Athena Greek Dance Group (Tauranga)

Dancing the Tsamikos: Athena Greek Dance Group (Tauranga)
The Tsamikos is an imposing dance whose rhythm is one of grandeur. Its variations consist of both smooth and leaping steps, which give the dance a triumphant air. In earlier times, the tsamikos was danced in the mountainous areas of Epirus, in Northern Greece, only by men. Today, it is enjoyed throughout Greece by both men and women.

The tsamikos also became the favourite dance of the mountain fighters and rebels (Klephts) of the Greek Revolution of 1821 against the Ottoman Turks. It is danced in a semi-circle, with the leader performing variations while the others follow the basic steps. The deliberate, grandiose nature of this dance emphasises the strong "attitude" and proud style of the Tsamikos.

The Athena Greek Dance Group was borne from the passion for Greek dance by Aekaterina (Kate) Goodwin of Tauranga. Kate grew up in the Plaka district of Athens, and throughout her working life returned many times to Greece. She studied a wide array of traditional Greek dances from all parts of Greece and Asia Minor. She formed the Athena Dance Group in Tauranga in 1999 and maintained this until her death in 2010. However, her passion and enthusiasm for traditional Greek dance has been continued by the members of the Dance Group, who practice and retain the wide repertoire of Greek dances initially taught by Kate. Some of the dancers now attend summer dance seminars in Greece, adding to the Group’s depth of knowledge.

The Athena Greek Dance Group has been associated with the annual Greek Extravaganza fundraiser for Hibiscus Hospice since the very first one in 2017. We truly appreciate their support and extend a warm “thank you” to all members of the group, past and present, who have kindly volunteered their time to support this annual event.

[theosimeonidis]

That event was not at a restaurant. It was the annual Greek Extravaganza fundraiser for Harbour Hospice, which I organised.

[daniaalbrazi]

Could you advise on the restaurant name pls?