Greek Glendi set for this week in Manatee

Four days of syrtos, kalamatianos, hassapikos, syrtaki, tzatziki, taramosalata and saganaki lie ahead.

The 32nd annual Greek Glendi Festival at St. Barbara Orthodox Church opens today and runs through Sunday. It's a celebration of all aspects of Greek culture, and every year Greeks and non-Greeks from around the Bradenton area flock to it.

Greek food is among the main attractions. This year's menu includes all the favorites from recent years, plus a few additional items, including lightly breaded fried calamari, saganaki, a fried cheese; and taramosalata made from carp roe.

Greek music and dancing are also a big part of the glendi. Dancers will offer more than 20 styles of traditional Greek dance, including those named above (syrtos, kalamatianos, hassapikos and syrtaki).

Eighteen vendors will offer Greek jewelry, clothing, cooking utensils, cheese and olive oil.

On Thursday, instead of paying admission, visitors are asked to make a donation to Take Stock in Children, a non-profit that helps low-income and minority children finish high school and attain higher education.

Details: Feb. 4-8, St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 7671 N. Lockwood Ridge Road, East Manatee. Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: Donations for Take Stock in Children on Thursday, $4 Friday-Sunday. Children under 12 free. Information: 941-355-2616, bradentonorthodox.com.

-- Marty Clear

This story was originally published February 3, 2016 at 5:36 PM with the headline "Greek Glendi set for this week in Manatee ."