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A Historical Timeline of Zorba’s
1960s
* 1970s *
1980s
June
1966
Nick “Zorba” Galaxidas opens the first original ZORBA’S restaurant
in the country.
December 1966
Zorba’s First Gala New Year’s Eve Party for 200 celebrants.
***
April 1967
Zorba Greek Easter Celebration on K Street with dancers,
entertainment, and roasting a whole lamb on a spit.
August 1967
Zorba’s Bacchus Wine Festival at Carvan Inn for 1000 people.
November 1967
Zorba entertains, with his combo and belly dancers, on board Greek
shop for sailors of the Saint Maria.
December 1967
Zorba’s First Annual New Year’s Party at Senator Hotel for 2000
people.
***
February 1968
Zorba hosts party opening Sacramento Symphony Fund Drive.
March 1968
Zorba’s celebrates the Irish St. Patrick’s Day by participating in
the parade – barbecues a traditional Greek lamb on top of a mobile
platform (parade float).
May 1968
Zorba organizes first Wine Festival in downtown Sacramento.
*June 1968
Zorba holds christening for his son John, with 400 friends – a happy
pageant event, rich with the traditions and ceremonial splendor of
Ancient Greece.
September 1968
Zorba turns restaurant into recording studio; “The Mediterraneans”
record music outlawed in Greece to be taped and sent to underground
stations in Greece.
December 1968
Zorba’s Second Annual New Year’s Party at Senator Hotel for 3000
people.
***
April 1969
Zorba prepares his restaurant for shelter from earthquake predicted
by Edgar Cayce this month.
May 1969
With objections of two-thirds of K Street merchants, Sacramento City
Council gives final go ahead for Downtown K Street Mall project. Zorba
lobbying hard for Mall project.
October 1969
Arguments continue for and against Zorba’s proposal for sidewalk
café.
October 1969
City Council approves Zorba’s Continental Kiosk-Sidewalk Café on
Downtown Mall in front of his restaurant.
December 1969
Zorba (Nick again) piles 300 sandbags against the front of his
restaurant in preparation of pending earthquake predicted by Edgar Cayce
– the Sleeping Prophet would destroy California.
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***
February 1970
Zorba and entertainment troup entertain with Anthony Quinn, Ann
Margaret, Roger Smith, and Bill Dana for benefit performance for
Concilio at Memorial Auditorium.
May 1970
Zorba buys the Ben Hur Chariot at MGM auction for $3,000.00
May 1970
Boston Race Track exchanges Ben Hur Chariot for common
chariot.
June 1970
FBI involved with investigation of missing Chariot.
July 1970
Chariot returned to Zorba from Boston group.
August 1970
Zorba purchases two Arabian horses to train for future Arena Chariot
Races.
August 1970
Zorba opens state fair festivities with Ben Hur Chariot.
September 1970
Zorba is guest of Charleton Heston for special event at Woodlake
with Chariot.
October 1970
Zorba opens new $300,000.00 restaurant and night club on K Street,
Sacramento, California.
December 1970
Zorba’s new Years Part at new restaurant for 350 people.
***
July 1971
Zorba’s troupe on television, representing Greece.
August 1971
Zorba’s troupe entertains in Hawaii.
December 1971
New Year’s Party at Zorba’s for 350 people.
***
February 1972
Zorba’s troupe goes to Bahamas entertaining on board ship for nine
days.
April 1972
Zorba’s troupe – with famous table dance, belly dancers and singers
- entertains at Ponderosa Hotel in Reno on Monday nights for three
months.
May 1972
First offer for toothpaste commercial.
September 1972
Zorba takes tour of Greece with 30 Sacramentans.
October 1972
Meeting with King Constantine of Greece in Rome.
November 1972
Zorba’s teeth insured for $500,000.00 by Lloyds of London.
December 1972
Zorba’s Annual New Year’s Party for 375 party-goers.
***
June 1973
Zorba and family honored by California State Assembly for their
contribution to citizens of Sacramento and the Greek community.
