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“UNITED” was the theme of the 35th Annual Folk Dance and Choral Festival for the Metropolis of San Francisco. Over the weekend of February 17 – 20, 2011 thousands of youth and adults gathered in Ontario, California to celebrate our faith and culture through a thrilling display of performances. Over 4,000 people were in attendance over the weekend including 1,100 registered dancers and singers as part of 105 groups representing 35 parishes. In addition, more than 30 priests from throughout the Metropolis were present during the weekend. Traveling from as far away as Hawaii and North Carolina, these exuberant performers captured the hearts of everyone in attendance with their commitment to excellence, their dedication, perseverance and discipline.
At Thursday evening’s Opening Ceremonies, the groups each paraded across the stage proudly carrying their banners and flags. Once everyone was assembled in the Ontario Convention Center, His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos blessed the opening of FDF with an Agiasmos Service, assisted by over 20 clergy from throughout the Metropolis. As His Eminence walked through the aisles of Ontario Convention Center, children enthusiastically greeted him and were eager to be blessed by the holy water. Six students representing Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA also offered a short presentation on the school, encouraging the participants to stop by their exhibit booth to learn more about higher educational opportunities and scholarships which are available to them. Their visit to FDF was co-sponsored by the Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos. The Greek Village Camp – Elliniko Horio – program was also showcased as part of the efforts of the Metropolis Greek Education and Culture committee. This is a one-week immersion camp held at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap, CA offering full language and culture immersion for children ages 7 – 14. As His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos addressed the crowd at Opening Ceremonies, he asked those people who were involved in the inaugural FDF to join him on stage. This group of adults continues to support FDF on many levels – as parents, directors, and board members – and have passed on their commitment and enthusiasm for this ministry to their children and grandchildren. His Eminence stated, “Those who were the founders and those who represent the future have this in common: we are UNITED in our commitment to this ministry, we are UNITED in our faith, and we are UNITED through our heritage.”
Friday’s schedule began promptly at 8:00 a.m. and was full of semi-final dance competition rounds and the choral competition. For nearly 12 hours, groups were carefully scheduled, sound checks were completed, props were assembled, and costumes from many different regions of Greece were proudly displayed. The evening began with a Paraklesis service led by the newly ordained Father Christos Kanakis. “Greeks Got Talent” made its debut on Friday night, with performers selected prior to FDF through audition tapes. Margarita, a finalist from Greece’s “Fame Story” and California native served as the host for the evening. Judges for the night were Thanos Petrelis, one of Greece’s most famous and award-winning singers, a finalist on “Fame Story” and a popular international performer presenting sold out concerts on his recent tour to the United States, Africa and Australia; Vangelis Giannopoulos – Head of Live and Record Business for The Spicy Effect, representing some of Greece’s most popular performers; and Bessie Stavropoulos – former award-winning dance director from Saint John the Baptist Church in Las Vegas and a dance judge at this year’s FDF. Nine acts graced the stage with tremendous talent including solo vocalists, bands, modern and ballet dancers and musical theater presentations. At the end of the evening, the top three performances were named: First Place – Emily Laliotis from Saints Constantine and Helen Church in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA who accompanied herself on guitar performing “Hometown Glory” by Adele; Second Place – Constantine and Chrysanthe Pappas from Saint George Church in Fresno, CA singing a musical theater duet “Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life/Falling in Love with Someone” from Naughty Marietta; and Third Place to Penelope Koulos, a classically trained ballerina who performed a lyrical en pointe dance. Celebrity Judge Thanos Petrelis took to the stage at the end of the evening and gave an impromptu performance which generated tremendous excitement with audience members, young and old. Petrelis made his FDF debut two years ago and was eager to return and be a part of this year’s 35th anniversary event.
Saturday’s final competition round was once again a riveting display of enthusiastic performances by dancers wearing intricately decorated costumes which were handcrafted by teams of dedicated seamstresses both in the United States and in Greece. Great Vespers on Saturday night was led by Father Anthony Savas (Saint Nicholas Church – Northridge, CA) and Father Jordan Brown (Holy Trinity Cathedral – Portland, OR). On Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings following the formal festivities, a Glendi was offered featuring live music from Margarita and the Greek Nite Band, Ziyia, Endasi, and the Olympians. During the day on Saturday, the Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos Board met, under the leadership of President Jeannie Ranglas. This group of dynamic ladies is a driving force behind many important programs and ministries in the Metropolis.
