Upper Darby, PA – Seventy-four years later, the Pontian Society Akritai of Philadelphia, appear to be going stronger than ever. This past weekend they did it again, they hosted the biggest dance of the year, at St. Demetrios church. But this year, the reins were passed on to the youth. Maria and Eleni Agatsiotis, two young members, organized and managed the affair. Brothers Evangelos Poneres on lyra and Christos Poneres on daouli also members of the Akritai chapter participated in the performance. The Akritai dance troupe performed traditional dances from Pontos making it an evening presented by the youth.
Pontian musicians, Babis Kemanetzidis and Stathis Pavlidis from Thessaloniki Greece were the featured artists. Their duet had the dance floor filled as they played into the morning hours.
Ifigeneia Pavlidou-Ikonomou, President of the Pontian Society of Philadelphia was the long time organizer of the annual dance. The event, traditionally features performers from Greece and America and coordinating this effort along with all the volunteers was always a challenge.