Dear Friends & Patrons:
It is a joy to welcome you to the annual Oakland Greek Festival sponsored by the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension! Every year, with great anticipation, we look forward to opening our church grounds, kitchen and hearts to our beloved community. Thank you for making this celebration of heritage and culture all the more bright. As you will taste, hear and see, our annual festival reflects the local foods, dances and customs of Greece. Our sincere hope is that your experience will be uplifting and memorable, and give you appreciation and insights about our heritage.
The activity of the Festival revolves around the reason we are rooted in Oakland: Christ and His Church which was planted here over one hundred years ago. We invite you to “come and see” (John 1:39) and hear the living tradition of the Church in our architecture, ecclesiastical art and hymnody offered by our Liturgical Choir. Across the centuries our culture and Faith have become woven together, and we hope you find this reflected in our hospitality, joy and love.
Enjoy the weekend, rejoice in the fellowship, try something new, and get up and dance! We look forward to this as much as you!
With love in Christ,
Fr. Thomas J. Zaferes
Fr. Nick Mueller
Program Coordinator/Copy Editor FROSENE PHILLIPS Designer STEPHANIE LEAL
Welcome 3 Chairman Welcome 4 Festival Basics 6 Oakland Greek Festival History 7 What You Can Find at the Festival 10 Music Schedule 12 Entertainment Schedule 13 Greek Festival Map 14 Live Greek Music 16 Special Guest Chef Daniela 17 Greeks Dance in the Best Circles 18 Cathedral Tours, Concerts 22 Meet Celebrated Authors 23 What a Journey It Has Been! 24
Program Contents
ASSELANIS OAKLANDGREEKFESTIVAL.COM Greek Festival 2023 I Page 3
Cover Art TULA
Welcome to Oakland’s Greek Festival 2023!
It is that time of year when the wonderful aromas of Souvlakia and Loukoumades waft through the air and the sounds of traditional Greek music and shouts of “Opa!” resonate in the hills of Oakland. The Oakland Greek Festival 2023 is thrilled to welcome YOU, once again, and celebrate our 51st year! What would Oakland’s Greek Festival be without the many people from our community who come to enjoy all the treats for the ears, and eyes and stomach? It is with great joy and excitement that we invite
you to experience our Greek culture this weekend.
What makes this Festival so special is that you will have an opportunity to experience the best of Greece with its natives, your friends and neighbors.
We invite you to celebrate our Greek culture with us while enjoying the breathtaking views of the bay! We hope that you leave feeling a little more “Greek” than when you arrived! Opa!!
Efharisto poli (Thank you very much),
Yanni Limnios Chairman • Oakland Greek Festival 2023For Reservations call 415.417.3969 or visit www.EstiatorioOrnos.com
Discover the marriage of Greek and Middle Eastern flavors at Estiatorio Ornos, a Michael Mina Restaurant, where guests are invited to indulge in authentic and flavorful dishes that celebrate the rich culinary traditions of the region.
Led by award-winning Chef Michael Mina and Chef Daniela Vergara, Estiatorio Ornos offers a warm and relaxed style of hospitality, shareable dishes, creative cocktails, intriguing wines, and an atmosphere that invites guests to sit and stay all evening.
Come experience the inspired dining style and social scene that represents Chef Mina's adaptation, innovation, and core culinary philosophies, while paying homage to his Middle Eastern heritage!
Page 4 I Greek Festival 2023
The means to stay rich for life are in your power to control, however only if you take action now. Tomorrow is too late! Ancient Greek Philosophy *Theodoropoulos Financial & Insurance Services is not owned or operated by New York Life Insurance Company or its affiliates. Demetrios Theodoropoulos is a Registered Representative offering securities through NYLIFE Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, A Licensed Insurance Agency. **Products available through one or more carriers not affiliated with New York Life Insurance Company: dependent on carrier authorization and product availability in your state or locality. 2633 Camino Ramon, Suite 525, San Ramon, 94583. Demetrios Theodoropoulos, California Insurance. License #0B95408. 1649311 5.6.2024 Theodoropoulos Financial & Insurance Services* Estate, Legacy and Charitable Planning Wealth and Asset Protection LONG TERM CARE LIFE INSURANCE HEALTH INSURANCE** Demetrios Theodoropoulos, CLTC®, LUTCF® 2633 Camino Ramon, Suite 525 San Ramon, CA 94583 925-866-4600 • demetrios@nyl.com Theodoropoulos Financial & Insurance Services Congratulates the Oakland Greek Festival on 51 successful years ... a Bay Area tradition!
