A three-day dedicated to the art of percussions and the dialogue of different musical traditions is this year's third in order Cruising Festival organized by its Alternative Scene National Lyrical SceneOn 1, 2 and 3 July, at Stavros Niarchos Cultural Centre.
The 3rd Crust Festival, artistically edited by percussion soloist Marinos Tranoudakis, brings together important international soloists, distinguished Greek musicians and emerging artists, offering the public a multi-collective program with concerts, workshops, masterclasses and educational activities. The Festival covers a wide range of the modern percussion scene and confirms its role as one of the most important meeting points in Greece and Europe.
The first day of the Festival (Wednesday 1/7) brings to the ELS Alternative Scene internationally acclaimed percussion performer Rouven Rupic, who, along with his trio, distinguished Dutch pianist Tony Rowe and the expert in the Khalil Huri canon, will present a program combining jazz with intense Mediterranean and eastern influences. On the same day, Rupeek will hold a specialized seminar around the hybrid percussion set based on his kahon and modern applications.
The concert of vibraphonist Vangelis Paraskefaidis will follow, which, with its shape consisting of Meni Gounaris (keytra), Panayiotis Bourasani (electric bass) and Christos Vigo (drums), a contemporary jazz fuzon ensemble combining improvisation, electric sound and multi rhythmic structures, presents the music from his album entitled Electrolytes. On the same day, Vangelis Paraskefaidis will hold an improvisation seminar at the bibraphon, on the subject of improvisational ability in jazz.
The day will begin with percussion soloist Marino Tranudakis, who will present a special concert entitled "The Timpani Project", dedicated to orchestra drums. The concert focuses on the soloist role of drums, highlighting their sound and expressive capabilities through an original program. Works by Johann Carl Christian Fisher, Etienne Perryson and Nick Vaud, composers who have contributed significantly to the expansion of the repertoire and technical capabilities of drums will be presented. They co-operate with the ensemble of copper wind instruments Melos Brass and the violinist Nicholas Prevezianos.
The second day (Thursday 2/7) hosts two leading percussion soloists from Germany, internationally acclaimed percussion soloist and composer Alexei Gerassimez and accomplished drummer and educator Benny Gremp.
Alexei Gerassimez, one of the most important representatives of the modern soloist percussion scene, will close the day with a unique concert titled "Black Mountain", where he will collaborate with rising young Greeks and Cypriot percussion performers. He will also carry out masterclass with active participants.
Benny Gremp's concert will be preceded, where compositions and improvisations will be presented that highlight his particular personal style. On the morning of the same day, Benny Gremp will hold a drum seminar entitled "From good to great: The five elements of musicality in drums", presenting his philosophy around modern sound, rhythmic perception and creative approaches to the drum set.
The third and final day of the Festival (Friday 3/7) is completed with an explosive concert dedicated to Cuba's music by charismatic singer Rosanna Mailan and her band, in a program with Latin rhythms and Cuban energy. The concert is attended by Cuban musician Carlos Menentes, who will also present a seminar dedicated to the rhythmology and technique of Cuba's traditional percussionists, focusing on the instruments of congas, bongos, tibales and bata, and highlighting the African-Cuban roots and techniques that shaped modern Latin American music.
On the same day, the Blip Inclusive Multisensory Project will present the inclusive multisensory body impact laboratory (body percussion) "b(l)alloon", which is designed for people with and without visual or auditory disability and focuses on the sensory experience and experience of participation. The workshop will be implemented by Yota Peklaris, Natasha Martin, Vasia Zorbalis, Olga Dalekou, Christos Koutsovasilis and Thanos Daskalopoulos. The action is completed with the presentation of the b(l)alloon, a dynamic sound environment created through deep listening and collective coordination practices.
Summary programme
Wednesday 1 July 2026
Electrolytes
Christos Vigos, Menios Gounaris, Panagiotis Bourasanis, Vangelis Paraskefaidis
Alternative Stage ELS – KPISN • Start Time: 22.00 | Enter free with priority cards
Three Ruben Rupic
Ruven Rupic, Tony Rowe, Khalil Huri
Alternative Stage ELS – KPISN • Start time: 20.30 | Ticket prices: €12, €15 • Student, childhood: €10
The Timpani Project
Marinos Tranudakis, Nikolaos Prevezianos, Melos Brass
Alternative Stage ELS – KPISN • Start Time: 19.00
Thursday 2 July 2026
Three-way Benny Gremp
Benny Greb, Jan Janotzkin, Ralph Clintsman
Alternative Stage ELS – KPISN • Start time: 21.00 | Ticket prices: €12, €15 • Student, childhood: €10
Black Mountain
Alexei Gerasmez
Alternative Stage ELS – KISN • Start time: 19.00 | Ticket prices: €12, €15 • Student, childhood: €10
Friday 3 July 2026
Ritmos de Cuba
Rosanna Mailan
Alternative Stage ELS – KPISN • Start time: 20.30 | Ticket prices: €12, €15 • Student, childhood: €10
FINAL INSTALLATION
b(l)alloon
Blip Inclusive Multisensory Project
Alternative Stage ELS – KPISN • 3 July 2026 • Start time: 18.00
LABOUR
Wednesday, July 1
Among traditions: Rhythmic language in hybrid percussion set
Reuben Rupic
Alternative Stage ELS – KPISN • Start Time: 12.00
Approaching improvisational ability in jazz – A method of development
Vangelis Paraskevides
Alternative Stage ELS – KPISN • Start Time: 13.30
Thursday, July 2
From good to great: The five elements of music in drums
Benny Gremp
Alternative Stage ELS – KPISN • Start Time: 12.00 | Attendance: €10
Percussion Masterclass
Alexei Gerasmez
ELS – KPISN Orchestra Test Room • Start Time: 14.00
Friday, July 3
Cuba's percussions and rhythms
Carlos Menentes
ELS – KPISN Orchestra Test Room • Start Time: 12.00
b(l)alloon
Blip Inclusive Sensory Project
Alternative Stage ELS – KPISN • Start Time: 15.00