Sunday morning’s Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was yet another example of this year’s FDF theme, “United”, as those in attendance were united by our common faith, united in prayer, and united through the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Led by His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos and assisted by over 25 priests from throughout the Metropolis, the Divine Liturgy was peaceful and prayerful, with the convention center full of faithful who joined together to worship as a united family in Christ. The hymns and responses for the Divine Liturgy were offered by the angelic voices of youth choir members from throughout the Metropolis, under the direction of Kathy Meck, Metropolis Church Music Federation President.
In addition to all of the dancing and singing, clergy from throughout the Metropolis as well as the visiting seminarians, offered workshops on various topics including: iPods and Icons; GTL: God, Truth, Love; Saints and Sinners of Sports; The Witness: Articulating our Faith in a Post-Christian World; How am I United with God?; and Uniting Heaven and Earth: The NFL and Taking the Kingdom by Force. When participants had a bit of free time during the weekend, they enjoyed carnival attractions set up indoors as a place for fun and relaxation. This year’s FDF was supported by the American College of Greece – Deree who distributed information on their educational programs during the weekend.
The much-anticipated final round of the Advanced Senior Competition was held on Sunday afternoon with eight of the most accomplished groups performing intricate suites from many varied regions of Greece. Performing to a capacity audience, these groups are extremely creative in their presentations, and their hours of hard work and preparation showed in their professionalism. After a 22 year hiatus, the parish of Saints Constantine and Helen Cathedral in Honolulu, Hawaii was represented through their non-competitive exhibition performance of a Pontian dance suite on Sunday afternoon. They were enthusiastically greeted with a standing ovation for their performance and plan to return next year with a larger group and formally enter competition.
Sunday night’s Awards Banquet was attended by nearly 2,300 people who once again were united in celebration of a very successful FDF weekend. Three special awards were presented at the banquet: the Metropolitan Anthony Humanitarian Award was given to Father James T. Adams, Chancellor of the Metropolis and a devoted priest for over 56 years; the Elios Award was presented to John Gumas for his commitment and dedication to the preservation of Hellenism and the principles of our Orthodox faith; and the Metropolitan Anthony Leadership Award given to FDF Management Team member George Mitsopoulos who has served as the FDF Director of Security for the past several years. Dancers, singers, parents, and friends cheered for groups as awards were announced, and though not everyone took home a medal, there was unity in the celebration for their peers whose accomplishments were honored.
In his Keynote Address at the Awards Banquet, Metropolitan Gerasimos stated that: “Thirty-five years ago there was a vision – a small seed – planted by His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of blessed memory, to start a gathering of Greek Orthodox youth in celebration of their faith and heritage through Greek folk dancing. What grew out of this is what you see around you: thousands of Greek Orthodox faithful from all generations, sharing a weekend of faith, dance and fellowship.” His Eminence continued on to remark that this “celebration tonight is just the beginning of the next generation of FDF. It is time to look forward with an even greater vision, with courage, with faith, and with commitment to the future. It took thousands of hours and thousands of people to help us reach this 35-year milestone; and it will take even more to take us to the next level. Let us give thanks to all those who brought us here and pray for God’s strength and wisdom for those who will lead this ministry in the years to come.” His Eminence concluded his remarks commenting that the circle made by dancers throughout the weekend is a symbol of unity, it exemplifies the future, and that in the circle everyone was together, united as one family in Christ. He challenged the group and said, “As you continue dancing tonight and return to your homes and parishes to prepare for next year’s FDF, remember that each time when you form a circle to dance, you are forming it far beyond the boundaries of your local community. You are forming an infinite circle of unity and hope for the future.”
Top honors at the 2011 Folk Dance and Choral Festival were presented to: Division I Sweepstakes Winner – Olympian Dancers, Long Beach, CA; Division II Sweepstakes Winner – Keravnos, Saint Sophia Cathedral, Los Angeles, CA; and Choral Sweepstakes Winner – Fotisi Youth Choir from Saint George Church in Fresno, CA.
Plans are underway for the 2012 Folk Dance and Choral Festival. Under the leadership of Father Gary Kyriacou, Chairman of the FDF Board of Trustees, an announcement will be forthcoming in the next several weeks regarding the final dates and location for the 2012 event. For more information, visit: www.yourfdf.org.
4th Thursday after Pascha
