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| Sunday, 14 March 2004 |
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by Farah Macan Markar "Reggae night We come together when the feeling's right Reggae night And we'll be jamming till the morning light..."
Located at No 29, Maitland Crescent, Colombo 7 (just below Clancy's), "Sopranos" is all about music, singing and chill out. Having sprung in just September last year, it is a relatively young Karaoke Lounge, with a different look and beat, in a place more or less considered to be the heart of the city. The word "Karaoke" comes from "Kara", empty (as in Karate-empty hand) and "Oke" (short for okesutora), orchestra. Rather than including both vocals and music, Karaoke tracks only have the music. The vocals are provided by a live person (not a professional) who holds a microphone and sings while following the words displayed on a screen or a book.
Open daily from 7.00 pm - 3.30 am (with the exception of Poya Days) "Sopranos" features a range of Karaoke music from the golden oldies, right up to modern day pop. Says Dana Forster its Managing Director "Drinks and refreshments of quantity and quality are served by an experienced staff who have had international exposure". A Karaoke Singer herself, having been at it ever since Hilton opened its Karaoke Lounge, Dana has always wanted to start one of her own. "I love to Karaoke. I know that the people of Sri Lanka love to Karaoke. There are hardly any quality Karaoke places in Sri Lanka and not everyone can afford the five star rates.
"Sopranos" has six television screens, plus a big screen which dominates the middle of the place. Says Dana "I'm personally more into average screen Karaoke, but with the increasing demand for a bigger one, I put one up. After all my job is to give out to the people what they enjoy". What's with the name? It turns out Dana has a crazy love for the Mafia, and named her Karaoke Lounge after Tony Soprano! "There is nothing violent about my place though" says Dana "It is simply peaceful and enjoyable, which is what Karaoke is all about. Bodyguards and security guards are strictly forbidden as are those under the age of 16". Speaking further on Karaoke, music and singing, Dana describes the three as the food of the soul. "It is good for the health. It soothes and revives the senses. Good Karaoke brings this out, and exceptional Karaoke gives it spirit". Coming from a musical family, Dana used to be in a band with her nephew Geoffrey Fernando. Singing and wreacking havoc in those early days it was in later years that Dana turned to Karaoke. "I felt I was better at it. It is important to do what you feel you are best at, not what other people feel is best for you". Having spent some time abroad, working as a Manageress for a construction company in Bahrain, she returned to Sri Lanka in 1991 and had a spell in the real estate business. Deciding it was time to build up something of her own, Dana came up with "Sopranos". With over 4000 songs, two song list books plus a third on its way to the publishers and a capacity to hold 80-100 people, "Sopranos" is the place to Karaoke and relax for families, friends and couples. Dana hopes in the future to extend the Karaoke Lounge for small parties, engagement celebrations and corporate promotions. It is said that since the popularization of records, radio and TV, people have become passive receivers of entertainment. The advent of Karaoke might help correct this phenomenon and make a contribution to the history of musical entertainment. |
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| Produced by Lake House |
Reggae nights indeed it is at the newly vibrating Karaoke Lounge
"Sopranos". The usual orange and blue, purple and grey interior
decor is splashed with infusions of lush green. Coconut and Palm trees.
Reggae music followed by the usual karaoke numbers, gives music and spirit
to the place. It is Sopranos' two week spree of "Caribbean
Launch", which having made headway on March 5th, will last till the
19th of the month.
The origins of Karaoke are obscure, though it is said to have started
in Kobe, Japan. One story claims that a snack bar owner, when a performer
failed to appear, put on tapes of music and asked people if they wanted to
sing. From such insignificiant beginnings, Karaoke has spread, from Japan
to the whole world.
Thus I decided to open a Karaoke Lounge with a difference, at a
reasonable price, for the people. This is why Sopranos is here
today". Not everything in Dana's dream, went smooth and easy though.
Having invested a lot of money in setting up the place, the sound didn't
reach the expected standard at the beginning. It needed a re-work out,
which cost more money. However, what's needed to be done, had to be done
and Dana did it!. Today "Sopranos" has a fully developed ultra
sound, digitally controlled sound system, with amplifiers, mixers, etc.