September 1973
Zorba’s troupe entertains for Greek Food Festival and helps raise
$25,000.00 for Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation.
October 1973
Zorba hosts world premier of Greece Touring Troupe with Harry
Lemonapolis, father of the bouzouki, at Zorba’s Restaurant.
December 1973
Zorba commences using his chariot for transportation because of
energy crisis and gasoline shortage – burns hay instead of gas.
December 1973
Chariot and horses stolen.
December 1973
Chariot and horses found in front yard of Municipal Court judge.
December 1973
Zorba’s Annual New Year’s Eve Party for 350 people.
***
January 1974
Zorba requested to appear with chariot on Johnny Carson.
January 1974
Zorba commences talent search in Hollywood, Las Vegas, Seattle and
Portland for name entertainers to appear at Zorba’s Restaurant.
February 1974
Zorba signs contract with George Maharis for March 8-17 appearance.
February 1974
Zorba holds press conference to introduce new Zorba Policy.
March 1974
Zorba brings name entertainers and celebrities to Sacramento.
March 1974
Zorba, driving the chariot, and with hundreds of followers and
television media, goes to the airport to welcome opening star Geoge
Maharis for the opening of the first show at Zorba’s – instant success!
April 1974
Zorba announces the continuing appearance of name entertainers to
follow – Lou Rawls, Tony Martin, AnaMaria Albageti, and Ray Anthony.
Mid – 1974
Nick Zorba introduces idea to Downtown merchants, mayor, and city
manager to create one day of the month as an open, outdoor merchant
shopping day, with art exhibits and entertainment.
1974
The Mayor of Sacramento and the Downtown Business Association
recognize Zorba as one of the main contributors to bring night life to
Downtown Sacramento.
June 1974
Through efforts of Nick Zorba, the Greek Government presents to the
City of Sacramento, the statue of Poseidon to be erected at and for the
opening of the Convention Center.
December 1974
Nick Zorba drives the Ben Hur Chariot from 1225 K Street to
2840 Auburn Boulevard, followed by many Sacramentans, for the grand
opening of the new location of Zorba’s Restaurant at 2840 Auburn
Boulevard, Sacramento, California.
***
April 1975
Zorba’s organized a two-day, outdoor Greek/Eastern Food Festival
with food, entertainment, and art vendors. Great success – estimated
9,000 attendees.
***
1976
Through the year of 1976, Zorba’s becomes the main attraction in
Sacramento. If you visit the Capitol, you must visit Zorba’s.
***
1977
~Zorba’s dedicates a celebrity room to television and media
reporters to welcome celebrities to the Capitol of California.
~Zorba’s participates in
promotion of the opening of the State Fair by bringing Miss California
to the event in the Ben Hur Chariot.
~Zorba opens the harness
races at the State Fair at Cal-Expo with the Ben Hur Chariot.
***
1978
Zorba’s creates a pre-opening gala of the State Fair with
entertainment, food, and fun for all jockeys and horse owners.
***
1979
~Zorba’s outdoor Eastern Food Festival extended to three days; with
food, dancing, and troupes of entertainers from the Mediterranean and
Balkan countries, attendance reaches a record high of 12,000.
~Zorba’s and TWA present
“Greek Odyssey” – for 18 glorious days, 32 business leaders and
politicians touring Greek Islands.
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***
1980
Zorba’s opens the largest
city disco with 12,000 square feet of glamorous dining room and name
entertainers – including Lou Rawls, Donna Summer, and Ray Charles.
***
1981
Nick Zorba introduces the first Chippendale Dancers at Galactica
2000.
***
1982
Nick Zorba is invited to Japan to perform his table dance, lifting
four tables on a show similar to “That’s Incredible.”
***
1983
After 18 years, Nick Zorba retires from performing his table dance in
Sacramento. Zorba's closes to a full house.
***
2019
Nick "Zorba" Galaxidas passed in his hometown of Molaoi, Lakonia, Greece on November 14, 2019.
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