Post by paoktzi on Nov 5, 2010 15:48:54 GMT 10
www.olympicultras.com.au/news/82
BILLY, 'OPA', 'ULTRA' and OLYMPIC ULTRAS
5/11/2010
The Olympic Ultras spoke to a busy Billy Billiris midweek to discuss the upcoming 'ULTRA' u18s dance party, Sydney Olympic and the latest on 'OPA': The Hellenic Festival.
A simple 'Q and A' let Billy do the talking as he explained some of the recent challenges behind organising and promoting both events, shared his memories of Olympic and his dreams of joining the Ultras in action, together with his feelings of excitement at what will be an absolutely massive December month for everyone in town.
Tickets to 'ULTRA' are now on sale and can be purchased via the promoters listed on its Facebook event page, www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116214765104859 .
- What are the prospects for 'ULTRA' u18s and will it sell out?
The prospects are that 'ULTRA' U18's will be a sell out event with a European local line-up and, with people like internationally-recognised DJ Krazy Kon involved, it sure will go off in style. We are hoping for a trouble free and a fantastic event which will be enjoyed by everyone and I can't wait to MC with Kara and with a few big announcements made on the night, 'ULTRA' Under 18's will be around and getting people talking about Sydney Olympic and their fans the Ultras, hence the name!
- There have been some recent changes to 'OPA', can you explain what has been going on?
Yeah, there's been recent coverage in the media and on my website that there is a bit of crisis with 'OPA'. The problem is that due to recent grants that Belmore Sports Ground will won't be available due to upgrades to the ground. This meant that we were left groundless. Hopefully though my legal team and I will work with Canterbury Council in resolving everything for us to have a new venue arranged ASAP as the show must go on! Sometimes these things get in the way but this was expected. Maybe others haven't realised yet that I am about sheer passion and that it isn't about the money, because I believe money comes when you're patient and no matter what the haters or critics might do or say, I will always run Greek events straight out of my heart and they will not stop me. If 'OPA' needs to be held in my backyard then let it be!
- When was the last time you went to a Sydney Olympic game?
Actually I haven't been to a Sydney Olympic game in a while now and its a shame. In the past, I thought that Sydney Olympic was a second grade team but since getting to know the club, I have been waking up and dreaming of chanting 'ZHTO OLYMPIC' at the games. My promise to you and the Sydney Olympic team is that BB will be at nearly every game he can be at next year with the fantastic Ultras Fan Club because I have started to fall in love with this club and I have a group of mates that are also falling in love and will be attending in numbers.
- How was the response for the Miss 'OPA' contest?
The response was overwhelming and it brought tears to my eyes to see so many young Greek-Australian girls entering the contest. The entries were simply amazing, and a couple of the winning entries even wrote poems about how proud they are to be Greek, it is so great to see passion and spirit still alive in my generation and the older generation of Greek-Australians. Good on them and good luck girls!
- You mentioned recently in your blog that you love Sydney Olympic and that you're an Olympic Ultra, can you explain what that means?
I love Sydney Olympic because I meet this guy called Spiro Mavridis who is a self-proclaimed die-hard Olympic fan. He explained to me so much about the history of the club and at the end of the conversation I said to him, "Take me to Belmore Sports Ground because I want to see where this passion is from". I met some Olympic officials and the whole experience took me emotionally because I soon realised just how important Olympic is to our culture here in Sydney. I've come to see that without Olympic there isn't the 'Hellenic Spirit' in Sydney, because it has been so significant to every Greek-Australian over the years.
I am an Olympic Ultra because I am a fan of the Sydney Olympic team and I could not be prouder to be chanting "Olympic" with as passionate a fan group as the Olympic Ultras.
- Why do you think so many people will come and have a good time at 'OPA'?
I think they will come and have a good time at 'OPA' because it is a political free event which has invested in the community and into a festival which is out to bring the Greek-Australian community come together. 'OPA' will be a record breaking event with so many things happening from 10.30am till the early hours of the morning. The new approach to the festival compared to other festivals is why it is getting broadcasted in Europe and in Australia.
'OPA' has given so many opportunities to the next generation with over 25 performers, 15 DJ's, 4 dance groups, 3 charity groups to benefit including the Sydney Children's Hospital, and of course the stalls, live stage, record-breaking Greek dance sung by interstate and internationally-recognised singer Stellios Antoniou, live radio broadcast, Dj Georgio's Euro CD official launch and so much more! 'OPA' is so important to the Hellenic community because it is the start of a new chapter for our all of us.
- What has surprised you the most while organising and promoting Ultra and 'OPA'?
A lot has surprised me from both events but the one thing which really did surprise me is the fact that there are so many talented young Greek-Australians out there who want a go. Just look at the entertainment management I do, I have over 30 young and talented Greek-Australian singers, dancers and performers, they will be given the chance to shine at 'ULTRA' and 'OPA'. Take for instance DJ Esskay, he's got a lot of talent and he really could go places with his talent but there hasn't been an event where he can be showcased to the younger generation of Greek-Australians. 'ULTRA' will be his opportunity to do this.
