Florida Talks presents Golden Harvest - The Music and Traditions of the Greek Spongers of Tarpon Springs.
Early in the 20th Century, Greek sponge divers fled their home country to establish a thriving enterprise in Tarpon Springs, today known as the "Sponge Capital of the World." Tarpon Springs, which has a population of about 24,000, has the highest proportion of Greek Americans of any city in the nation. Poetry, dancing, and traditional Greek music have always been at the heart of the neighborhood. The concert features live violin, lute, goatskin piper, and English and Greek songs and musical performances that showcase Tarpon Springs' rich cultural background.
Presenting will be Dr. Panayotis League, Assistant Professor of ethnomusicology and Director of Florida State University's Center for the Music of the Americas. He specializes in the oral poetry, dance, and music of the Greek islands, Brazil, Ireland, and the American South. He also writes and performs worldwide, and in 2019, the Florida Folklife Program recognized him as a Master Artist.
The event is free to attend and those interested must register online. Poster printing is a great way for organizers to advertise events such as this one.
Golden Harvest will be on February 4, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. It will be at the Leesburg Public Library at 100 East Main Street in Leesburg, Florida 34748. Call Deb Bussinger at 352-728-9790 or email librarian@leesburgflorida.gov for more information. Visit the Lake County Library System website to register.
