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| Sunday, 29 December 2002 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Saying 'auld lang syne' in style by Umangi de Mel As 2002 winds to a close on an exalted festive note that has seen Colombo come alive as never before, preparations are also under way to welcome 2003, in an equally euphoric manner.
Greeting card wishing peace, prosperity, and glad tidings for the coming year are already in the mail, and medical and municipal council warnings notwithstanding firecrackers good quality and bad, are being snapped up to welcome the new year with a really colourful and loud boom. Nostalgia for the old year that saw peace prevail despite the high cost of living, unrest in schools and universities, and an unprecedented number of road accidents, is already beginning to be felt as `auld lang syne' becomes the refrain of most. But the focus is on the year ahead, and specifically hotels have been working overtime to put together a 31st night bash that will be both memorable and a fitting finale to a year that has been uniquely momentous. Among the many New year dos planned are scintillating balls, live bands shows, fire works display from the barges out in the deep blue sea and many more that are guaranteed to enliven the final moments of the old year and ring in the new year in style. Five star hotels have outdone themselves in putting together extravagant bashes that match their star status. The Hilton Colombo will hold its New Year's eve dance which is actually an annual event at the Grand Ballroom with an exorbitantly priced dinner along with many other grand dos at its various restaurants. There will also be a wide selection of music from the toe tapping to the slow moving romantic for all those dancing kings and queens in the lobby and lounge. May all your wishes come true under the star studded skies is the theme at Il Ponte Restaurant which is offering an exquisite poolside Italian dinner and a more family oriented stay over at Hilton Colombo. And what more, the happening 'Blue Elephant' will dish out DJ music from dusk to dawn to shake the booties till you drop. The most happening day of the year brings the warmth of Christmas and the freshness of a whole new year. It invites all those who would rather have a dance and shout session to laugh those cares away. But hey, 31st is not only for those party freaks. Restaurants like 'Spoons', 'Signature' and `Curry leaf' will have exclusive menus and enhanced dinner buffets for those who prefer a quiet meal and tete-a-tete in a less noisy atmosphere. The Hilton JAIC will let loose with a `Starry starry night' theme where famous duo Bathiya and Santhush will do the musical honours together with `Damage' on the third level at the poolside dinner dance. Make sure to put on the best smiles as they are on a mission to hunt the `Starry starry King and Queen'. Ceylon Continental goes bold and beautiful with three elegant dances. The Club MTV Party at the poolside for teenagers is in association with ETV. Teens can groove to the DJ music and the Latino dances such as salsa, cha cha or oggl the belly dance acts. Giving the best in the season, the Continental will also have 'The Bold and the Beautiful' dinner dance at the rooftop Cat's eye Ballroom to start the event off with a fashion show by Bold & the Beautiful models and get in the mood with the ballroom dances and Latino dance acts. There is also the Dinner dance at BBQ and Beer garden combined with the Sapphire ballroom and that's not all, Yes FM and Wildfire will rock the dance floors at the same venue. The party location right on top of Colombo comes with a lovely view of the sea on one side, the lighthouse on the other and the rest of the city on another side. Galadari will herald the coming of the new year with three bashes. A dinner dance at the lobby with the music of Ecstasy and Music Entertainment. Romantic ballroom dancing with DJ music by Marz and K-Jay is also on the list. All party-loving night owls can also go wild at the latest night spot in town, `The BooM' at Galadari as it goes Bang till the first rays of sun at dawn. Of course all this doesn't come cheap. Extravagantly priced to fit the five star ambience, tickets for the 31st bashes range from Rs.3000 to Rs. 5,000 and above. So if you are in the mood for something spectacular to usher in the new year and sing auld lang syne about the old, the hotels are the place to be. But if you are looking for something more quiet and meaningful, there is of course no place like home. You can always, invite some friends,put some good music and have a wonderful time, saying 'Happy New Year'. |
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| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