BILLY, 'OPA', 'ULTRA' and OLYMPIC ULTRAS
5/11/2010
The Olympic Ultras spoke to a busy Billy Billiris midweek to discuss the upcoming 'ULTRA' u18s dance party, Sydney Olympic and the latest on 'OPA': The Hellenic Festival.
A simple 'Q and A' let Billy do the talking as he explained some of the recent challenges behind organising and promoting both events, shared his memories of Olympic and his dreams of joining the Ultras in action, together with his feelings of excitement at what will be an absolutely massive December month for everyone in town.
Tickets to 'ULTRA' are now on sale and can be purchased via the promoters listed on its Facebook event page, www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116214765104859 .
- What are the prospects for 'ULTRA' u18s and will it sell out?
The prospects are that 'ULTRA' U18's will be a sell out event with a European local line-up and, with people like internationally-recognised DJ Krazy Kon involved, it sure will go off in style. We are hoping for a trouble free and a fantastic event which will be enjoyed by everyone and I can't wait to MC with Kara and with a few big announcements made on the night, 'ULTRA' Under 18's will be around and getting people talking about Sydney Olympic and their fans the Ultras, hence the name!
- There have been some recent changes to 'OPA', can you explain what has been going on?
Yeah, there's been recent coverage in the media and on my website that there is a bit of crisis with 'OPA'. The problem is that due to recent grants that Belmore Sports Ground will won't be available due to upgrades to the ground. This meant that we were left groundless. Hopefully though my legal team and I will work with Canterbury Council in resolving everything for us to have a new venue arranged ASAP as the show must go on! Sometimes these things get in the way but this was expected. Maybe others haven't realised yet that I am about sheer passion and that it isn't about the money, because I believe money comes when you're patient and no matter what the haters or critics might do or say, I will always run Greek events straight out of my heart and they will not stop me. If 'OPA' needs to be held in my backyard then let it be!
- When was the last time you went to a Sydney Olympic game?
Actually I haven't been to a Sydney Olympic game in a while now and its a shame. In the past, I thought that Sydney Olympic was a second grade team but since getting to know the club, I have been waking up and dreaming of chanting 'ZHTO OLYMPIC' at the games. My promise to you and the Sydney Olympic team is that BB will be at nearly every game he can be at next year with the fantastic Ultras Fan Club because I have started to fall in love with this club and I have a group of mates that are also falling in love and will be attending in numbers.
- How was the response for the Miss 'OPA' contest?
The response was overwhelming and it brought tears to my eyes to see so many young Greek-Australian girls entering the contest. The entries were simply amazing, and a couple of the winning entries even wrote poems about how proud they are to be Greek, it is so great to see passion and spirit still alive in my generation and the older generation of Greek-Australians. Good on them and good luck girls!
- You mentioned recently in your blog that you love Sydney Olympic and that you're an Olympic Ultra, can you explain what that means?
I love Sydney Olympic because I meet this guy called Spiro Mavridis who is a self-proclaimed die-hard Olympic fan. He explained to me so much about the history of the club and at the end of the conversation I said to him, "Take me to Belmore Sports Ground because I want to see where this passion is from". I met some Olympic officials and the whole experience took me emotionally because I soon realised just how important Olympic is to our culture here in Sydney. I've come to see that without Olympic there isn't the 'Hellenic Spirit' in Sydney, because it has been so significant to every Greek-Australian over the years.
I am an Olympic Ultra because I am a fan of the Sydney Olympic team and I could not be prouder to be chanting "Olympic" with as passionate a fan group as the Olympic Ultras.
- Why do you think so many people will come and have a good time at 'OPA'?
I think they will come and have a good time at 'OPA' because it is a political free event which has invested in the community and into a festival which is out to bring the Greek-Australian community come together. 'OPA' will be a record breaking event with so many things happening from 10.30am till the early hours of the morning. The new approach to the festival compared to other festivals is why it is getting broadcasted in Europe and in Australia.
'OPA' has given so many opportunities to the next generation with over 25 performers, 15 DJ's, 4 dance groups, 3 charity groups to benefit including the Sydney Children's Hospital, and of course the stalls, live stage, record-breaking Greek dance sung by interstate and internationally-recognised singer Stellios Antoniou, live radio broadcast, Dj Georgio's Euro CD official launch and so much more! 'OPA' is so important to the Hellenic community because it is the start of a new chapter for our all of us.
- What has surprised you the most while organising and promoting Ultra and 'OPA'?
A lot has surprised me from both events but the one thing which really did surprise me is the fact that there are so many talented young Greek-Australians out there who want a go. Just look at the entertainment management I do, I have over 30 young and talented Greek-Australian singers, dancers and performers, they will be given the chance to shine at 'ULTRA' and 'OPA'. Take for instance DJ Esskay, he's got a lot of talent and he really could go places with his talent but there hasn't been an event where he can be showcased to the younger generation of Greek-Australians. 'ULTRA' will be his opportunity to do this.
