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CALIFORNIAN GO!: Greek glendi to take place at Temecula winery

A. Papapostolou — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 09:54:06 +0000

Name: Antony
Item price: news
Location: Temecula

Description:
The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association Chapter 536 of Temecula and the Daughters of Penelope in the Temecula Valley will host their annual celebration from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at Mount Palomar Winery.
Called a “glendi,” the event is first and foremost a celebration, and the Greek-American groups are inviting the community to join them.
The menu will be prepared by Mount Palomar executive chef John Housotter, and will be accompanied by plenty of wines and Greek desserts. There will be coffee readings, international music performances and, of course, dancing.
AHEPA 536 will be honoring George Koulaxes with the Homer Award, an appreciation of the education of the people. Koulaxes is the founder of the Hellenic Cultural Society in San Diego.
All money raised by the event will go toward the groups’ philanthropic efforts, including scholarships and financial aid.
Mount Palomar Winery is at 33820 Rancho California Road, Temecula. Tickets are $28 for adults and $15 for children 12 and younger. Tickets are $35 on the day of the event.
Call 951-837-7199.

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Raw Talent Drives This Actress to the Red Carpet

Anastasios Papapostolou — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:09:22 +0000

Name: Nick Christophers
Item price: Profile
Location: Los Angeles

Description:
In Ancient Greece the art of acting was cultivated and respected among the people who always took it to another level. From the famous Amphitheatre to the halls of Kings the raw talent that was displayed was awe inspiring. That same element lives in the hearts of select actor and actress’ vying for an opportunity to perform. But there are few who have managed to retain that same spirit in their work.

We know of actors like Robert DiNero, Al Pacino, Harvey Keitel and Liz Taylor who were and are masters of improvisation and method acting. But they are classic idols of their time as others try to imitate them the best they can. Yet there are others that not only study them but then develop their own persona. One such fan of these dynamic actors did just that.

Despina Mirou was raised in Thrace, Greece and at an early age knew that bigger things lay ahead of her. She always carried a strong drive to accomplish whatever was placed before her. Through grammar school and into College she took part in theatrical productions. Yet acting was not what she was planning on studying but medicine. Most of her family was in the medical field hence her choice to follow the same road.

Her direction in life would soon change when her friend John Bezos suggested she attend a dramatic school. After that she realized that the field of acting was where she fit.

“I feel that the acting bug picked me not vice versa.”

Despina was always impressed with the comedic actors that graced her television growing up. Actors like Kostas Hadjichristos, Thanasis Vengos and Aliki Vougiouklaki. But she was also enamored with the American stars like Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, Liz Taylor, Lucille Ball and Shirley Mclaine. As Despina took her steps to accomplish her acting goals she never believed in mimicking her idols.

Instead Despina chose to be unique and develop the theory of method acting to serve her purposes. Because of her obvious passion one of her professors compared her to he female version of “Zorba the Greek”. Her first role on the stage was in 2000 with the “Youth Troupe” at the Vretania Theatre in the play “The Little Man” from there she would venture into television. The Mega Channel aired the show “Ten Minutes’ Preaching” in 2001 and Despina had her first taste of television.

Despina would forge ahead to complete ten theatrical productions, eighteen films and nineteen TV programs. Her resume reads like an encyclopedia of major accomplishments. Yet she never stops until she makes her mark in the industry.

“I believe that in this business you need to be always active and never show that you’re lax in anyway.”

Her first full-length film was in 2000 entitled “Signs and Wonders” directed by J. Nociter but her most memorable full – length film was “The Cat’s Meow” (2001). The reason for this was that she had the rare opportunity to work with stellar director Peter Bogdanovich.

“It was an experience I will never forget. The film did well and what I learned from Mr. Bogdanovich is priceless. It was my first American production.”

But as time progressed she was up for a role in the film “Flight of the Swan” directed by N. Tzimas. In this particular film she was to play a mother who basically has lost everything dear in her life. The director did not think she can ace it since Despina was known as a comedic actress. But this did not sway her. To prove to the director she was fit for the role she did the unthinkable.

“I went home and filled by body with mud and wore my mother’s old clothes and ripped them. I then went to his office and fell to his feet and began to cry that I lost my children. At that point he automatically offered me the role.”

She would then move on to appear in the award winning film “Emma Blue” directed by B. Maclean in 2010. This film would not only propel her career but would find her on the red carpet at the famous Cannes Film Festival. In this film even though it was a comedy she played a serious role and did it well. Through 2003-2006 she presented and hosted many major events like the “1st Cyprus International Film Festival.”

Currently, she is on her way to Los Angels to audition for a film with Olympia Dukakis. Her passion for film and acting is without boundaries and Despina will stop at nothing to accomplish them. The raw talent she possesses has proven to be a driving force rarely seen in the film industry. Despina Mirou is a name that soon will be more than just a name.