Festival Basics
The Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral invites you to share a multi-faceted experience that tantalizes the senses. Tens of thousands of visitors eagerly gather to sample what life is like in Greece today and to reflect on the impact that ancient Greek civilization has had on our American way of life.
When 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Friday
11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday
Where Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension 4700 Lincoln Ave., below Highway 13
Admission
Adults $5, Children 12 & under are free.
Eventbrite
Single Day $5, Two Day Pass $8, Weekend Pass $12.
Rideshare
Taking UBER or LYFT to-and-from the festival?
Our easy drop-off and pick-up location is on Lincoln Avenue by the outdoor elevator next to the garage.
Parking
• Free parking at the Mormon Temple, Ability Now Bay Area (formerly Cerebral Palsy Center) and Head Royce School. There is also free shuttle service available.
• Premium Parking $20- PARKING
PAVILION. The three-floor Parking Pavilion provides over 290 parking spaces with convenient access to the Oakland Greek Festival.
Simply drive in the main entrance and self-park. The entrance is located on Lincoln Avenue across from the Cathedral between the Mormon Temple and Ability
Now Bay Area formerly the Cerebral Palsy Center.
Once you have parked, you can walk up the stairs to the Platia (Plaza) Level. The sights and sounds of Greece will greet you. No more long walks up or down hills. Pay at the entrance – No in and out privileges.
We love Animals and Pets!
Father Tom and Father Nick even suggest we don’t need to do a blessing of the dogs because they are already blessed!
Unfortunately Alameda County will not allow us a food serving license if we allow pets, therapy animals or emotional support animals in food serving places. We can only allow service animals.
Service Dogs have been trained to provide a task and to behave in public places. They only meet the federal definition if they do a job the owner can’t perform themselves.
We welcome all Service Dogs to the 51st year of the Oakland Greek Festival!
Page 6 I Greek Festival 2023
Oakland Greek Festival – Our 51st Year!
From the Oakland Auditorium in 1972 to the hills of Oakland in 2023, the Greek community celebrates its treasured local history
While there had been “food festivals” in Ascension’s early history, there had never been anything that compared to the scale of “Greek Week” in May 1972.
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Ascension church, scores of parishioners volunteered and came together to put on a month-long series of events leading up to the culminating weekend of our first official Greek festival.
At the time it was called “an ethnic celebration that made a resounding impact on the East Bay”. It was the first of its kind and was a citywide historic event. For one week, the city of Oakland embraced the Greeks Continued on page 8
We offer the largest variety of Greek products for all occasions including feta, manouri cheese, yogurt, olive oil, jams, filo pastry, wines, beers, sodas, coffee, water, and more!
Over 4,000 items from Europe, East Europe, and the Middle East. Stop in today and discover our latest delicacies and global treasures.
Greek Festival 2023 I Page 7
The Eastbay’s
food store for all things Greek is now open in Castro Valley!
Greek Week festivities kick off in downtown Oakland. AHS Photo: May 1972.
favorite specialty
STOP BY OUR NEW LOCATION OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 3300 E. Castro Valley Boulevard, Ste B, Castro Valley 510-582-2231 crossroadsspecialtyfood.com
Ascension’s Panhellenic Dancers’ Chris Constantouros hangs the Constitution Square sign in Jack London Square. AHS Photo: May 1972.
as displays were created, Jack London Square was temporarily renamed Constitution Square, and events highlighting the coming festival were held, all of which culminated in two days of food, dance, and festivities!
As you join us for this year’s festival, our 51st year, we encourage you to eat delicious food, dance with us, and take some time to find the historical reminders from years past.
