Cretan dancers invited by LES to Spetses. Sunday 7th November 2004.

A large audience arrived at the Ergastiri on Sunday evening to enjoy an evening of live Greek dancing.

The evening started with an introduction by Yiorgos Lagadinos, the man who ‘happened upon’ the small group of Greek dancers a few years ago on the island of Crete.

Best Foot Forward!Lagadinos who works for the Cretan radio station 104fm, has been amazed by this small company of dancers, who quite literally just ‘get together’ now and again to dance together for pure pleasure. From a very small village called Kroustas near the large town of Ayios Nikolaos, in eastern Crete, the local villagers also perform their own dances, whose steps do not necessarily conform to the more popular and well known Cretan style of dance. The group are passionate about their favourite pastime and consist of 12 dancers, whose ages range from 30 to 70.

After a slide show and a talk on the traditional costumes worn by the invited dancers, Varvara Bratopoulou from the Laografiko Ergastiri Spetson, then reciprocated with a slide show and accompanying talk on the costumes worn in the Attika (Athens-Saronic islands, including Spetses) region from the 1800’s up until today. Ms Bratopoulou is not only a founder member of the Ergastiri, but the much revered traditional Greek dancing instructor on the island of Spetses.

Take your partner...The dancers were extremely well received and danced four of their own dances with much gusto and enthusiasm. A large selection of Cretan pastries and sweets were on offer at the interval and gave the chance for local members and guests to mingle in a relaxed and informal environment.