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XpatAthens

Friday, 10 January 2025 10:51

Blues Diffusion Live At Theatre of the No

Prepare for an evening of Authentic Blues as « Blues Diffusion» takes the stage at Theatre of the No on Friday, January 17th at 22.30. Featuring the talents of Dimitris Ioannou, Vangelis Maglaras, Zoi Zioga, and Antonis Panopoulos, this dynamic group brings their passion and expertise together to celebrate the timeless power of the Blues

Vangelis Maglaras (Vocals, Electric Guitar): A powerhouse in Athens' music scene and the creative force behind Blues Diffusion, known for his fiery guitar sound and emotive performances. He is a founding member of Soul Walkers, Strangers, Devotion Band, and Evangelos Maglaras and the Blues Scale.

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Zoi Zioga (Bass): A seasoned musician with vast experience in Rock and Blues music, recognized for her collaborations with top artists such as Vangelis Vekios (founder of Mousikes Taxiarchies), Elelef, Simos Kokavesis, and The Holly Cucumbers, among others

Antonis Panopoulos (Guitar, Vocals): Antonis began as the lead guitarist for Vavouras band and a collaborator with Panousis' Taxiarchies group. After discovering Blues Cargo in 1998, he embraced the Blues, founding bands like Blues 13, Blues Therapy, and Tony Dollar Band. Notable performances include opening for Guitar Shorty at the 2014 Blues Soul Festival in Poreta, Bologna
Dimitris Ioannou (Drums, Vocals, bassist, singer): A founding member of the legendary Blues Cargo, Dimitris is a bassist and vocalist who has been part of the Blues scene since 1987. With a rich history of collaborations particularly with American Blues musicians. Dimitris has now returned to his long-time love: the drums. 



Event Details

Date & Time: Friday, January 17th at 22:30

Tickets: €10

 Note: The theater also offers a bar with affordable prices (Beer: €3, Drinks: €6).

Social Media: Kallia Gerakianaki

Press & Communication: Eleftheria Sakareli

Are you ready for an immersive journey through sound, culture, and storytelling? The Stegi Radio Takeover 2025 is here to transform how we experience radio. Hosted by the Onassis Stegi, this unique event is a celebration of creativity, bringing together diverse voices, groundbreaking music, and innovative audio experiences under one roof.

The Stegi Radio Takeover 2025 is an ambitious project that invites artists, radio producers, and creatives from around the globe to explore the limitless possibilities of audio storytelling. This year’s event promises a dynamic lineup of live radio broadcasts, panel discussions, music sessions, and experimental soundscapes designed to engage, inspire, and challenge your perception of the auditory arts.

Two days, four stages, more than 30 artists from all over the world.

The Main Stage is once again ‘dressed’ as a club that fills with the electro outbursts of Kittin, who comes to Athens after her impressive performance at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris, the impetuous rhythms of the ‘Pope’ of minimal techno Robert Hood, the politicized, insurgent jazz of Irreversible Entanglements, who released their latest album on Impulse, the playful mix of disco, acid, and techno of David Vunk, the unpredictable genre marriage of Crystallmess, the cheeky combination of trap and rebetiko of Black Morris, aka Negros tou Moria, and the uproarious garage psychedelia of Acid Baby Jesus.

Onassis Stegi -1 radiates the intensity and hedonism of an underground club in a metropolitan center where different communities and subcultures meet and mix, with the frenetic beats of De Schuurman, the Mediterranean new club blend of STILL and Deena Abdelwahed, and the Afroglobal energy of Catu Diosis, artist of the Nyege Nyege Tapes label.
The Upper Stage is dedicated to Greek artists, with live performances by the now-acclaimed The Boy, the introverted, idiosyncratic Larry Gus, the up-and-coming cabaret pop singer-songwriter Kristof, and Venus Volcanism, who mixes polyphonic and traditional singing with experimental electronic music. The Upper Stage also includes a performance by Grand River, an Italian cinematic ambient artist.

Meanwhile at Onassis Stegi +3, join us for two hours-long sets by Dimitri Papaioannou, with eclectic ambient selections, and A@H2O>, with dub, calypso, and reggae sounds, as well as a listening session by Invernomuto and a conversation between Yannis-Orestis Papadimitriou and Stoffel Debuysere, as part of the “Ways of Listening” program.

Monday, 24 February 2025 07:07

The Wonder Wanderers Retreat

On March 26-30th 2025, the Land Beyond, in NW Greece, welcomes Tania Teixeira and Elpida Trizi, ICF Certified Life and Leadership Coaches, for a different kind of wonder wander!

