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A FABULOUS EVENING WITH OLYMPIA DUKAKIS
BY: Gloria Consolacion T.
Cressler
Editor:
Black Tie International Magazine
An
evening spent with the Oscar and Golden Globe award
winning actress Olympia Dukakis is a night to truly
revel in, and to remember. This fabulous lady took her
time greeting every guest, and graciously was
photographed with guests. Ms. Dukakis enjoying herself,
ended up staying longer with us than anticipated. The
event was held at the ever popular World Bar located at
the Trump Towe
r by the United Nations.
The event was hosted by the Association of Greek
American Professional Women (A.G.A.P.W.) headed by
it's energetic hard working Founder and President Dr.
Olga Alexakos. It was well attended with supporters and
very important guests, starting with Consul General of
Cyprus in New York, Ambassador Vassilis Philippou;
Deputy Permanent Representative of Greece to New York,
Ambassador Nancy Vraila; Mrs. Anthoussa Diakopoulou,
wife of the Consul General of Greece in New York George
Iliopoulos; Judge Harriet George; Mrs. Penny Tsilas,
wife of Ambassador Lucas Tsilas, Executive Director the
Onassis Foundation USA;
Artist Dr.
Aphrodite Navab, AGAPW's VP; Dr.
Katherine Schwab of Fairfield University; Singer
Anastasia Zannis; Ms.
Maria Christodoulou, Chief of Staff, Onassis Foundation
USA; Comedian Ms. Ellen Karis; Doctors,
Attorneys, Bankers, women from the performing arts and
the business world among the guests.
The evening began with a meet and greet; cocktails were
served, sumptuous food and fine wines followed.TV
interviews were held
by MGTVUSA, GOODNEWSBROADCAST.COM, Black
Tie International Magazine and the NATIONAL HERALD's
Constantine Sirigos.
Following the reception an interesting and captivating
discussion followed about the life and career of Ms.
Dukakis moderated by the lovely Greek-born Film Director
Stavroula Toska.
The guests enthusiastically asked her questions, and she happily obliged
and answered all their questions.
Ms.
Dukakis was born in Lowell, MA, daughter of Greek
immigrants Constantine Dukakis and Alexandra Christos
Dukakis. She attended Boston University and graduated
with a BA; she majored in Physical Therapy with which
she practiced during the polio epidemic. Later, she
returned to Boston University and entered the graduate
program in performing arts and earned a Master of Fine
Arts degree.
Ms.
Dukakis performed in Shakespearean companies throughout
the United States and also on stage on Broadway and the
National Theatre in London, and acted in several famous
movies. She did not become a household name until she
reached the age of 56 when she won an Oscar for her
performance as Cher's sardonic mother in the romantic
comedy Moonstruck in 1987. In the 30 years since then
she has had an illustrious career, both in comedy and
drama. She has performed in many different and wonderful
ethnic roles from
(Greek, to Italian, Jewish, Eastern Europeans and
others).
Ms.
Dukakis won the Oscar as Best Supporting Actress awarded
for Moonstruck, the Life Achievement Award from the
Greek America Foundation, and the Medal of Honor from
the National Arts Club. More awards included: Obie
Award, Best Actress Awards
in various Film Festivals worldwide, Golden Globe Award,
Los Angeles Film Critics Award, American Comedy
Award, Emmy, and BAFTA nominations and many more.
She received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
This fabulous actress is remarkably talented, highly
admired,
and truly an inspiration for all of us.
Ms.
Dukakis is married to Yugoslav-American actor Louis
Zorich.
The New York based couple co-founded the Whole Theatre
Company in Montclair New Jersey, which remained active
for 19 years (1971-1990).
Also, Ms. Dukakis is a best-selling author for her
Autobiography Ask me again tomorrow: A Life in
Progress, published in 2003.
As one of the cousins of the one-time presidential
candidate Michael Dukakis, she is a strong advocate for
women’s rights and environmental causes. Ms. Dukakis is
also on the lecture circuit, covering topics on her
amazing life, the theatre, alzheimers' disease,
diabetes, domestic violence and osteoporosis.
She and
her husband are hardcore New Yorkers, and also believe
in that sign
"I love New York."
My personal and fondest wish is that I can get all my
friends to move to New York, so they can come and enjoy
this great life that we are all participating in this
great city. Most people are accommodating in this city,
always willing to support different charities, and
we truly never have a dull moment. We are all so very
fortunate to live in the most wonderful city in the
world where the great people in this city make it so
much more beautiful every day.
We are
grateful and thankful to our guests, Film Director
Stavroula Toska for moderating the discussion, in which
she did a fabulous job; Dr. Olga Alexakos, the President
of (A.G.A.P.W), who did a terrific job putting this all
together, and the support of the members, and guests who
supported this event. And of course we thank our
Sponsors starting including myself, Gloria T. Cressler,
the CEO/Founder of Elite Professional Networking Group,
Black Tie International Magazine and Aerial Design and
Build.
We also
want to thank Mr. Kenneth McClure the Vice President and
Group General Manager of Hospitality Holdings and his
staff, for their great service and well prepared
sumptuous foods. All the guests enjoyed their food, the
wine selections, and the great service.
PLEAS
SAVE IN YOUR CALENDAR & EMAIL US FOR THE INVITATION
June 14, Black Tie Gala Event & Fashion Show Sheraton
Hotel Ballroom
July
15, Mid Summer Celebration at the World Bar at the TRUMP
TOWER.
Oct. 07, Welcome Fall Celebration at the World Bar at
the TRUMP TOWER
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