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| Sunday, 29 January 2006 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Truly a Grace blast! by Mahes Perera
The much awaited Amazing Grace Concert turned out to be a 'Show Stopper' as the original members played their hearts out to a capacity packed audience at the BMICH last Sunday. The Amazing Grace fans were there in their numbers to relive the nostalgia, and the young music lovers and musicians to sample for the first time, the exciting sounds of Amazing Grace. The evening was great! Speaking to Tony de Silva after the concert, he was happy to see the full house to hear the band's music. "We put a lot of sweat into it and it was a total blast to be with the three original members - Donald, Benjy and Reza. We in the early days, worked with total commitment. We had no egos - just one unwritten charter to make good music and have fun. Our audiences were like an extended family and at the concert that same feeling came out, the response was marvellous. I've been in touch with the boys from November, planning the music we should perform." To Donald Pieris the driving drummer, the concert brought back happy memories. "Although I'm a band leader now, it made a big difference playing with the guys. We appreciate what each other was doing and the understanding was great. Taking the music back in time with the boys was a special kind of happiness." Donald goes back with Mirage to Oman for a three month gig. The charismatic Benjy Ranabahu who knows how to strike a powerful bass personality on stage says "Of the show I'm proud, it was a dream come true. I felt young again, and playing with Tony I felt great and good, reliving the Hut days. In particular I was proud to see all the mothers at the concert. I hope it can happen again and I hope Amazing Grace can make it to the Middle East." Reza Deane who in Zurich continues with his singing with a Swiss band and also performs solo spots in the weekends confesses "it was a great feeling to be on stage with Tony, Benjy, Donald and Harsha and perform all the songs I used to sing with Grace. Practising at Augie's studio was like being back at home. I knew many of the people who came for the concert and it was like the Little Hut days all over again - I guess we should do it again - another concert." We were fortunate in meeting up with the music diva Mignonne Fernando backstage after the concert. She was all smiles and happy. "The show brought back many pleasant and happy memories and Amazing Grace's brilliance came through. Reza was in true form and the group portrayed how magnificent they were in their early years. Hotel California with Kamal Perera, joining on an guitar, I enjoyed that, and of course the Bee Gee's favourites. It's a good thing that Damayantha Kuruppu is getting down these artistes, it will help open up the minds of our young musicians as well. Damayantha will also be handling my show in March, and I'm looking forward to meeting all the music lovers." Geoffrey Fernando leader of Boomerang was effusive. "The concert brought back memories. The sound was good and it was good to see my old pals on stage. The main thing was that they were happy to play and we were happy to listen to them. I liked it. Only, I missed their versions of Cowboy and Daddy's Home." And on that note we parted. More training programs by SLAHAB The Sri Lanka Association of Hairdressers and Beauticians (SLAHAB) held their 9th Annual General Conference in Colombo last week. Dora Attanayake was appointed as the President of the association for the current year. Addressing the gathering, she said she was grateful to the past presidents who have contributed immensely to the uplift of the SLAHAB. According to Tilak de Silva former SLAHAB President, the association consists around 2000 members who have extended their co-operation throughout. The SLAHAB members have shown their skills abroad too, he said. The Past President of the SLAHAB, Chrissy Rozairo said the association had achieved much of its goals and objectives planned earlier. SLAHAB also conducted several workshops in Sri Lanka under the guidance of expert Japanese and Korean hairdressers for the benefit of local hairdressers. The association also helped hairdressers affected by the Tsunami disaster. She was happy to note that the past President Nayana Karunaratne was appointed as the President of the OMC Asia Zone board meeting held at Mumbai. K.D. Iranganie Pinto also was adjudged as the most outstanding country performer this year. She said the Hair and Beauty Fair 2006 will be held on from January 26 - 29. Mrs Nayana Karunaratne the Past President said that they have become truly international with the organisation of Hair Asia Pacific & OMC Asia Cup event in Asia. Training will be the story of SLAHB in 2006 and make Sri Lanka the foremost country in Asian hairdressing industry.Past President Ramzi Rahaman proposed the vote of thanks. J.J. Chandimal wins award
When you speak of entrepreneur awards your mind switches to business in the industrial field or to homespun products, and rarely to music and showbiz. But musician Chandimal Fernando has made his impact in the list of Sri Lankan Entrepreneur of the Year 2004. This is the first time a musician has been honoured by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka for his invaluable contribution towards the Socio-economic development of the country. He was awarded a merit certificate as Entrepreneur of the Year 2004. Chandimal is the managing partner of Chandimal Entertainments and according to him his company handles the entertainment in 26 hotels in Sri Lanka, and three hotels in the Maldives. He further tells us that he has over 40 musicians and fifteen sound technicians working with Chandimal Entertainments which handles over 400 performances a month and well over 5,000 performances per year. M.P. |
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