Entertainment / People

Brown Nation at the Bubble

by Mahes Perera

Beckoned by that wandering star, Brown Nation flew into Dubai to start a new era for themselves at Bubble the night club at the Grand Hotel. This seven piece band has been specially choreographed and trained by Shean Dharmaratne, well recognised in the music circles, and he claims not to be in the spotlight in the line-up but to leave Sherry and Watsala to handle more of the vocals along with the keyboardist Chaminda.

Shean tells us that he will be the percussionist for the group and of course, stepping in for some vocals when necessary. The other members of this rhythmic band are Chamal on drums, Indika on bass and backing vocals and Sumedha the lead guitarist who handles vocals as well.

Sherry the female vocalist, who now plays a great deal of rhythm guitar, has quite a following in Dubai. She came down to Sri Lanka after two successful gigs in Dubai. First with Spark at El Rancho, Marco Polo Hotel and the second where she was offered a contract to perform at the Palm Beach Rotana, Dubai.

At this gig she was joined by Shean - vocals/percussion, Sanjeewa and Manoj of Spark on keyboards and guitar respectively, Shaman Rasta on bass/vocals and Ruban on drums.

Brown Nation was born with the merging of Revelation and Channel 5 and their repertoire focuses on Retro, R&B and Dance music. At the end of their contract at Bubbles, Brown Nation will head home to entertain their eager fan base.

Kismet - the new vibe in town

Making strong waves in the music scene is the talented seven piece band Kismet a familiar sight on the dance stages today. The group comprises experienced and new young talented musicians who jell together to give out that special Kismet sound.

Led by whom you might wonder? Actually they don't have a leader per se but all arrangements connected with music and performances are handled by Drucille and Priya who have had considerable experience in entertaining audiences.

Multi instrumentalists in a band is a great advantage especially at dances and big functions. Drucille handles keyboards/guitar/vocals, Priya has a fund of songs and plays the Latin percussion, while their pal Chester blows a high flying trumpet and gives that extra thrust to the band with his drum language.

The young talent are Teri on vocals, Nalaka on bass and vocals, Thushantha on a swinging lead guitar and vocals and Nirantha on keyboards and vocals.Together, their special sound has proved to be a winner.

With a repertoire of music of the 60s, 70s, 80s, and including the demanding hip hop Kismet have been featured at dances, dinner theatres and a few weeks ago gave a rousing performance at the dance organised by the Past Pupils Association of Holy Family Convent, Dehiwala.

With the festive season around the corner Kismet is gearing for New Year's Eve since the band will be in throbbing action at the Galadari Hotel Ballroom to help you greet 2007 in Kismet style!

MP

Buzzing Bees release CD

The music of the group Buzzing Bees who hailed from Ratnapura and were a popular team in the seventies has been collated into a CD which was released last week at the Bishop's College Auditorium.

Responsible for the launch were two of the surviving members Carlinton Gunawarne and Sepala Gunasekera.

The CD was produced by Torana Music Box and at the launch leading lights Sunil, Corinne, Annesley, Ronnie, the Dharmaratne Brothers backed by Rajiv and the Clan were seen in musical action in an interesting programme of songs.

Buzzing Bees started their musical career in the seventies writing and performing their own songs. To record their hits Carl and Sepala invited Ravi Perera a good friend and musician of the present era, who fitted in easily with the mood of the songs.

Yvonne Gunasekera sister of the original members Michael and Theodore Gunasekera, and well known Hawaiian guitarist Hemasiri Silva were also invited to add further colour to the music tracks.

A 'nostalgic price' buffet dinner

A thousand lucky couples will have the opportunity to enjoy a buffet dinner at a 'nostalgic price' of only two hundred rupees at the Mount Lavinia Hotel next month. As part of their 200th anniversary celebrations the Hotel invites all brides and grooms who chose the hotel for that special day of theirs - wedding or home coming - to relive their memories at a special buffet dinner complete with soft lights and music in keeping with the happy mood.

At the media briefing last Tuesday, the General Manager, Bazeer Cassim said that more than ten thousand couples have got married at the hotel "and this buffet dinner at a very nominal price is our way of acknowledging and thanking those who chose our hotel for their special day.

The proceeds from this buffet dinner which will be on for four days November 20, 21, 22, 23 at the Empire Ballroom will go towards the uplift of the fishing village in Mount Lavinia.

Check the papers today for the coupon you have to fill and send, along with a copy of the invitation or a copy of the receipt you received at the time of making the payment for your wedding or homecoming, to reach the hotel by November 7.

Don't forget to include your telephone number. Quite naturally there will be a draw and here's hoping you are one of the lucky couples.