Weekly supplement by Insider Publications • insider-publications.com • facebook.com/insiderpublications • No 97 • Friday, February 19, 2016 PHOTOGRAPHY PETER LINDBERGH
MUSIC
AL DI MEOLA Hang out with electrifying New Jersey jazz guitarist, Al Di Meola, as he presents his new album “Elysium” and a retrospective of his most popular songs at a one-off performance February 20 at 10pm, at Gazarte, Voutadon 32-34, Kerameikos. Buy tickets from €29-50 at viva.gr, Public or www.gazarte.gr.
See Monica Bellucci and other ravishing portraits by acclaimed German-born photographer Peter Lindbergh – famous for his iconic black and white images of women – and that 1990 Vogue cover of Naomi, Cindy, Christy et al – at the Gagosian Gallery’s solo exhibition until April 23, Merlin 3, gagosian.com
ARTS & CULTURE
BEFORE I DIE…
UPCOMING EVENTS
With fill-in-the-blanks stickers and pencils, social activist Candy Chung’s bold public art projects are touching communities one city at a time. Stella Sevastopoulos reviews her liberating new Athens show. Whether it’s Nena’s era-defining song ’99 a reminder of “what matters to people as Red Balloons’, or Carl Jung’s ‘The Red individuals and as a community,” Chang Book’ that Candy Chang had in mind when said of her work. conceiving ‘School of the Future’, it’s hard Holding three degrees (in Graphic Design, to say. Architecture and Urban Planning), Chang But her talking-point installation, filled has given birth to a most unique form of with over 1000 red inflatable balls, invites public art which has undoubtedly grown visitors to play like children and write like out of her academic background, but gurus. Several years ago, the Taiwanese- which also branches out into many other American contemporary art phenomenon spheres. landed on the global radar when she Chang’s communal interactive art triggers caught the eye of Oprah, who championed in us all a reverberant collective introspecher as a local hero, for a poignant con- tion – something that has made her disstruction she debuted in New Orleans. plays extremely popular around the world. To confront her grief over the death of a Now, it’s the turn of Athens to witness her close friend, Chang had erected a black- immersive gallery experience. ‘School of board over an abandoned house, stencil- the Future’, runs till March 3, at the Onassis ing it with the phrase BEFORE I DIE I WANT Cultural Centre. It’s the first of three urban TO.... Passersby wrote in answers like “go art projects that will give the public an opto school,” “feed an elephant,” and “un- portunity to not only enjoy, but also to parderstand,” in chalk. The project served as take in some ‘Chang psycho-socio-therapy’.
At Onassis, in the midst of Chang’s scarlet, air-filled revelry, there’s a ramp, which leads to a school desk. Here, visitors are invited to put pen to paper, and state what they would have preferred to have been taught in school. Or perhaps share a personal life lesson. Many have already visited this children’splayland-cum-schoolroom, and left their comments in the book that rests on the desk. Here are a few: “To learn how to be creative or just let us be creative?”; “That it is normal and safe to be who you really are”; “Teach them the technology detox experience”. A seven-year-old wrote: “I would like to learn Chinese and magic tricks.” What would Chang herself have liked to have learned at school? “How to handle stress and existential crisis.” In her Ted talk of 2012, Chang claimed there were many ways we can improve our lives, but that a lot of wisdom never gets passed on. “But we do share the same public spaces.” It’s these spaces that Chang simply, yet powerfully, converts into hotspots for ideas and liberating social activism. Herself a vic-
tim of depression, she characterizes life as “brief and tender”. She has also previously credited the ancient Greek theatre for fortifying her own brand of art-as-medicine. “In Ancient Greece, doctors’ prescriptions included attendance of tragic theatre. Greek tragedy was like collective therapy to help people see that they weren’t alone in having anxieties and confusions. I like the idea of modern Greek tragedy for the neighborhood—something site-specific that magnifies the surroundings, something one can attend at any time, something that reveals deeper emotional struggles.” Before I Die, Onassis Cultural Centre, Syngrou 107. Tel 210.900.5800, www.sgt.gr . For more on Athens art, visit Stella’s blog: www.artsceneathens.com
CHOCOLATING FESTIVAL
MUSICAL VICTOR/VICTORIA
The popular Broadway hit Victor/Victoria, based on Blake Edwards’ 1982 film, debuts at Pantheon Theater, February 19. Penniless soprano Victoria disguises herself as a man named Victor who becomes the toast of Paris by entertaining as a female impersonator, and attracting the attentions of a Chicago mobster. Tickets from €15-45, Pireos 166, Tavros, pantheontheater.gr
TV THIS WEEK
BUSINESS
THE X-FILES
Despite negative headlines and a volatile political environment, investments in Greece in export-oriented sectors like tourism, agriculture, manufacturing and energy are gathering speed and international interest. The Athens Investment Summit, to be staged at the Grande Bretagne Hotel on February 26, is a timely practitioner-oriented conference and exhibition on the real opportunities and risks of investing in Greece. At one of the most challenging junctures for the country, the Athens Investment Summit provides a factual view of economic developments, investment potential and actual investor experiences in Greece. It brings together major international financial institutions, venture capital firms, private equity funds and individual investors, with company executives, entrepreneurs and investment professionals. Athens Insider readers and newsletter subscribers can take advantage of a special discounted delegate rate of €95+VAT. If you are interested in attending, contact info@insider-magazine.gr or phone 210.729.8634 for the promotional code. Attendance is capped at 200+ participants and presentations will be made by leading investors in Greece, including the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Open Fund, DECA Investments,
EDF Energies Nouvelles, Pharmathen, and others. The event is organized by Navigator Consulting Partners LLP and is supported among others by the Franco-Hellenic and Hellenic-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises, The Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Enterprise Greece and the Cube Athens. An Investment Exhibition will run in parallel to the Conference from 14:00 to 18:00. Entrance to the exhibition is free upon registration.
