Weekly supplement by Insider Publications • insider-publications.com • facebook.com/insiderpublications • No 92 • Friday, January 15, 2016 EXHIBITION ELLES
MUSIC TERRY FRANCIS @ BLEND
Women step out from the shadows at Elles, a tribute to 67 female artists from 1950 onwards, with 400 works covering major historical events and socio-political revolutions shaping modern art history. See Elles at Frissiras Museum, 7 Monis Asteriou, Plaka, until June 30, 210.323.4678 or frissirasmuseum.com
All hail British DJ royalty, Terry Francis, a pioneer of the London Tech House scene and resident at super-club Fabric since the late 90s. Francis works his legendary magic in Athens on January 16 at Blend and Steam Club, Eyrymedontos 3, Kerameikos, 210.341.2120 or blendathens.com.
BE A JANUARY BATHING BELLE
Still feeling the effects of the holidays? Insider recommends 3 terrific bathing locales where you can wash away your winter cobwebs and seasonal sins in reviving thermal waters:
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Half-Day Fix Dive into Vouliagmeni Limni Stunning Vouliagmeni Lake, 25km from the city-centre, is one of the Athenian Riviera’s richest year-round treasures, with its high water temperatures of between 22-29
Puccini’s popular “Madama Butterfly,” inspired by American writer John Luther Long’s novella about his sister’s recollections of life in Japan with her missionary husband, is revived at the Megaron Concert Hall, Vass. Sofias and Kokkali, megaron.gr, from January 17-27, directed by Nikos Petropoulos. Tickets range from €20-70.
degrees. What could be more invigorating then a mid-winter swim? Especially as you won’t have to share sun-lounger space with the masses. The healing properties of the natural springs which supply the lake are the result of the water’s high concentration in salts and minerals (in particular, potassium, sodium, lithium, ammonium, calcium, iron, chlorine and iodine). The springs are said to help relieve muscular afflictions, promote post-traumatic rehabilitation, and alleviate gynaecological, and dermatological diseases. While you’re busy rejuvenating, the lake’s small indigenous fish called Garra Rufa (Spa Fish) will be harder at work relieving your skin of its dead cells and offering you a relaxing massage at the same time. So take the plunge this month and enjoy the many therapeutic powers of Vouliagmeni Limni. Winter entry price is €9 during the week and €10 on weekends. Vouliagmeni Lake, Vouliagmeni, 16671, 210.896.2237 or www.limnivouliagmenis.gr
The Weekend Fix Thermae Sylla Spa & Wellness Located by the scenic coast of Edipsos, two hours from Athens, is the lush oasis of Thermae Sylla, one of the top-10 ranked thermal spas in the world (as voted by travel bible Conde Nast Traveller magazine), featuring a 5-star hotel, 2 gourmet restaurants and 2 heavenly thermal-water pools. Long-known as a glamorous, decadent, people-watching outpost, especially in the hedonistic ‘60s, the hotel now offers modern treatment packages based on ancient bathing rituals, making it an authentic balneolaspotherapy centre. The mineral springs of Edipsos have been famous for their healing properties since the 4th century B.C Aristotle, Strabo, and Plutarch all made reference to the springs which emerge naturally from the ground at an already hot temperature of 80-85 degrees Celsius, carrying with them traces of radon – a powerful therapeutic mineral with healing properties. Take advantage of reduced January rates with a restorative weekend stay at the Spa Hotel and select from a tempting menu of rejuvenating treatments for men and women: such as thermal water hydrotherapy to improve blood circulation and combat aches and pains, mud therapy, inhalation therapy, massage and reflexology. Prices for a weekend stay in January start from about €150 a night. Thermae Sylla Spa & Wellness Hotel, Posidonos 2, Edipsos, Evia, 34300. Tel: 222.606.0100,or visit www.thermaesylla.gr
20 sure signs
BONES 5
you’ve become Greek.
