Greek-American Historical Museum of Washington State

Puget Sound

The Macedonian Aprons
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Sonny Newman
Exhibits Keeping Community Seattle Thessaloniki

In 1954 Sonny Newman was walking by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Spokane when he heard music coming from the basement. Knowing a bit about Greek dancing, of course he went in. This experience expanded his career to include performing and teaching Greek dance.

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Found Treasures
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Susan Auerbach with George Asimakopoulos, Anna Asimakopoulos, Theodora Antipas, Effie Wells, Artemis Delimitrios, Maria Coltos, Frank Halbous, and Maria Lkieros
Keeping Community Seattle

In April of 2011 while sorting through a box of memorabilia a well-remembered document about Greek music surfaced. A found treasure: “Musical Memories of Nine Seattle Greeks.”

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Dance Gives Voice to the Soul
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Yvonne Hunt
Assumption Exhibits Greece Keeping Community Saint Demetrios Seattle

For those who know a few Greek dance steps and those having grown up with the usual syrto, tsamiko, hassapiko dances at weddings and other celebrations, it becomes routine. For Yvonne Hunt, dancing is a way of expressing the deeper meaning of the culture.

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The Plumakia
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Fran, Alice, George, and Paul Plumis
Bar Central Greece Education Exhibits First Generation GAPA Making a Home Military Philoptochos Saint Demetrios Seattle

Four children, 13 men named George, a happy family life and unselfish dedication to their church and community.

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Spin’s Friendly Entrepreneurial Style
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Spiro Nicon
Aegean Islands Assumption Bar Exhibits Immigrant Making a Living Seattle

In the 1900s many Greeks found financial success in the food and beverage businesses. Spiro “Spin” Nicon’s entrepreneurial skills, honesty and friendly personality made him one of those Greeks in Seattle.

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“The Softest Clarinet in the World”
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Nicholas Oeconomacos
Exhibits Making a Living Seattle

If one saw Nicholas Oeconomacos on the streets of Seattle in the 1920s he appeared as a character from an old, scary Transylvanian movie. Rather, the Greek musician was the principal clarinetist with the Seattle Symphony.

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Bouzouki At Its Best
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Takis Dotis
Epiros Exhibits Immigrant Making a Living Music Northern Greece Restaurant Seattle

How better to keep community than through music and food. Demetrios “Takis” Dotis, one of the true masters of the bouzouki and experienced restaurateur, does both.

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