About Con Kalamaras

Con Kalamaras is a Melbourne-based musician, events producer, and composer. His passion for Greek music has inspired him to produce music events and festivals, tour around Australia, Europe, UK, and Japan.He has composed music for film and performs in various ensembles in Melbourne.

Co-founder and Artistic Director Melbourne Rebetiko Festival, and Co-founder and Director of Greek Fringe and runs the highly successful Melbourne Rebetiko Jam. 

Over the past decade, Con Kalamaras has established himself as one of Australia's leading independent presenters and promoters of contemporary Greek music and culture, creating meaningful artistic connections between Greece and Australia. Through his work as an arts producer, festival curator and cultural advocate, he has successfully toured and promoted a diverse range of acclaimed artists and ensembles from across Greece, introducing Australian audiences to both traditional and contemporary expressions of Greek music.

His touring and presenting portfolio includes renowned artists such as Ifigenia Ioannou (Athens), Apodimi Compania (Athens), Fotis Vergopoulos, Haroula Tsalpara (Athens), Elsa Mouratidou (Thessaloniki), Rebetien (Athens), Pliri Ntaxei (Thessaloniki), and Marios Papadlas (Athens). Through his collaboration with Greek Fringe, Con has also facilitated Australian performances by some of Greece's most exciting emerging acts, including Kadinelia and Nikoteini.

These tours have encompassed concert presentations, festival appearances, community cultural events, workshops and cross-cultural collaborations, helping to strengthen artistic exchange between the two countries. Through these initiatives, Con continues to play an important role in building enduring cultural bridges between Greece and Australia, supporting artists to reach new markets and enriching Australia's multicultural arts landscape.

Photo credits to Heidi Seraphim & Stav Lampropoulos