Happenings / People

Mignonne honoured

by Mahes Perera

Sri Lanka's 'living legend' in the music industry, Mignonne Fernando received the 'Most Outstanding Citizen Award' in recognition of her contribution to the Sri Lanka music industry and the development of Sri Lanka on the International music scene.

The award was conferred on her recently by the Lions Clubs International District 306 A - 1 at a glittering award ceremony held to coincide with the first District Convention of the Lions International Club District 306 A - 1, at which the Chief Guest was the Lions International 2nd Vice President Lion Mahendra Amarasuriya. Four other eminent personalities were honoured in recognition of achievements in their specialized vocation.

Mignonne's credits read like an encyclopaedic print-out of the music industry. A singer, composer who writes and arranges her own music and an all-rounder in the field of music and showbiz, she enjoys iconic status not only in South Asia but also in the Far East, where for a record number of years she led her band the 'Jetliners' at the The Regent in Hong Kong.

In her illustrious music career she collected many awards for her participation in Song Festivals internationally, and is the only Sri Lankan artiste on record to have been selected and honoured for three consecutive years at the World Popular Song Festival organised by the Yamaha Foundation for Music Education held yearly at the famous Buddhokan Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

The Matsuhita Award as composer and a special Jury Members prize as performer which she won in 1972 holds special significance to Mignonne who not only brought fame to herself but has made Sri Lanka proud.

Gypsies at Silver Ball

Enjoying success on the fast lane of popularity is the band Gypsies, led by the charismatic Sunil Perera who has the uncanny knack of reaching out to his audience, no sooner he moves onto the stage.

A simple remark by him is greeted by an appreciative applause from his fans and is an endorsement that over the years, Sunil and his band had never allowed themselves to fall into a lethargic, dull groove.

So, with six months to go, Sunil and the Gypsies have been sought and signed up by the Hilton Colombo for their Silver Ball 2006, on New Year's Eve. Considered a 'crowd puller', the popular band has a rich history in the music industry. "The Silver Ball is one event that is most look forward to.

It has its own followers, just like the band, and we would like to advise patrons to book their tickets early" commented Gigi de Silva the hotel's Marketing Communications Manager. Gypsies means entertainment at its highest, complete with creative music, exhilarating dance rhythms, laughter and skits that are ideal ingredients for New Year's Eve.

M.P

MAF steer forward

The Moratuwa Arts Forum comprising musicians and singers from this traditional city of music will be holding their 12th Annual General Meeting on Sunday June 18. The event which will be held at the Sri Palee Hotel Moratuwa at 5.30 p.m. will be graced by a distinguished gathering of invitees.

The MAF Presidential awards of excellence for outstanding performers during the past year will be distributed as one of the highlights at the evening. There will also be a song and dance show presented by the members.

MAF during the past year have held many musical activities, most significant of which was Punsanda Paya , the Down Memory Lane series, and the launch of the associations Golden Oldies CD, titled Down Memory Lane - Vol 1 which turned out to be a seller.

Another of their programmes on leadership and personality attracted more than 150 senior students from about fifteen schools in the Moratuwa education circuit.

In the new year MAF hopes to continue to attract new artistic ideas and socially responsible projects as well as the production of the 10th annual Down Memory Lane programme which has always been well patronised.