Download the full Paniyiri Program here – PaniyiriProgram2012
2012 Paniyiri Greek Festival set to be a smash hit
~ May 19 and 20 ~
Dine al-fresco en masse, inhale the smell of the Greek BBQs, dance the Zorba into the Guinness World Record books, smash plates, soothe your inner Greek with the live sounds of the bouzouki and the lira, eat 25 honey puffs in one minute, see a film, experience traditional Greek cooking demonstrations, stomp grapes, see inside the stunning Greek Orthodox Church. It’s that special time of the year again… PANIYIRI Greek Festival!
GREEK DANCING WITH THE STARS
Be there to find out what happens when George Houvardas a.k.a Nick ‘Carbo’ Karandonis from Channel Seven’s Packed to The Rafters, and Better Homes and Gardens’ DIY expert, Rob Palmer, fight it out on the dance floor yet again during the hotly contested Greek Dancing with the Stars competition on Saturday May 19 at 7.10pm. GREEK Dancing with the Stars promises to be colourful, comical and controversial, when celebrities including George Houvardas and Rob Palmer, plus Seven presenter Liz Cantor, Queensland Weekender presenter Chris Parsons, B105 presenter Pete Curulli and Emily Everywhere blogger Emily Jade O’Keeffe, and 4BC’s Peter Dick collide chaotically in a challenge that will separate the twinkle toes from the two left feet.
GUINNESS WORLD RECORD ZORBA ATTEMPT
Brisbane, it’s time to step up and step out to take the Guinness World Record for the Longest Zorba! The attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the World’s Longest Zorba will happen on Saturday May 19 at the Paniyiri Greek Festival at Musgrave Park, at 6pm. Leading the Zorba World Record attempt will be Packed to the Rafters star and good Greek lad George Houvardas, together with his best mate, Better Homes and Gardens resident DIY guru, Rob Palmer!
PLATE SMASHING
There is something about the Greeks that makes you want to smash plates! Sure to be a smash hit with festival goers, test your speed and dexterity with the quintessential Hellenic act of breaking plates which will take place several times over during Saturday May 19 and Sunday May 20.
EAT
Help Brisbane eat their way through 200,000 honey puffs, 500kgs of haloumi and take a journey of the senses through 30+ food stalls representing the Aegean, MainlandGreece,Cyprus, Chios, Crete, Rhodes and more all day Saturday May 19 and Sunday May 20 atMusgravePark.
TRADITIONAL GREEK COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS
Learn the culinary secrets behind Greek cuisine with sweet and savoury demonstrations all weekend at The Greek Club. At 3pm on Saturday May 19 Channel Seven presenter Liz Cantor and Queensland Weekender presenter Chris Parsons will battle it out on stage to see who will come out victorius in the kitchen. A 3pm on Sunday May 20 George Houvardas (Packed to the Rafters) and Rob Palmer (Better Homes and Gardens) will heat things up when two best mates don the aprons and stir, beat and fold their way through a Greek recipe.
THE MUSIC, THE DANCE
Paniyiri is famous for non-stop dance and music. This year witness the Bouzouki Spectacular (when), when 10 Bouzouki players perform together in a first on Australian soil. Experience hours of Greek entertainment including The Hellenic Dancers, Aegean Groove, DJ Kossi, Herc & Xena and more all weekend. Festival-goers can burn off the Haloumi and Honey Puffs at Trella: The Official Paniyiri After Party with sounds from Brisbane’s own DJ Kossi and more at The Greek Club on Sunday May 20 from 8pm. Tickets available for $15 at the door
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ST GEORGE
Explore the history and mystique of the renownedSouthBrisbaneChurchwith guided tours on Saturday May 19 and Sunday May 20.
CULTURAL LECTURES
Delve into the past with a feast of knowledge delivered through a series of lectures by a number of interesting speakers from the University of Queensland in the Greek Club’s Acropolis Room on Saturday May 19 and Sunday May 20.
HONEY PUFF & OLIVE EATING COMPETITIONS
Devour your way through countless juicy Greek olives or treat your sweet tooth to mountains of mouth-watering Honey Puffs all day Saturday May 19 and Sunday May 20. Heats for both the competitions will take place on the Channel Seven stage, with the finals on the Coffee Club Stage inMusgravePark.
SIDESHOW ALLEY
Plan a detour downMusgravePark’s vibrant Sideshow Alley to find a host of amusement rides and games for the young, and young at heart, all day Saturday May 19 and Sunday May 20 atMusgravePark.
KID’S ZONE
Get creative in the Kid’s Zone with mural painting, art and craft, storytelling and face painting on Saturday May 19 from 1pm until 4.00pm and on Sunday May 20 from 11.00am until 4.00pm. Barn Yard Babies will also keep the little ones entertained as they pet, play and have their photo taken in the gorgeous animal nursery.
FIREWORKS
Sample Greek sweets while watching the spectacular fireworks display explode across the skies ofSouth Brisbaneon Saturday May 19 from 8:45pm and Sunday May 20 from 7pm.
FASHION – Friday May 18
Brisbane’s most fashionable set will officially kick off Paniyiri Greek Festival with a flurry of ruffles, colour and Grecian glamour. Working their way down the catwalk, Greek-Australian models will showcase celebrated Greek designers and retailers plus seasons trends from Westfield Chermside including the crowd favourite children’s segment. Bazaar Market Stalls staring Hellenic retailers and a complimentary Revlon Booth for guests will help keep faces and wardrobes glowing all night! Tickets are $20 through the Greek Club (3844 1236) or on the door on the night.