Wednesday, 21 September 2011

MUSIC EVENTS IN AZOGIRES

It was mid summer when my good friends Meena and Jean Marc came to Azogires for their summer vacation, along with two very famous musicians, or should I say music Gods, Carl Wyatt and Archie Lee Hooker. As they were relaxing on my veranda they turned around and said "Lets fill this place with life". So, whilst we got busy putting out posters for a Blues Night in Azogires, Carl headed out in search of a bass player and drummer, returning only hours before the gig with two very good musicians, Theo and Roberto, from the Greek rock group "Arrapao". With the right training from Carl Wyatt in just a few hours they became blues experts. As soon as people heard who it was all about they came storming to the village. Before long the road was blocked as people took to the street dancing. It went on all night long as no one could stop grooving in the blues rythim, especially when Archie sang his uncles song "Boom, boom, boom, boom". Everyones heart was pounding, the band was exausted and they wanted to stop playing but everyone kept shouting "More, more". People adored it, they were leaving little thank you notes on the tables saying it was the best night they ever had . The band did the show voluntarily, taking no money at all for their time and effort but simply enjoying to give life to the village once more in the best way anyone can imagine possible. For this I send from all the Azogirians a HUGE and heartfelt thanks. * we only say one thing guys we woship you, *



A few weeks later Johny Human, also a musician and a resident of Azogires, came down to the cafe with his acordeon and played for us all. The place filled once again only this time the street was not closed by dancers but by a future tai chi master who was here with Master Lydias Tai Chi group. He took his sword and, under the influence of Johny's music, he went out into the road and gave us a lesson or two in tai chi.


And it didn't stop there. Over the following days others came to just play too in Azogires, like my good english friend and artist John. He has restored a 100 year old violin and he plyed for us in the same spot where Carl Wyatt and Archie Lee Hooker had played only a few weeks before just so that we could feel the spiritual rythim of music once more. I can only hope that we will have more of these wonderfull evenings with Carl, Archie, Roberto, Theo and Johny whom we all love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbSm1UZqb8w&feature=related

The Band

















Tai Chi with Azogires style






Johnny and his "manager"



You know it's true Blues when even the crickets approve



And the good times just keep on coming

















Saturday, 6 August 2011

FAREWELL TO 3 GOOD FRIENDS


I have lost three good friends this year and it breaks my heart.



I have finally found the courage to say something because it is my duty to remember those who cared for me as one of their own. In the beginning of the year I lost my dear friend Sam Reed. Author of the book FRACTURED DREAMS AND SUNFLOWERS, he was a man who made me laugh every single minute. He was next to me with his wonderful stories and his amazingly clever jokes; he will remain in my heart for life.



Early in the summer Lynne Tait, co author of TEN WALKS AROUND PALECHORA, and another books of walks in our wild Cretan mountains, passed away. She had walked every gorge, every hill and every valley of our area. She was the brightest star of tourist information on Crete, while at the same time she kept her self away hidden in the Cretan mountains where she and her husband had built a beautiful house, practically on their own.



Finally, less then a month ago Madame Anna Fistarol, a lady with class and honour, who always made me feel happy and relaxed, passed away.



I am sure that all three are sitting above the clouds and keeping an eye on the rest of us















y

Wednesday, 29 June 2011

BLUES NIGHT IN AZOGIRES

The famous Carl Wyatt and Archie Lee Hooker will be playing tomorow night in Azogires ,you are all welcomed to enjoy them .And live the real spirit of the Blues .

The following takes place on Thursday 30 of June at 9 pm

Saturday, 21 May 2011

A WEDDING IN AZOGIRES


With joy I would like to inform you of a wedding, that took place in Azogires.The Village of Koukoutsakis worldwide ,Kaliopi Koukoutsakis came all the way, from Athens to join with the love of her life Nikos Stagakis.Her proud parents Vangelis and Athina Koukoutsakis arrived two whole weeks earlier with a huge crew ,to help them make it all possible. We were all thrilled to hear that she will move permanately back to Crete. The wedding ceremony was unlike any other I have ever seen ,only from Athens arrived about 200 people besides the loacals who stormed the Azogires countryside drunk with joy and happiness, the party started on Friday night and finished on Sunday.The actual wedding took place, on Saturday afternoon at the Monastery of the 99 Holy Fathers ,it was such a posh wedding that even the waiters and chefs arrived from Athens ,we were served by the same people ,who used to work at the famous Ecali club

.It was amazingly modern and prototype for Cretan standards ,but at the same time, so very tradittionally Creten.There was a band of Creten Musicians who led the bride all the way to the Church ,followed by the best man's company ,it was the greatest time of my life, I wish them a healthy and wealthy life ,full with joy and happiness !.












































































Sunday, 15 May 2011

EASTER IN AZOGIRES

It was one of the most spectacular events of this year .Even though Greece is undergoing a crisis , at the moment, Azogires Easter was not effected.

The night sky was lighted with firecrackers ,as if it was daytime.Visitors came from all over Greece ,to see this event. After people took the Holy Light to their houses ,they came down to the cafe to enjoy the tradittional Greek Easter specialities.Like mageiritsa and cheese kalitsounia ,I must admit we got drunk,but !!! not from the wine it was the Azogires effect of joy.



























Thursday, 3 March 2011

THE LATEST NEWS

The past few months have been a bit hard in Azogires I will start by telling you that the river became so high this winter that it made the main road in to a second river right thru the middle of the town .Not to mention that olive trees and 200 year old stone walls came tumbling down like paper ,but Azogires is still intact and in one peace .Weve had hale 3 times this year , one of those times the hale reached egg size and literaly thrased everything .But again no serious damages done,like in Kountoura where they had 3 million euros worth of damage on the greenhouses. Azogires got away with it ,with just a few fallen leaves .Which the other 2 situations were not the same , the first took place on 7th October around 2 in the afternoon causing serious damages to the Azogires olive crop and the second just about a week and a half ago, late evening after a day of clear blue sky the street was just filled with hale,and here is the odd part of this story both times there was a Gentlemen visiting our village .To speak more clear he came to visit us twice in two diferent years and both of the times he visited we had serious hale storms, so I've added a photo of this rather charming and smiling Gentlemen, that he may be recognized wherever he goes.Locals have started to refer to him as Mr.catastrophy .I on the other hand sugested that he go and sell his services to rich Arabic countries with vast deserts ,cause he is guarenteed to bring hale storms, wherever he goes ,therefore he can bring life to dried out areas .Ps all of the above is not a joke it happend in Azogires.




















Sunday, 16 January 2011

CHRISTMAS IN AZOGIRES


It was only a matter of time for Christmas to arrive even for the residents of Azogires.It was a great evening where everyone truly felt like Family ,there was meat ,wine , sweets,even ice cream on the table .All the jolly housewifes made glorious meals
and sweets ,it went on till late and then we all stumbled our way home.And the very next day Christmas Sunday we had another International Backgammon tournament . Guess ? who was the winner ,yes you got it right ,Jessica Hale.After kicking everyones ass she decided to take a bite of the Gingerbread house made by Anna Maria Schaab. My complaint is she ate all the Jelly babies of the house ,and I was left with nothing