An opportunity to slowdown and allow a sense of wonder, increase your capacity to be with the unknown and take risks, reconnect with yourself, each other and nature.

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WHY: To learn how to manage stress and improve your wellbeing. To benefit your creativity when you find yourself stuck. To set the foundations for an authentic life through conscious choices. 

HOW: By giving yourself space and time to cultivate a deeper sense of self-awareness. Through conscious breathing, moving and walking. Through narrative and the stories you carry inside. Through meaningful conversations with other participants in a safe, non-judgmental space. 

WHAT: An invitation and a quest to seek answers in a truly magical environment, at the Vitsa village of Zagori. Four nights / full days to disconnect from multiple screens and your “busy” routine.

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For more info CLICK HERE!


 About Elpida

Elpida Trizi brings to coaching more than 20 years of experience in corporate communication and international relations, of which 10 years abroad. Curiosity, growth mindset and her own self-discovery quest led her to coaching. Her coaching focuses on the whole person, heart and mind, body and soul, through a unique blend of storytelling, wellbeing practices and a compassionate presence. Elpida creates a safe space to explore deep emotions, allowing everyone to express themselves and choose from the heart -not only the head. She loves working with people who find themselves burned out or at a crossroads, inspiring them to create a life they love. Her own life experiences taught her the power of slowing down to awaken new possibilities and aligning who we are with what we do. Passionate about people and their stories across the globe, Elpida believes that connection is at the core of who we are and what we do. We all long to connect with ourselves, another person or group, even with something greater than us. More information about Elpida is available here.

About Tania

Tania Teixeira is a life leadership coach with approximately 20 years’ corporate experience, including public health and international relations. She has a passion for people, for experiencing deeper fulfillment and meaning in life, and the power of connection. Through travel, yoga and mindfulness, she discovered the value of slowing down and breathing, the strength in wandering and wondering, and getting "found" in the midst of something bigger, that lives at the heart of all of us. A believer in the gentleness of allowing and becoming, she loves to work with people seeking to be present in their lives, to embrace themselves fully and lead with intentionality and responsibility. Tania holds that everyone is a leader, and we can awaken to embrace our whole selves, especially the parts cast in shadow, with courageous kindness. She brings this integration to coaching and invites people to live their truest expression in the world with lightness and joy. More information about Tania is available here.


For more info CLICK HERE!


 

A Musical Journey to Brazil

THEATRE OF THE NO, Athens' first English-speaking theatre, presents  “Miranda Verouli Quintet” in their latest musical project, “Brazilian Romance”. Recognized as Greece’s leading ambassador of Brazilian music, Miranda Verouli and her talented ensemble invite audiences on a captivating journey through the vibrant rhythms and enchanting melodies of bossa nova, samba, and tropicalia.

With a repertoire carefully selected from the Brazilian Songbook, the quintet pays tribute to legendary composers such as Antônio Carlos Jobim, Caetano Veloso, Chico Buarque, Gilberto Gil, and Milton Nascimento. Their unique arrangements, infused with the unmistakable Brazilian jazz essence of the group, create an irresistible atmosphere reminiscent of the iconic nightclubs of Rio de Janeiro.



Adding a personal touch to the performance, Miranda Verouli enriches the audience's experience by sharing translated lyrics and stories behind the songs, offering an insightful glimpse into the era and the creative processes of Brazil’s most celebrated musicians.

About Miranda Verouli: A singer/songwriter with a long-standing presence in the Greek jazz and World scene. In 2018, she was honoured by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil with the «Medal of the Knight of the Order of Rio Branco», for her contribution to the promotion of Brazilian music in Greece.



Event Details

Miranda Verouli: voice, George Tsiropoulos: tenor saxophone/guitar

George Tsolis: piano, George Roulos: double bass, George Maniatis: drums

Credits:

Poster Design: Sotiria Bramou

Social Media: Kallia Gerakianaki

PR & Communication: Eleftheria Sakareli

Performance Date

Saturday 11th January at 22.30

Tickets: 10€

Note: The theatre also offers a bar with affordable prices (beer 3€, drinks 6€)

About THEATRE OF THE NO

Αn international performing arts centre, creating a colourful and multicultural hub for internationals and locals in the heart of Athens by curating a unique repertoire of artistic productions and performances in English  including theatre plays, operas, comedy and music concerts.

