The third annual Boulder Greek Festival promises food, dancing and a good time
The third annual Boulder Greek Festival will take place this weekend, Sept. 8, 9 and 10, at the Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Boulder.
According to Greek dance advisor Annette Spero, attendees can expect “a great meal and great entertainment.” Other Colorado cities like Denver and Fort Collins host annual Greek Festivals, but Spero confidently states her parish will host a unique event. In fact, their slogan is “We’re Not Your Typical Greek Festival.”
Not only will the church provide entertainment, live music, and sinfully delicious Greek delicacies, they will also offer a guide to many other Mediterranean cultures.
Father Nicholas Dotson, a priest at the Saint Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church, proudly stated that his parish includes not only Greeks, “but Arabs, Slavs, and Romanians.”
Along with showing off the Orthodox faith, Dotson is excited to eat the variety of offered foods, which include Gyros, Falafels, and homemade deserts. He recommends the Saganaki, a fried cheese platter. There will be quite a selection, and everyone can eat a full meal for under ten dollars.
Spero’s group, The Dancing Zorbas, will perform Greek dances during the weekend, and is no stranger to the stage. The group performs once a month at various Greek functions and for patients at hospitals.
The festival will also feature lectures and Middle Eastern and Romanian dancing.
CU is home to many Greek students and faculty. Jesse Manno, music director for the dance department at CU, will provide his expertise in Greek music and instruments to the public this weekend for the second year in a row.
Manno, a composer, has been a music director for CU since 1991. He is excited to perform outdoors this year and “to sip on strong Greek coffee and wine” to keep him up and running all weekend long.
Greek freshmen Candace Stathis and Tom Gallanis share a common interest in the Greek festival, and both plan on attending.
Gallanis was happy to find that sororities and fraternities weren’t all that Boulder had to offer to Greeks. He is eager to find other Greeks who come from “different places and different families, but who share the same dynamics, morals, and beliefs.”
Gallanis is positive that the good old-fashioned Greek fare will blow dormitory food out of the water. “I’ll probably take a lot of leftovers home with me” he said.
Stathis said she eagerly anticipates the dance performances that will take place. “Greek dancing is my favorite Greek tradition,” Stathis said, “one that I’ve taken part in for over six years.”
So whether you are Greek or just love the food, make it a point to attend this unique festival, which promises great eats, impeccable entertainment and a rich cultural experience.
Friday, Sept. 8 from 5 to 10 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 9 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 10 from 1 to 6 p.m.
Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church is located at 5460 Jay Road. Take Foothills Parkway to Jay Road, then go 1?2 mile east. Parking and admission are free.
