Benefit Concert Rocks St. Demetrios H.S.
Photos Niki Podaras

Georgia Konstantakopoulos and Peter Sotiropoulos perform on acoustic and electric guitar and do vocals for Mousika Monopatia.

On May 5 Mousika Monopatia, a band composed of four students and teachers at St. Demetrios H.S., Astoria, performed their first live concert at the school. The performance was not only Mousika Monopatia's first, but also a benefit concert to raise money for "To Hamogelo Tou Paidou" ("The Smile of the Child").

To Hamogelo Tou Paidou started in 1995 when a 10-year-old boy with terminal brain cancer dreamed of helping all severely sick, abandoned and lost children to feel loved and have some type of shelter. After the boy's death his father formed the organization, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. Since then, it has become a huge success, with widespread support from people, companies, churches and other organizations.

The Mousika Monopatia concert helped gain support for To Hamogelo Tou Paidou's efforts. Thousands of dollars have been raised, and the band plans on visiting the children of To Hamogelo Tou Paidou this summer.

Another benefit concert will be held at St.Demetrios H.S. on June 22 for a Boston-based organization supporting children with cancer. The program- songs of the Scorpions and Nickelback to newer Greek pop songs- will be in Greek and English. Tickets to the 8:30 p.m. concert are $10.- Niki Podaras

Fotis Papiris and Dimitri Kouvaris are Mousika Monopatia vocalists. Besides vocals, Vagelis Hazirogloualso plays keyboards with Mousika Monopatia. Billy Diomis is the Mousika Monopatia drummer.