An Interview with Dr. Paul Cartledge by Dr. Richard Marranca

What makes the Iliad and Odyssey so pivotal to the ancient Greeks, and to world culture in general now?  Why so enthralling?

All human life is there. The Greeks being non-dogmatic polytheists didn’t have an equivalent of the Christian Bible or Islamic Qu’ran. But they recognized in the two monumental epic tales not just as entertaining stories (they contain plenty of those!) but also as sources of ethical instruction. 

Does The Iliad have a lot to do with the anger of Achilles? 

The Iliad’s guiding narrative thread or theme is the anger of the semidivine (his mother was the goddess Thetis, his father a mortal) warrior hero Achilles. Was Achilles justified in feeling so angry with his commanding officer at Troy, angry enough to withdraw from the fighting (and skulk in his tent) thereby endangering the whole operation to recover the stolen Spartan queen Helen of Sparta? Probably not. But he had a good death!

What are some of the lessons of Odysseus’ seemingly endless journey?

And what did the travels and travails of the hero Odysseus, king of a small rocky isle off western Greece, avail – avail either him (he lost all his men on the way back home from Troy) or his readers? What they did was teach the poem’s listeners and later readers what it meant to be Greek (as opposed to a non-Greek ‘barbarian’) and how to behave towards each other, not least in the matters of marriage, hospitality and sexuality. Odysseus is seduced and seduces more than once along the way back – one reason the journey from Troy to Ithaca took him ten whole years was that he ‘dallied’ for seven of them with a goddess called Calypso on her private island! 

What an ending to the Odyssey! It’s triumphalist, ritualistic and very violent. Was it overkill, so to speak? 

The poem’s climax – after Odysseus takes a singularly bloody, surely excessive (see above) revenge on the 108 suitors (who’d been vying to wed his presumed widow Penelope, another Spartan woman) – is his final reunion and reconciliation with his longsuffering, steadfastly loyal wife. And the poet is careful to remind us that Odysseus’s aged father Laertes is still alive and needs looking after – his mother Anticleia had sadly died during the 20 years her son was away from Ithaca; the only reunion he could achieve with her was with her bloodless shade, deep down in the Hades underworld. So the essentially family saga of the Odyssey perfectly complemented the martial derring-do of the Iliad.


Richard Marranca is an author who teaches ancient world, myth, and religion at Montclair State University. He writes for various print and digital publications, and his upcoming book, "Speaking of the Dead: Mummies & Mysteries of Egypt," will be published by Blydyn Square Books. Richard has had the honor of receiving a Fulbright to teach at LMU Munich and spent a semester in Athens during his doctoral studies at New York University. In his career, Richard has had the privilege of interviewing esteemed classicist Paul Cartledge on topics ranging from Alexander the Great to Greek philosophy.

The dawn of a new year often brings with it a flurry of resolutions, but let’s face it: most fail before February rolls around. For businesses, the stakes are higher—half-hearted resolutions can waste resources and miss opportunities. Instead of recycling tired strategies, why not approach this year with a fresh mindset? Here’s how to make your New Year’s resolutions work for your business in a unique and meaningful way.


1. Stop Setting Goals—Start Identifying Problems First

Before you set lofty resolutions, pause and reflect: What problems need solving in your business?

Once you identify problems, your resolutions become solutions. For instance, instead of saying, "Increase customer retention," resolve to "Identify and address bottlenecks in our customer journey." Problem-solving is far more actionable than generic goal-setting.

2. Think in Themes, Not Targets

Traditional resolutions are often rigid and numerical: "Increase revenue by 20%" or "Hire five new employees." Instead, consider adopting themes for the year—broad areas of focus that guide your decisions. For example:
  • Year of Efficiency: Streamline processes and cut unnecessary costs.
  • Year of Connection: Strengthen relationships with clients, partners, and employees.
  • Year of Experimentation: Test bold ideas, new markets, or innovative products.
Themes allow for adaptability and creativity while maintaining strategic focus.

3. Resolutions Are Dead—Experimentation Is In

Why make a single resolution when you can experiment? Choose one aspect of your business, like marketing or customer engagement, and commit to running small, manageable experiments throughout the year.
For instance:
  • Test new social media platforms for engagement.
  • Experiment with remote work policies to improve productivity.
  • Pilot a subscription model for one of your services.
Track what works and scale it up. Think of this as a scientific approach to growth—data-driven and results-oriented.

