JK Rowling’s magic spin on Greek mythology hero July 31, 2007
Posted by grhomeboy in Books Life.comments closed
After Harry Potter, Rowling expresses her interest towards the Greek classics of Orpheus and Eurydice.
Now that the final Harry Potter book is out, a prominent publishing firm is hoping to get its hands on author JK Rowling, and persuade her to tell the tale of legendary Greek hero Orpheus. Rowling, who studied Greek and Roman mythology at Exeter University in the 1980s, has already expressed a wish to cover the classics, and now the publishing house wants to make her wish come true.
If Rowling does agree, then it will also be a coup for the publishers, who will be able to boast of having her amongst its ranks of celebrity writers who have contributed to its best-selling Myths series. Orpheus is best known for attempting to rescue his wife Eurydice from the underworld.
An insider revealed, “She has expressed an interest in updating the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, but the whole thing is being kept under wraps, so not to overshadow the launch of the final Harry Potter book.”
The idea was to approach top-class writers and invite them to retell any myth in their own style. “In turn, their myths would be published all over the world. Already a wonderful array of writers have come on board, as have 24 superb international publishers,” the sources added.
Katherine Rushton, publishing reporter believes that writing Orpheus’ tale would be a great move on Rowling’s part. “People will go out and buy whatever JK chooses to write next, but updating Greek myths could be an inspired choice,” she said.
Jon Hesk, an expert in Greek literature at St Andrews University, feels that the author should reintroduce the classics to today’s generation. “The magical element of classical mythology seems to have made a big impression on Rowling, and Harry Potter is a hero in the Greek tradition. Because of her knowledge of the classics, she is ideally placed to re-examine the mythology of Orpheus,” he said.
300 make it to video July 31, 2007
Posted by grhomeboy in Movies Life, Movies Life Greek.comments closed
This year’s first $200 million hit was a marriage of ancient history and modern Hollywood bloodshed, filtered through the visual wizardry of computer-generated animation.
The adaptation of Frank Miller’s graphic novel combines live-action actors with surrounding backgrounds added later through digital imagery, a process similar to that used on the earlier rendition of Miller’s Sin City. Gerard Butler stars as Leonidas, the Greek King who leads a hopelessly outnumbered band of 300 Spartans against a marauding Persian army at the battle of Thermopylae.
The movie comes in a bare-bones single DVD edition or a two-disc DVD set. Extras on the two-disc include additional scenes, background segments on the actors and their characters and commentary with director Zack Snyder.
Movie Trailer > http://300themovie.warnerbros.com
Greek Festival set for August 17-19 July 31, 2007
Posted by grhomeboy in Greek Diaspora Festivals.comments closed
Church of the Assumption, 97 Walcott St., Pawtucket, Rhode Island, will celebrate its 80th Greek Festival Friday, August 17, from 5 to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, August 18 and 19, from noon to 10 p.m.
There will be a Greek marketplace that will include imported giftware, music, books and cookbooks and plenty of Greek food such as roasted lamb, chicken, rice pilaf, gyros, souvlaki and Greek pastries and coffee. Demonstrations on the art of baking with phyllo dough will be held on Saturday and Sunday.
Nightlife in Athens July 31, 2007
Posted by grhomeboy in Greece Athens.comments closed
Athens is famous for its vibrant nightlife. The Athenians like to party and will do so almost every night of the week.
The choices are many and they appeal to all tastes and lifestyles. In general, things get started pretty late, after midnight for bars and clubbing and after 10pm for dinner at the city’s tavernas, restaurants and bar-restaurants.
The Greeks are known for their love-of-life lifestyle, a sort of OPA! mentality that includes good food and good company, regardless of age. In Athens, life is for living and leaving your worries behind. The result is a good-hearted, energetic city with bars and restaurants to match. Hip areas include Gazi, Psirri, Kerameikos and Kolonaki. Traditional Greek evenings can be spent in Plaka.
Bars and clubs > Athens is one of the best parties in the house! Glance at the list of guest DJ’s that spin the latest tunes and you’ll see that the Athens nightlife scene is one of Europe’s hottest. Local Greek DJ’s have emerged, gaining international recognition for their mixes that include foreign and Greek top hits.
The party lasts into the wee hours of the morning, as native Athenians and visitors dance, dance, dance. Athens is just overflowing with modern, bohemian, ethnic, Latin, dance, rock, fashion and mainstream bars, lounges and clubs.