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“The Promise of Tomorrow 1940-1960″ screens in Pasadena

A. Papapostolou — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 00:21:12 +0000

Name: Shelly Papadopoulos
Item price: Announcement
Location: Los Angeles, CA

Description:
The Greek Heritage Society of Southern California will be screening part 2 of its award-winning documentary, “The Promise of Tomorrow 1940-1960″:

Sunday, March 20, 2011
4:00 p.m.
Pasadena City College: The ForumUU Bldg. on Campus map.
Parking: Lot 7 at Bonnie Avenue (off Colorado Blvd.) or Lot 5. $2.00 (Staff Parking) Must obtain permit from machines in lots.

Adults: $15
Children: $7.50

Proceeds benefit the St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church Building Fund and the Greek Heritage Society of Southern California

For more info:
greekheritage@hotmail.com
(310) 528-8214
(818) 386-1942

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Greek Heritage Society May Day Celebration

Anastasios Papapostolou — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:09:02 +0000

Name: Shelly Papadopoulos
Item price: Announcement
Location: Los Angeles, CA

Description:
The Greek Heritage Society of Southern California will be celebrating its 25th anniversary with a May Day (Prwto Maiatiko) Celebration:

Sunday, May 1, 2011
5:00 P.M.
St Nicholas Church
9501 Balboa Boulevard
Northridge, California

Buffet Dinner
Dancing
Laxeio

For more info, contact:
greekheritage@hotmail.com
(310) 528-8214

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Hollywood based actor/writer Peter Papageorgiou launches wacky Web Series “Toothpicks”

A. Papapostolou — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 12:26:37 +0000

Name: Elias Clarkman
Item price: Announcement
Location: Hollywood, CA

Description:
Greek-American Actor/Writer Peter Papageorgiou launches a wacky web series called “Toothpicks” on youtube.

Peter says it’s a combination of Monty Python and 24. That’s enough to stir anyone’s interest.

It’s a 4 part web series that takes place at the Thames Toothpick Factory in England.

It stars Catherine Natale, Eden Young, Alex Stocks, Lauren Stocks and Tom Powers.

It is wriitten & Produced by Peter Papageorgiou.

Directed by: Leo Ryan

Below is the link for all to view.

Interested industry can call
Peter at 818-377-05073

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Savalas Legend Continues at Palm Desert Greek Fest-2011

A. Papapostolou — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 06:28:04 +0000

Name: Ana Storton – Media/Publicity Chairman
Item price: Announcement
Location: Palm Desert, Ca

Description:
The Greeks of the Desert are throwing an anniversary Party! March 4-5-6, 2011. Dancing, Cooking lamb, drinking Ouzo & shouting OPA! Come “SPEND A WEEKEND IN GREECE” at the 15th Annual, Palm Desert Greek Fest. Sponsored by the St George Church at 74-109 Larrea Street.

“This year will be a great celebration with Guest Celebrity, Ariana Savalas leading the party”, said Event Chairman, Niko Krespis. “We are very excited & privileged to have Ariana embracing our Festival. Her late father, Greek American actor Telly Savalas had deep connections to the desert and maintained two residences here.”

“His beautiful & talented daughter, Ariana comes to the PD Greek Festival live from Athens, Greece where she will be performing on Simon Cowell’s newest Hit Show, the X-Factor. Ariana is releasing her 1st American CD and will be performing songs for us, in both Greek & English at the 15th Anniversary, Palm Desert Greek Fest in honor of her Greek heritage and tribute to her father ” says, Krespis.

Also, new this year is a Friday evening “Taverna Night” teaser with a limited menu and drinks to get things started. Then on to the traditional Saturday & Sunday 11am -9pm full Festival with Live Greek Music, Traditional Folk Dancers, Authentic homemade Foods, mouth watering Pastries, Greek Beer & Wine, Exotic International Vendors, Church tours, Byzantine Iconography & a Kids Zone. See Website www.palmdesertgreekfest.org for full details or look us up on Face Book. Come, “SPEND A WEEKEND IN GREECE!” OPA!

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LATE BLOOMERS TV PILOT – READY TO TAKE HOLLYWOOD BY STORM.

Anastasios Papapostolou — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 23:34:15 +0000

Name: Peter Papageorgiou
Item price: Announcement
Location: Hollywood, CA

Description:
LATE BLOOMERS TV PILOT – READY TO TAKE HOLLYWOOD BY STORM.

Written by: Annie Blanco

Peter Papageorgiou is not one to sit in the sun and wait for the phone to ring. Peter a Los Angeles based actor/writer assembled a cast and crew recently and completed his TV pilot called “ Late Bloomers”.

The pilot is about four New York high school friends who just became forty years old. They packed their bags and moved to Los Angeles to finally peruse their dreams. Now there living there life on their terms. The series asks “Is it too late for a forty year old man to peruse their dreams?

Peter says it’s a key demographic that hit home for him in his own life. Universal in theme although it hits home for many men’s minds.