Effie Moon and Dimi Victor sample Greek cuisine under the watchful eye of Chef Dino Polyzos who heads a team of 22 cooks as they prepare for thousands of guests who will attend the Greek Week Food Festival at the Oakland Auditorium. PHOTO COURTESY AHS, May 1972
Harry W. Greer Funeral Director (CA License FDR 745) (Long time Alameda resident and member of The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension) 1415 Oak Street, Alameda, CA 94501 510-522-6020 • Cell 510-368-3892 alamedafuneral.org Serving the SF Bay Area for over 50 years! Harry Greer is Proud to be a Vietnam Veteran AND CREMATION SERVICES LIC. #FD 2139 ALAMEDA FUNERAL Congratulations Oakland Greek Festival! Alameda’s only family owned and locally operated Funeral and Cremation Service Provider WE ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH GREER FAMILY MORTUARY OR GRANT MILLER – JOHN COX MORTUARY, which are owned by HOUSTON, TEXAS-based Corporation Carriage Services Page 8 I Greek Festival 2023 Learn more about Ascension’s rich history by visiting ascensionhistoricalsociety.org or capture the QR code with your phone camera to take you there directly.
Greek Orthodox Memorial Park
WHY CHOOSE THIS CEMETERY WHEN THERE ARE MANY OTHER CEMETERIES?
Steve Doukas,ManagerWill you choose to have your deceased family member’s bodies spend their “intermediate state,” until the General Resurrection, among family and friends of the Orthodox Faith, or with strangers?
This Cemetery is YOUR Cemetery, as it is the only one in the United States designed ONLY for our Eastern Orthodox Faith. Since its inception in 1939, this Cemetery has remained exclusive to our Faith.
Other non-Orthodox, non-Christian cemeteries have created Orthodox “sections,” only to later open their sections to any religion, even to agnostics, atheists and Satanists, when their sales in that Orthodox “section” decline. Your Cemetery supports our Faith and our Church with annual donations. For more information and for the history of this Cemetery, please go to www.greekorthodoxmemorialpark.com
Mausoleum or ground burial services provided. Church services available on our grounds. Each burial space is protected by Trust Funds. The only consecrated Greek Orthodox Memorial Park in the United States.
1148 El Camino Real P.O. Box. 333 Colma, CA 94014 Office: 650-755-6939 Fax: 650-755-6109 greekorthodoxmp@aol.com
What You Can Find at the Festival
Remarkable Architecture
Oakland is home to one of the most exquisite modern Byzantine Church structures in the world. Visitors come from all over to see the synthesis of Ancient Greek, Byzantine and Modern architecture forms. Tours are given daily (see page 13), plus each day the Ascension Liturgical Choir augments the tour with Church hymns.
Tasty Treats
Strolling along the festival grounds, you can enjoy the tantalizing aromas of Souvlakia (chicken or pork shish kebobs cooked to order), Arni tis Souvlas (whole lamb on a spit), Barbecued Leg of Lamb Sandwiches (they are delicious) and Loukaniko (Greek sausage with just a hint of orange).
Calamari is another tasty and tender treat that is prepared to order and served hot.
Also try the always-popular Tiganites Patates (fries) located in the Calamari booth.
The Spanakopita and Tiropita booth remain the perfect Orektika or appetizers. They are filo pastry filled with feta and spinach or feta and cottage cheese. Served piping hot out of the oven, they are delectable.
The most popular and largest booth remains the Gyro booth, which serves roughly 6,000 pita-filled delights. Tender, perfectly grilled spicy beef is piled on pita bread and topped with tomatoes, onions and delicious homemade Tsatsiki, a yogurt and cucumber sauce with dashes of special seasonings. Prepared to order, the gyros have been called the finest in the Bay Area.
Halloumi is a Greek-Cypriot cheese that is delicate in flavor and texture, but perfect for grilling and topped with a caper sauce served on pita bread – a real delicacy for the discriminating palate.
Another festival favorite is Saganaki, a special Kefalograviera cheese imported from Greece. The cheese is grilled and flambéed with brandy as the spectators shout “Opa!”
Complete your feast with our delicious Loukoumades and homemade Greek pastries in the Kefenion or take them to go!
