The Downtown Moose Jaw Association’s (DMJA) second annual Greek Night built on the success of the first edition, selling out 300 tickets within two weeks, as main sponsor The Mad Greek restaurant celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
“It’s crazy that it’s been 20 years. It doesn’t feel that long. Hopefully there are many more to come,” said John Iatridis, owner of the Mad Greek and a DMJA board member. “I often tell my daughters that Moose Jaw has been very good to our family. I would love if they do whatever it is they decide to do in Moose Jaw. It’s a great community with incredible people.”
Iatridis lost his mother in 2022, causing him to reflect deeply on his family’s legacy in Moose Jaw and region. He has taken several initiatives to celebrate that legacy and the Greek history and culture behind it, including commissioning a family mural by local artist Carly Jay on the exterior of the Mad Greek and, of course, dreaming up Greek Night.
“I’m very proud of the event,” Iatridis said. “Not only proud, but thankful. When I asked the DMJA about having a Greek Night, they could have been skeptical, as we’ve never done one and Moose Jaw’s Greek population isn’t that large. Not only did they agree, they backed it 110 per cent and enjoyed seeing the Greek culture — lots of eating, dancing, and joy.
“For only our second event, and to have it grow to over 350 people, is fantastic. … I thought the food was excellent. The entertainment, from the dancers to the bands, and our emcee Costa Maragos, were all great. We changed it up a little from last year and we’ll change it a little again next year.”
Greek Night took place on May 13 at the Moose Jaw Events Centre, organized by Iatridis and his fellow board members at the DMJA, especially Gabi Belanger and DMJA ex officio member Jacki L’Heureux-Mason, the executive director of Tourism Moose Jaw.
Entertainment included former CBC Saskatchewan news anchor Costa Maragos as emcee; spectacular Greek-themed dance performances by Doris Sitter School of Dance in Moose Jaw and the Daughters of Penelope dance group from Regina; music by Greek/Canadian band Arkadia; a fundraising auction with prizes donated by local businesses; the smashing of hundreds of plates while Arkadia played background music and shouted encouragement, and dancing to cap the evening off.
Funds raised went to the DMJA and Tourism Moose Jaw to support the city’s tourism initiatives.
The Iatridis family started in Canada when John’s parents emigrated to Moose Jaw following economic hardships in Greece. They began with the Ambassador Café in 1963. Rodo’s Pizza followed, with locations in Moose Jaw and in Regina. The Town ‘n Country restaurant in Gravelbourg was an Iatridis project, as well. The Mad Greek now occupies the original Rodo’s Pizza building, and the family’s roots have grown deep in the South Saskatchewan region — generations who are proud to be Canadian and closely tied to their heritage, retaining and promoting Greek language, culture, food, and traditions.
“The little things are big things,” Iatridis said. “For example, when I walked into the event, Jacki and Gabi took my wife and I to see ‘Afroditi’s Luxe Lounge,’ created by Jillian from Jillian’s Design Elements. Together, they named it after my mother, Afroditi, and added a beautiful black and white picture of mom on the table. On Mother’s Day weekend. How can you thank someone for that? Words aren’t enough.
“Stin eyeia mas,” Iatridis added, “‘to our health.’ Opa!”
