The Pancretan Association of Melbourne is proud to announce the 2018 ΛΑΟΓΡΑΦΙΚΟΣ ΟΜΙΛΟΣ ΤΖΑΝΙΔΑΚΗ Cretan Dance Seminar Tour.

The Pancretan Association continues to invest in educating the wider Greek-Australian community about Cretan culture through dance, music, song, customs and traditions.

Following the successful tours of the folkloric group from Crete, Όμιλος Βρακοφόρων Κρήτης’ (November 2011), the dance instructor Giannis Megalakakis (April 2013) and the group Λαογραφικός Όμιλος ‘Κουρήτες’ (November 2016), the Pancretan Association of Melbourne is proud to announce the 2018 Cretan Dance Seminar Tour of the highly respected Cretan dance teachers/choreographers Christos Tzanidakis and Olga Kostaki from the ‘Λαογραφικος Ομιλος Τζανιδακη’.

This tour aims to provide the youth, in particular the 2nd and 3rd generations, the opportunity to be immersed in 21 days of Cretan culture through dance, music and song.

It is not a prerequisite to be of Cretan background to participate. We encourage all members of the Greek community to get involved, especially the members of other Melbourne based Greek Dance Groups.
Christos and Olga will cover over 20 traditional Cretan dances from various regions of Crete, using a methodology that will be easy to follow by all students at all levels.

PROGRAM

The 21 day program of the tour includes; lessons open to the public, sessions at the Greek schools of Melbourne as well as members only sessions for the Pancretan Association’s dancing groups.

The sessions open to the public will be held on Friday the 11th of May (at the Cretan Village, 90 Cathies Lane, Wantirna South) and on Friday the 18th of May (at The Greek Centre, Lonsdale St, Melbourne).

For those interested in participating, you must register with Ms. Niki Melabiotis on 0402 119 333 or via email at [email protected]

The school sessions are being conducted on various days throughout the tour at the following schools:
St Johns Greek Orthodox College, Alphington Grammar and Oakleigh Grammar. For more information inquire with the respective schools.

The members only sessions for the Pancretan Dancing Groups are closed to the public.
However, if anyone is interested in joining the groups so that they can benefit from any future opportunities, please contact Niki on the details above for more information about beginner classes.

BIOGRAPHY

Christos was born in 1989 in Rethymno, Crete, son of Andreas Tzanidakis from the Village of Eleftherna and Maria Stagakis from the Village of Koumous.

He has completed his studies at the Technical Institute of Crete. Born and bred in a family that honours and respects the Cretan way of life, he continues with great love and passion in the field of music and dance. He teaches dance in a plethora of Villages in the Prefect of Rethymnon to students of all age. He has danced in many groups and performed all over Greece.
In collaboration with friends and other distinguished musicians, he has also established his own traditional band that performs at concerts, weddings, festivals and other community events.

His main aim is to continue the legacy he has been given and to promote, enhance and educate other about Cretan folklore. In 2015 he decided to follow his own path and establish his own Music and Dance School, giving the opportunity to hundreds of children to be taught the Cretan dance and learn all aspects of Cretan culture.

Christos is assisted by his partner Olga Kostaki who was also born in Rethymno, Crete and completed her studies at the University of Crete. As an experienced dancer and established choreographer she continues to teach different groups from all over Rethymnon. She has also completed extensive research in the Cretan history, culture and folklore.