Entertainment / People

Ideal for the season

by Mahes Perera

An interesting and entertaining non-stop Dance CD titled 'Sri Lankan Open House Party' was released by Kanishka Wijetunge and his brother Ganeshka - two vocalists/musicians now based in the States. They were joined by Suresh Maliyadde, a popular composer and keyboardist in Sri Lanka.

The CD is the fulfilment of a long felt need to promote Sri Lankan Baila globally. Joining in on the vocals is Mariazelle Gunatilleke and the fusion mix is provided by Russell Ali, a signed guitarist of Universal Records in USA, and a former member of the band of Kanishka and Ganeshka. His artistry gives a thrust to the arrangements.

The CD contains more than fifty songs of the greatest baila hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s. The laying of tracks were done both in the States and here in Sri Lanka. The musicians involved in Sri Lanka were Niresh Perera (Gypsies) on drums, Mahinda Bandara (Fortunes) on lead guitar, Tilak Dias - bass, Jayantha Dissanayake (Fortunes) on saxophone, Milton Peris (Fortunes) on rhythm guitar, Visharada Manoj Peris - tabla, bongos, congas, Tissasiri Perera and Suresh Maliyadde - keyboards and Kumudu Madawattha - percussion.

According to Kanishka and Ganeshka the recordings were done at the Torana Studio, while the subsequent mixing and mastering was completed at a top notch Grammy award winning studio in Washington DC. With the festive season on us the CD is ideal for your entertainment.

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Hot excitement at Blast Thru

Blast Thru 2006 to welcome the dawn of 2007 at the Liberty Ballroom of Holiday Inn, one of the most coveted venues for the past three decades.

It's going to be hot excitement and according to the blurbs 'be mesmerized in elegant style' by the power packed performance of Kings led by Chandral Fernando and Summerset with Douglas Ernst at the helm.

This year revellers will be able to win a number of return air tickets to classic and exotic destinations around the world. The event will be compered by Faizal Bongso.

Also share the joy of Christmas with your children and make a visit to the Cookie Hut and enjoy the wide selection of traditional goodies and welcome Santa Claus who will make a daily appearance with his bag of goodies. The Gardenia Coffee Shop from Saturday December 23 till Saturday December 30 will feature the finest festive fare for dinner on Christmas Eve and on Christmas night, with a band in attendance and carols as well.

M.P.

Colourful night with Purple Rings

It's going to be a colourful night when the musically exciting group Purple Rings will help you to greet 2007 at the Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana this New Year's Eve, led by guitarist Lakmal Fernando who in a short spell of time has made an impact in the music scene. Purple Rings has been kept busy with shows and dinner dances and performances weekly at Taj Exotica, Eden Resort and Spa, Riverine Hotel and Tangerine Beach Hotel.

The band has also introduced dance acts from the leader Lakmal and two glitzy girls. There is Sherry who has been with Purple Rings for some time now and the new localist/dance Aysha Samath. The rest of the band are Krishantha Fernando -Keyboards and the main vocalist is Luckshan.

Purple Rings repertoire includes evergreens, semi-rock, reggae and the chart hits as well. So gear up for a rocking New Year's Eve at the Cinnamon Lodge - don't be left out in the cold.

(M.P.)

In the spotlight

Once again you have the opportunity of savouring the elegance of the music of violinist Karl Katz and his Ensemble.

The members are specially flown down from Germany for this season, and the Ensemble is now being featured at the Thorana Lounge from 8.00 p.m. on wards until January 7. from Wednesday December 20 until Christmas Day.

The Ensemble will play until 11.00 p.m., in order that music lovers who enjoy Broadway maladies, or time honoured ballads and songs plus swing Jazz and even Sri Lankan songs played live could stay and enjoy themselves.

Karl Katz is no stranger to our music scene. He is a saxophonist as well but switched to the unjazzy instrument the violin and is now a master of his Craft.

Considered a swinging elegant violinist not only in Germany but even over here, Karl Katz expressed the view that he was happy to be in Sri Lanka. He enjoys the weather and loves Sri Lankan hospitality. "This time around my ensemble comprises Charly Hollering a king on the clarinet, Roland Schneider a swinger on piano, Helmut Siegle a groovy bassist and Charly Antolini a number one drummer in Europe" says Karl Katz, happy with the musicians who will be playing with him.

So don't miss out on the sound of Ensemble. You are bound to make many returns.

M.P.