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| Sunday, 25 December 2005 |
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Famed guitarist in town by Mahes Perera
In town this week will be the famed singer/guitarist of the hit-making group of the 60s, The Seekers who will be featured at the Gatsby's, Galadari Hotel. Keith Potger a member of the Seekers, the group that first stormed the UK charts in 1965 with Tom Springfield's I'll Never Find Another You and soon followed it up with many other hits which were the rage and the craze, and were on everybody's lips. Remember World of Our Own? The song still remains an evergreen one with our vocal groups. Make sure you catch Keith Potger at the Gatsby's on New Year's Eve and enjoy his performance of the many hits from the Seekers and the New Seekers repertoire, as well as those from his solo debut album Secrets of the Heart which was released in Australia last year. The album features nineteen of Keith's compositions and his superb guitar playing is a must-be-heard for all music lovers, young and old. A quick spool back to the early times and as we all know Keith Potger was a radio producer for the ABC which meant he had access to a recording studio and the newly-formed Seekers laid down demos which were released years later as The Seekers Golden Collection. In the evenings they performed at a Melbourne Coffee Lounge, The Treble Clef which launched off the world famous band. The best decision the Seekers made was to set sail to the UK in March 1964 and their songs hit the British Top Ten with 'the legendary' The Carnival is Over displacing the Rolling Stones from the Number One slot. Soon The Seekers became the successful band of the 60s and gave the Beatles a run for their money. And the man responsible for their songs, arrangements, and success was Keith Potger. He is in Sri Lanka to perform - catch his act. Brilliant in performance
A winner of the prestigious Sarasaviya Award for the Best Music Score he composed for Mille Soya directed by Boodee Keerthisena, the eminent Lakshman Joseph de Saram is in the running for the 2005 award for the Best Music Score he composed for the critically acclaimed film Ira Mediyama directed by Prasanna Vithanage. Currently he is working on scores for three additional films, and has produced several television and radio programs that were intended to introduce audiences to the beauty and richness of music. A solo performer, a concert master, a chamber musician, composer, teacher, spokesperson and critic Lakshman Joseph de Saram has been engaged in virtually every aspect of music ever since he made his concert debut at the young age of thirteen years, with the Symphony Orchestra of Colombo under the baton of Dr. Earl de Fonseka. Born into a highly artistic family, he began playing the violin at the age of four guided by his mother and later began formal studies with Eileen Prins a renowned teacher. At a young age Lakshman distinguished himself by winning several prizes in musical competitions and was proud to be one of the country's representatives to the United Nations sponsored 'Year of the Child' held in Sofia, Bulgaria. He was then just twelve years and he confidently performed the Mendelssohn violin concerto. Spurred on by this success it was only logical that his music education received advanced tutelage and for this Lakshman moved over to New York City where he won a position at the highly competitive 'School of performing Arts' and studied violin and trombone at the Manhattan School of Music and the Julliard Pre College. His meeting up with Sergiu Celibidache the legendary Maestro, was an eye opener for Lakshman, who comments that Celibidache's unique concept of sound and Zen Budistic thought via the symphonies of Anton Bruckner left an indelible impression on him that has significantly influenced his approach to music. Back home he was a familiar and popular figure on concert stages which earned him many rare reviews; not only in Western classical music but also in performances of Sri Lankan music and fusion music concerts. His work with Dr. Khemadasa enriched his musical development and made him explore Sri Lanka's myriad sounds and rhythms. This inspired Lakshman to begin composing for film and television scores and the results have always been congratulatory. One of the many reviews of Lakshman's concert performances says "the genial and deeply reflective Lakshman Joseph de Saram, is versatile enough to change his technique to the demands of western masters and thereafter adjust to the quick moving eastern rhythmic demands. It is a rare gift that was on display" and Lakshman Joseph de Saram is a rare musician. MP Anarkali - the brand ambassador
A sinuous dancer behind an opaque glass panel kept the audience enthralled and wondering who could it be? When lo and behold! out stepped actress Anarkali as the brand ambassador for Veet launched by Reckitt Benckiser (Lanka) Ltd. It was yet another evening for stars and celebrities, hair and beauty specialists including men, as gathered together by the energetic, dinky Glenda of Emphasis who made it all happen at the Atrium of the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo recently. With its origins in France and they say a heritage going back 80 years, Veet a specialist hair removal product is now back in Sri Lanka, to the delight of the fastidious fashion conscious women. Sold in over 50 countries worldwide Veet in two variants was launched. One contains Almond Milk for sensitive skins and the other contains Silk Extracts for normal skin. The Silk Extracts contain moisturizes that bind, condition and soften the skin while almond milk is easily absorbed by the skin leaving it soft and supple. What is advantageous about Veet is that it dissolves hair at the roots and gives a smoothness to your skin which is unbelievable. The squeezable tubes contain the cream and with the S shaped spatula you could glide over the contours of your body and ensure that every single hair is gently removed. "Veet will be distributed islandwide and will be backed by a high intensity advertising campaign and promotional campaign", said Bishma Weeraman, the Assistant Brand Manager for Veet. The launch and presentation was tastefully and colourfully arranged with a well choreographed dance routine by slim dancers dressed in white and models in mini skirt dresses that displayed smooth legs to endorse the message. |
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