members will offer a selection of garments and accessories at considerable discount, in some cases up to 50 percent off original prices.

Taking part in the third Athens Collections Bazaar are the following designers and fashion houses: Andria, Daphne Valente, Christos Costarellos, Chara Lebessi, Christos Maillis, Dimitris Dassios, Erifilli, Katerinalexandraki, Kathy Heyndels, Atelier Loukia, Maria Mastori, Filep Motwary, Smaragdi, Konstantinos, Vassilis Zoulias - Old Athens, Katerina Karousou, Frida Karadima, Orsalia Parthenis, Miro, Veloudakis and Celia Dragounis.

Meanwhile, the charity auction will reach its peak at T.G.I. Friday’s restaurant in Kefalari, Kifissia, tomorrow. The final part of the auction, already under way online on www.Fridays.gr and www.skroutz.gr, will take place from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. With free press Lifo and Village 88.3 radio as communication sponsors, the auction has gathered a variety of items. So far, donations include a pair of cufflinks from  MP Nassos Alevras; a work by artist Alekos Fasianos; a photograph of Arsenal FC signed by the team’s players; a tracksuit worn at the Sydney Olympics by tae kwon do gold medalist Michalis Mouroutsos and a CD signed by Italian vocalist Zucchero.

The homeless shelter of the City of Athens provides care, temporary accommodation and food as well medical and psychological support to more than 1,100 homeless people daily.

At Bacaro, 1 Sophocleous Street, opposite the Athens Exchange, Athens. Today and tomorrow from noon to 8 p.m. T.G.I.Friday’s, Kefalari Square, Kifissia. 

People from the arts gathered to discuss innovation in Greek culture

Contemporary Greek culture is constantly growing. This is what the increasing numbers of events in all fields of the arts indicate. But does this growth run parallel to innovation? How does modernity match contemporary artistic production in Greece?

These were some of the questions raised in the discussion of “Modernity and Contemporary Greek Culture”, the theme of the 5th Panhellenic Conference of Cultural Publication Agencies recently organized by Highlights, the bimonthly cultural review, in Nafplion. Representatives of Greek cultural magazines from different parts of Greece, together with artists, academics and people in the arts participated in a three-day cultural get-together which made an attempt to define innovation in respect to Greek culture.

Modernity in the sense of innovation and originality is a common concern among artists who work in countries outside the major cultural centers. In Greece, for example, when discussing the art produced, one often makes comparisons with the more international trends. Keeping pace with what is happening abroad is indeed important, but so is building a distinctive identity that is not an imitation. There is also Greece’s rich history and ancient civilization to consider, which are often seen as incompatible with the quest for the new.

The arguments presented varied greatly and differed in their depth and intellectual content. For this reason, those attending the conference gained an understanding not only of the specific theme of modernity but also of a way of thinking shared by people in the arts in this country. It is unfortunate that constant complaining is part of this thinking.

Besides its theoretical aspect, the conference has also served a very practical purpose. For it has provided people in the field of culture with an opportunity to present their projects, at this year’s conference for example, representatives from several website magazines participated, and has generated artistic collaborations. Its main purpose is to document contemporary artistic production in the country, a task which also lies behind other cultural projects organized by Highlights.

The creation of an “Electronic Network of Cultural Magazines,” a website that will be launched in the next few weeks, is one of Highlight’s most recent projects. The outcome of two years’ work, the site is a guide to the country’s cultural magazines, there are a total of 550 reviews, many of them inactive, and to its cultural scene. In many ways, the site www.idomos.net serves the same purpose as the annual conference: it fosters an exchange of ideas and draws attention to the cultural life that extends beyond Athens and reaches the most remote parts of Greece.

Leading Greek tennis player Eleni Daniilidou advanced to the second round at Wimbledon yesterday after defeating Argentinean opponent Gisela Dulko in three sets, 5-7, 6-3, 8-6.

The game began on Monday but was interrupted by rainfall. It was Daniilidou’s best Wimbledon outing to date in women’s singles competition. The 24-year-old, currently ranked 47th in the world, reached the fourth round in 2002. Dulko, ranked 36 in the world, has made it as far as the third round at Wimbledon on two occasions, in 2004 and 2006. Daniilidou wil now face the Czech Republic’s Lucie Safarova, ranked 25, in the second round.

Cyprus’s Marcos Baghdatis, the world’s number 16, and Latvia’s Ernests Gulbis, number 82, started play in their first-round game late last night.