St. John’s Greek Night Forgets Sandy

The St. John’s University Hellenic Society held a post-Hurricane Sandy Greek Night on Nov. 10 that brought them together to celebrate their heritage. The event, Night in the Mediterranean, featured traditional Greek folk dances, catered Greek cuisine and live music and lifted spirits in the wake of the devastating storm.

Professors who attended included. John Spiridakis, John Siolas and Peter Kalkanis and others. “Greek Night is for the community,” said Meghan Alexeas, President of the St. John’s University Hellenic Society. “Generous donations came from diners.”

Vice-President Despina Victory explained: “People from the metropolitan Greek American public raised funds for us to have high caliber Greek music in Minore Entertainment. An unforgettable solo was sung by Georgia Linaris. The finest Greek foods and desserts were served. We are happy that everyone had a great time.”

Graduate student Christina Polios came with her friends to dance. “I took three years of Modern Greek language classes at Long Island City High School,” explained Angel Ortega, Hellenic Society public relations represenatative. Georgia Linaris, a singer in the Archdiocesan Metropolitan Choir, sang Mi mou Thimonis Matia Mou (Don’t be Angry My Sweet Eyes.) She came with her sister Marianthy and mother Argyro. They related family experiences with the monastery of Sts. Constantine and Helen in Chios, Greece. The Mantikas sisters, their cousins, are currently enrolled in Modern Greek 1.

“The Hellenic Society hosted a fantastic evening of great Greek cuisine, live music and Greek dancing,” said Spiridakis, Professor and Coordinator of St. John’s University Graduate Programs in the School of Education. “The band played beautifully and included two exceptional singers.” Kalkanis said the social “with inspiring music, reminded me of how proud I am to be Greek. Congratulations to the SJU Hellenic Society on a job well done.”

Meghan Alexeas explained her Greek name is “Metaxia. I go to my Father’s town of Alagonia, Kalamata every summer.” Kalamata in the Greek Peloponnese is the hometown of Yanni (Yiannis Hryssomallis) a New Age Composer whose Yanni Live at the Acropolis is one of the best-selling music videos ever.

“My Mother, who is Irish, makes the best Spanakopita, better than any Greek,” she said. The Hellenic Society’s mastery of Greek dance reflects their training from childhood. Alexeas’ convictions inspired her to look up all students with Greek names in university database. The data was incorporated into the Hellenic Society’s mailing list.

Her father, worked in the background setting up the event. His daughters, cousins and friends created a presence of an extended family network.  For more information on the Hellenic Society, visit http://sjuhellenicsociety.webs.com or email SJUHellenicSociety@yahoo.com.