4. Flip the Script: Resolve What Not to Do

Sometimes, the most effective resolutions are about subtraction, not addition. Ask yourself:
  • What activities or processes are draining resources without delivering results?
  • What meetings could be eliminated?
  • What products or services no longer align with your mission?
Make this the year of strategic pruning. Letting go of inefficiencies frees up time and energy to focus on what truly matters.

5. Put People at the Heart of Resolutions

Resolutions often focus on numbers, systems, or outputs, but the true engine of any business is its people. This year, resolve to invest in them:
  • Create a "personal growth fund" for employees to spend on courses, workshops, or hobbies.
  • Host monthly brainstorming sessions where every team member can pitch ideas.
  • Recognize and celebrate achievements—big or small—regularly.
A motivated, engaged team will help your business thrive far beyond 2025.

6. The 80/20 Approach: Leverage Your Superpowers

The Pareto Principle—80% of results come from 20% of efforts—can revolutionize your resolutions. Instead of trying to fix everything, focus on the few areas where your business already excels and double down.
For example:
  • If word-of-mouth brings in most of your clients, resolve to amplify customer referrals.
  • If your team shines in creativity, invest in innovative campaigns.
  • If a specific product dominates sales, explore complementary offerings.
Play to your strengths, and let them work harder for you.

7. Celebrate Imperfection

Here’s the thing: resolutions aren’t about perfection; they’re about progress. Instead of rigidly sticking to a resolution that’s not working, give yourself permission to adapt. Build a culture where failing fast and learning from mistakes is celebrated.

At the end of the year, success isn’t just about achieving every resolution—it’s about growing, learning, and building a better version of your business.

8. The One-Word Challenge

If all else feels overwhelming, simplify your resolutions into a single, powerful word that encapsulates your business’s focus for the year. Words like "growth," "innovation," or "trust" can serve as guiding principles for every decision you make.
Athens is set to welcome 2025 with a vibrant celebration at Syntagma Square, featuring a blend of music, theater, and innovative displays. The festivities will commence at 10 p.m. on December 31, with a performance by the Athens Philharmonic Orchestra. The main event, titled "Roof of Time," is a time-machine-themed show that will take attendees on a journey through Athens' history from 1945 to the present. This performance is crafted by musician Foivos Delivorias and director Angelos Triantafyllou, with Delivorias serving as the host and performer. He will be joined by artists Natassa Bofiliou, Martha Frintzila, and Thanasis Alevras, who will embody various iconic figures from each era. The show will also feature dancers, soloists, and emerging singers. 

In a first for the city, the night sky will be illuminated by silent fireworks, designed to minimize noise disturbance, particularly for pets and individuals sensitive to loud sounds. Complementing this will be a drone show, adding a modern touch to the traditional celebrations. 

The event is free to the public and will be broadcast live on the City of Athens' official Facebook and YouTube channels, complete with Greek sign language interpretation, ensuring accessibility for all. Following the main performance, a DJ set will keep the energy high as attendees dance their way into the new year. 

As Athens prepares to usher in the new year, these celebrations promise a memorable night filled with culture, entertainment, and community spirit.

Thursday, 19 December 2024 11:42

Unique Christmas Gifts In Athens

Athens, with its rich history and vibrant culture, is the perfect place to find unique Christmas gifts that carry a touch of Greek heritage. From museum shops filled with artistic treasures to local artisan markets, the city offers countless options for thoughtful and original presents. Here are some of the best places to find distinctive Christmas gifts in Athens, along with specific examples to inspire your shopping.


The Acropolis Museum Shop

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The Acropolis Museum Shop is a must-visit destination for unique and sophisticated gifts. This festive season, the shop offers an exclusive range of holiday-themed items, including:
  • Handmade Festive Ornaments: Inspired by ancient Greek motifs and perfect for decorating your Christmas tree.
  • Luxurious Scarves and Ties: Featuring intricate patterns drawn from classical Greek art.
  • Elegant Jewelry Collections: Designs based on museum artifacts, such as ancient coins and pottery patterns.
  • Holiday Gift Boxes: Beautifully packaged sets including books, decorative items, and themed souvenirs. Visit the shop or explore their online collection.
The Museum of Cycladic Art Shop

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Known for its focus on Cycladic, ancient Greek, and Byzantine-inspired designs, the Museum of Cycladic Art Shop offers gifts with a timeless aesthetic. Their festive range includes:
  • Holiday Cards and Stationery: Featuring artistic Cycladic designs.
  • Cycladic-Inspired Decorations: Perfect for adding a touch of Greek art to your home.
  • Premium Gift Sets: Combining ceramics, books, and exclusive Cycladic figurine replicas. Explore their gift collection.
Benaki Museum Shops