Page 10 I Greek Festival 2023
Providing Greek Language, History and Cultural Programs
Founded in 2006, Fanari Academy is an independent educational institute providing Greek language, history and culture programs to children and adults with both beginner and advanced tracks tailored to level of knowledge.
Available Programs
• Modern Greek for Children – Pre-K through 10th Grade
• Two Programs – Based on Level of Fluency
• Modern Greek for Adults
• Conversational Greek and Drama Programs
• Preparation for the Certificate of Attainment
Academy has two locations!
in
Fanari
Sunnyvale San
Join Fanari Academy Now accepting applications for the school year 2023-24 Enrollment Scan to learn more Fanari Academy is 510(c)3 Non-Profit Organization and is certified by the Greek Ministry of Education as a Greek Language Education Institute Abroad (Φορέας Ελληνομάθειας στο Εξωτερικό). For more information Email I Info@fanariacademy.org Visit I www.fanari-academy.org Follow us on social media 790 East Duane Avenue I Sunnyvale, CA, 94085
Greek Language
Francisco
Live Music to Entertain You
Throughout the festival, attendees can hear the pulsating sounds of Greek folk music that make the feet fly and heart light. Meet our musicians! Please turn to page 16.
Friday
Platia Stage | 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
KYMATA with GEORGE MYLORDOS on Bouzouki and Maria Arizu, Kostas Papamichael, Stamatis Houliaras
Taverna Stage | 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
HELIOS GREEK BAND
Saturday
Platia Stage | 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
MYTHOS BAND featuring Sylvia Kalivitis, Bobby Kalivitis, Mike Kutulas, Will Kouvaris, Evan Veloudis
Taverna Stage | 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
KYMATA with GEORGE MYLORDOS on Bouzouki and Maria Arizu, Kostas Papamichael, Stamatis Houliaras
Sunday
Platia Stage | 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
MYTHOS BAND featuring Sylvia Kalivitis, Bobby Kalivitis, Mike Kutulas, Will Kouvaris, Evan Veloudis
Taverna Stage | 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
HELIOS GREEK BAND
Do You Have A Festival Gift Coupon?
To redeem your $15, please take your coupon to the CASHIER BOOTH to exchange for a gift card which is accepted throughout the festival. Please note that the coupons can only be exchanged at this booth.
Accepting Credit/Debit Cards At All Our Booths
In order to make your experience at the Oakland Greek Festival as easy as possible we accept credit and debit cards at all booths, entrances, and in the dining room. Festival Gift Cards will be available for purchase with cash or check for those who prefer. This card can be used at any of our festival booths.
2023 Entertainment Schedule
Friday
4:30 p.m. CATHEDRAL Church Tour / Orthodoxy Q&A
6:00 p.m. WINDMILL PLAZA
Anagenisis Dancers
7:00 p.m. WINDMILL PLAZA
Titanes Dancers
Saturday
12:30 p.m. WINDMILL PLAZA
Koinonia Dancers
1:00 p.m. KAFENION
Cooking Demonstration
1:30 p.m. CATHEDRAL Church Tour / Orthodoxy Q&A
2:30 p.m. WINDMILL PLAZA
Aionia Dancers
2:45 p.m. WINDMILL PLAZA Greek Dance Instruction
3:00 p.m. CATHEDRAL Liturgical Choir Concert
3:30 p.m. WINDMILL PLAZA
Anagenisis Dancers
4:00 p.m. KAFENION
7:30 p.m. KAFENION Cooking Demonstration
8:00 p.m. CATHEDRAL Liturgical Choir Concert
8:30 p.m. WINDMILL PLAZA Analypsis Dancers
9:00 p.m. WINDMILL PLAZA Enomeni Dancers Cooking Demonstration