Jazz is very big in Athens, too, and enjoys a strong repertoire of performers and venues that feature them. Karaoke bars have recently sprung up and offer an alternative fun night out. Especially popular are the restaurants and bars with Oriental and other types of ethnic music.
A unique cultural phenomenon in Athenian nightlife is the migrating of venues according to season. In Athens, one venue or club usually has two “homes” or addresses, a summer home and a winter home. Some time in October, the venues usually move back to their winter homes, which are often in the centre of Athens.
The streets of Gazi and Psirri are packed with people ready to enjoy the areas’ many restaurants, bars, clubs, art galleries and theatres. Summer or winter, the clubs host leading DJs and feature the latest and greatest in their genre, hip hop, R&B, soul, rap disco, funk, rock and Greek.
Many of the summer venues are located on the outskirts of Athens along the coast in Glyfada, Voula and Vouliagmeni, taking advantage of the breathtaking sea views. The popularity of the coastal clubs doesn’t mean the fun stops in the centre, though. Gazi and Psirri are hot nightlife destinations all year round.
Greek nightclubs > To truly experience modern Athenian nightlife, you should spend a few hours at a Greek nightclub with live Greek music. The levels vary from mellow to extreme. In the winter, leading Greek pop singers fill large halls along the industrial strip known as Iera Odos and Pireos Street and in the summer months along the coastal towns of Glyfada, Voula and Voulgiameni. Here patrons are part of the fun, dancing on the stage and on the tables until the wee hours. Laid-back evenings can be enjoyed at the many rebetadika in Psirri and Plaka.
Psirri > If you enjoy going out at night, Psirri is a must to visit. Some of Athens’ hottest clubs and bars are here. Large and small, they play all types of music from Greek, rock, ethnic, Latin, pop and jazz. Psirri has become an Athenian favourite. It offers artistically designed venues with good food, great music and an overall ambiance.
Gazi > A modern take on Athens would not be complete without a visit to the industrial district of Gazi. Most of the galleries, mainstream bars, restaurants, clubs and Greek nightclubs here are trademarked by their industrial design as many of them are housed in remodeled factories. In recent years, this area has developed into one of the hippest Athenian neighbourhoods. The area, and its new inhabitants of artists, has attracted fine restaurants frequented by the see-and-be-seen Athenians.
Kolonaki > This popular Athens neighbourhood is where you will find contemporary style eateries, in addition to buzzing all-day tavernas, grills, bars and an esplanade of outdoor cafés, perfect for people watching or relaxing after taking in the delightful shops. Kolonaki is a staple dining and entertainment destination catering to the city’s urban working professionals who enjoy an after work cocktail at many of its bars that are open, and busy, until after midnight, even on weekdays. The area’s many restaurants range from the affordable to the expensive, with Greek and international menus. The clubs here are also very chic. Some of the streets where the trendy bars are plentiful are Haritos and Skoufa.
Exarcheia > Exarcheia is where to go for smaller more bohemian style haunts that cater to artists and college students. At the foot of Lofou tou Strefi, the Strefi Hill, is where you will find most of the bars and clubs, many which play rock music.
For more information about Athens visit > www.athenstourism.gr
Golfing in Cyprus July 31, 2007
Posted by grhomeboy in Cyprus Paphos, Golf.comments closed
Cyprus golf property is possibly by far and away the best investment you could make if you are in fact considering purchasing property on this beautiful island.
There is no doubt at all that if you mix golf, sun and holidays you have the ideal cocktail for a booming property market. Whether you are looking to purchase for your own use or the fast expanding holiday rental market the sums will stack up every time. In fact a great way to subsidize your Cyprus property investment is to rent out to holiday makers when you don’t need it for yourself or your family.
The golfing center of Cyprus is the Paphos area and with several excellent golf courses in the area there is plenty for everyone to enjoy. Property prices in the Paphos area are amongst some of the highest in Cyprus due in the most part to the town now being recognized as an all year resort. This coupled with the golfing aspect of the area has turned Paphos into something of a Cyprus property hotspot. However prices here have not yet reached the dizzy heights of places like Spain or Portugal where you will soon need a kings ransom just to buy a one bed apartment. Prices will conceivably continue to rise however for some time to come making Paphos a good investment if you buy soon.