CHARITY
EXHIBITION
THE BARBER OF SEVILLE Rossini’s comedic masterpiece, Barber of Seville, staged by the Greek National Opera, comes to the Olympia Theater from February 13-28. The opera is directed by Franceso Micheli; with tenors Antonis Koroneos and Dimitris Kassioumis alternating as Count Almaviva, and sopranos Vassiliki Karayanni and Mina Polychronou as Rosina. Tickets range from €1560, Academias 59-61, nationalopera.gr
MASKED CHARITY BALL Who doesn’t thrill to the thought of locking eyes with a mysterious stranger at a masked ball? Live the seductive fantasy at the Anglican Church’s Masked Charity Ball, Friday March 4 from 7.30pm at beautiful Aegli Zappiou. Tickets €55, includes buffet, wine and live music, black tie or carnival costume, tel. Lynne Stavrou 6938 325088 or lynnstav@gmail.com
NEW TERRITORIES A treasure trove of outstanding designs from 50 established and emerging Greek studio jewelry artists are on display at Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum for the first time until May 15, highlighting advances in Greek goldsmithery, and the participants’ contribution to the world of contemporary visual art, Karyatidon & Kallisperi, Acropolis, lalaounis-jewelrymuseum.gr
GASTRONOMY
Brunching à la ellinika
How do you pick the ideal brunch to satisfy your weekend cravings? Brunch may be a relatively new Athenian institution but too often the perfect brunch experience in Greece gets messed up by imitating alien breakfast concepts resulting in watered-down mimosas and substandard eggs. But don’t despair, dear bruncher. Housed in the luxe Herodion hotel, the Atrium gives brunching a good old Mediterranean twist by re-creating the ambiance of a traditional Sunday family meal with elegant re-imagined staples made to share, though you won’t want to: cauliflower soup
with crispy bacon, steamed shellfish and grilled mackerel with fava beans, bruschetta with charred aubergines, grilled goat cheese and tomatos, and a hearty portion of linguini with cottage cheese. A real display of sophisticated food craftsmanship by chefs Manolis Mavrigiannakis and Marios Pirpiridis who urge you to revisit Greek culinary classics. If the seasonal, locally sourced dishes aren’t enough of a draw, you can sip on Atrium’s inventive cocktails. Perfectly constructed for sunshine sipping, take your pick from the Wisecrack Fizz or the Medi-
terranean Basil Smash made with ouzo, lime juice, sugar, pink pepper, and basil or simply let the bartender decide for you. Insider recommends the 3 Cardinals, a melon flavored cocktail, made with Midori, Frangelico, elderflower syrup, fresh lime juice, and fresh orange juice and the enticingly named Red passion, a scarlet quaff made with Aperol and a triple hit of lemon from liqueur, juice and soda. With the light filtering through its sun roof, and its wild pistachio trees piercing the azure Athenian sky, the Atrium is a sun-kissed green haven that lends itself to languorous brunching. Extremely good value-for-money at just 25 euros per person and 15 euros for children under 12 (the price includes a glass of wine or beverage). Atrium, Hotel Herodion, Rovertou Galli 4, Makriyianni. For Sunday brunch reservations, contact 210.923.6832
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When an art gallery that’s showing potentially offensive artwork is bombed, Mulder and Scully seek some way to communicate with the comatose bomber to prevent a future attack. Tuesdays at 9.50pm on Fox.
