Parklife: ''Jasmine Tea'', a tribute to Arleta

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center's summer line-up of exciting live events continues in July at the Panoramic Steps with the Parklife concert series. 

On Thursday, July 1, at 21:00, a group of handpicked musicians welcomes the SNFCC's audience with "Jasmine Tea" and a meeting of musical nostalgia with a contemporary perspective. A varied musical tribute to Arleta, with selected songs from her own discography, as well as some by her favorite composers, such as Manos Hadjidakis, Giannis Spanos and Lakis Papadopoulos. 

Arleta's long-standing close friend and partner in music, Vasilis Rakopoulos, Melina Tanagri, and Nana Binopoulou, joined by musicians Andreas Polyzogopoulos and Petros Kourtis, take an improvisational approach to songs such as "Mia fora thymamai", "Serenata", "Lykos" and "Hartino to feggaraki", to honor to the memory of an unforgettable singer.

In the words of Vasilis Rakopoulos, "despite our initial reservations about tributes and homages to artists who have passed away, we decided to put together this evening to honor our own inner need for coexistence and communication, while paying tribute to our dear friend". 

Born in Athens, Vasilis Rakopoulos completed his undergraduate studies in electrical engineering at the University of Athens. He went on to pursue postgraduate studies in nuclear physics (NCSR Dimokritos) and business research (University of Athens). In addition, he studied music at the Swiss Jazz School (Hochschule der Künste Bern), from where he graduated with a diploma in jazz guitar, with the trumpet as his second instrument. As well as playing an active part in the shaping of the up-and-coming Greek jazz scene, he has also collaborated with most notable Greek composers (Hadjidakis, Theodorakis, Mamangakis, Savvopoulos, Plessas, etc.). 

Following her studies in Histiry of Art and Theater, Melina Tanagri burst onto the Greek music scene as a singer alongside Dionysis Savvopoulos, in the show "Acharnis" (1976-1977). Shortly after, she also gained recognition as a songwriter, through important records such as Ola Berdevontai Glyka, Vyzakia Ekso, Lipon, Melina Ap' to Meli, etc. 

Born in Thessaloniki, Nana Binopoulou started singing from a very young age. Her career so far has been marked by collaborations with composers such as Stavros Xarchakos, Giannis Spanos, etc. 

The trumpet player and composer Andreas Polyzogopoulos grew up in Samko, a small village in Ileia. Having studied the jazz trumpet at the Amsterdam Conservatory (Bachelor of Arts) and the Royal Academy of Brussels (Master of Arts), he is now recognized as one of the important representatives of the European jazz sound. 

Having studied classical percussion at the Municipal Conservatory of Zografos and the Βerklee College of Music, Petros Kourtis has been active on the music scene since the 1990s. A major landmark in his career was his collaboration with Dimitris Papaioannou and Giorgos Koumendakis in the Athens 2004 Olympics Opening Ceremony. 

"Jasmine Tea", a tribute to Arleta:
Vasilis Rakopoulos, guitar
Melina Tanagri, vocals
Nana Binopoulou, vocals
Andreas Polyzogopoulos, trumpet
Petros Kourtis, percussion
 

The opportunity to attend the concert, in compliance with all necessary measures of safety in accordance with the Hellenic National Public Health Organization, will be given to a limited number of viewers, through advance booking online.

Thursday 01/07, 21:00

PANORAMIC STEPS

*  For their comfort, audience members are advised to bring along a beach mat or throw to sit on. 

Tickets
Zone A: €10, Concessions €5
Zone B: €5 (limited visibility)

*Pre-sale starts on Wednesday 23/06 at 10.00 for SNFCC Members.
*Pre-sale starts on Thursday 24/06 at 10.00 for the public.

Pre-sale points:
·  online from the Ticket Services website
·   by telephone: 210 7234567 (Ticket Services)

The use of face mask and social distancing measures are mandatory in indoor and outdoor areas of the SNFCC, in accordance with Hellenic National Public Health Organization regulations.

Concessions tickets of 5€ are available to students, peopled aged 65+, children and young people aged 6-18 years old, the unemployed, Persons with Disabilities along with their companion, multi-child families and residents of the Municipality of Kallithea. On the day of the concert, concession ticket holders will be asked to show their ID, as well as supporting documentation (student card, unemployment card, family status certificate for multi-child parents, certification of disability, utility bill for residents of Kallithea). 
 
Important information:

• There is a purchase limit of up to four tickets per person.
• Doors open at 20.00.
• Visitors are advised to be at the location 30 minutes prior to the commencement of the event.
• Entrance will be possible up to 10 minutes before the event's commencement.
• Tickets go on sale on Wednesday 23/06 at 10.00 for SNFCC Members and on Thursday 24/06 at 10.00 for the public.
• Pre-registration is required for both adults and children. No order of priority will be available on-site.
• All SNFCC areas are accessible to people with disabilities.
• For more information or clarifications, please contact the SNFCC switchboard on 216 8091000.

 Due to public health measures, there may be changes regarding either the staging of the event, or the maximum number of participants.

This event comes under a grant by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). Alongside the majority of its events, which are free thanks to a series of SNF grants, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center also organizes a number of events with affordable tickets, thus enriching its income sources and securing its long-term financial integrity.