Every two years, the Greek America Foundation hosts what has become the biggest Greek North American awards night, gathering the community’s “best and brightest” stars (Gabby comes from Greek America’s Best and Brightest).
The Pappas Post is the official media partner of the event.
The tradition was launched in Chicago in 2009 and continued at Ellis Island in New York City and Los Angeles, where more than a thousand people came to celebrate excellence amongst Greek North Americans.
The Gabbys return to New York City on June 17th where numerous high-impact people from throughout the United States and Canada will be honored for their service and impact on broader society.
An entire festive weekend is being planned, with numerous welcome receptions, lunches, dinners and other events.
The main event, where 9 individuals will be honored, will take place at Carnegie Hall, with the official after party to follow at the famed Plaza Hotel on Central Park. Greece’s top pop singe Anna Vissi will headline the after party, together with her complete orchestra from Greece.
Honorees will be announced in mid-May.
The awards show will symbolically honor the journey of those who came before— paving the way for Greek Americans to be in the world’s grandest performance arts venue, Carnegie Hall.
Various musical and theatrical tributes will take place, including a live tribute to Maria Callas, featuring two Greek American divas, Alexandra Loutsion and Nicolette Mavroleon. A special artistic achievement award will also be handed to 1960s-era Academy Award dancer and actor George Chakiris and contemporary Broadway actor/singer George Psomas will sing a tribute.
Musicians will include some of the nation’s most talented instrumentalists, with over 100 volunteer talent participating in creating the awards show.
Nikos Kouroupakis is the artistic director of the program and Leah Michalos, a theater veteran, will helm the show.
The show is produced by Gregory Pappas, founder of the Greek America Foundation.
Proceeds from the gala— which is actually the biggest, biennial fundraiser of the Greek America Foundation, will go to the organization’s various philanthropic, academic and humanitarian relief projects in Greece.
The Greek America Foundation has a long record of service, with dozens of scholarships for North American students to study abroad in Greece, and a very successful Project Hope for Greece campaign which has helped vulnerable people in Greece.