Antipodes Festival

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Posted 2024-02-23 by Jen ⇒ follow

Sat 24 Feb 2024 - Sun 25 Feb 2024

Images - Antipodes Fest 2024

A weekend of all things Greek, look forward to the Antipodes Festival 2024 over the weekend of 24-25 February 2024 from 10am Sat at 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. It's huge 2 days with 3 stages, 500 plus performers, 70 plus hours of entertainment and 80 plus stalls filled with goodies. It's a jam-packed program of celebrating traditional Greek dancing, your favourite Greek foods from gyros to Loukoumades, iconic music that'll have you dancing to local and international acts, market stalls and cooking demonstrations by leading Greek-Australian chefs. From early-morning Greek coffee to late-night dancing, your weekend is covered. See the discussion section of the event page for the program and the Festival Map. You can also access the program on the website here , and here . Lonsdale and Russell Streets will close down (street closures & schedule here) for the Festival, hence you might want to check out best way to get to the Festival here ; for accessibility details see here ; and for the FAQs here .

Don't miss the feature act - Melina Aslanidou who is returning to Melbourne to perform the songs most of you know and love. Some of the Greek community's talented local musicians will accompany her, and the performance will take place on the Main Stage on the Saturday at the conclusion of speeches at 7.30pm. Known for her powerful vocals and electric stage presence, Melina will blow you away and have you singing and dancing the night away. Though Melina is the last performance for the Saturday night, the entertainment kicks off at 12pm with dancing groups, choirs and more to entertain you for the day. That's just the main stage. The A&A Holdings Stage will also be competing for your attention on the Saturday 24 Feb with more dance groups, belly dancing, bands, DJ and more. I did say there were three stages - the LoveLonsdale Stage is one for the food lovers with Cooking Demos kicking off its program at 11am.

Come Sunday, the Main Stage fills its time with a variety of entertainment again from 11am as does the A&A Holdings Stage, which will get you wanting to work out perhaps, as it kicks off with Freedom Dance Fitness. More cooking demos command the LoveLonsdale Stage on the Sunday as well at 11am, as it shifts gear and kicks into other performances at 2.30pm. Everyone loves to watch a cooking demo, and this is a lineup you're not going to want to miss.

Sat 24 Feb 11.30am; 1pm; & Sun 25 Feb 10.50am - Helena and Vikki the My Kitchen Rules Finalists who learned to cook from their yiayia Koula and grew up with a passion and love for Greek cuisine.

Sat 24 Feb 12.15pm - Helenic Wine spirits - This demo will highlight the incredible beverage offerings by one of the largest Greek wines, spirits, beers, and food importers in Australia.

Sun 25 Feb 11.30am - Spiri Tsintziras. You have an author whose books explore how food and culture, language and music, as well as people and their stories help create a sense of meaning and identity.

Sun 25 Feb 12.10pm - Chef Philip N Vakos the MasterChef staple and hospitality icon returns to bring you another demo of Greek cuisine.

Sun 25 Feb 12.50pm - Renowned Greek chef and owner of Sweet Greek at the Prahran market, Kathy Tsaples is passionate about sharing her love for food and the Hellenic culture.

Sun 25 Feb 1.30pm - Vanilla the iconic shop in Oakleigh who stole your hearts with their show-stopping treats brings Head Patissier George Giannou, who will take you through an iconic Greek dessert.

Find them all on the LoveLonsdale stage.

Competitions

There are Competitions at the Festival you might want to enter.

12pm Main Stage - Zorba 'Til You Drop. You have to be fit to Zorba non-stop with the last person standing winning a return airfare to Greece!

3.30pm - St Gerry's Loukoumades Competition kicks off at the A&A Holdings Stage

4.50pm - Procal Yogurt Dip Comp at the LoveLonsdale Stage

See competitions page for full details as to date and day of competition etc. There are activities and rides for kids, plus roving entertainment to keep you amused with Stilt Divas, Totally Kicking Brass roving band, Melbourne Gaida Ensemble and Momogeroi. Take your mates, have a weekend of fun, and go hungry!