As if Astoria weren’t Greek enough — a team of talented singers and musicians added a bit to the Greekness, spreading traditional Greek holiday cheer on Sunday, December 22.
Led by Ereni Sevasti, a professional singer from New Jersey, and John Themelis, a talented musician of numerous traditional Greek instruments, the group visited various Greek American-owned business establishments in Astoria.
Joining Sevasti and Themelis were Nick Sofos and John Marneris.
The group sang traditional carols (or Kalanda) from various regions of Greece, including Ikaria, Crete, Pontos, and the more mainstream Christmas and New Year Kalanda that are sung throughout Greece.
Traditional instruments like the violin, bagpipe (tsambouna) and laouto were the main accompaniment to the beautiful vocals.
While they were singing, donations were collected that will directly benefit our #ChildrenOfGreece campaign. In the end, the team raised nearly $2,000.
Grand Café, Ovelia, Néo Bakery, Telly’s Taverna and Ela Taverna sponsored the sing along with direct donations of their own and also welcomed the group inside to sing for their guests.