Adventures in Greekland

Yesterday, Aaron, Michael and I went in search of the holy (research question) grail, setting out to conquer Danforth Avenue with our wit, intelligence and research-savvy conviction. The result was less than spectacular, although as research goes, 10 hours -one panic attack -one freak-out and one great conversation with our research supervisor Marusya later, we are on track, and in consensus on our topic which explores how Danforth Avenue's true Greek spirit and ethnic community is remembered and chronicled in traditional and media archives (with some sub-questions attached.)

Analyzing how memory and history intersect with public and private archives of a specific community (I initially had major problems with this concept but now, I think I am more clear on it), the implications of gentrification and commercialization of this area of Danforth, along with cultural interests competing with corporate interests are some ideas and questions.

When we started off the day, we were simply exploring and observing Danforth's Greek area, noticing how the authentic, ethnic Greek flavour of the street is being eroded by the Tim Horton's, Starbucks and Il Fornello's of the corporate world. Talking to some shop owners, such as Donovan of Elite Music, we were enlightened as to the transformation of this area and disappearance of the original ethnic character that was a part of it in the 70's and 80's, now commercialized for tourists and homogenized to fit into the mainstream corporate landscape inflicted upon most neighbourhoods in Toronto. In terms of the actual film, we were brainstorming on a "requiem" as Michael put it, an elegy perhaps to a bygone era, a remnant of a more vibrant period, a lament for a time forgotten or fragmented in memory, collective and/or private. "Lugubrious" was the operative word according to Aaron, in terms of the tone for our film.
Later, we went digging in small, hidden places such as the Greek Community Centre on Pape Ave. where some rude administrative assistants gave us the boot. Venturing into a Seniors Club or Men's Club, I had the cringe-inducing opportunity to ask a few seniors about where to go for archival sources related to the Greek community or any other leads to centers.
Next, searching for O'Connor Street and Nefeli Greek Theatre, we set out to find the first elusive community centre, and after dialling 411 and soul-searching in the desert-sun (a few tumbleweeds later) we caught a bus that took us out in the middle of the Sahara Desert. Slugging along, my impatience and fatigue setting in, Aaron keeping up the team spirit, we miraculously found the community centre on Thorncliffe Park, as part of Saint Dimitrius Church.
At the community center, we spoke with a lovely woman who gave us some leads we can contact by phone and complete our preliminary research.
Later, armed with 6 or 7 hours of digging and investigation, we convened at Aaron's place to hammer out that proposal and get things organized, only to run around in a few more circles again with our wording.

After a few pages of written work, brain-wracking and a consultation with my professor friend Dr. Mary, we came upon a consensus (only to be broken by myself the morning after...)

In spite of everything, we are in accordance of our team goals. Marching along, marching along!