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The day that Eleni Chakalos first saw a man dancing the zembekiko – a solo, improvisational folk dance – at a party in the Greek community in Bayonne, New Jersey, she became determined to learn more. She learned dances from Sparta and Mani, the islands her parents were from, as well as dances from other Greek islands. Now in her 80s, Eleni looks back at the hundreds of young people she has taught over the years at Greek Orthodox churches around the state, and at the more than 600 dance costumes she has created and sees "my life".



The Website of the Hellenic Dancers of New Jersey:
www.hellenicdancersofnj.org
Eleni sought out traditional dress from people in this country and Greece and taught herself how to make them. Many of the costumes have elaborate embroidery and decorative elements that require hours of hand sewing.

When Eleni married Jim Chakalos, she found a soul mate for her love of Greek music and dance. Jim became a Greek Orthodox priest and in 1972 was assigned to the youth ministry of St. George’s church in Asbury Park. He and Eleni wanted to attract young people to the church, so they started classes including machine work and sewing – but the dance classes were the most popular. Eventually, Eleni taught students all over New Jersey dances from at least twenty different areas of Greece. She also created traditional costumes for the dances.

Some students go on to become part of the Hellenic Dancers of New Jersey, a group founded by the Chakalos. They perform at Greek community events and for the public. At weddings, they perform dances from the regions that the wedding couple’s families are from, as well as the zembekiko, the trademark dance of the Hellenic Dancers.