The pilot stars Peter Papageorgiou, Alex Paez, Robert DiTillio and Randall Wulff. Special Guest Star is Shelly Desai who has a recurring role in the new TNT series “Men of A Certain Age” which stars Ray Romano. Papageorgiou says working with Shelly was a blast and has added so much to the role of the restaurant owner Kahn- a displaced New Yorker who goes off one second and is the nicest guy the next. It’s where the guys hang out and a father figure to the guys.

The pilot also touches on Pop Culture we all grew up on. Expect the unexpected Papageorgiou says in this pilot. “Late Bloomers,” When growing up can take a Lifetime”.

Accompanying the Late Bloomers TV Pilot is a painstaking industry show bible, which details future episodes, story arcs and the potential financial gold mine of the pilot as a long-term series.

Papageorgiou says the TV Show Bible shows the TV industry executives that not only does it have legs but also it has tentacles!

For more information please visit Latebloomerstvseries.com

Or contact: LateBloomersTVSeries@gmail.com 818-377-5073

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The Band BARB WIRE DOLLS from Greece Performs at the Roxy Theater in Los Angeles

Anastasios Papapostolou — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 05:53:11 +0000

Name: Greg Morgan
Item price: news, announcement, history in the making
Location: Venice, Los Angeles California

Description:
*** Barb Wire Dolls will be the first rock band in history from Greece to play the USA on Saturday, December 18th. Showtime is at 9:30pm (30 min show) at The Roxy Theatre located at 9009 W. Sunset Boulevard on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood. Free CD upon entrance. Tickets for the All Ages show are $12. Also on the bill are New Kingdom, Darren Criss of GLEE, MyTMos, Avalon West

*** Barb Wire Dolls are getting non-stop radio airplay on the biggest alternative rock station in the country, the World Famous KROQ of Los Angeles. Rodney Bingenheimer, the legendary DJ who’s credited in the US for first playing and breaking The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, The Clash, Blondie, X, Nirvana, The Offspring, Oasis, No Doubt, Coldplay, and The Strokes (to mention but a few), discovered the Greek band by word of mouth a few weeks prior to their arrival and was the first to start spinning their demo on his iconoclastic “Rodney On The Roq” radio show, saying that their song “California” is a “hit”.

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After Easter Party in Los Angeles

Anastasios Papapostolou — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 00:18:36 +0000

Name: Nick
Item price: Glendi
Location: Los Angeles

Description:
Join us for a fantastic post-Easter Celebration with Great Food, Music, and Dancing.
Admission includes a full Greek Buffet with many various Appetizers, Lamb, Gyro, Moussaka, and much much more.

Wilson Harding Golf Course Clubhouse (in Griffith Park) 4730 Crystal Spring Road
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Sunday April 11,2010
Time: 6PM
Cost:$25.00

All Proceeds to benefit the Hellenic Society of Constantinople.

For more information and to make reservations please call Nick Begakis 213-392-3316

or Allen 310.497.6078

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Fest serves up plenty of ‘Opa!’

aanastasios.tv — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:39:16 +0000

Name: Apostolos
Item price: news
Location: Palm Springs, CA

Description:
As the 14th annual Palm Desert Greek Festival approaches, event organizers have a special message for everyone: Na spasoume piata!

If it sounds like Greek to you, it is.
Pronounced “nah spa-su-may pee-ata,” the literal translation is: “Let’s go break some plates.”
The meaning behind expression? It’s time to party Greek style. The public is invited to do that Saturday and Sunday at St. George Greek Orthodox Church.

Festival goers will again enjoy Greek appetizers, entrees and desserts, Greek music and dance.

Vendors will feature paintings of Greece and Greek grocery items and coffees.

Front and center, of course, will be the Greek language.

Food menus are peppered with Greek words.

Before you let intimidation set in, here are a few words and phrases, compliments of St George parishioners , you might have fun with. Some of the spellings are phonetic, church members said.

‘Yassou,” (ya-sue), “Literally it means health to you,” said the Rev. Theodore Pantels. But you use it to say hello, he said.

As “food coma” sets in, Pantels suggested remembering “Kimateh meh ta rhouha tou” (kim-a-te may ta ru-ha to), which translates literally to: “He’s asleep with his clothes on,” Pantels said.

“It means that person is out of it,” Pantels said.

For the parents in attendance, church members offered, “tha fas xilo” (fas silo).

Often a warning to children, the literal translation: “You’re going to eat wood.”

This one might be self-explanatory.

“My parents used to say that to me,” Pantels said. “I never knew what it meant until I learned Greek.”

As for the menus, no need to worry, said kitchen organizers.“We see people come up, and if they are trying to pronounce something, we’ll help them say it,” said Tina Veroulis kitchen volunteer coordinator.Just know that if it has “pita” at the end of it such as spanakopita and tyropita, it’s a type of pie, she said.The filo dessert thiples means to fold, and saganaki, as in the flaming cheese sold during the festival, means “in a pan.”“It’s really not that hard to figure out,” Veroulis said. “If they get stuck, just ask.”

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