5:00 p.m. WINDMILL PLAZA Titanes Dancers
5:30 p.m. CATHEDRAL Church Tour / Orthodoxy Q&A
6:00 p.m. CATHEDRAL Liturgical Choir Concert
6:30 p.m. WINDMILL PLAZA Analypsis Dancers
7:15 p.m. CATHEDRAL Church Tour / Orthodoxy Q&A
7:30 p.m. WINDMILL PLAZA Ascension Dancers
9:00 p.m. WINDMILL PLAZA Enomeni Dancers
Sunday
1:00 p.m. KAFENION
Cooking Demonstration
1:30 p.m. WINDMILL PLAZA
Koinonia Dancers
1:45 p.m. WINDMILL PLAZA Greek Dance Instruction
2:00 p.m. CATHEDRAL
Liturgical Choir Concert
2:30 p.m. WINDMILL PLAZA
Aionia Dancers
3:30 p.m. WINDMILL PLAZA
Anagenisis Dancers
4:00 p.m. KAFENION
Cooking Demonstration
4:15 p.m. CATHEDRAL Church Tour / Orthodoxy Q&A
4:30 p.m. WINDMILL PLAZA
Ascension Dancers
5:30 p.m. WINDMILL PLAZA Titanes Dancers
6:00 p.m. CATHEDRAL Church Tour / Orthodoxy Q&A
6:30 p.m. WINDMILL PLAZA Analypsis Dancers
Greek Festival 2023 I Page 13
tAgora Estiatorion (Dining Room) Plaka Taverna Platia Festival Entrance Windmill Plaza Festival Entrance Entrance 39 40 41 37 B 36 A 42 43 44 45 47 48 32 34 33 31 35 4 1 2 6 7 8 9 10 12A 12B Stage 13 15 19 20 21 17 18 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
tKafenion Chapel Cathedral Cathedral Entrance 46 extravagantni/iStock/Thinkstock A 38 B 16 Page 14 I Greek Festival 2023 22 14 A 3 B 30 49
Greek Festival Map
Windmill Plaza 1 Entrance 2 Windmill - Ascension Historical Society 3A Author Apollo Papafrangou 3B Author A.K. Karos 4 Pastries To-Go Platia 6 Loukoumades 7 Gyro 8 Entrance Booth #2 9 Frappe/Ice Cream/ First Aid 10 Lamb Chops/Souvlakia 12A Platia Bar 12B Greek Wine Tasting Bar 13 Platia Stage 14 Calamari/Fries 15 Lamb Sandwich Taverna 16 Greek School Program 17 Cesar the Clown 18 Loukaniko/Saganaki 19 Playground 20 Taverna Stage 21 Taverna Bar 22 Halloumi Plaka 23 Beyond Bella Imports 24 Fanny Fish 25 OPD 26 Tiropita/Spanakopita 27 Sunny’s Concepts 28 Raqsa 29 Artwerks 30 Crossroads Specialty Foods 31 Fanari Academy 32 Julie’s Gift Collection 33 Greek Ceramics 34 Alzheimer’s Association 35 Cashier Booth Agora/Shops 36A Euro Style Fashions 36B Holy Assumption Monastery 37 Majul & Co. 38A His & Hers 38B Bethlehem Olive Wood Arts 39 Gemworks 41 Shakeels Concepts 42 Regina Estiatorion (Dining Room) 43 Estiatorion Dining Room 44 Estiatorion Bar 45 Food Line Kafenion 46 Ascension Book Store 47 Greek Pastries 48 Greek and American Coffee 49 Cooking Demonstrations Greek Festival 2023 I Page 15
Live Greek Music
Featured on the Platia Stage and in the Taverna
The festival offers a variety of exciting Greek music all weekend long on the Platia and Taverna Stages.
Kicking off the weekend are KYMATA featuring the bouzouki artistry of George Mylordos on Friday on the Platia Stage and Saturday on the Taverna Stage. Joining Mylordes are vocalist Maria Arizou, Kostas Papamichael and Stamatis Houliaras.
Enjoy the traditional sounds of the HELIOS GREEK BAND, on Friday and Sunday on the Taverna Stage. Helios features vocalist Irene Mavroudis with Michael Garibaldi, Greg Jenkins, George Mavroudis, Michael Mavroudis, and Lefteri Tsacle. Visit heliosgreekband.com
Returning to the Festival on the Platia Stage Saturday and Sunday are the exciting sounds of the MYTHOS BAND. This south county-based band features vocalist Sylvia Kalivitis and Bobby Kalivitis on bouzouki with Will Kouvaris, and Evan Veloudis. Special guest Mike Kutulas will be joining on bass. Visit facebook.com/ BandMythos.
