A special evening of Greek music and community will take place on Friday, February 6, 2026, at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, as the Elytis Chair Fund Board of Trustees presents a fundraising concert in support of Modern Greek Studies at Rutgers University.
The event, titled “Greek Music Anthology,” is officially hosted by NBPAC and will run from approximately 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. It aims to raise funds toward establishing a permanent endowed chair in honor of Nobel Prize–winning poet Odysseas Elytis.
The evening will begin with a cocktail hour from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the NBPAC reception hall, featuring complimentary food and drinks, followed by post-concert desserts, all included with the event ticket.
The concert itself begins at 8:00 p.m. and will feature Greek singer and composer Grigoris Maninakis and his eight-member ensemble “Mikrokosmos.” The program will focus on familiar Greek sing-along songs, known as τραγούδια της παρέας, presented in a relaxed, participatory style. Guest vocalists Angeliki Psonis and Nikitas Tampakis will join Maninakis on stage.
According to the organizers, the concert will open with “Χρυσοπράσινο φύλλο” in memory of Cypriot benefactor Nikos Mouyiaris, and conclude with “Της δικαιοσύνης ήλιε,” honoring the poetic legacy of Odysseas Elytis, whose name the chair bears.
All proceeds from the event will support the Elytis Chair Fund at Rutgers University, which seeks to establish a permanent academic position dedicated to Modern Greek literature, culture, and poetry.
The initiative is supported by members of the Rutgers academic community, including Thomas V. Papathomas, Professor and Dean Emeritus and trustee of the Elytis Chair Fund.
The event will take place at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, located at 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. Parking is available in the NBPAC garage at 60 Bayard Street, with additional street and accessible parking in the surrounding area.
Tickets are available in two categories:
- General Admission: $125 (+ fees)
- Reserved Premium Seating: $250 (+ fees), with a portion helping subsidize student attendance
Tickets and official venue information are available through NBPAC at:
https://secure.nbpac.org/greek-music-anthology
Please confirm event details with the organizers before attending, as dates, times, locations, and registration information may change.