Markos Vamvakaris

The Piraeus Municipal Theater is hosting "I, Markos Vamvakaris," a play based on Angeliki Vellou-Kail's biography of the Greek music legend who spent most of his life in the port city and became one the most influential songwriters, musicians and singers in the rebetiko and laiko genres.

Rebetiko, Greece's answer to the blues which emerged around the middle of the 19th century as more and more people moved from the countryside to the cities, is the subject of a festival on the island of Syros for seven days from July 1 to 6. The festival will feature concerts and theatrical shows, an exhibition of folk instruments and master workshops.

Local act Markos Elektrik endows iconic tunes by rebetiko master Markos Vamvakaris with a progressive, rock 'n' roll vibe, using electric guitar, Rhodes piano, bass and drums. The band's show at Six Dogs starts at 9 p.m. and admission costs 8 euros.

Six Dogs, 6-8 Avramiotou, Monastiraki,
tel 210.321.0510, www.sixdogs.gr

Running through Sunday, September 2, in the town of Ermoupoli, the Rebetiko Festival is dedicated to one of the masters of the genre also known as "Greece's blues," and a native of the island, Markos Vamvakaris (1905-1972). Other than celebrating the roots of rebetiko and showcasing the artists who have evolved it to this day, the event also aims at preserving the local folk music of Syros.