Grab a Greek beer or a glass of Greek wine with some Halloumi cheese and then dance like Zorba! Yiamas!
Page 16 I Greek Festival 2023
Kymata
What’s the secret to Greek cooking?
Ask special guest Chef Daniela Vergara, Estiatorio Ornos Executive Chef, on Saturday
Join Ascension Parishioners for Live Cooking Demonstrations
Born and raised in Queens, New York, Chef Daniela Vergara set her sights on a career in the culinary field early on. Pursuing her dreams, Vergara enrolled at The Culinary Institute of America (C.I.A.) in Hyde Park, N.Y. after high school. Upon graduation, she accepted a MINA Fellowship where she rotated through MINA Group’s renowned San Francisco restaurants – RN74, PABU and MICHAEL MINA at the time.
In September 2021, she accepted the position of Executive Chef alongside Girair Goumroian and Nikolaos Georgousis at Estiatorio Ornos in San Francisco where she learned about Mediterranean cuisine and began implementing her own creative dishes on the menu. The Festival is thrilled to welcome Chef Daniela on Saturday where she’ll share one of her many special Greek creations.
Ascension parishioners will also offer live Greek Cooking Demonstrations in the Kafenion Friday, Saturday, and Sunday sharing their family recipe secrets and tips.
Please see page 13 for the daily schedule. Kali Orexi!
Learn Greek cooking tips and purchase delicious sweets in the Kafenion.
Greek Festival 2023 I Page 17
Helios Greek Band
Mythos Band
IN THE BEST CIRCLES Greeks Dance
It has been said that, “Greeks dance in the best circles.” At the Oakland Greek Festival, everyone is Greek and the circles of dancers grow wider and wider as you join someone’s hand and follow along. After circling two or three times you will have mastered the steps and made some wonder.
Seven Ascension dance troupes present Greek folk dance performances throughout the three-day Festival at the Windmill Plaza. See page 13 for performance times.
Continued on page 20
Greek Folk Dance Performances on the Windmill Plaza
SPIRITED FESTIVAL DANCING ON THE Mike and Evelyn Kutsuris Family Platia year after year after year ... May their memory be eternal! Gregory and Diane Kutsuris Eleni and Gregory Merritt & Family
Page 18 I Greek Festival 2023 Congratulations Oakland Greek Festival! Opa! 925.708.7557 @riarossirealestate ria@riarossirealestate.com #TEAMFAST × eXp Realty REALTOR® DRE# 01983595
PHOTO BY GEORGE RETELAS
The Ascension Cathedral dance troupes comprise over 100 dancers. The dancers range in age from three to 25 to 50+ years old.
The dances and costumes are representative of different regions of Greece.
The dance groups practice weekly throughout the year and have two main events to perform for. One is the annual Folk Dance and Choral Festival (FDF) where over 100 dance groups feature up to 3,000 dancers as they come together from throughout the U.S. to compete and share their Hellenic culture and Greek Orthodox faith.
Introducing the First Organic & Gluten Free Dedicated Kitchens in the Bay Area.
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Marie
At FDF the Ascension dance groups have consistently won medals and have proven to be a powerhouse dance community that all in attendance enjoy watching.
The second main event is our three-day festival where our following groups perform:
Greeks dance in the best circles…
Koinonia (Fellowship) – Our youngest dance group is just learning how to dance. These Kindergarten and 1st graders have not had a chance to compete yet but warm our hearts with their enthusiastic dancing. Come cheer them on this weekend. Opa!
Aionia (Eternity) – Our up-and-coming dance group, these 2nd through 4th graders love to dance and put on a good show. Their energy and kefi (spirit) will be sure to put a smile on your face. Come watch their crowd-pleasing performances this weekend!
Anagenisis (New Beginning) – Our promising 5th through 7th grade dance group has been working on their amazing performance and is sure to warm our hearts with
Learn how just 8 minutes twice a day is All You Need to Improve your Health.
Keeping you dancing through the years!