With great motorway links and the airport on your doorstep Paphos is a golf property dream come true. There are plenty of properties available and new developments are going up all over the area. If you want the best of both golf and holidays an investment in the Coral Bay area a few kilometers outside Paphos could be perfect for you. With miles of sandy beaches bars and restaurants Coral Bay is popular with every kind of Cyprus holiday maker. You would be a short drive from the golf and have a property that rents easily to holiday makers too.
Before you dash off however to book your Cyprus flights there is some hot news for golfers looking for a great property investment. Rumor is rife of a huge proposed golfing and leisure development being proposed in the Larnaca area of Cyprus. If you though that Paphos was a hot bed for investment then Larnaca could be a golfers dream come true. Larnaca is more than just a holiday resort it is a bustling town in its own right. There is a commercial port, a busy marina and a vibrant business community too with more shops and resturants than you can shake a stick at. The main airport is within a hole in one’s distance and the modern coastal motorway will whisk you to anywhere in Cyprus you choose to visit within a couple of hours maximum.
What more could you want? Everything right on your door step including sun, sea and golf. No development has started as yet in the area of the proposed golf complex so property prices in Larnaca are still quite reasonable compared with other parts of Cyprus. There is no doubt that once the plans are cleared and development begins property prices will go through the roof. So if you love golf and Cyprus you may be able to pick up the bargain of a lifetime if you are brave enough to act soon. Enjoy Cyprus!
To find out more about the beautiful island of Cyprus visit > http://www.visitcyprus.com
Greek Festival set for September 6-9 July 31, 2007
Posted by grhomeboy in Greek Diaspora Festivals.comments closed
Arthur Sakellaris is excited about St. Catherine’s Greek Orthodox Church’s upcoming annual outdoor festival.
“It is our intention to have a very successful and safe festival where our parishioners, their friends, and the people of the town of Braintree have a wonderful time,” said Sakellaris, the parish council festival chairman, adding “Once again, it is our intention to assure the safety of all participants. We will do everything in our power to meet and exceed your expectations.”
The festival is scheduled to be held on the grounds of the church at 119 Common St. The selectmen agreed unanimously to grant a special wine and malt license for the festival, which is set for September 6 from noon to 9 p.m., September 7 from noon to 10 p.m., September 8 from noon to 11 p.m., and September 9 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
An 80 feet by 80 feet canopy-type tent will be a key part of the festival, which will also feature a band. Servings from all kinds of primarily Greek cuisine will be offered along with soft drinks, beer, and wine. The stand offering beer and wine will be separate and strictly supervised. Greek pastry will also be provided. Tables and chairs will be set up to accommodate approximately 400 people. Small vendor shops will exhibit mostly antiques and souvenirs.
“Parking will be within the site,” Sakellaris said. “Also, arrangements are being made to provide additional parking at the South Shore shopping mall. There will be coordinators to assist parking and people movement. Safety will always come first.”
A video-opera exploring violence July 31, 2007
Posted by grhomeboy in Arts Museums, Ballet Dance Opera, Hellenic Athens Festival.comments closed
“The Rape of the Sabine Women” by French artist Jacques-Louis David, became the inspiration behind the video-opera created by Eve Sussman and the Rufus Corporation.
The Athens Festival is currently presenting the work of British artist Eve Sussman and her troupe, the Rufus Corporation. “The Rape of the Sabine Women”, a video-opera inspired by Jacques-Louis David’s painting of the same name is being presented for one final night in the Benaki Museum’s atrium tonight.
Sussman’s project, the world premiere of which took place in Thessaloniki last November, was inspired by the 1799 masterpiece which hangs in the Louvre in Paris. The painting depicts a chapter in the history of Rome, when founder Romulus ordered the abduction of the Sabine women in order to provide his city with much-needed wives.
The artist has set her own take on the story in the 1960s and uses a real meat market, the Varvakeios Market in central Athens, as the scenery for the abduction. At the same time, the ancient myth acts as a vehicle for exploring violence, aggression and the hot issue of the battle between the sexes.
Shot in Athens, on Hydra and in Berlin, the video-opera features an international cast, including Themis Bazaka, Savina Yannatou and Jeff Wood.
At the Benaki Museum, 138 Pireos Street, Athens, tel 210 3453111. The performance starts at 9.30 p.m.
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