Dance
Along with Greek music comes Greek dancing, an activity that appeals to both genders and all ages. There are over 4,000 traditional dances from regional Greece. Some have been adopted as national dances by all Greeks. They include the tsamiko, syrto and kalamatiano. Traditional Greek dancing has been enjoyed in mainland villages and on the islands from time immemorial. Dancing brings the community together socially at events like Easter, seasonal harvest celebrations, local parish festivals and weddings.
Tradition often dictates a strict order in the arrangement of dancers, for example, by age or family lineage. In Australia Greek immigrants and their families have continued the tradition of Greek dances as part of family occasions like name days, parish festivals and broader Greek community celebrations.
Greek Dance in Melbourne
There are many Greek dance groups in Melbourne that perform both Greek regional styles and national dances. Melbourne-based groups usually perform at regional events and Greek community festivals. Neos Kosmos, the local Greek language newspaper devotes pages on current activities. See Greek language media, see also www.greekcity.com.au
Excursions and Activities
Greek dancing is an excellent way of encouraging your elderly clients to be more physically active. You can expect your client to know the steps of many dances. They will need familiar dance music from a traditional folk music CD, or you can download regional traditional Greek music from the Internet. Your client will need to select the particular style of music and dance.
If your client is less mobile they may enjoy watching dance as a form of entertainment. Arrange a group excursion to a live performance as part of a broader cultural activity or event or contact a traditional dance group based in Melbourne. Our Directory of Greek Services gives you these and other possiblities for activities.
