Opa! Summer Greek Festivals in Chicago

Yasas Urbanites!

Did you know that Chicago currently has the third largest Greek population of any city in the world? Maybe that is the reason why there are so many Greek festivals going on during the Summer. My favorite thing about these festivals is the circle or communal dances in which perfect strangers (Greeks and non-Greeks) get together and dance to the music of a live Greek Folk band. I have done this many times and have always had a great time. I also love to see single dancers do the Zeibekiko, which consists of a man or a woman dancing in the middle of a circle  of  friends who are on their knees clapping to the rhythm of the music. Here is a video showing you some Zeibekiko moves danced to the music of my favorite Zeibekiko song:

If you would like to try this on your own, then go to one of the festivals going on in the city this Summer.   Something to  keep in mind is that if you are coming to these festivals to eat, try to get there early because it gets quite crowded after 6 pm and some fests have run out of food in the past. Here is a list of them:

June 17-19: Lincoln Park Greek Fest

http://www.lincolnparkgreekfest.com/

June-September: List of Greek Orthodox Church Festivals in the metropolis of Chicago

http://chicago.goarch.org/festivals-metropolis

August 27-28: Chicago Greek Town Taste of Greece

http://www.greektownchicago.org/index.php?option=com_eventlist&view=details&id=6:taste-of-greece-2011&Itemid=44

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