If you are in Gavalochori in the spring, summer, or fall, you will have many opportunities to hear live music. Your options can range from traditional Cretan music to classic rock to jazz to classical and sometimes, combinations of these. Here’s an introduction to get you started.
Live music occurs in a number of different kinds of venues. Live-music events that are easiest to access in Gavalochori are those that take place at the two tavernas in the village, Gavalianos Kafenes (Monica’s Taverna) and Arismari. Monica usually has a chalkboard sign outside of her taverna advertising live music a few days before such an event. In the summer, live music happens at these tavernas fairly regularly—maybe once a week or once every couple of weeks. You’ll be able to order dinner and enjoy whatever music is playing. If you are at or near one of the tavernas, stop in and ask when the next live-music event will be.
There are also live-music events at the old school in Gavalochori, which is on the street that runs past the Folklore Museum and the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus. At these events, rows and rows of chairs will be set up in the paved area adjacent to the school, and food and drink are typically available for sale.
Several nearby villages frequently have music events. Two villages that often host live music are Douliana (Ντουλιανά) (3.7 kilometers or 2 miles from Gavalochori) and Tsivaras (Τσιβαράς) (4.8 kilometers or 3 miles away). Live music in both of these villages usually takes place in the main squares. Vamos (Βάμος) (3.5 or 2 miles away) is another village that hosts live music. It often tends to be in an outdoor amphitheatre on the edge of the town.
Sometimes, there are concerts in private gardens, and these are often open to the public. These are usually more intimate affairs with maybe 30 people attending, and food and drink are served.
There are three ways to find out about live music in Gavalochori and nearby villages. One is to watch for posters that will be tacked up on telephone poles and on the doors of shops and businesses advertising a live-music event. You also can find out about live music in Gavalochori and nearby villages on two Facebook websites. A site that focuses on live music and sometimes other events in the municipality of Apokoronas (of which Gavalochori is a part) is this one. Another is the site of jazz violinist Maria Manousaki, who advertises her events and those of her musician friends here. A third way to find out about live music is to watch this website!