AMERICAN HORROR STORY
Iris and Liz oversee a new era at the Cortez. John and Alex struggle to adapt to life outside the hotel. Sundays at 00.15 on Fox. Watch FOX on OTE TV
CINEMA THIS WEEK
Mr Nikos Drandakis
Speakers and covered topics include among others: Sabina Dziurman - Director of Greece and Cyprus, EBRD - (Equity Investments, Loan Finance and Trade Finance Availability in Greece); and Mr Nikos Drandakis Founder and CEO of Taxibeat (Developing Innovative Start-ups in Greece.)
HAIL, CAESAR!
A day in the life of Hollywood fixer for Capitol Pictures, Eddie Mannix, who cleans up problems for the big stars. With Josh Brolin, George Clooney and Scarlett Johnasson
To register, visit: www.athensinvestmentsummit.com
SUFFRAGETTE
Carey Mulligan and Helena Bonham Carter shine as the foot soldiers of the early feminist movement, who pursued a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a brutal State.
TRAVEL
OPERA
Savour the finest chocolate recipes, creations and pleasures as Astir Palace’s annual chocolate festival returns this weekend (Feb 20-21). Entrance - €18 for adults and €9 for children – includes unlimited access to live chocolate creations, tastings, chocolate fountain and fondue – and the famous chocolate buffet. Arion Resort and Spa Grill room, arionresortathens.com
Astoria, New York’s little horio Sherri Moshman Paganos captures the vibrance of a Greek city miles away from home. It’s a cold Saturday afternoon in January. scape now, the Greek tavernas arguably As the N train from Times Square passes draw the most faithful customers. One over the Triborough Bridge, you immediately such restaurant is Kyklades on Ditmars. get the feeling that you’re entering a Greek Under its blue awning with «SEAFOOD» world. A couple argues loudly with each in large letters, you’ll usually see a line of other in Greek and a subway rider reads people waiting to eat their wonderfully fresh the Ethnikos Kyrix (National Herald), the fish. Served the way it is in Greece, with the 100-year-old Greek American newspaper. head on, not filet American-style. As the train lumbers its way towards Dit- Since the 1960’s, Astoria has been known mars Boulevard, the last stop, out the train as one of the largest Greek cities outside of you can see signs for Odyssey Optical and Greece, its population further boosted after Zorba’s Souvlaki. the invasion of Cyprus in 1974, when many After the jostling, bustle and noise of mid- Cypriots settled in the area. town Manhattan, Ditmars Boulevard with Astoria was named for John Jacob Astor, at its red and beige brick row houses that lead one time the wealthiest man in the United down to the river, is peaceful and serene. States. The reason for this naming is not Dusk approaches and the sky fills with gold that he had any connection with Astoria, and purple sunset colors. As we reach the but it was to persuade him to invest in the East River, we stop and admire the view area. The naming obviously didn’t move across of nearby Manhattan. Walking back up from the river, after a while, residential Ditmars becomes commercial Ditmars. «Thessaloniki Jewelers» and «Lefko Pirgos,» a traditional zaharoplasteio stand across from each other in the heart of the commercial area. Astoria has become a very desirable area to live, since its rents are much lower and more affordable than Manhattan, and it’s only a 20 minute subway ride to midtown. For this reason, many young professionals of all nationalities have moved in. Besides the rather young, you have the opposite end of the spectrum, the elderly, mostly Greeks and Italians in their 70’s or 80’s, who have lived in Astoria since the 1960’s or so. Although various restaurants dot the land-
him much, as he gave a paltry $500 out of his fortune of $40 million. However, the name stuck and although he never set foot in the area, he could certainly watch from his home in what is now E. 87th near York Avenue, across the river to his land. In the late 1970’s and early 80’s, my husband, a student then, fondly remembers working at popular catering hall Crystal Palace on Broadway. Used mainly for Greek weddings, baptisms and dances for various Greek associations, it was THE PLACE to go, along with «Spilia» (the Cave), the bouzoukia under Crystal Palace. There were also many bars where singers got their start. At one such bar, we heard Elly Paspala before she left for Greece to make her career. Ditmars also had movie theaters which showed popular Greek films. The brick row houses in Astoria have been a popular locale for many films and TV programmes, such as the iconic series from the 1970’s, ‘All in the Family.’ Robert de Niro’s film «A Bronx Tale» was actually filmed on location in Astoria. And in “Serpico” with Al Pacino, the elevated N train is the backdrop for some chase scenes. Today, along with Greek, you are just as likely to hear Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Arabic, Hindi or Urdu. But Greek customs have always tended to flourish. Each year, on Anastasi, you’ll see people walking home from the church after midnight with their lit candles, and on Easter Sunday, a walk around Astoria, conveys the aromas of cocoretsi (lamb innards) roasting on the souvla. With a little imagination, you could imagine your horio and the whole lamb roasting. As Alkmini says, Astoria is the best place to be without living in Greece itself.