Eat and dance at Greek Fest
Sample mouth-watering cuisine and learn about an ancient culture at Greek Fest, Friday to Sunday this week and next at the Greek Community Centre.
This is the 15th year of the annual event, which attracted more than 23,000 visitors last year. They came to sample food and take in performances by more than 25 groups from different cultural backgrounds, including one that had travelled from Greece to perform.
Visitors can tuck in to authentic Greek food, such as arni psito (lamb on the spit), souvlaki, gyros or a vegetarian plate that includes spanakopita and tzatziki. Desserts include baklava, loukoumades, kourambiedes and koulouria.
Diners will be entertained by the Kariatis Folklore Dancers and Zefyos Hellenic Dance Society. But the Elkelam Dance Group, from Athens, takes it one step further, giving free Greek dance lessons as well as performing.
Entertainment will run continuously throughout the day, but is not exclusively Greek. As many as 29 groups, from various ethnic backgrounds, will share the stage.
The event also has an altruistic side, with net proceeds going toward paying for a school-lunch program for some of Victoria's neediest children.
The program is a partnership between the Greek Community Society, which hosts the event, and Saanich Fire Department. Any money left over goes toward other local charities.
Apart from the food and entertainment, people can learn about the history of Greece and Greeks in British Columbia, including Ioannis Focas, the first Greek to visit the province in 1592, at the Heritage Exhibit. The room with historical artifacts is on the west side of the community centre and open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the festival. The public can also take a guided tour of the Greek Orthodox Church to see frescoes and learn of its history.
Admission to the festival and all entertainment is free. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday until Sunday and the same time Sept. 2 to 5, under tents on the grounds of the Greek Community Centre, 4648 Elk Lake Dr. (in front of the Saanich Commonwealth Recreation Centre).
For information, go to greekfest.ca.