The PanCretan Association of America (PAA) hosts its biennial convention in San Francisco, CA , June 30th through July 5, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero. Boasting thousands of members throughout the United States, the PAA is returning to San Francisco for the first time since 1974.
Convention will be six days, Friday through Wednesday night (June 30th –July 5, 2017). The week long convention will feature major events every night, business meetings throughout the week, a picnic in Calistoga at Macedonian Park and a Grand Banquet on the 4th of July that will honor Veterans from throughout the State of California. To top off the event, famed musician, recording artist and fellow Cretan, Tony Orlando, will be singing that night to honor our Veterans. Orlando, a long time supporter of Veterans, will be the highlight of the many events throughout the week.
Registration begins on Friday, June 30 at 9:00 a.m. and continues every day of the convention week. Registration on Sunday will only be in the morning before the picnic and then resume on Monday morning.
Late Night Dancing will take place every night at the hotel on the lower level.
The Archives room will open on Sat, July 1.
Cultural Programs will begin on Sat, July 1 and there will be a couple of programs later in the week as well.
The Dance Groups will be performing throughout the week. Bobby Markakis is coordinating this project.
PAASF 2017 Convention Schedul
Friday, June 30th Registration
Cable Car Tour AT 1:00 p.m.
Welcome Party—A Culinary Experience of SF-Annunciation Cathedral, SF 6:00 p.m.
Late Night Party at Hotel
Saturday, July 1st Registration
Yoga Classes–Hotel–8:00 a.m.–Pacific Concourse
PAA/PYA Opening Ceremony & Breakout Sessions 9:00 a.m.-BayView A&B
Archive Room Opens for the week–Seacliff C&D
Cultural Programs begin at 11:30 a.m** & 2:00 p.m.**.–Pacific Concourse
Cable Car Tour #2–1:00 p.m.
Tavli/Prefa/Bridge Tournament Begins–Hyatt Regency-1:00 p.m.
Cretan Night–Annunciation Cathedral, SF–6:00 p.m.
Late Night Party at Hotel
Sunday, July 2nd Registration
Church Services and Picnic—Napa Valley, CA (Macedonian Park, Calistoga)
Cretan Alumni Network Party—Summer of Love–Hyatt Regency 9:30 p.m.
PYA Youth Event (over 21) at Love & Propaganda Club 9:30 p.m.
PYA Youth Event (under 21)–Presidio Bowl 9:30 p.m.
Tavli/Prefa/Bridge Tournament Continues at Hyatt Regency 9:30 p.m.
Late Night Party at Hotel
Monday, July 3rd Registration
Yoga Classes–Hotel–8:00 a.m.–Pacific Concourse
PAA Meetings & Breakout Sessions-starting at 9:00 a.m.-BayView A&B
Alcatraz Tour–11:00 a.m. & 12:00 p.m.
. PYA MEETING–2:00 p.m. Garden Room
Wine Tasting at The SF Ferry Building–3:00 p.m.
Philanthropy in Crete Symposium–4:00 p.m. BayView Rooms
Women’s Night/Cultural Program–Ascension Church, Oakland, CA–6:00 p.m.
Late Night Party at Hotel
Tuesday, July 4th PAA Meetings–9:00 a.m.
Exploratorium for Children 14 and under–11:00 a.m.
Youth 4th of July BBQ in Silicon Valley–11:00 am to 5:00 p.m.
Cultural Workshop–Mandili/Sariki Making** 2:00 p.m. Pacific Concourse
Kazantzakis Presentation–4:00 p.m. BayView Rooms
The Grandest of Grand Banquets—Happy 4th! Hyatt Regency 6:30 p.m.
Late Night Party at Hotel
Wednesday, July 5th PAA Meetings & Elections–9:00 a.m.–BayView A&B
Yoga Classes–Hotel–8:00 a.m.-Pacific Concourse
SF Walking Culinary Tour for Small Groups–10:00 a.m
Kokkari Estiatorio VIP Event–5:00 p.m.
Farewell Party—Annunciation Cathedral, San Francisco, CA–6:30 p.m.
Late Night Party at Hotel.
Information on the Cultural Programs:
SATURDAY, JULY 1st
Taking A Bow in Ancient Greece (90 minutes)—For students grades 2nd through 5th—11:30 a.m.
“Taking a Bow” (TAB) in Ancient Greece is an interactive “in-class” museum learning experience presented by Politismos Museum of Greek History, an online learning project focused on Greek history and culture, from antiquity to modernity. The TAB program examines three major components: the role of theatre in Ancient Greece, mythology, and the issue of morality. Content, activity and vocabulary has been created to correlate with early elementary school curriculum. Engagement, entertainment, education – students have the opportunity to see artifacts, play with props, create masks and leave with a greater understanding of the role of theatre in antiquity and its influence on modern day theatre and film! FREE OF CHARGE
The Battle of Crete – A Turning Point in WWII (90 minutes) For students grades 6th through 12th—2:00 p.m.
On May 20, 1941, German forces invaded the Greek island of Crete. The heroism displayed by the Cretans – men, women, and children – was truly like nothing else that had been seen or experienced in WWII. When German paratroopers descended upon them, their only thought was to fight for the freedom. Little did they know how their actions would inspire and affect a nation on the other side of the world… The program examines the role of Crete in WWII, the affects of their actions on a global stage.
Students will see artifacts, including era propoganda, have an opportunity to understand how everyday people reacted with limited resources and leave with a greater sense of how every individual is not only affected by world history, but also has a significant role in how that history is created. FREE OF CHARGE
TUESDAY, JULY 4th
Mandili/Sariki Making (90 minutes) 2:00 p.m. Open to all ages
Crochet is easy, fast, versatile and portable. In this workshop class, Olga Markakis will introduce you to the Traditional stitch of the Cretan Madili/Sariki; which is crochet in a form of Solomon’s knot. She will show you how to begin, form and end your mandili, as well as show you how to crochet the traditional tears that are on the edges. This is a hands on workshop and you will get to practice all of the above. Come join us and keep the traditions of our island alive. FREE OF CHARGE
Some of the highlights of the week include a Welcome Night on June 30 that will feature a SF culinary experience. Cretan Night on July 1 features famed Cretan musicians Ilias Horeftakis, Stelios Iliakis, Diamantis Kosidekakis, Kostas Frantzeskakis and Giannis Gantadakis along with dance troupes from around the country performing. On Sunday, July 2, convention attendees and families will be traveling to Napa Valley to enjoy a day-long celebration in Calistoga. The next evening, July 3rd, will honor the Women of the PanCretan as well as showcase the Cretan Culture. On 4th of July, the grand celebration will take place with exclusive guest artist Tony Orlando singing some of his biggest hits, including “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree,” and so much more. Finally, on July 5th, the Farewell Party will send off guests until the next convention convenes in 2019. Throughout the week, the PAA will feature cultural workshops in association with the Politismos Museum, excursions throughout SF and late night dancing at the hotel to keep everyone dancing until the wee hours of the morning.