QPAC

Brisbane-based performers Katerini Manolatos and Mel Lathouras will traverse the world of music icon Nana Mouskouri, in the brand-new concert The Girl from Greece – A Tribute to Nana Mouskouri on Friday 11 October 2024 in the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) Cremorne Theatre.

With a career spanning over seven decades and album sales in the hundreds of millions, Nana Mouskouri has a place in the hearts of music lovers from across the world. In The Girl from Greece, Katerini and Mel will reminisce and reflect on their love for Nana’s music and her global impact on the weekend that Nana turns 90.

The show will explore Nana’s greatest hits and Greek favourites, such as “The White Rose of Athens”, “Over and Over”, “Turn on the Sun”, “Enas Mythos” plus many more, and will pay homage to this much-loved artist. Katerini and Mel will be accompanied by a seven-piece band featuring two bouzoukia, the iconic Greek lute that features in several Nana songs.

Katerini Manolatos is a classical crossover singer who, immersed in the sounds of traditional Greek music during her childhood, trained in classical singing at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. Now a highly esteemed registered music therapist, Kat combines her therapeutic expertise with a diverse repertoire of Greek, classical, jazz, and contemporary genres.

Hailing from Bundaberg, Mel Lathouras is a soul jazz singer, comedian, and singing coach, and was shaped by the 80s Greek pop music, rock 'n' roll, and rebetiko echoing through her family stereo. Armed with postgraduate qualifications in jazz, vocal pedagogy, and education, Mel explores her Asia Minor and Greek café roots while connecting them to her expertise in jazz, blues, soul, and business.

The inspiration for The Girl from Greece came from a very simple but apparent place – the Brisbane Greek community.

“The show was inspired by a family friend and Nana fan, Leo Tsimpikas, who said to me one Sunday morning after church, “you should do a Nana Mouskouri tribute”. It seemed so silly that it was such a novel idea as Nana’s music had enveloped a great deal of my life.

“The seed was planted and shortly after I met Mel. By fate we both landed on the idea of a show about our connection to Nana Mouskouri but also about our families and the unique Queensland connection to her,” Katerini said.

“For Kat and me, creating this tribute felt like a project written in the stars. As singers, we felt a deep responsibility to honour Nana and her remarkable musical legacy,” Mel said.

The duo believes that Nana’s presence was a shining light for Greek immigrants creating new lives across the globe.

“When my family and many others left Greece to forge a new path in the 50s and 60s, there wasn’t much representation of those of Greek heritage. At the time Nana Mouskouri had a television show, performed at Eurovision, and had records pressed in multiple languages,” Katerini said.

“She modelled what it was to stay true to your cultural identity but to also embrace a new life, to be intelligent, valued, and important. She brought a piece of the motherland to Greeks living abroad, fostering a real sense of connection and pride.”

“It’s her profound connection to music and her relentless passion for singing, despite the challenges of ageing or any obstacles life has thrown her way. It’s not just a tribute to Nana - it’s a celebration of friendship, unity, and connection,” Mel said.

A seven-piece band will be led by musical director John Reeves on piano and the piano accordion, Nikos Papadimitriou and Nick Paras on bouzouki, Dr Bob on bass, Eddie Gazani on guitar, Miguel Mendoza on drums and Dave Kemp on percussion with special guest vocalist Christina Xydi-Lignou and Greek dancers.

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas said Nana Mouskouri’s enduring impact is deeply felt within Queensland’s Greek community.

“QPAC was honoured to celebrate Nana in 2015 when she performed in our Concert Hall as part of her 80th birthday and worldwide farewell tour. Her generosity of spirit and exuberance for life was palpable,” he said.

“Katerini and Mel will bring this same energy to the Cremorne Theatre stage with The Girl from Greece. We are proud to be fostering local talent to share Nana’s story of resilience and hope with the wider community.”

The Girl from Greece – A Tribute to Nana Mouskouri will transfix the Cremorne Theatre on 11 October 2024. More information can be found via qpac.com.au or 136 246.