Compiled by Brian Park
Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church in San Juan Capistrano is inviting the community to celebrate Greek culture and cuisine at the second annual Greek Festival on Saturday, Sept. 27 and Sunday, Sept. 28.
The weekend event celebrates all aspects of Greek culture. Guests can enjoy traditional Greek fare, from gyros, lamb chops and souvlaki to sweet pastries like baklava. For adults, authentic Greek wine, beer and spirits will also be served.
The church will also set up their own version of a taverna, replete with food and drinks to go along with big screen televisions and table games to play.
Greek performer Takis “Kokotas” Stathoulis will perform live and guests can also learn traditional Greek dances. The Saint Basil dance troupe will also perform dances from different regions of Greece.
Mary Platis, a food writer, will lead a class on cooking with olive oil and offer tastings. There will also be a tour of the church, including a special presentation by Fr. Michael Courey, who will unveil and discuss two Byzantine icons to be used at St. Basil that were featured at the Getty Museum.
The festival is open on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission and parking are free. St. Basil is located at 27129 Calle Arroyo. For more information, visit www.sjcgreekfest.org.