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909 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Suite 218 Danville | 925.553.7761 OFFICE HOURS BY APPOINTMENT CHRIS M. Vitakes, D.D.S. Congratulations Oakland Greek Festival! Opa! Greek Festival 2023 I Page 21 Better Circulation. Better Health. Better Life. Paula M. Gassoumis BEMER Team Manager Certified Natural Health Professional WALNUT CREEK, CA 925.788.3018 paula-gassoumis. bemergroup.com
Continued on page 22
their enthusiastic dancing. Come watch their powerful performances this weekend!
Titanes (Titans) – Our 8th through 10th graders symbolizes incredible strength and stamina. They recently took home a first-place medal at our annual dance competition. Come watch this group perform and entertain us with one of its award-winning performances at the Windmill Plaza!
Analypsis (Ascension) – Our high school and first year college dancers, and proudly the namesake group of our Cathedral. This group truly loves to dance and is so excited to be performing at the Festival. Be sure to catch one of their energetic performances. Opa!
Enomeni (United) – Our young adult group truly loves to dance. These dancers never miss a beat and their kefi is contagious! Don’t miss their crowd-pleasing performances on Friday and Saturday night!
Ascension Dancers – Come and enjoy this performance with all of our dancers, ages kindergarten to young adults. They will join together and showcase dances from all over Greece! This is a show you won’t want to miss!
Cathedral Tours and Concerts
Throughout The Weekend
Tours of the award-winning Ascension Cathedral are offered throughout the weekend offering an opportunity for conversation and education about the cathedral and Orthodoxy. Ascension’s Father Nicholas Mueller will present tours each day.
The Ascension Liturgical Choir will also share hymns of the Orthodox Church at its mini concerts Friday through Sunday. In addition to singing the Divine Liturgy each Sunday, the choir presents its annual free Christmas concert the first Saturday of December. The public is welcomed to join this special tradition which celebrates its 53rd concert this year. Visit ascensioncathedral.com for details.
Page 22 I Greek Festival 2023
The Titanes Dancers won another first place title in their division at the 2023 FDF. Watch their awardwinning performances all weekend long.
Meet Celebrated Authors A.K. Karos and Apollo Papafrangou during
the Festival on the Windmill Plaza
After years of creating stories for television, Anna Kagarakis decided to put pen to paper and write books that sow the seeds of curiosity and harvest imagination. Written under her pen name, A.K. Karos, The Brave Coin is a beautifully illustrated children’s book that helps children tackle their fears and find their inner confidence.
Could a wizard, a fire-breathing dragon, and a quest for a magic coin help Sam tackle his fears of starting at a new school? Find out in her debut book: The Brave Coin. Illustrated by the incredible artist Luis Peres.
Anna is the mother of two brave boys who inspired her to follow her dream to write. She loves exploring and going on adventures with her family and giant shaggy labradoodle, venturing into local bookstores, drawing, and is on a continuing quest for the greatest cup of coffee.
For more info go to: AKKaros.com
Also joining the festival once again is Oakland author Apollo Papafrangou . He is the author of the acclaimed debut novel Wings of Wax . He has also written for HBO Films, which optioned the film rights to his story The Fence (2000-2004). His fiction and poetry have appeared in ZYZZYVA magazine, Oakland Review , The Bookends Review , Sparkle & Blink , and the Simon & Schuster anthology Trapped . He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Mills College.
Apollo will feature his latest book We Grew Here at the festival. Rife with vibrant prose and dialogue true to the mystique of “Oakland cool,” We Grew Here is a commanding novel-in-stories from this hometown author. He attributes his passion for storytelling to being raised in a Greek-American household where the epics of his ancestors were combined with contemporary family lore. Visit apollopapafrangou.net
Greek Festival 2023 I Page 23
1917 - 2023 What a Journey It Has Been!
This year marks the 106th Anniversary of our community. To fully appreciate our 51st year of the Oakland Greek Festival is to understand the evolution of the Greek community in Oakland, CA, briefly summarized here from the Ascension Historical Society (AHS) website pahh.org.
