Melbourne was swept up in the passion of rebetiko this month as the Zeibekiko Festival entered its third year, headlined by the much-loved Greek vocalist Areti Ketime. Areti Ketime captivates Melbourne with the soul of Rebetiko at the Zeibekiko Festival.
Ketime, who last visited Australia in 2017 for a performance in Adelaide, returned to share her ethereal voice with audiences in both Melbourne and Sydney. On stage, she was accompanied by the accomplished Greek Australian ensemble Omados & Friends and the masterful violinist Dimitris Stefopoulos, visiting especially from Greece.
From the first note, Areti’s unmistakable tone and graceful stage presence transported the audience to Asia Minor, weaving together rebetiko with threads of traditional Greek folk. The energy in the room was infectious—spectators clapped, sang along, and smiled throughout. Stefopoulos’s soaring violin solos added another layer of intensity, his playing lifting the mood with each number.
The Omados & Friends band brought their own richness to the night, with Joseph Tsombanopoulos (percussion, vocals), George Athanasakos (clarinet), Maria Antara-Dalamagas (accordion), Paddy Montgomery (lute, guitar, oud), Wayne Simmons (bass), and Jacob Papadopoulos (bouzouki). Areti was also supported by three Sydney-based vocalists — Fotini Stavridis, Nola Haitidis, and Hara Koutsikoudi.
Music was not the only highlight. Dance troupes including Florina Aristotelis, the Greek Community of Melbourne Dance Group, and Pegasus Dance Academy, alongside the Nestoras College band, brought extra flair to the evening, heightening the festive spirit. One of the most memorable moments came when two audience members leapt on stage for an impromptu zeibekiko, embodying the communal joy the festival was built upon.
For many, the evening stirred deep emotions. Maria Aivaliotis, who attended with her daughters, shared: “This is my first time at Rebetika. I like it a lot. I remember Areti from when she was young on television… We’re having a great time.” Her daughter Betty Gannas reflected on the intergenerational connection: “It was really nice to see our parents’ generation get emotional and connect with the night. It made me feel closer to them.”
Behind the festival is the determination of organiser Sophia Ventouris, who admitted to The Greek Herald that her vision was not always welcomed: “Not many people believed in this. A lot of people didn’t want to be part of it because they thought zeibekiko was just for drunks and magkes.”
Sophia’s commitment has paid off, curating a space where rebetiko is not only performed but honoured as part of Hellenic cultural identity. As she explains, “I want to show the connection to the past — that zeibekiko is not just a dance where everyone puts a glass on the floor and kicks their leg. It is history, music, song, and dance woven together.”
The festival continues this week with workshops led by folklorist Dr Christos Theologos, and will conclude on Friday, 10 October in Sydney, with another highly anticipated performance by Areti Ketime.
