My diary of the 2004 Hydra Rebetiko Conference.
Saturday, October 15th 2004
Christos Tsiamoulis of Athens, Greece gave a talk based on work that he is doing at the Odeion Athinon. He gave a detailed exposition of the theory of roads and modes, and conducted a workshop looking at how they work in practice. He filled all three pages of the flipchart with notes. To understand them fully, you should listen to the lecture. See elsewhere for how to get a copy of my recordings of the conference.
For the first time since my arrival on the island, I had time for a proper lunch, as well as doing important things like battery charging. I wandered along to a harbour-front taverna, and relaxed over a tasty Mythos beer, some skordhalia (a garlic dip) and some kalamaria (yummy squid).
I made sure I was back in plenty of time for the next session. Karolos Tsakirian of Piraeus, Greece, was invited to speak on his life and times as an instrument-maker. It was a great pleasure to hear Karolos speak about his work, made even more pleasurable because I am privileged to be the owner of two instruments made by Karolos. Given that he only makes between twelve and twenty instruments a year, I am very fortunate indeed! My photo shows us posing behind the baglama he made for me. Apparently, since its picture appeared in the Skeezo gallery, Karolos has had an order for another one with a similar design.
That evening, we had the grand event, the Rebetiko Supper and Concert at the Xeri Elia (Dry Olive), also known as the Douskos Restaurant. Everything went extremely well, with the waiters managing to get our meals and wine to us very efficiently. The previous year they had really struggled, but I was not all that surprised, as they had a large wedding party booked the same night that time! The food this year was good, too. Music was provided by the Stelios Vamvakaris Band, and my recording of the evening is three hours long. It includes the sound of conversation, eating, drinking and so on, but is well worth having. I tried not to talk over the music too much myself, and to keep the microphone away from Stavros when he came near his seat. This recording is one of my favourites now, including as it does many songs by Markos Vamvakaris.
I didn't stay long after the band finished, so I have no recording of what happened after that. I believe other musicians played, but I don't know for sure.