JANUARY 8

APTOS, CA – Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Santa Cruz, CA holds the Seventh Annual Blessing of the Waters on Saturday, January 8, 11 AM-12 PM, at Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos, CA, with His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco presiding. All parishes in the Bay Area and Central Coast are invited and encouraged to attend. Those interested in diving or swimming for the cross, please contact the church office via email: [email protected] or by phone: 831-429-6500.

JANUARY 9

PATERSON, NJ – The Daughters of Penelope (DOP) Chryssida Chapter 438 of Union County and Greek Girls Kitchen present an in-person and virtual Vasilopita event on Sunday, January 9, 2-5 PM, at Kontos Foods, 100 6th Avenue in Paterson, NJ. Join celebrity chefs (and DOP sisters) Sophia Manatakis and Melina Milionis back in their favorite kitchen at Kontos Foods. Seating is limited to 60 seats for the in-person event. Price: $60 in-person at Kontos Foods, $30 Virtual. The event includes baskets and door prizes. For those who cannot make it to the event, please consider taking a chance on the great prizes. New prizes added daily. Link provided via email one day and one hour before the event. Registration required for both options. More information is available via email: [email protected]. Partial proceeds from fundraisers benefit Daughter of Penelope National Projects, The Daughters of Penelope Chryssida Chapter 438 of Union County Scholarship Fund, and other causes.

ONLINE – EMBCA presents the 100th Anniversary of the Godfather of Rhythm and Blues: Johnny Otis/Ioannis A. Veliotes Panel Discussion on Sunday, January 9, 2 PM EST/9 PM Athens EEST. The Anniversary Commemoration will celebrate the life, times, and works of an iconic and amazing figure in the musical world, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, the Renaissance Man of Rhythm and Blues – Johnny Otis for the 100th anniversary of his birth December 28, 1921, and the 10th anniversary of his passing January 17, 2012. The panel will be moderated by Lou Katsos, EMBCA’s President and AHEPA National Hellenic Cultural Commission Chairman. The distinguished panel – in formation – will include author, historian and activist Herb Boyd, Professor of the Black Studies Program at the City College of New York (CUNY); author/poet Nicholas Alexiou, Professor of Sociology and Director of the Hellenic American Project at Queens College; and Filmmaker Tassos Rigopoulos, Assistant Professor in the Media Arts and Technology Department at the Borough of Manhattan Community College (CUNY). More information is available online: https://embca.com.

JANUARY 12

ONLINE – The Hellenic American Women’s Council (HAWC) presents an online interview via Zoom on Wednesday, January 12, 7 PM Central, with Her Voice author Varvara Athanasiou-Ioannou and Professor Mary Kalantzis, one of the participants in the book, which features Greek immigrant women and their stories. Register online: https://bit.ly/3sF2AAi.

JANUARY 14-17

GLENBROOK, NV – The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco 2022 Young Adult Winter Retreat ‘Citizens of the Desert: Embracing Our Role as Christian Witnesses to Our World’ takes place January 14-17, Martin Luther King weekend, at Lake Tahoe, the Galilee Camp and Conference Center, 1776 U.S. Highway 50 in Glenbrook. This retreat is open to all Orthodox college students and young professionals ages 18-30’s. More information and registration online: https://gosfyouth.org/young-adult-winter-retreat.

JANUARY 15

LONG ISLAND CITY, NY – The most popular carnival event in Greece comes to New York with the 4th Annual Patras Carnival Party (Patrino Karnavali) on Saturday, January 15, 10 PM, at Melrose Penthouse, 3608 33rd Street in Long Island City. During the carnival period, there are events such as carnival balls, masqued balls, and parties at home, in neighborhoods, clubs, cafes, and restaurants. One of the most popular events is the ‘80s Back to Carnival’ party, drawing more than 1,000 attendees. Three of its DJs, Stelios Apostolopoulos, Panagiotis Kolliopoulos, and George Kouverianos, are traveling to New York and invite you to dance your heart out until the next morning. Official Sponsor: LOUX – www.loux.gr. Tickets available on Eventbrite, search: 4th Annual Patras Carnival Party.

CAMBRIDGE, MA – Manos presents ‘Laiki Vradia’ Greek Night, music by Athenian Entertainment Orchestra with Georgios Karatzas, Aggeliki Psoni, Mike Stoupakis, and Stamatis Galanos on Saturday, January 15, 9:30 PM, at the Greek American Political Club, 288 Green Street in Cambridge. Mezedakia offered for purchase. Nearby public parking available. Special raffle will be held for 10 tickets to February 6 Christos Dantis Concert. Reservations and more information available by phone, Maria: 617-407-8664 or Marina: 857-261-1426.