Nice to meet you Gabby!
The first ever GABBY Awards (Greek America’s Best and Brightest) took place in Chicago on June 19, 2009 and I was fortunate enough to be the offical Red Carpet interviewer… and all I can say is I can’t believe it’s over already! It’s been two weeks and I am still flying high from the enthusiasm of the attendees, the achievements of the winners and love that filled the theater.
What a truly amazing event; a wonderful tribute to our Greek heritage! And, even in the smallest way, I got to be a part of it all!
I felt the presence of my Dad, my aunts, my Brother, and my Grandparents fill the room… I love my Greek heritage because of those people. I was there doing my job as a tribute to those who came before me…and I know they were proud.
The Awards show itself was held at the DePaul Merle Reskin Theater and had Academy Award winning production elements… except for perhaps my improvisation skit I did on stage pretending not to see the audience when I came running out with my red carpet and acted like they were in rehersals…here I am discovering the theater is filled with people!
The after party waaaaaaaas probably the biggest family party I’ll ever attend with 1,100 people dancing in circles! But the Red Carpet catwalk was mine… with a flurry of celebs rushing by I tried to grab a few seconds with each… Olympia Dukakis remembered her parents as she talked about winning the Lifetime Achievement Award,
Author Harry Mark Petrakis said he was working novel 22 because it was either write another novel or plan a funeral. (We’re glad you chose to write!), Melina Kanakaredes was a honorary co-chair of the event and said it was about time the Greek community celebrated it’s accomplishments… and Nia Vardalous and Alexi “Gorgeous” Georgoulis without pause when asked, picked up the guitar and sang for us!
The night exploded in the ballroom with performances by Glykeria. Kosta Karafotis also took the stage but he didnt share a red carpet interview with me because well, honestly, I’m stupid! (but that’s a story I’ll tell you when we get together for a frappe.)
The food was amazing and inspired by celeb chef Michael Psilakis… I was working so I only got to sniff lamb chops… And even Chicago’s finest were in the house working security…I couldnt help myself but to take a snap shot! They were actually frisking me here…I abliged because you never know when you need a friend in the Police Department?
I got to wear a dress made for a Red Carpet Greek Goddess… and lucky enough the creator of the GABBYS statuette, Konstantino, allowed us to wear his jewerly…uhhhh I got to wear over $25K worth although it had to be returned by midnight or I would turn into a pumpkin.
The event was amazing but what was also amazing is that I made a lot of new friends, people I know will be in my life forever. It was a night we wont soon forget… it was a night of celebration and tribulation! The date for the next Gabby Awards show is set, June 11, 2010… whether I am working the red carpet, cleaning the floors or sitting in the audience as a guest…I’ll be there to celebrate again.
Thanks Greg for making your dream come true and making this incredible memory happen for us!
Did I mention my new boyfriend straight from Greece, and co-star of “My Life in Ruins” Alexi Georgoulis yet? Okay, a girl can dream…
”Sexy Alexi Georgoulis” and me in, yes, my 3rd dress of the night!
