The sea side village of Finikounda was the venue of the first performance

Finikounda is well known for its sandy beaches and clean waters

A view of the port

Orpheus has arrived in Finikounda.  The buses stopped outside the village and the countdown is on.

With Bessie directing traffic Orpheus members escorted by family and friends start the procession towards Finikounda.

Members of the Orpheus music group lead the procession playing pieces for everybody to sing like 'Is ton Afro tis Thallasas' and 'Thalassaki Mou'

Entering the village.  Residents and tourists alike were for a big surprise and something the village has not seen in years.

Residents start coming out of their houses to see what was all that noise and music was all about. 
The surprise and wonder were evident in their faces as it took them a while to realize what was going on.

But it did not take them too much time to join the procession down the main street of the village along with family and friends of Orpheus

The energy from the crowd fed into the youngsters who were having fun singing strolling down Finikounda.  It was a feeling that was hard to describe and it was one of those 'you had to be there' moments.

 

Posing for pictures at the outdoors theatre

Members of the youth group pose for a picture

A lot of the younger siblings had also the chance to participate at the performances by singing various folk songs

Georgia with Astero, Sophia and Aggeliki

The Orpheus music group that accompany many of the dances and songs.  From left, Izaki, Paul, Christina and Katerina.

Having fun before the performance.

The outdoors sea side theatre quickly filled up to capacity anxiously awaiting to see what all the fuss was all about.

Another view of the theatre.

Ok, it is time to get serious with Yanni, Bessie and Kosta going through the last preparations

"Eimaste edo!  We are here!" Yanni Economou opened his remarks at the start of the performance

The program started with a suite of songs from the Youth group.  Orpheus choral director Eftihia Papageorgiou directing the youngsters.

Some of the songs presented by the Youth group were 'Gerakina' and 'Eis ton Afro tis Thalassas'

More singing...

The Orpheus adult group presented next a suite of songs that included pieces of Manos Hatzidakis like 'Sto Lavrio', 'Tora Pou pas Sti Ksenitia' and 'Odos Oneiron'

In our rush to get ready the base of the keyboard was left back at the hotel but a nice traditional table was a nice substitute

One of the main rules in singing is that you need to open your mouth.  It was still to close to call who won that part of the competition, Kostas (previous picture) or Bessie

The Orpheus adult group was joined also my members of the Chicago Hellenic Choir during the choral presentations.

A panoramic view of the stage during the choral presentation

Nicole with her charismatic voice wowed the crowd during the rendition of 'Odos Oneiron'

During the performance Orpheus members had the chance to reflect about their experience coming to Greece and presenting Greek folk songs and dances.  Maria was the first one to do so.

The dance program started with the young members singing and dancing 'Xenitemeno Mou Pouli'

Dancing 'Xenitemeno Mou Pouli' a Xysyrtos type dance from the region of Thrace

 

The next dance presented was the island song 'Xekinaei Mia Psaropoula'

Dancing the island syrto dance 'Xekinaei Mia Psaropoula'

Ioanna and Estelle

Marya, Katerina, Elpida, Mariel and Stavroula

Performing Palamakia from the region of Epirus

Performing Pyrhousikos from the island of Chios

The youth members performing Pyrgousikos in teams of three

Bessie Grosso during her emotional reflection talked about how her mother left Greece from the close by village of Lahanades and closed her reflection by singing 'Thalassa Platia'

Members of the adult group encouraging the youth members during their presentation

Performing 'Dentritsi' from the region of Thrace

Members of the youth group performing 'Detritsi'

 

Next dance presented was Zonaradikos.  Foti has to rely on his socks since he could use his pair of tsarouhia.

Continued with 'Pyrgousikos' from the island of Chios

The twin sisters Deanna and Patrice presented their reflections of the trip, one in English and the other in Greek.

 

The Orpheus adult group followed with a suite of dances from the region of Thrace

Yannis, Yannis and Eleni performing Syrtos Sygathistos

Vicky, Kostas, Dean and Maria

The guys performing Hasapiko from the village of Asvestades, Thrace

It is time for a couple's dance, Mantilatos

A suite of island dances from Myconos and Kythnos concluded the dance presentations

Ian presetting his reflections from the trip to Greece

Nicole and..
 

 

Christina singing 'Dromoi Palioi'

The choral presentation ended with the rendition of the song 'Thalassa'

Estelle during the 'Thalassa' song

 

Christina playing with her violin during the song and dance presentation

Izaki and Katerina playing their violins

Paul with his toumbeleki