Opa! Dancers add flair to Greek festival

At St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church’s 33rd Annual Greek Festival in Elgin, the Agape Dance Troupe radiated what co-leader Maria-Kanella Zannis refers to as “fun energy.”

In Greek, that energy is called “kefi,” which Zannis said is a passion for dancing and life.

“That’s the spirit of our dance group,” Zannis said.

Zannis, 25, grew up at St. Sophia. She started dancing on the junior dance team and continued throughout high school before graduating from St. Charles North High School and leaving for college. Now she is back at her church, teaching the next generation of dancers with co-leader Demitri Kouretas.

“I just love being here,” Zannis said. “This whole church is my family.”

Dancers meet for one hour every other week for most of the year, but right before Greek Fest, they practice much more.

Tasia Gorski, 15, is a rising junior at Crystal Lake South High School. Already she has been dancing for 10 years — first in Greek school, then with the Agape Dance Troupe.

Gorski said she particularly likes this year’s dances because of their complexity.

“I like them because they challenge us,” Gorski said. “For a long time we were doing the same things.”

Dozens of youth from first through 12th grade performed five times throughout the festival weekend. Many of the older dancers also pitched in at the various food tents, dedicating their entire weekends to the church fundraiser.

Clad in colorful costumes — traditional Greek garb in styles typical of various parts of the country — the children smiled and laughed while parents snapped photos from the sides.