Whether you’ve been here for 6 months or 6 years, Greece – and all her crazy, glorious habits – just has a way of getting under your skin. How much of a local have you become? 1.You’ve started saying “open” the light, instead of “turn on” the light; 2.You clap when the aeroplane you are flying on lands; 3.You’ve invested in your own laiki trolley; 4.You now know 5 Marias, 4 Elenis and 7 Yiorgos (and have memorized when each of their name days are); 5. You fight over who pays the taverna bill; 6. Not only do you know all the words to at least one song by Sakis Rouvas or Giannis Ploutarhos, you’re also down with all the latest goss on their private lives; 7.You buy out the whole supermarket when it’s about to close for 24 hours; 8.You know how to work a “komboloi”; 9. Fish restaurants used to confuse you, but now you argue with the waiter over which is the best fish; 10. You have mastered the art of reverse parking while holding a frappe; 11. Speaking of frappe, you now make one before leaving home, when arriving at the office, after lunch, when having guests, after the guests leave and before going to bed. 12.When someone spits on you, you don’t take offence; it’s just part of the ftu-ftu routine 13. The traffic light turned green a nanosecond ago, and you’re already honking at the car in front; 14. You now wish everyone you encounter everything from “kalo mina” and “kalo banio” to “kalo xonespi” (for good digestion!);
The legendary music of New York punk rockers, The Ramones, is reborn with a memorable musical journey to Bowery Street at this epic tribute event comprising 12 bands, on January 16, at 8.30pm, organized by the Greek Ramones Fan Club. Tickets are €6. Kyttaro Live, Pl. Viktorias, Ipeirou & Aharnon. Phone 210.822.4134 or visit kyttarolive.gr
TV THIS WEEK
Humor
WELLNESS
The Lunch-Hour Fix Hammam Baths in Athens Allow us to share with you one of our very favourite annual New Year rituals. A visit to the marvellously peaceful Hammam Baths, right in the heart of bustling Athens, near the “Bathroom of the Winds” in Plaka. In ancient Greece, Hammam was regarded as the “silent healer” of everyday life. Feel the stresses and strains of 2015 drain away as you enjoy the thermal properties of steam under the Hammam Bath’s atmospheric dome and marble interior, while enjoying a deep exfoliation and soothing massage that will leave you feeling utterly reborn and ready for anything, trust us! Experiences range from a Traditional Hammam (€25), to their deluxe Moroccan Hammam, (€55): Hamman Baths, Agion Asomaton 17 & Melidoni 1, Thissio, 10553, Athens, 210.323.1073, www.hammam.gr
MUSIC NIGHT WITH THE RAMONES
THEATRE MADAM BUTTERFLY
15. Your children NEVER go to bed before 9pm. 16. You know the difference between kefalotiri and kefalograviera (both hard table cheeses made from sheep or goats’ milk); 17. You’ve started wearing long sleeves in September – even though it’s still 35 degrees in the shade; 18. When you start raising your eyebrows to say “no”; 19. When you blame all your ailments on the ‘revma’ or current - and the solution to all afore-mentioned problems is a shot of tsipouro’; 20. You discover you can no longer turn up “empty handed” when paying your friends a visit.
While Booth and Bones take the next step in their lives, the other members of the Jeffersonian are adjusting to the change, with Aubrey taking up his new role in the FBI. Wednesdays at 9pm on Foxlife.
MODERN FAMILY 7
Phil and Claire begin to experience their teenagers’ bad sides when Luke gets arrested for driving without a license, while Alex sneaks out of a liquor store. Tuesdays at 21.00 on Foxlife Watch FOX on OTE TV
CINEMA THIS WEEK
THE BIG SHORT
Four outsiders in the world of high-finance who predicted the credit and housing bubble collapse of the mid2000s decide to take on the big banks for their lack of foresight and greed. Starring Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell and Christian Bale.
SECRETS IN THEIR EYES
A tight-knit team of rising investigators, along with their supervisor, is suddenly torn apart when they discover that one of their own teenage daughters has been brutally murdered. With Nicole Kidman and Julia Roberts.
THEATRE
THEATRE NINE Federico Fellini’s classic musical “8 ½”, the story of a director facing a midlife crisis as he turns 40, is repackaged as “Nine”, in a cast led by Vassilis Charalambopoulos – and now has an extended run until January 17. Pantheon Theater, 166 Pireos, Tavros, pantheontheater.gr
COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY
AUSTRALIA DAY @ ATHENS SPORTS BAR All roads lead to the Athens Sports Bar on January 26 at 7.30pm for the capital’s most popular annual Australia Day bash, pledging “fish and chips, Aussie music and a bloody good time”, Veikou 3, Acropolis, athenssportsbar.gr
ICE-SKATING AT MEGARON Enjoy the thrill of ice-skating at the Megaron’s new all-weather rink until end of February: 375 square metres of skating surface in a tent-enclosed space in the Atrium. €10 for unlimited time and includes skate rental. Private lessons are also available, Vass. Sofias and Kokkali, megaron.gr
HUMOR
20 sure signs
you’ve become Greek. Whether you’ve been here for 6 months or 6 years, Greece – and all her crazy, glorious habits – just has a way of getting under your skin. How much of a local have you become? 1.You’ve started saying “open” the light, instead of “turn on” the light; 2.You clap when the aeroplane you are flying on lands; 3.You’ve invested in your own laiki trolley; 4.You now know 5 Marias, 4 Elenis and 7 Yiorgos (and have memorized when each of their name days are); 5. You fight over who pays the taverna bill; 6. Not only do you know all the words to at
least one song by Sakis Rouvas or Giannis Ploutarhos, you’re also down with all the latest goss on their private lives; 7.You buy out the whole supermarket when it’s about to close for 24 hours; 8.You know how to work a “komboloi”; 9. Fish restaurants used to confuse you, but now you argue with the waiter over which is the best fish; 10. You have mastered the art of reverse parking while holding a frappe; 11. Speaking of frappe, you now make one before leaving home, when arriving at the office, after lunch, when having guests, after the guests leave and before going to bed. 12.When someone spits on you, you don’t take offence; it’s just part of the ftu-ftu routine 13. The traffic light turned green a nanosecond ago, and you’re already honking at the car in front;
DANGEROUSLY
GOOD
Illicit affairs are fast becoming Dominic West’s bread and butter, writes Amanda Dardanis.
