The Athenian Corner is important to the dance community because it provides a venue for performers to dance to “ live music ” with experienced talented musicians . Often on Thursdays there is the opportunity for new dancers to have the wonderful opportunity to dance to live music and enhance their performance skills .
The musicians provide music throughout the entire evening not just for the performing dancer . Thus , we in the audience enjoy dancing the traditional line dances as well as belly dancing …. all to our hearts ’ content ! It provides an evening for us in the dance community to see and stay in communication with each other !
I was easily able to “ interview ” Ted via email and telephone conversations . We trust you will enjoy learning about the Athenian Corner !!! And …. when you travel to this area , when “ this ” is over , plan on stopping in for an unforgettable experience !
The Panagiotopoulos Family Receiving Award The photo was taken in 2014 to mark the 40-year anniversary of the opening of the Athenian Corner Restaurant . The family was presented with an official citation from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives , Mr . Tom Golden of Lowell , MA . From left : Thea ( daughter ), Alexandra , Stavros , Tom Golden , Ted ( son )
When did your parents arrive in Lowell , MA , USA ? What were their biggest challenges upon arrival ?
My parents , Stavros and Alexandra Panagiotopoulos , came to America in 1961 from Kalamata , Greece . My father and his brothers , and their parents , arrived in America at different times , but they were all here by the mid-1960s .
The challenge for my parents , as with most immigrants from poorer nations , was to save the money to realize their dreams – to purchase their own home and to open their own business . From 1961 to 1974 both Stavros and Alexandra worked 2 , sometimes 3 , jobs at the same time to provide for me and my sister , Thea Karahalios , while also saving enough money to purchase their first home ( 1971 ) and then begin the savings process again to purchase their own business and business-property ( 1974 ).
How did your parents get their idea to open a Greek restaurant ? Was it always the Athenian Corner ?
The idea of opening the restaurant was a long-time dream of my father and his brothers , who opened it as a joint venture in 1974 . There were four of them involved : Stavros , Jimmy , Nick , and Vasilios . Their sister , Christina Grillakis , while never technically an owner , has been and continues to be a
24 The Belly Dance Chronicles � May 2021