TARPON SPRINGS, FL – In most parts of the country (New York, Chicago, Boston, and other large American cities are notably excluded), Greek-Americans are hard-pressed to find even one place to Greek dance on a Saturday night. But in Tarpon Springs, which I dubbed “America’s Greek island” long ago – due to its unmistakable Greek feel, the problem is quite the opposite: where to choose among the various options.
For many years, Zorba’s on Athens Street near the historic Sponge Docks along Dodecanese Boulevard was the “go-to” place for late night Greek dancing on the weekends, and Zorba’s is still around, but at new location, still in Tarpon, but about a dozen blocks south of the Docks.
The longstanding Mama’s restaurant, across from the Old Zorbas, on Athens Street and adjacent to the Sponge Exchange on the Docks, has expanded and now features live music and dancing on Saturday nights.
Then, there are the various Greek dances and celebrations, such as for the Panagias Feast, held at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral Hall, or at the more expansive Spanos-Pappas Community Center a couple of blocks away.
But that’s just indoors. On the first Saturday of every month from early spring to September, there is the Night in the Islands, featuring waterside tables on the Sponge Docks, with an array of delicious Greek food prepared by the numerous local restaurants. Of course, there is live music and dancing, from early evening until the party stops.
So much Greek dancing, so many choices…decisions, decisions.