Announcement of the GNO Alternative Stage 2nd Percussion Festival | Programme overview

The Percussion Festival of the GNO Alternative Stage returns for its second vibrant edition in June 2025, inviting the audience to a three-day, fascinating experience filled with sound and exhilarating rhythms. On 11, 12, and 13 June, the 2^nd Percussion Festival’s diverse programme, curated by percussion soloist Marinos Tranoudakis, will feature unique concerts by distinguished ensembles and solo vocal performers, independent workshops for children and teenagers, as well as masterclasses, revealing the power and diversity of the world of percussion.

From the traditional percussion of Western Africa – inextricably tied to dancing and rituals – to the elaborate rhythmic motifs of the Balkans, and from Bach and Mozart’s harmonic strictness to Xenakis’ explosive genius, Astor Piazzola’s poetic intensity, and Ryuichi Sakamoto’s pensive frailty, the Percussion Festival uncovers a captivating sonic universe where rhythm transforms into a common language, bridging places, times, and cultures through the power of sound and body.

The 2^nd Percussion Festival of the GNO Alternative Stage will introduce the world-famous percussion ensemble OPERcussion, which combines the wealth of musical tradition with daring innovation, to the Greek audience. The programme will also include concerts by the prolific drummer and composer Srdjan Ivanovic and his ensemble Modular, the vibrant group of musicians and dancers under Antonis Papadopoulos’ musical supervision and with choreographies by Anna Karamitsou, the trio formed by the virtuosos Haig Yazdjian (oud, voice), Yiotis Kiourtsoglou (electric bass) and Vangelis Karipis (percussion, drums), as well as the distinguished flutist from the Thessaloniki State Orchestra, Jannis Anissegos, accompanied by the percussion ensemble Arrhythmic Percussion.

2^nd PERCUSSION FESTIVAL OF THE GNO ALTERNATIVE STAGE – PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

Wednesday, 11 June 2025

Concert
Antonis Papadopoulos / Anna Karamitsou - African Vibes
GNO Alternative Stage – SNFCC • Starts at: 20.30

Concert
Haig Yazdjian, Yiotis Kiourtsoglou, Vangelis Karipis
GNO Alternative Stage – SNFCC • Starts at: 19.00

Children’s workshop
Little Body Musicians
Designed and conducted by: Natasha Handa-Martin
GNO VIP Lounge – SNFCC
Starts at: 17.00 (age group: 7-10), 18.00 (age group 10-12)

African percussion workshop
Djembe Stories
Designed and conducted by: Antonis Papadopoulos
Featuring Anna Karamitsou
GNO Alternative Stage – SNFCC • Starts at: 14.00

Workshop
Percussion Instruments In Greece and the Balkans
Designed and conducted by: Vangelis Karipis
GNO Alternative Stage – SNFCC • Starts at: 12.30

Thursday, 12 June 2025

Concert
Srdjan Ivanovic– Modular
GNO Alternative Stage – SNFCC • Starts at: 20.30

Concert
Arrhythmic Percussion Group, Jannis Anissegos – Drum’n’Breath
GNO Alternative Stage – SNFCC • Starts at: 19.00

Masterclass
Timpani Masterclass by OPERcussion
With Pieter Roijen
Rehearsal Room of the GNO Orchestra – SNFCC • Duration: 14.00-17.00

Workshop
Grooving the Balkans
Designed and conducted by: Srdjan Ivanovic
GNO Alternative Stage – SNFCC • Starts at: 12.00

Friday, 13 June 2025

Concert
OPERcussion
GNO Alternative Stage – SNFCC • Starts at: 20.30

Masterclass
Solo and Orchestral Percussion Masterclass
With the percussion ensemble OPERcussion
GNO Alternative Stage – SNFCC • Duration: 14.00-17.00

Workshop
Orchestral Percussion Workshop
Designed and conducted by: OPERcussion
GNO Alternative Stage – SNFCC • Starts at: 11.00