Pharos April 27 2009, George Yioldassis, Bouzouki

The Life and Music of Giorgos Zambetas

Legendary Composer of Greek Laika

Yiorgos Yioldassis, Bouzouki; Yianni Mavrogeorge, Guitar, Thomas Makris, Vocals & Baglama with Kanella Stefanis, vocals.

Giorgos Zambetas (Γιώργος Ζαμπέτας) (1925-1992) was one of the greatest composers and performers of Greek Laïká during the ‘50s and ‘60s. He is perhaps most familiar to North American audiences for the tune Horos tou Sakena featured in the soundtrack of Woody Allen’s Mighty Aphrodite and the ubiquitous sing-along dance song, Siko Horepse Sirtaki, (think “la, la, la la la”).

George Yioldassis will give a short presentation on the life of George Zambetas including readings from the Ionna Kliasiou’s book, And the Rain Fell Straight Through: The Life of Giorgos Zampetas (Και η βρόχα έπεφτε ράι θρου). The band will follow with musical performances of some timeless classics from the Zambetas songbook.

Some musical links:

Nina Mouskouri sings Siko Horepse Sirtaki: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MWGJzMyhxQ

Petros Andreou plays Xoros tou Sakaina http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kvc9J1HKQnc&feature=related

Pharos March 30, 2009: Chuck Sigmund

The Roots and Foundation of 21st Century Scientific Thought
Chuck Sigmund, Langara College


Scientists today look at the material universe in a certain way and proceed to exercise their craft within that context. Cultures both before and after that of the ancient Iron Age Greeks have made notable technological contributions to humankind but, in my opinion, it was that Greek civilization which gave birth to abstract science as we still practice it today. Professor Richard Tarnas states it accurately and succinctly:


"The Greek were perhaps the first to see the world as a question to be answered. They were peculiarly gripped by the passion to understand, to penetrate the uncertain flux of phenomena and grasp a deeper truth. And they established a dynamic tradition of critical thought to pursue that quest."


Chuck Sigmund at an early age could not decide whether to pursue scientific or classical studies and so did both as best he could. He worked for 35 years as a chemist while always pursuing his interest in ancient Greek philosophy and science