Happenings / People

Making music waves for a cause

After the June wet weather, the July breeze will surely bring in the sunshine, the entertainment scene needs so badly. And so on Saturday July 8, a mega musical show titled 'July Breeze with Annesley and Stars' will go on the boards at the Bishop's College Auditorium.

A galaxy of leading stars will be featured, who will be singing both Sri Lankan songs and English ones too, some of them favourites over the past years and the programme will be laced with tangy new compositions as well.

You may be wondering who the featured stars are? Well naturally Annesley Malawana heads the bill with Indrani Perera, Anil Bhareti, Dalreen Suby, Sohan Weerasinghe, Christropher Paul, Rajiv Sebastian, Mariazelle Gunatilleke, Corinne Almeida, Ronnie Leitch and Keerthi Pasquel.

And that's saying a lot for variety.Annesley Malawana who has had a wealth of experience in presenting shows is confident that this show, the proceeds from which will go towards improving the welfare facilities of ACL Cables Ltd, is going to be a sell out show.

The musical backing for all the artistes will be provided by the now popular band Super Chimes who is Annesley's mainstay band. The group comprises experienced musicians like Amal Silva - bass and vocals, Dimamtha Seneviratne - keyboards / vocals, Channa Athalage on lead guitar, with the one- time leader of Simple, Mahesh Silva on keyboards/ vocals and Jagath Kulasinghe - drums.

The Welfare Society of ACL Cables Ltd has gone all out to make this a sell-out event. Included in the show is the colourful Channa Wijewardene's Dance Troupe, skits from Ronnie Leitch and the concert will be compered by the popular TV personality and singer Clifford Richards.

M. P.

Jerome in focus

by Mahes Perera

Back home to treat music lovers with his special brand of vocal stylings is Jerome Speldewinde who will be a featured singer at the concert for Glen Terry this evening at Barefoot.

Along with Glen Terry and the powerful tenor saxophonist from Melbourne, Andy Thompson, Speldewinde will sing the gutsy blues that radiates a special attraction that sends blues fans into a frenzy. Apart from the blues, Jerome will also be singing his jazz standards for which he is labelled as the singer "who knows every song in the jazz standards book".

A remarkable singer, he has complete control over his voice. From a swinger he can move into a soft ballad with perfect ease and bring out the romance or the poignancy of the lyrics.

Speaking with him the other day, Speldewinde said he was happy to be back and was looking forward to today's concert. "I'll be singing with piano backing by Kumar de Silva, Upala Madushanka - bass, Glen Terry - guitar, Andy Thompson - saxophone and Shiraaz Nooramith - drums.

It's good to be back. What was I doing in Melbourne all these days? Well, I work a lot with Marlon Cramer - keyboardist and I intend to lay down tracks for another CD which hopefully, I want to release before Christmas. I did record a track for Glen's CD which he is launching at the concert - it contains very interesting tracks", commented Jerome, with that typical cool smile of his.

Its' a pity Jerome Speldewinde will not be with us for a longer period of time - so catch his vocal stylings today. For a guy who has a laid back manner his renditions of songs are fiery and compelling. Make the date!

'Lion of the Year'

The International Association of Lions Clubs - District 306 A 1 held their Annual Convention recently. District Governor Lalith de Silva presided and the chief guest was the International 2nd Vice president Lion Mahendra Amarasuriya.

The most prestigious award of the convention 'Lion of the Year' was awarded to Lion Asiri Mendis of Lions Club of Katubedda - Moratuwa, in recognition of his outstanding services to the movement.

The high point in his lionstic career is that he received the 'Lions International Leadership Medal'. In the picture International 2nd Vice president Lion Mahendra Amarasuriya presents the 'Lion of the year' award to Lion Asiri Mendis. The District Governor Lion Lalith de Silva is also in the picture.