Greek Festival Draws Crowds to Oak Park

By Robert Bernstein

After the non-stop action on three stages of the French Festival, the Greek Festival seemed rather sleepy.

Here are all of my videos and photos from the 2018 Santa Barbara Greek Festival.

However, the Greek dance team of Dimitri Arabatzi and Ozzy Medellin from “The Greek” restaurant in Ventura certainly woke things up for a bit!

Dimitri did some high-energy acrobatics including this hand stand.

And some high kicks scary close to audience volunteers!

At times he seemed to defy gravity!

It was hard to find a place to sit. The French Festival had a big shade canopy, with many rows of chairs. None of that at the Greek Festival. People cooked in the few seats around the edge. But, for awhile, Dimitri Arabatzi and Ozzy Medellin held everyone’s attention!

A few people took refuge up on the shaded hill behind the stage

Then Dimitri and Ozzy did some creative moves with full wine glasses!

Here are some videos of their action!
Dimitri and Ozzy warming up the crowd:

Dimitri doing the Wine Glass Dance

Dimitri and Ozzy doing some high energy acrobatics

Ozzy’s turn at the Wine Glass Dance

In the end Dimitri and Ozzy recruited audience members to join in with some Ouzo and Wine Glass action!

There was one other short performance set by the young Zoi Dancers

Here are two short videos of their performances

The rest of the time the stage was open for folk dancing. At times the band Levendia offered live music. Otherwise it was recorded music.

Of course, many people were there for the food. Including this array of Greek pastries

The Greek Festival is still worth a visit. But many of us remember the early days of the Greek Festival in the 1980s. Remember the belly dancing? The many different food vendors? And, most especially: Remember George Alexiades performing his amazing table dance?

Any chance of bringing back some of that special energy to next year’s Greek Festival?