Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria

Melbourne's largest Greek street party, the Lonsdale Street Festival, is set to share the love on the 14th and 15th of February this year, with international performers Dimitris Basis and Zoi Papadopoulou to take the stage on Valentine's night as part of the two day event.

The Lonsdale Street Festival, which is staged in the heart of the City of Melbourne's Greek Precinct, will host over 100 000 visitors over the 14th and 15th of February to celebrate their love of all things Greek.

Jorge Menidis, Director of The Greek Centre, said the Festival is excited to welcome two of Greece's premium performers to entertain the crowd on what is considered one to the most romantic nights of the year.

"Melbourne and its people have shown great love of Greek culture and we are once again pleased to bring the best of Greece to the heart of the city for another year. A highlight among the range of activities across the two days will be the Saturday night performance by Dimitris Basis and Zoi Papadopoulou," Jorge said.

"The Festival is honoured to host these two performers who will bring the street alive with a mix of popular and traditional Greek music that will appeal to people of all ages."

Dimitris Basis has performed with some of Greece's premium musicians and a regular vocalist with the "Mikis Theodorakis" Orchestra. With a diploma in Byzantine music, Dimitris started chanting the liturgy in the local church before taking his first steps in professional singing at aged 20. Over the years, he has released many albums that have been a success in Greece and across Europe.

"I am excited to be travelling to Melbourne to perform at the 2015 Lonsdale Street Festival. To see such a large celebration of Greek culture so far away from Greece is a testament to the strength of the Greek community to share our culture with the rest of Australia," said Dimitris Basis.

He will be joined on stage by Zoi Papadopoulou, who began her singing career in the school choir before forming her first singing group in high school and performing in her home city of Thessaloniki. Before long, she moved to Athens, collaborating with some of Greece's high profile performers in addition to releasing two albums in her unique contemporary Greek style.

The 2015 Lonsdale Street Festival will also feature a range of free entertainment, an assortment of food stalls, children's activities, cooking demonstrations and trader displays. It will also be the first festival hosted by The Greek Centre, the new cultural arm of the Greek Community of Melbourne.

WHEN:
Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 February
Cnr Lonsdale & Russell Street, Melbourne 1pm – midnight – FREE EVENT – http://www.antipodesfestival.com.au

GETTING THERE:
Leave the car at home, and take any city bound train, tram or bus towards the CBD and head towards the historic Greek precinct (between Swanston & Russell Street).