Vicky Moscholiou

Vicky Moscholiou was born during the German Occupation of Greece, a time of hardship and privation. Her family lived in one room. Her father worked in the vegetable market, and her mother suffered from consumption and received a small allowance. They managed to scrape together the money for a plot of land in Upper Agia Varvara and build a home there. Two more children followed, a brother and sister.

Agia Varvara then, and especially where we lived, was empty. A few houses, endless fields, and quite a few gypsies with their bears and their songs. There was great poverty but I liked it there. I’d wander around barefoot all day, run, play with the other children, fall, hurt myself, get up and do the same all over again. There was however civility and compassion, a feeling for others which I think has slowly vanished with the years.^[1]

Her grandfather and grandmother worked at the National Theatre of Greece. He did the lighting, she the costumes. Vicky would go with her grandfather and watch the shows. She dreamed of being an actress, but ended up a singer.
Her first break came in 1962 through the intervention of her cousin Effie Linda. Grigoris Bithikotsis remembers how she came to him and asked him to audition Vicky when he was rehearsing for a season at Vasilis Cheilas’ club Triana. They arranged a time but Bithikotsis arrived late and nearly missed her.

You know, if I’d been stopped by traffic lights that afternoon, Vicky Moscholiou might not have become a singer. Listen then: I go through a red light, arrive outside Triana, park my car and see a girl and a woman leaving. Afterwards I learnt it was her mother. The young girl recognised me. “Mr Bithikotsis, I’m Vasiliki, Vicky Moscholiou, about whom my cousin told you. Mr Kostas Papadopoulos and the musicians in the band listened to me and they told me I wouldn’t do.” “Come inside,” I said to her, “so that I can listen to you as well.” So we went inside again, and she and her mother sat down. As soon as I approached the stage Kostas Papadopoulos said to me, “The girl sings out of tune…” “Let me hear her as well,” I said. She sang two songs—I forget which—and I realised that her voice was different... ^*wikipedia*

Earthquake rattles Los Angeles - <--- click for article

A small earthquake hit Los Angeles, California early Tuesday Morning. No reports of any damage. The quake was reported ranging in the 4.4 magnitude range and the epicenter was 11 miles east-southeast of the Los Angeles Civic Center.

The quake awakened some residents, but was otherwise, not a major event. It was exactly one week ago, that Hawaii sustained an earthquake that was nearly identical in size and scope of the Los Angeles Earthquake. 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike_s_etc/434247098/

MyGreekSpirit is a PISCES with LEO MOON and VIRGO RISING ;-)

Sir Frank Dicksee painting titled Passion

Zeibekiko

 
Zeibekiko (or Zeybekiko, Greek: Ζεϊμπέκικο) is considered an urban improvisational dance^[1] from Greece with a rhythmic pattern of 9/4^[2] or else 9/8^[3] (broken down as 1/8 + 1/16 + 1/16 + 1/8 + 1/8 + 1/8 + 1/16 + 1/16 + 1/8 + 1/8 + 1/8). The dance originated from the Zeybek warriors of Anatolia and was partly introduced in Greece after the 1923 population exchanges following the Treaty of Lausanne.^[4] Subsequently, the dance became naturalized in Greece and is now re-introduced in Turkey as a Greek dance.^[4] It has been suggested that the well-known Greek rebetiko composer and singer Markos Vamvakaris from the island of Syros played an important role in shaping and popularizing this type of music and dance.^[5] Zeibekiko is common in Greece and areas around the world with large Greek populations. Throughout history it has been known as an intensely personal dance where people can express their individuality. Only one man at a time may dance it. If another got up, it would be a cause for conflict and possible violence. However, in the 21st century a certain dance etiquette has evolved, seeing men either wait until the dancing man stops and then begin dancing, or standing up so the dancer gives them his place. In contemporary society, women may dance also the Zeibekiko. Traditionally, applause was not sought nor commonly given, out of respect. This did not, however, lessen creativity, with dancers performing feats such as standing on a glass of wine or a chair or fireplace, or picking up a table, adding a sense of little braggadocio and humor. Zeibekiko songs are popular and vast - some of the more traditional Zeibekiko songs are To Zeimpekiko Ths Eudokias. *wikipedia*

Ploutarhos Live with Greek Dancers

Ploutarhos singing Poulopoulos famous song

Oniropagida - Dreamcatcher

http://www.steki.gr/video.php?user=28018&video_id=11443

DJ Ntoberman Spania Laika

DJ Ntoberman

Orientalist Artists

Frederick Arthur Bridgman 
(November 10, 1847 - 1928) was an American artist, born in Tuskegee, Alabama.
An American Southerner, born in Tuskeegee, Alabama, the son of a physician, Bridgman would become one of the United States' most well-known and well-regarded painters and become known as one of the world's most talented "Orientalist" painters. He began as a draughtsman in New York City, for the American Bank Note Company in 1864-1865, and studied art in the same years at the Brooklyn Art Association and at the National Academy of Design; but he went to Paris in 1866 and became a pupil of Jean-Leon Gerome. Paris then became his headquarters. A trip to Egypt in 1873-1874 resulted in pictures of the East that attracted immediate attention, and his large and important composition, The Funeral Procession of a Mummy on the Nile, in the Paris Salon (1877), bought by James Gordon Bennett, brought him the Cross of the Legion of Honor. Other paintings by him were An American Circus in Normandy, Procession of the Bull Apis (now in the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.), and a Rumanian Lady (in the Temple collection, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania).