In the 1890s Greeks had already settled and opened their own businesses in the city of Oakland and its vicinity. By 1914, Greeks with Syrians and Lebanese were celebrating
the Divine Liturgy in a rented hall in Oakland with a priest coming from San Francisco to officiate.
“
The Hellenic Community of Oakland and Vicinity” was formally chartered by the State of California on February 16, 1917. Four years later, on May 21, 1921, Oakland’s Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption (Dormition) was dedicated at 920 Brush Street. Eventually the community outgrew these facilities in downtown Oakland.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Mary Mousalimas, founder of AHS,
Oakland Greek Festival! 1972 - 2023
Page 24 I Greek Festival 2023 o: (925) 718-8483 c: (415) 377-7876 f: (925) 854-2207 dr.niko@mac.com www.sanramonvalleydentistry.com 2355 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Suite 103 San Ramon, CA 94583
Congratulations
the church was moved for preservation in 1979 to its current location at 928 Castro Street. It is a designated Oakland landmark and listed on the U.S.A. National Register of Historic Places, as well as a California Historical Landmark.
The doors of the Church of the Ascension in the Oakland hills were opened on December 11, 1960. The parish was later elevated to the status of Cathedral in February 1992.
In October 2017, we proudly celebrated our 100th anniversary and recognized the transitions of our past through today’s Ascension Cathedral.
Greek Festival 2023 I Page 25
Efharisto!
2023 OAKLAND GREEK FESTIVAL COMMITTEE
Chairman
Yanni Limnios
Executive Committee
Sofo Kyriakopedi I Sia Yfantis I Alexis Lagios
Committee
Stamati Adamopoulos I Tula Asselanis
Mailana Broumand I George Banis
Paul Fakaros I Christos Frangoulis
George Landis I Nikoletta Limnios
Stephen Miller I Christos Nikoloutsopoulos
Julia Pappas I Frosene Phillips
Karen Polyzos I Katie Sakkis
Brian Samoulides I Basilios Sotiropulos
John Tzagarakis I Alexia Victor
John Victor I Johnny Yiannakopoulos
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR FESTIVAL! OAKLANDGREEKFESTIVAL.COM 2024 MAY 17, 18, 19 SAVE THE DATE Page 26 I Greek Festival 2023
Food of the Gods Best Greek Cuisine outside the Mediterranean
Welcome to Kokkari. Immerse yourself in another world. Watch today’s roast slowly turning in our fireplace. Have a seat and enjoy Greek cuisine as it was meant to be: made from the freshest local ingredients, accompanied by excellent, carefully selected wines, and served with traditional Greek hospitality.
The Warmth and Charm of Greece in Silicon Valley
Authentic Greek cuisine made from the freshest local ingredients. At Evvia the staff will make you feel instantly welcome, as if you were arriving at an old friend’s home for dinner; an age-old Greek tradition.
200 Jackson Street (at Front), San Francisco, CA 94111 p: 415.981.0983 fx: 415.982.0983 CONTEMPORARY HELLENIC CUISINE KOKKARI.COM
420 Emerson Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301 p: 650.326.0983 fx: 650.326.9552 CONTEMPORARY HELLENIC CUISINE EVVIA.NET
HOLLIS OAK
3250 Hollis St. Oakland CA
• Controlled Access
• In-Unit Laundry
• Package Locker
• Studios, 1-3 Beds, Live/Work, Townhomes
• Multiple Community Rooms, Sundecks & More!
www.hollisoak.com
510-350-8224
For over 40 years, Madison Park has been developing properties and creating spaces that add to the fabric of our urban communities.
"Like many of Oakland's landmarks built by Madison Park, the Oakland Greek Festival is symbolic of all things that make Oakland a truly great city.
It is with great pride that we congratulate the achievements of Oakland's Greek-American community as we celebrate 51 years of the Festival."
JOHNPROTOPAPPAS
President & CEOLAMPWORK
1614 Campbell St. Oakland CA
• Controlled Access
• Indoor Lounge
• Outdoor Picnic Area
• Community Garden
• Package Locker
• Storage Units
• Bike Storage
www.lampworkloftsoakland.com
510-451-1614
www.madisonpark.com
LOFTS
