KYKLOS Hellenic Society
KYKLOS Hellenic Society was established in 2006 in Detroit, Michigan metropolitan area to bring together people who shared a passion for their Greek roots. KYKLOS’ mission is to preserve, educate and promote Greek heritage and culture through music, song and dance. The organization is dedicated to the study, preservation and instruction of the history and traditions of Hellenic folk culture.
The group shares its knowledge to the public through stage performances of songs and dances, conducts lectures for schools or historical organizations and participates in workshops.
The organizations founder, Yanni (John) Peppes was born in Athens, Greece and moved with his family to the Greek community in Tarpon Springs, Florida where he lived the customs and traditions on a daily basis growing up. “I’ve been blessed to have had the upbringing immersed in our beautiful culture and yet be thousands of miles away from our Patritha,” says John. “I had the passion for dance from a very young age.” In 1973, at the age of six, he started dancing with the St. Nicholas church dance group. This group would eventually become the Levendia Dance Troupe in Tarpon Springs, Florida under the direction of Mr. John Lulias.
Greek dance quickly became a passion for him. By the age of 17 he began to assist with teaching the group. In 1983 he traveled with the group to Athens, Greece to attend workshops. He was privileged to meet Dora Stratou herself and was introduced to George Mavropoulos who directed the troupe at the time. The group performed at the famous Dora Stratou Theater that summer. His exposure to the diversity of dances, songs and customs throughout Greece truly began at this time. “It was at this stage in my life when I was mature enough to recognize the importance of Greek folk culture and its influence on our everyday lives as Greeks and Greek-Americans.”
When he moved to Michigan in 1990 to begin is adult life and professional career, he quickly noticed that three was not an active Pan Hellenic dance group or organization that united the communities of the Detroit metropolitan area together for the purpose of preserving and sharing Greek dance. “In many metropolitan areas in the United States, the Greek communities form around the church. “Here in greater Detroit area there were 12 churches and none with a sustainable Greek dance program. KYKLOS was formed with the goal of uniting the community and bringing people from the various churches together for this cultural program.”
In just 4 short years, the organizations dance program has grown from 11 members from a few parishes to over 30 members from all 12 parishes. KYKLOS is an adult group with a minimum age of 17 and no upper age limit. There are no skill levels or tryouts. All are welcome so long as they have a passion for their heritage.
The primary reason for starting with an adult group was to gain momentum within the community that could then act on the ultimate mission of the group; have a sustainable education program in place for the children in the community. The foundation has begun as several members of the group now teach the youth dance groups at their respective parishes.
KYKLOS rehearses twice per month and members travel as far as 90 minutes one way for rehearsals. They perform on average about 30 times per year supporting Greek festivals and other programs. The group’s repertoire consists of over 200 dances from many regions of Greece. They perform dances from: Crete, Kalymnos, Kos, Leros, Patmos, Thassos, Naxos, Thrace (Eastern and Western), Macedonia, Epirus, Roumeli, Attica, Peloponese, Kerkyra, Cephalonia, Asia Minor and Pontos to name a few.
The group’s costumes are handmade in Greece and the pieces are researched and replicated to last for many years. “Today you can order costumes from China or over the internet. But you will not see the quality and love put into a costume unless it’s touched by someone who loves what they do,” says John. “Many of our costumes have been in my possession for over 20 years and are in great shape,” he adds.
In recent years, the program has expanded to include singing and the playing of live traditional folk instruments. “There is nothing more inspiring than to dance to the sound of a lyra, violi, laouto, clarino or tsambouna.” Unfortunately, the art of playing those instruments is also being lost with time. “I have seen a rebirth and interest in Greek-American youth over the past decade in our culture and it’s inspiring.”
Organizations like KYKLOS have existed for years in other communities and new ones are popping up all the time. The Greeks in American are extremely proud of their heritage and it shows. You can find Greek dance workshops and dance competitions throughout the United States. Many of these programs bring together the younger generation from cities around the United States for a common purpose and that is to experience and share their heritage. KYKLOS hosts workshops and also participates in workshops throughout the year.
As part of its mission to continue its educational program, KYKLOS is organizing a trip to Greece this summer. “Our trip is scheduled from 30-June through 11-July. We are going to spend time in Athens, Preveza and Naxos and have workshops along the way. Several members have never been to Greece and we are going to spend time learning about history and our culture along the way while also meeting new friends and doing research.”
KYKLOS has opened up their tour to anyone interested in joining them. You can find out more information about KYKLOS and their trip by visiting their website at www.kykloshs.org or by contacting Yanni (John) Peppes directly at admin@kyklosdancers.com.
KYKLOS Hellenic Society
Ιδρύθηκε το 2006 στο Detroit, Michigan, με μοναδικό του στόχο να ενώσει τους ανθρώπους με αγάπη για την κοινή ελληνική τους καταγωγή. Προωθεί το ελληνικό πνεύμα και την ελληνική παράδοση μέσω της ελληνικής μουσικής, των τραγουδιών και του χορού. Ο KYKLOS μελετά την ελληνική κουλτούρα και μοιράζεται με το κοινό τις γνώσεις και τις εμπειρίες του μέσω των δημοσίων παραστάσεων που δίνει. Τέτοιες οργανώσεις σαν τον KYKLOS υπάρχουν πολλές στην Αμερική, επειδή οι Έλληνες που ζουν εκεί, όντας περήφανοι για την καταγωγή τους, τις δημιουργούν για να κρατήσουν ισχυρό το ελληνικό τους στοιχείο. Ο KYKLOS έχει φιλοξενηθεί και έχει φιλοξενήσει πολλές από αυτές τις οργανώσεις. Στα πλαίσια των δραστηριοτήτων του, ο KYKLOS διοργανώνει ένα ταξίδι στην Ελλάδα αυτό το καλοκαίρι, από τις 30 Ιουνίου έως τις 11 Ιουλίου. Θα βρεθεί στην Αθήνα, στην Πρέβεζα και στη Νάξο και θα δώσει και κάποιες παραστάσεις.
Περισσότερες λεπτομέρειες: www.kykloshs.org
contact: admin@kyklosdancers.com
