October 3, 2006 > This weekend - destination Greece

by Vidya Pradhan

Greek Festival 2006 Tentative Schedule of Events

Friday, October 6, 2006

5:00pm Festival Opens, Music by Greek Compania
6:00pm Official Opening
6:15pm Slide Show-Greek Island Adventure-room 8
7:00pm Dance performance
7:00pm Chapel Tour-room 2
7:30pm Slide Show- Ancient and Modern Greek Religion-room 8
9:00pm Dance performance
9:30pm Slide Show- A Tour of Modern Athens-room 8
12:00am Festival closes

Saturday, October 7, 2006

11:00am Festival Opens, Music by Greek Compania
12:30pm Greek Dance Lessons
1:00pm Cooking demonstration-room 8
1:30pm Chapel Tour-room 2
2:30pm Dance performance
3:00pm Chapel Tour-room 2
3:00pm Sons of Ulysses (table dancing)
3:30pm Cooking demonstration
4:00pm Lecture-History and beliefs of the E. Orthodox Church-room 8
5:00pm Chapel Tour-Byzantine Music: history and chanting-room 2
5:15pm Slide Show- A Tour of Modern Athens-room 8
5:45pm Dance Lessons
6:00pm Cooking demonstration
6:30pm Dance Performance
7:00pm Sons of Ulysses (table dancing)
7:30pm Chapel Tour-room 2
8:00pm Slide Show-Greek Island Adventures-room 8
8:30pm Dance performance
9:00pm Greek Dancing
12:00am Festival closes


Sunday, October 8, 2006
12:00pm Festival Opens, Music by Greek Compania
12:30pm Greek Dance Lessons
1:00pm Cooking demonstration
1:30pm Chapel Tour-room 2
2:00pm Sons of Ulysses (table dancing)
2:30pm Dance performance
3:00pm Chapel Tour
3:15pm Greek Dance Lessons
3:30pm Slide Show-Ancient and Modern Greek Religio -room 8
4:00pm Lecture-History and Beliefs of the E. Orthodox Church-room 8
5:00pm Chapel Tour-Byzantine Music: history and chanting -room 2
5:30pm Dance performance
8:00pm Festival closes

Kaloresete! Welcome, as they say in Greek. If you've been dying to go on that Mediterranean trip and haven't found the right time for it, here's a great way to sample some of the best that this culture has to offer.

The Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church of Castro Valley is organizing its 35th Annual Greek Festival this weekend at the Centennial Hall in Hayward.  The church,, previously part of the Church of Rome, split with it sometime in the 11th century. It is now neither Catholic nor Protestant, and is headed by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.

The slogan for this year is "Imagine the place, experience the taste." Vendors will create the flavor and ambience of Greece with mouthwatering pastries and Greek coffee. Others will display and sell "ikons" which are the beautiful religious pictures that typically cover the walls of orthodox churches. Little stores selling amber jewelry of Russian design and middle-eastern clothing will enliven the local Grecian landscape.  Ya-Ya's Prika, loosely translated as "Grandma's Bazaar," will replicate a Greek flea market with several vendors displaying mementos from the home country. You can pick up cookbooks, T-shirts and Greek souvenirs at the bazaar. Twee-Twee the clown will also be on hand to entertain and hand out prizes.

The Greek Festival will highlight the highly regarded table dance troupe "Sons of Ulysses" who will perform traditional Greek dances. Other dancers from the area will also perform displaying authentic Greek dress and movements. Enterprising visitors can shake a leg at the booths offering impromptu dance lessons. Live Greek music will keep feet tapping on the wooden floors of the Centennial Hall.

History buffs will have a chance to see a replica of the Orthodox Church chapel with docents giving commentary on the various aspects of the church. Visiting priests will also talk about the faith.

Best of all is a raffle with the grand prize of - you guessed it - a trip to Greece!  So bring the entire family along for a weekend of food and fun. Look below for a few words to try out a bit of Greek with your hosts:

Kaloresete( kalo-REES-e-tay): Welcome
Herete(HE- re-te): Hello
Yasoo(YA-soo): Greetings
And of course, Opah!

For more information on the festival and the Church, check out www.cvresurrection.org or call (510) 581-8950.

A Celebration of Greece
Friday, Oct. 6 - 5 p.m. to Midnight
Saturday, Oct. 7 - 11 a.m. to Midnight
Sunday, Oct. 8 - Noon to 8 p.m.
Centennial Hall
22292, Foothill Blvd. (near Safeway)
(510) 581-8950