Spyros Koliavasilis and his protégé Niko Mitreone perform together in the duo known as Melos, meaning melody in Greek. This free, family-friendly concert features Rebetiko music, sometimes referred to as the Greek Blues. Started by people known as Rebetis – the marginalized communities, such as refugees and the urban working class of the 1920s and 1930s, it captures the feelings of oppression, despair, hope, and love, like no other music.

Rebetiko is now a Greek national treasure –recognized and protected by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage to Humanity and in the last 40 years it has become more famous and well-known all over the world with Greek and non-Greek musicians. Honoring the repertoire of the iconic Jewish Greek Rebetiko singers, Melos performs many Rebetiko classics sung and recorded by Istanbul-born, Jewish singer and dancer, Roza Eskinazi-- who later moved to Thessaloniki and Athens, Greece and became an icon, synonymous with Rebetiko music. Other Jewish-origin Rebetiko singers, such as Stella Haskil, were also prominent and synonymous with this musical genre. It is a passionate music which unified strangers, people of different religions and countries, all together looking for better life at the crossroads of the world, it still resonates with listeners today.

Melos duo will perform a selection of songs and present a meet and greet in the Fleder Multipurpose Room.

Free to attend, Registration Required.  Visit: https://culture.virginiabeach.gov/650/651

In partnership with the City of Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs