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| Sunday, 12 December 2004 |
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Features |  |
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The Original Jetliners back on stage by Mahes Perera
Re-union concerts are the rage today, globally, and Sri Lanka has been bitten by this bug too. 'Cos' after something like 35 years, the original Jetliners Reunion Concert with Mignonne, Ishan Bahar and Sohan Peiris will be staged for the first time in Sri Lanka at the BMICH on December 19 and 20. The original rhythm section comprising Anton Gunawijaya - rhythm guitar, Indra Raj - lead guitar, Felix Fernando - bass and Harris Jurangpathy - drums will be together on stage to revive the Jetliner magic that drew many a fan to their web. On December 21, the Coconut Grove of the Galle Face Hotel will swing to the melodies of the legendary Sundown Dances that escalated the fame and popularity of the Jetliners. In a much earlier interview Mignonne, revealed that the Jetliners in the 60s were associated with the music of the Shadows and at the Coconut Grove, musicians and dance lovers would crowd in on Saturdays to enjoy the Jetliners repertoire. Songs like 'My Boy Lollipop', 'Black is Black', 'Pata Pata' the Elvis Presley hits, 'River Deep Mountain High' and the Boogie Woogie favourite will once again be taken out from the musical treasure chest to enthrall the established fans and reach out to new ones. The original members Anton, Felix, Indra Raj, Harris, Sohan and Mignonne will be in Sri Lanka today to prepare for the long awaited three shows. Ramona home for christmas by Mahes Perera Remember her for her swinging performances of 'New York, New York,' or 'Cabaret' which were her anthems when she was with us? Well Ramona Carr the songbird is back in the land of her roots to enthral you again.
This time she will be featured at the Gatsby's the Jazz and Blues Club for a start on Thursday December 16 and Friday December 17, two performances each night accompanied by none other than Sri Lanka's leading keyboardist Diliup Gabadamudalige. Ramona Carr and Diliup were a popular duo performing at the then Renaissance (now Trans Asia) before Ramona was offered a contract to sing at Antalya, Turkey, which turned out to be a success story for her. Ramona now performs at the Polat Renaissance a popular five star Hotel in Istanbul in the winter season which is the season for musicians accompanied by an excellent jazz pianist Vitali Phedesmesky. In the summer she performs at six up market hotels Mondays through to Saturdays from 10.30 pm - 12 midnight. "Gosh it's good to be back. Nothing like home! I told myself, this time for Christmas I'm going to Sri Lanka. Usually I head off to California to be with my family and I'm happy I'm here after ten years to meet up with Diliup and perform with him. Besides the opening nights at the Gatsby's I will be performing with Diliup at the Colombo Plaza on December 27, 28, 29. Come New Year's Eve it will be guest spot for me at the Galadari Hotel as well as other hotels. I'll be here till January 15 and I'm looking forward to every singing moment, to renew my friendship with my fans and make new friends in the music scene. I'd love to rapport with them. I've been moving around since I came back and surprised at the talent, especially among the newer generation. I like hip hop as well and am tuned into this kind of music because of my nieces. I enjoy Nelly, Sean Paul, Usher, Alicia Keyes and Beyounce - it's a different world but good" enthuses a happy, friendly Ramona. At Gatsby's Ramona will be singing the jazz standards and ballads from the books of Diana Krall, Natalie Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Norah Jones and her version of selected pop ballads. So don't miss out on her performances come this Thursday December 16 and Friday 17 - with Diliup Gabadamudalige as together they take you on a happy, exclusive musical flight. Chill out in Calypso style by Mahes Perera Electronic bands enjoy the spotlight today and often overshadow the contribution of Calypso bands, performing in the outer Colombo circuits. These bands enjoy success in their own simple and quiet way.
One such Calypso band is Oceanic specialising in country and western music and performing at the Taj Airport Garden Hotel Seeduwa with its new menu at the restaurant. Catch the band on Wednesdays and Thursdays and enjoy the acoustic guitar sounds of this band playing at the 'Society Coffee Shop' of the Hotel. The band has been playing over the past two years regularly at Taj Airport and according to the leader Laxman Perera their repertoire besides Calypsos, baila and country and western songs," include Spanish and Neopolitan popular favourites that bring out many rounds of applause from the cosmopolitan audience who patronise the restaurant. Often they take the opportunity to dance to the rhythm and this is great encouragement for us." The other members of the band are P. N. Nishantha - guitar, Wasantha Dissanaike - guitar with C. S. Ananda - conga. If you feel like being in a Calypso mood then head the Oceanic way to chill out in a different style. Happy celebration In the words of the song, it's celebration time, for the popular group Boomerang led by the Golden Clef Award winner Geoffrey Fernando. On Saturday December 18, according to Geoff, Clancy's will swing to their sounds as they celebrate the band's first anniversary of a successful career.
Boomerang's lead vocalists are none other than Geoffrey and his brother Russell whose vocal repertoire of popular and contemporary songs is hard to match. The other members of the band are the power-house bassist Alston Joachim, keyboardist Kumar de Silva, guitarist Primal Liyanage and the young drummer Jude Thiagaraja. Boomerang are also featured at the Rhythm & Blues on Wednesdays and Fridays. With the season moving into full swing the band is caught up in a tight schedule of playing dates for corporate functions and dances. So catch the celebration sounds of Boomerang this Saturday at Clancy's - the happening place of today. Other acts during the week include Spark on Mondays, Wild Fire on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Misty on Fridays and Flame on Sundays. -MP Christmas is coming The Drama Society of S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia will present Christmas is Coming a family Christmas Concert, on December 17 and 18 at the New Town Hall Theatre (adjoining the Art Gallery) at 7.30 p.m. The show is designed and directed by Vinodh Senadeera, with a cast of 50 singers and a talented musical ensemble.
Following last year's successful production of Christmas Perpetua, the show this year, contains songs for solo and choir. Students from year 3 to year 8 will feature in this year's production, with few seniors as soloists, which include, Dillon Fox, Chaminda Samaraweera, Ashan Algama. The poetry selected for these years show is all about Santa, Christmas trees and all to do with festive moods. Included in the evening's repertoire are songs from Les Miserable, West Side Story, The Lion King, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream coat, and of course the perennial favourites - O Holy Night! Mistletoe and Wine and a host of carols. On Piano will be Bhagyani Benedict, Key Boards - Vinodh Senadeera and Drums will be Chaminda Samaraweera. Tickets available at The College Office and at the New Town Hall Theatre. |
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| Produced by Lake House |
The show caters for the whole family, with songs from musicals, pops,
all time Christmas songs both for the choir and of course the audience.
