Hellenic Students Association profits with Greek Night - Greek culture and tradition showcased at annual event

The JHU Hellenic Students Association (HSA) hosted its third annual Greek Night on Friday, Apr. 20 to promote Hellenic culture on campus with a fusion of food, music and dancing.
This year's event was the first profitable Greek Night that the HAS has held despite its three year history. Approximately 720 tickets to Greek Night were sold, but there were 780 students who attended the event. The event was so popular that the supply of food dwindled as the night went on and students were admitted to the event without charge.
"Our mission statement is to promote Hellenic culture on and off campus. . .Greek Night is the main thing we do on campus. It's the best way to show the dancing, the music and food. It just shows how we have fun. . .we enjoy life," President of HSA, George Petrocheilos, said.
Baltimore's Deputy Mayor Kaliope Parthemos was presented with a framed cover of NEO Magazine, on which she is featured, by Demetrios Rhompotis, Publishing Committee Chairman of the magazine.
"It's her first term as deputy mayor and [this award] is to recognize her work as Deputy Mayor," Petrocheilos said.
Approximately 200 people attended the event from outside of the Hopkins community. Many came to the event in order to see Parthemos receive her award.
"I don't think that attracted many Hopkins people, but I know for sure that it attracted many out of Hopkins people," Petrocheilos said.
Students who attended the event were able to enjoy food from more than 10 different Greek-owned restaurants of primarily Greek cuisine.
The event was sponsored by Former Maryland Secretary of Business and Economic Development Aris Melissaratos as well as John Korologos of Double T Diners, which was the largest food donor. Other restaurant donors included Ikaros, Samos, Timbuktu, Valentino's, Della Notte, Acropolis, Captain James Landing, Speakeasy Saloon and the Hazelwood Inn.
Various groups also put on performances throughout the night. A band from New York City, featuring Rena Tsapelas and her accompanying group offered live music throughout the night. The St. Nicholas Hellenic Golden Coins, in conjunction with their director, Maria Kaimakis, offered traditional Greek dancing performances. Dancers were multi-aged, and included performers from ages 8 to 25.
The financial success of Greek Night, each year held during Spring Fair, delegitimized doubts about the importance of holding the event. The first year that the event was held, in 2010, approximately 300 people attended but HSA did not profit; they did not charge attendees because it was the first such event. Fewer people attended last year's event, and Petroicheilos therein strove to increase attendance for this year.
"For the past few years, people were complaining that this event should not go on because every time we were always owing money to someone and waiting until next year to pay them back," Petrocheilos said. "I really believed that Greek Night was the best way to promote our culture on campus, so we're still going to do it and we're going to find ways to make it happen."
The evening's prosperity can be attributed to a refined advertising strategy. Tickets were pre-sold and sold at the event. The event was heavily advertised in the surrounding Maryland communities, included at Greek churches in Maryland and in Greektown.
The Hopkins chapter of HSA was also joined by representatives from Hellenic associations from the University of Maryland, Loyola University and Towson University.
Diversity was also present within the HSA itself, a combination of undergraduate students from Hopkins, graduate students from the Carey Business School and the Bloomberg School of Public Health, students at the School of Medicine and Ph.D candidates. All of these members participated and helped out throughout the event by serving food.
Melissaratos emphasized how proud he was of the achievements that HSA made through Greek Night.
"This year's Johns Hopkins Greek Night was a breakthrough event. It drew up to three times more locals and students than ever before and it has established itself as a 'must go to' event for the Greek Community. I was particularly proud of George Petrocheilos, Neil Branis and the entire membership of the Hellenic Students Association who worked tirelessly all evening to satisfy their guests," Melissaratos wrote in an email to The News-Letter.
Petrocheilos was extremely thankful for the strong team bolstering his leadership of the event.
"I think that this event really shows that our group knows what we're doing. . .everyone didn't just do what they were asked to. Everyone did more than they were asked to," Petrocheilos said.
Students praised the food and cultural experience that Greek Night brought.
"I visited Greece a couple summers ago, and hearing the music, it's really authentic here," sophomore Laila Smith said. "The food, dancing, being warm, open and inviting is all very much a part of the culture. I think they did a good job representing that."
Many attendees also were impressed by the dedication of the performers from the night.
"I'm glad there are still students in Baltimore that still are interested in their culture and are proud to share that," sophomore Elaine Markovich said.