 Odalisque by Leon Francois Comerre A reclined odalisque waiting for her sheik by the French painter Léon-François Comerre (1850-1916). An odalisque was a female slave in an Ottoman seraglio. She was an assistant or apprentice to the concubines and wives, and she might rise in status to become one of them. Most odalisques were part of the Imperial Harem, that is, the household, of the sultan. An odalisque was not a concubine of the harem, but it was possible that she could become one. Odalisques were ranked at the bottom of the social stratification of a harem, serving not the sultan, but rather, his concubines and wives as personal chambermaids. Odalisques were usually slaves given as gifts to the sultan. Comerre paintings were all about lighthearted sensuality. His breathtaking pictures, painted in a lucid and glowing style, had an extraordinary way of revealing an air of frivolity coupled with deliberate eroticism. He had an affinity with nature, especially its dramatic and ethereal aspects. Primeval intensity, blithe elegance, and an ethereal atmosphere characterize his opulent painting style. Léon Francois Comerre was born in Trélon, France and lived in Paris and London. At 17, Comerre went to Paris to study under French artist, Alexander Cabanel who influenced him to paint orientalist themes. He also studied at the French Academy under Lille.

http://theorientalistgallery.blogspot.com

Giorgos alkaios to represent Greece in Eurovision 2010

Giorgos Alkaios (Greek: Γιώργος Αλκαίος; born 24 December 1971) is a Greek pop musician. His career started in 1989 when he appeared on a Greek reality show. After a short period of stage acting, Alkaios dedicated himself to music. His first single, "Ti Ti," made him highly popular in Greece. He is known for his distinctive style combining Greek and Oriental elements with modern pop music. To date he has had 5 platinum albums and 9 gold albums.^[1]

Dancing by the moonlight

Good bye Giagia, rest in peace, Sagapo

Thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new. I thought about you yesterday, and days before that, too. I think of you in silence, I often speak your name. All I have are memories and a picture in a frame. Your memory is a keepsake, with which I'll never part. God has you in His keeping, I have you in my heart.

Old Church down under serves Greek Meze

Melbourne Australia, 
introduces its newest Greek Restaurant, Helios

One of the unique characteristics of Hellenic cuisine is it’s large variety of appetizers, also know as Mezedes. Here at Helios you will notice we offer a unique selection of Mezedes – giving you the opportunity to in effect “create your own meal”. Quite often a Greek meal begins and ends entirely with mezedes. The choices are almost endless, so deciding what to order can be difficult.Certain rules surround the ritual of drinking and eating of mezedes. Here are a few of the rules:     

Mezedes are piled high on a singular or communal platter with bread on the side. The food is picked up with your fingers, wooden toothpicks or forks, and placed directly in the mouth.
Several types of mezedes should be served - variety and quality is far more important than quantity!! Above all else wine should be sipped slowly and the food eaten at a leisurely pace to fully enjoy the truly Greek gastronomic experience of mezedes.

Ivi adamou, Heleni Paparizou, Elli Kokkinou

Ivi Adamou (Greek: Ήβη Αδάμου (born in Ayia Napa, Famagusta, Cyprus on 24 November 1993) is a Greek Cypriot singer. She is the second child of Adamos and Marianna Adamou. She has two sisters named Despina and Kleopatra. Ivi is currently a student in Paralimni Lyceum.
In 2009-2010, she took part in the second series of the Greek version of "The X Factor" ending in the 6th place. As a result of her participation in the X Factor, Ivi Adamou has became a Greek teen symbol due to her charismatic voice and style. Ivi's fans are well-known for their fanatic support. Ivi's voice has been described as current and addictive. She can sing from hard ballads to hard pop sounds and lists Beyonce as her biggest influence as well as Christina Aguilera and Whitney Houston. *wikipedia*


 

Ivi Adamou, Helena Paparizou, Elli Kokkinou

Creative expression

 

Collage is a supremely simple process. Paper, scissors, glue - one color, object, or shape invites the next. Its expression arises from whatever material happens to be at hand, and because we cannot know which picture will adopt which other, or where the constellation of imagery will finally settle, it circumvents the influence of our own limited preconceptions. As the great paste-up artist Jess once noted, we wait “for the piece itself to tell [us] where it belongs.”

As each juxtaposition suggests another, we begin riding a wave of spontaneous association. Multiple meanings and interrelationships arise, in collaboration with the makers of the original component images, and so consensus reality gets rearranged and refreshed. Harmony emerges from the chaos of random elements, simply by following the dictates of the moment, the pleasure of the eye in free-flowing attention.

Aussie and Astrology

The purpose of Astrology Australia is to promote the study and professional practise of astrology in this country and beyond. To do that we have incorporated real working astrologers, among the finest under the stars of the Southern Cross. Many of our contributors already have an established international presence, and others will be new to you. All have a wish to share their love of this great and venerated study of human potential. So please drink of our cup.

You are loved all is well - Abraham Hicks

Lola hosts Greek Idol

zSHARE video - Karma - 63.avi.flv

zSHARE video - Karma - 63.avi.flv

Watch the recent episodes of Karma  on Ant1

Antenna, better known as ANT1, is a popular television network airing in Greece and Cyprus. It is pronounced "Ant-énna" because of the Greek word for "Antenna" (Αντέννα) meaning aerial and "ena" (ένα) for the number 1. It launched on 31 December 1989, the same year as rival Mega Channel and is owned by ANT1 Group. ANT1 has been the most popular network in Greece for years with its line up of hit series including popular dramas Lampsi and Kalimera Zoi. Recently however, MEGA has overtaken ANT1 as the most popular network. Programming consists of comedies, dramas, news, current affairs programs, gameshows and entertainment shows.

 Current News from the Media and TV

medianiouz.blogspot.com

Enchanted World

Intuition is your inner vision—let it guide you. Become aware, pay attention, listen—develop a psychic sense of your and your partner’s true feelings. Validate each other’s intuition. By observing our reactions to the messages offered to us by our intuition, we come to better understand our desires, our goals, and their motivations. We come to see what blocks us, what releases us out of our false selves, and what helps us to meet the challenge of our personal vision and myth.

Kahlil Gibran - The Prophet

Music is the language of spirits. Its melody is like the folicsome breeze that makes the strings quiver with love. When the gentle fingers of Music knock at the door of our feelings, they awaken memories that have long lain hidden in the depths of the Past.  The sad strains of Music being us mournful recollections; and her quiet strains bring us joyful memories. The sound of strings makes us weep at the departure of a dear one, or makes us smile at the peace God has bestowed upon us. The soul of Music is of the Spirit, and her mind is of the Heart

.

Khalil Gibran (born Gibran Khalil Gibran^[1] bin Mikhā'īl bin Sa'ad; Arabic جبران خليل جبران بن ميکائيل بن سعد, January 6, 1883 – April 10, 1931)
http://leb.net/~mira/
also known as Kahlil Gibran^[2], was a Lebanese American artist, poet, and writer. Born in the town of Bsharri in modern-day Lebanon (then part of the Ottoman Mount Lebanon mutasarrifate), as a young man he emigrated with his family to the United States where he studied art and began his literary career. He is chiefly known for his 1923 book The Prophet, a series of philosophical essays written in English prose. An early example of Inspirational fiction, the book sold well despite a cool critical reception, and became extremely popular in the 1960s counterculture.^[3] Gibran is considered to be the third most widely read poet, behind Shakespeare and Lao-Tzu, in history. ^{[4]  *Wikipedia*}

Our Prayers go out to the victims of the chile 8.8 earthquake

Vancouver says goodbye to the world !!!! Well done Canada !!!

Dr.George pararas report on tsunamis

My name is George Pararas-Carayannis. My Disaster Pages provide a wealth of educational and scientific information regarding recent and historical, global and regional destructive tsunamis, devastating earthquakes, deadly volcanic eruptions (like Krakatoa), killer hurricanes and hurricane surges and man-made disasters. To complete these comprehensive Disaster Pages, I have added the additional major categories of Climate Change, Ocean Governance, Ocean Sustainability, and Disaster Archaeology. To facilitate review and searches of certain topics, I have included on the left top corner of each page, a Navigation Guide that links to a General Site Map with specific portals to numerous other of my pages. Furthermore, I am continuously adding new material and improving on the formatting of the older pages to make them more user-friendly. I have tried to separate the informational and educational sections of this website from the more technical, scientific reports. This website has been prepared for public information, as a community service, and in support of other Internet sites dealing with the same subjects.

CANADA BREAKS RECORD FOR GOLD MEDAL WIN IN HOCKEY !!!

VANCOUVER -- Canada captured its long-awaited gold medal and Roberto Luongo captured his long-awaited place in Olympic hockey history Sunday.

The win also secured Canada's record as the nation with the most gold medals ever during an Olympic Games. Sidney Crosby ended the overtime suspense when he took a pass from Jarome Iginla and whipped a wrist shot between the pads of goaltender Ryan Miller at 7:40 of the extra session for a dramatic 3-2 victory over the U.S. at Canada Hockey Place. The overtime was forced when Zach Parise scored with 24. 4 seconds remaining in regulation time and set the stage for four-on-four overtime.