Translation into English

"Historical" was the concert on July 5th at Melbourne Town Hall, with the all female rebetiko group 'San Mayemennes' who graced our shores from Athens specifically for this concert, invited by Multicultural Arts Victoria. (here should also include and ShivanaMusic of whom without the latter, the concert would not have been made possible, being the brainchild of Anthea Sidiropoulos)

We say 'historical' because it was the first time an all female group has performed rebetika (greek urban blues) in Australia!

Over 1000 people of all ages gathered to applaud the girls who gave their all to keep the crowd entertained with their fabulous voices and challenging repertoire.

Performing with them was singer Anthea Sidiropoulos and bouzouki/lute player Irini Vela (from HaBiBi and Melbourne Workers Theatre fame).

San Mayemennes are: Christella Demetriou (bouzouki), Eleftheria Kourlia (guitar), Claudia Rossini (violin) and Sofia Moulakaki (accordion).

Their presentation was enthusiastically received not only because of the tragic songs tributed to the women of rebetika, but also for the unknown musical pieces, as well as the well known ones, and the huge women voices that were so wonderfully performed, like Marika Ninou, Sotiria Bellou, Rita Abartzi and others. They also included repertoire from male rebettes namely, Panagiotis Tountas, Stelios Kiromitis, Markos Vamvakaris and others, who raise similar themes to those of the women of rebetika.

In conclusion such collaboration of local artists and those of Greece, reflect great support and interest from the cultural communities of Melbourne.