Sydney Greek Jam @ La Boite

From Tekes to Warehouse…

Around the 1920s the disreputable originators of rebetiko (Greek Blues) had sung simple, bittersweet tunes about the restricted world they knew all too well: prison and the “tekes” (slang for hash dens). These locales were also where rebetiko music was most likely to be heard. Songs were banned due to their anti-authoritarian subject matter. Persecution of the disaffected rebetes became the number one priority of the Greek police; rebetiko musicians found themselves constantly in an adversarial position, much like 1920s jazz men or the early gangsta rappers in the US. Police raided the tekes, smashed instruments and arrested rebetes at will.

In today’s context and in a city of lockout laws and over-regulation we turn to warehouses for refuge… of the soul. Join us for an evening of musical hedonism – ala Greco.

Before we open the floor to the jam we have two of Sydney’s leading Greek bands to set the mood.

***LINEUP***

The D Strings

Playing a mix of Rebetika (Greek blues) and contemporary Greek music, The D Strings combine the velvet sounds of classical strings with the edginess of the baglama and bouzouki. Delve into the underground ground sound of 1920’s Greece from the comfort of Marrickville (small province of Greece located 14,000km offshore).

Aegean Quartet

The AQ will present music from the Greek Islands and the coasts of Asia Minor with songs from the Aegean, Ionian, Mediterranean and Black Seas. Transporting you to the Greek Islands, the band will have you feeling elated from dancing hand in hand in a circular motion, feel the salty sea spray from the Aegean sea… or maybe it’s just sweat from the person in front of you?

But wait, there’s more! Sophia Ventouris School of Greek dance will be teaching a few traditional Greek dances on the night.

$15 includes entry and spanakopita.

Drinks will be available by donation.

BYO Instrument!

This jam session has been created to encourage and nurture musicians who are new to these genres, as well as bringing together seasoned professionals, to share and celebrate a mutual passion for Greek music. Even if you're just starting out, come along and join in! Bring your instrument and your enthusiasm.

*Artwork by Athens based artist Kyveli Zoi: http://www.kyvelizoi.com/