The First America's Greek Dance & Choral Competition in Chicago



Dedication, passion and Hellenic pride filled the Windy City as young Hellenes from across North America united in talented performances. America's Greek Dance & Choral Competition (AGDC) concluded its three day inaugural festivities in Chicago.

The AGDC executive board together with the president of the World Council of
Hellenes Abroad U.S.A. Region, Mr. Theodore G. Spyropoulos and Fr. Chrysanthos Kerkeres, joined in a ribbon cutting, opening the doors to the ceremonies. A procession of the American, Greek, Canadian, State of Illinois and AGDC flags entered the room as Marianna Veneri sang the American National Anthem followed by Anastasia Kakagiannis with the Canadian and Andreas Kalamatianos with the Greek. Fr. Crysanthos Kerkeres gave the invocation and also conveyed a message from His Eminence Metropolitan lakovos of Chicago.

The ceremonies were hosted by Jenny Saiger, from Boca Raton Florida and Emceed by Aris Maragoudakis and Anastasia Cucuras. A parade of the participating, dance & choral groups, followed while every director placed a piece of a puzzle with their name on a board that completed the on-stage puzzle focusing on the theme "We Are One". Ohana Polynesian dancers entertained the audience with a fire show and a grand finale inviting everyone on stage to dance "Zorba the Greek" with them. Aggeliki Christofilopoulou, Public Relations of Dora Stratou, the world leading National Dance Theatre of Athens, Greece, ended the ceremonies with a costume fashion show, spotlighting traditional dresses from various regions of Greece, including Macedonia, Thessaly, Thrace and the islands. The evening then continued with food and glendi.

Amongst the honored guests encouraging the dancers were His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago, Theodore G. Spyropoulos, President SAE U.S.A Region with his wife Erika, Consul for Education in Chicago, Mr. Nikos Nikolidakis, Chris Avramopoulos, Youth Director Metropolis of Chicago, Hon. Theodore Laliotis, SAE U.S.A. RCC, Stella Kokolis SAE U.S.A.RCC, Maurice Gritzalis Youth Coordinator SAE U.S.A. Region and Eleni Sopasis, PanCretan Youth President of America.

Following the competition, the participants attended a workshop instructed by Marina Christofaki of Dora Stratou School of Dance.

Other features in the three day festivities included the Theatrical Scheme of Director Leonidas Loizides, "Trojan Women" by Euripides and music by Mikis Theodorakis, followed by a glendi with live music by the band "Paradosi"with Dimitrios Dallas, Vasilis Hioureas, Dimitri Papadimitriou, Jordan Elrod and John Themelis. Some of the participants also had the pleasure of attending the Elli Kokkinou & Giorgos Christou concert presented by Portokalada.com, followed by the choral competition with The Hellenic American Academy of Deerfield, Illinois, Choir and vocalists in solo performances.

The Awards Gala was hosted by Hollywood personality, Patricia Kara from NBC's Deal or No Deal. His Grace Bishop Dimitrios of Mokissos along with Fr. Chrysanthos Kerkeres gave the invocation. Greetings were made by Consul General of Greece in Chicago, Ambassador Anastasios Petrovas, Commissioner Mariyana Spyropoulos, Mr. John Manos, lst Vice President of the PanCretan Association of America, Steven B. Livaditis from Portokalada.com, and AGDC Humanitarian Award recipient, Mrs. Maria Karahalios. Also in attendance were the Hon. Dorothy Brown Clerk of the Circuit Court, Vice Consul Vasiliki Grivitsopoulou -Lemou, Stella Kokolis SAE U.S.A. RCC, Mr. Chris Tomaras, President Pan Hellenic Scholarship Foundation, Mr. Dimitrios Kotsakis, Executive Director of the Hellenic American Academy, Mr. Bill Mataragas, President of the Zakinthian Society, Jim Ascot, Democratic candidate for Congress, IL, Mr. Gregory Pappas, Editor & Publisher Greek America Magazine, Mr. Chris Kontos, President Sparta Society of Chicago, Anthony Papadopoulos, SAE U.S.A Youth Network, Eleni Sopasis, President, Pan Cretan Youth of America, and Sotiris Rekoumis Omogeneia newspaper & Hellenic Hour.

All attendees had the pleasure to watch the surprise performance of the magical duet from America's Got Talent, David & Dania and special performance made by the magnificent Dance Theatre "Nefeli" from Toronto Canada, under the direction of Mrs. Nancv Athan Mvlonas.

The AGDC Executive Board presented the Humanitarian Award to an individual from the community that exemplifies the necessary principals of being a Hellene: Pride, faith, contribution, spirit, dedication and perpetuation to recipient Maria Karahalios.

Reflecting on the three day festivities, Anna Housakos, AGDC Executive Director, congratulated the participants and added that "it is completely accurate to say that every one of our dancers, singers and choir participants here today are winners." She also thanked all volunteers. "I am much honored to have been working with such a dedicated team of individuals on the organizing committee who have obligated countless hours for this event. Your presence here today demonstrates your dedication and passion to what unites a community. Promoting folk dance & singing in a learning, fun filled atmosphere is what AGDC aspires to accomplish. It is a positive upbeat environment that also encourages competition technique, confidence and traditional merit".

According to Housakos, “our goal is not only to grow with participants from North America but internationally. Several countries have expressed interest this year and are already preparing to attend next year’s event.”

Closing remarks were made by the president of The World Council of Hellenes Abroad Mr. Theodore G. Spyropoulos, who congratulated all the participants and thanked the Executive board and its committees. “We should support our youth. By bringing them together, we can stand assured that our heritage and traditions will be preserved. This inaugural competition was a very special occasion for young, talented Hellene dancers to make new friendships and to hone their skills under the direction of some of the world's leading dance and costume instructors,” Spyropoulos stated. “We are looking forward to the participation of many more dance troupes next year, many of whom have already expressed their eagerness to be part of this festive occasion."

Nick Delis, Jenny Saiger and George Spilios received The Theodore G. Spyropoulos Leadership Award, presented members of the organizing committee that best exemplified leadership, Hellenism, faith, integrity, hard work & dedication. "It was a tough decision,” said Ted Spyropoulos. “Congratulations to this year's recipients."

©2009 NEOCORP MEDIA




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