Get Your Fill Of Greek Food, Dance, Music And Culture At Denver’s Greek Festival
by Dawn E. Spelke

Opa! Indulge in Greek culture at the annual Greek Festival, one of the largest ethnic festivals in Denver and the biggest annual event for the city’s Greek community, to be held June 20-22 at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 4610 E. Alameda Ave.

2008 is the 36th year for this popular event which features traditional Greek food, an art exhibit and sale, traditional Greek folk dancing and music, and tours of the stunning Cathedral. Hours are 11a.m.-1p.m. on Fri. & Sat., June 20 & 21, and from 11a.m.-8p.m. on Sun., June 22.

Cooking and baking are already under way for this year’s festival. Sample the gamut of Greek delicacies, from tasty entrees such as Souvlakia (succulent morsels of BBQ pork), Saganaki (flaming brandied Kasseri cheese) and Pastitsio (Greek pasta casserole with cinnamon & nutmeg- seasoned meat, topped with a creamy bechamel sauce), to-die-for desserts, including Paximadia (Greek biscotti) and Baklava (walnuts spiced with cinnamon & nutmeg, layered between filo sheets and soaked in honey syrup).

Each year, along with many different Greek edibles, the Denver Greek Festival highlights the Greek love of song and dance. The Hellenic Dance Academy, under the direction of Elaine Kostikos-Southall, will proudly display a variety of dances and costumes from all parts of Greece. Dancers are taught the intricate steps and variations to dances from throughout Greece, the origin and story behind the dance as well as costume origin for the national costumes of Greece, the foustanella and the amalia. Idomeneas Cretan Dancers will also perform, and Etho Ellas will provide music during the event.

The cultural center, bookstore & gift shop will be open; browse through original watercolors by Pantelis Zografos, gold and silver jewelry, authentic Greek merchandise and breathtaking photography. High quality Greek gift items, authentic Greek clothing and jewelry will also be for sale.

This year, the Festival is donating a portion of the profits to the Gathering Place, Denver’s only daytime drop-in center for women and children who are experiencing homelessness and poverty.

The Denver Greek Festival and the Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral are at the intersection of Leetsdale
Blvd. and E. Alameda Ave., about two blocks east of Colorado Blvd. Valet parking is available.

Get more details at 303-388-9314 or www.assumptioncathedral.org.