In
greek mythology, Mount Olympus was a happening place. The impetuous and
passionate Zeus, Bacchus, and Dionysus were the original party gods.
Fast forward a few thousand years to Dallas, where that spirit is alive
and literally kicking at the Greek Food Festival at Holy Trinity Greek
Orthodox Church.
What began as a simple bake sale in 1957 has
now grown into a three-day celebration of the exuberant Greek culture
with authentic cuisine, live music, dancing, and shopping. Sure, you
can still find pastries—including baklava, finikia, or kourambiedes—somewhere among the flavorful but also nearly impossible-to-pronounce Greek specialties such as souvlaki, dolmathes, pastitsio, spanakopita, and the ever-popular gyros. Wash it all down with a glass or two of Boutari and you’ll be content.
This year, The Grecian Fire is back, bouzouki in tow, to perform live Greek music and inspire visiting Americans to learn some of Greece’s most popular dances, including kalamatianos, the national dance. Need a few pointers? Let the girls dressed in amalia or the boys decked out in foustanella be your guides. These kids, who perform on the stage nightly, can teach you a thing or two about the 
hasapiko. Or, just come down to the church and let loose your best Zorba impersonation. Opa!
Sep 27-29. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 13555 Hillcrest Rd. @ Alpha Rd. 972-233-4880. www.greekfestivalofdallas.com.