14. You now wish everyone you encounter everything from “kalo mina” and “kalo banio” to “kalo xonespi” (for good digestion!); 15. Your children NEVER go to bed before 9pm. 16. You know the difference between kefalotiri and kefalograviera (both hard table cheeses made from sheep or goats’ milk); 17. You’ve started wearing long sleeves in September – even though it’s still 35 degrees in the shade; 18. When you start raising your eyebrows to say “no”; 19. When you blame all your ailments on the ‘revma’ or current - and the solution to all afore-mentioned problems is a shot of tsipouro’; 20. You discover you can no longer turn up “empty handed” when paying your friends a visit.
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The British star, who shot to fame in gritty U.S. drama The Wire, was the libidinous protagonist of 2015’s “must-watch” television series, The Affair. West – a reformed rake by his own admission but now married to his University sweetheart Catherine Fitzgerald - will shortly heat up the Megaron playing another love rat. This time, one of French literature’s most notorious lotharios. Eton-educated West steps into the snug breeches of Vicomte de Valmont in the current stage revival of Choderlos de Laclos’ famous epistolary novel, Les Laisons Dangereuses. When it was first published in 1782, in pre-Revolutionary France, de Laclos’ tale of sex, intrigue … and betrayal over the chaise longues, scandalized the world. This latest steamy production, which follows Christopher Hampton’s exemplary stage adaptation, will be simulcast live from London’s Donmar Warehouse on January 28 at 9pm. It is the latest of the Megaron’s theatre collaboration series with the British Embassy and the British Council in Athens, which have proven immensely popular with Athenian audiences. (Tickets to the last two offerings, Hamlet, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, and December’s acclaimed re-working of Jane Eyre, sold out almost immediately.) For the sake of those theatre-goers who have not seen 1988’s masterful Hollywood
treatment with John Malkovich, Glenn Close and Michelle Pfeiffer, Liaisons orbits around a pair of malicious aristocrats, formerly lovers, who set out to deceive and seduce those around them for their own amusement and to service their vengeful agendas. The Marquise challenges de Valmont to ravish convent-reared teenager Cecile as retribution on Cecile’s future fiancé who has dumped her. This Valmont manages with ease. But his true target is the virtuous Madame de Tourvel, whom he vows to ensnare (actually ensnaring himself in the process when he realizes he has fallen hopelessly in love with her). The bittersweet irony driving the story is that beneath it all, the heartless duo may toy with other hearts and reputations, but they are still also fatally attracted to each other. And by final curtain, both have been as exposed as more fragile than those they have sported with. Directed by Josie Rourke, Hampton’s stage play has been hailed as one of the best stage adaptations of a novel ever written. Tom Scutt’s sets of chipped marble and peeling gold plate meanwhile neatly symbolize a diseased social class soon to be extinguished by its own excesses. West has earned mostly solid reviews for his outing as de Valmont (The Guardian observed that he appeared to “potter around the part” initially, but delivered a brilliant
second half as the anguished lover that so many of us will recognise from The Affair.) It is theatre grande dame Janet McTeer, however, who has been praised uniformly by London theatre critics as the real towering marvel here in her turn as the Marquise, exuberant with malice, and using her elegant height and deep voice to maximum effect. West clearly is a fine actor. And he’s on familiar terrain with this subject matter. Whether he can eclipse the memory of John Malkovich’s thrilling celluloid performance - which somehow managed to be both sublimely languorous and intense - is another affair altogether. Tickets are €15. Visit www.megaron.gr