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The Benaki Museum’s shops are renowned for their diverse selection, catering to lovers of art, culture, and history. Their festive offerings include:
  • Christmas Ornaments: Inspired by traditional Greek designs and patterns.
  • Artisan Jewelry: Handcrafted pieces reflecting Greek mythology and history.
  • Decorative Items: Such as vases, plates, and figurines with traditional motifs.
Local Artisan Markets

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Athens’ artisan markets, such as those in Monastiraki and Plaka, are brimming with handmade goods that make unique and personal gifts. Popular shops and stalls include:
  • Melissinos Art-The Poet Sandal Maker: Famous for custom leather sandals made to measure.
  • Trabala Studio: Specializing in contemporary hand-painted pottery.
  • Greek Olive Oil Shops: Offering premium extra virgin olive oil in beautifully designed bottles.
  • Handmade Jewelry Stalls: Featuring pieces crafted with semi-precious stones and traditional techniques.
Greek Designer Boutiques

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For a modern twist on Greek aesthetics, Greek designer boutiques in neighborhoods like Kolonaki and Koukaki showcase contemporary takes on traditional designs. Recommended spots include:
  • Zeus+Dione: Known for its high-end fashion and accessories inspired by Greek heritage.
  • Forget Me Not: A boutique offering unique memorabilia and contemporary Greek items.
  • Apivita Experience Store: Combining Greek natural ingredients in luxury skincare gift sets.
Specialty Food Shops

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No list of unique gifts would be complete without mentioning Athens’ specialty food shops. Gourmet treats make for delicious presents, and standout options include:
  • Mastiha Shop: Offering a range of products made from Chios mastiha, from liqueurs to skincare.
  • Heteroclito: A boutique wine shop specializing in curated Greek wine collections perfect for gifting.
  • Ergon House: Featuring artisanal food products like honey, cheeses, and charcuterie.
Make Your Christmas Shopping in Athens Memorable

Athens offers endless possibilities for finding unique and meaningful Christmas gifts. Whether you’re looking for artistic treasures, handcrafted goods, or gourmet delights, the city’s shops and markets have something for everyone. This holiday season, give gifts that tell a story and reflect the rich culture of Greece.
Thursday, 19 December 2024 10:26

Club Monamour X Pharaoh: NYE Party

Mona Athens is excited to invite you to CLUB MONAMOUR’s most anticipated party of the season co-hosted with our friends from Pharaoh Athens.

Inspired by the pulsating energy of Italo-disco and genre-defying beats, this is an exclusive vinyl-only celebration taking over Mona’s Underground Club in Psirri.

Get ready to dance alongside the city’s most intriguing crowd, all set to an eclectic line-up of DJs spinning deep, irresistible grooves until the early hours.

Special Guest of the Night:­ Sicilian DJ and music producer DJ SCM (Maurizio Schirò), based in Berlin, will be exploring sounds that transcend genres, spinning everything from Balearic, Italo-disco, afro-boogie, and early house. Joined by Maik Nait from the Kasseta Records collective – a cornerstone of the Athens scene for over a decade and serial vinyl collector. Warming up the evening, Yiorgos Koutivas (Polyphonia Project) from Avia in Messinia will set the tone with a signature multi-genre set.

We can’t wait to spend this Vinyl Spettacolare NYE with you!

For more information, please CLICK HERE!

THEATRE OF THE NO, Athens' first English speaking  theatre, welcomes guitarist Panos Iliou for a special project that tells the story of Blues and its evolution.

On Friday, December 20th at 22:30, the performance will take us on a journey through the early forms of country blues and early blues, which remain the foundation and source of inspiration for countless musicians around the world.

From Dockery Farms, the birthplace of this musical legacy, Panos Iliou will guide us through a musical journey along the paths of Delta Blues, Piedmont Blues, Bentonia Blues, and Hill Country Blues, exploring the regions that shaped the authentic sound of the blues.

His music is not limited to the Mississippi Delta. The journey continues through Texas Blues, the East Coast, Memphis, and reaches Chicago, where modern "electric" blues was born.


Credits

Social media
: Kallia Gerakianaki

PR & Communication: Eleftheria Sakareli

Date: Friday, December 20th at 22:30

Ticket: €10

Note: The theater also has a bar with affordable prices: beer €2.50, drinks €5




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