Entertainment

Palinka in concert

by Mahes Perera

If the names Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of France rings a bell and were names that were a source of inspiration to you, then make your tracks to the Samudra Ballroom, Taj Samudra on September 7 for an unusual concert never staged before.

The Alliance Frncaise is presenting Palinka in Concert a quartet that takes pleasure in performing together and has attracted large crowds with jazz manouche (gypsy jazz) plus their own creations.

The Palinka Quartet is made up of a guitar, a rhythm guitar, violin and acoustic bass. Being very enthusiastic about their music the guys started off by touring in a van and performing in the streets, in bars, arestaurants and at festivals. A summer tour strengthened their rapport and by the end of that summer the group was formed and to date have been performing together.

It was in 2004 they say that their first real tour came alive organised by themselves. They toured France and from August to October they played at many spots in the Balkans travelling up to Romania. In 2005 they toured intensively with concerts at bars, at various festivals in Paris and in the country side. Their originals began to creep into their repertoire.

Palinka's first album Un malin Plaisir was released in 2006. In recent interviews the members of the group commented that they enjoy performing and travelling around the world discovering new territories and sharing their passion for music with other musicians and music aficionados.

In Gypsy jazz, guitar and violin are the main solo instruments, although clarinet and accordion are also common. The rhythm guitar is played using distinct percussive techniques and the acoustic bass fills out the norm. If you enjoy music without too much of electronics, then Palinka's performance is for you.

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Sunday Observer Fashion Designer of the Year contest

by Chula Nanayakkara

Flair and flamboyance, glamour and glitter will come together at the Fashion Designer of the Year 2007 Contest and Show presented by leading fashion designer Chula Nanayakkara Ariyaratne, and sponsored by Sunday Observer and Daily News.

Now that the coupons are being published in the Sunday Observer and Daily News, contestants are advised to send in their entries (the sketches) as soon as possible as the closing date for the sketches is September 17 2007. Sketches have to be accompanied with coupons published in the Sunday Observer or Daily News.

The categories this year will be casual wear, office wear, evening wear and saree wear. So hurry don't waste a minute, rush your entries now and be the lucky winner of the title for this year.

The semi-finals of the contest according to Chula Nanayakkara will be worked out on September 19 at the Cinema Lounge, BMICH and the finals with a fabulous show will be held on November 3 at the BMICH. Ramzi Rahman will be the official hair dresser and the winners will receive an air ticket plus other valuable gifts.

The contest is open to both males and females with no age barrier. What's more, contestants who applied in the earlier years and were not too fortunate can apply this time - who knows Lady Luck may smile down upon you.

Twenty designers from the years 2005 and 2006 are successful in their designing careers, some of them are in foreign countries giving of their best to the industry or gaining further experience in the field.

Eranga Bandaranayake was one of the ten finalists at the Fashion Designer of the Year 2005 and is now active in the field of fashion.

"I'm more interested in detail work and experimenting different methods of post-fabrication. Presently I'm engaged in creating designs with traditional Sri Lankan identity, with a blend of modern western trends" says an enthusiastic Eranga.

MP

Bollywood training for young Rinoze

Sri Lankan Rinoze Hanis has been selected to be a member of Bollywood's famous actor Anupem Kher's 'actor Prepare' workshop and will also be featured in India's number one film magazine 'Film Fair'.

The workshop which is held in August/September in Mumbai and Rinoze Hanis has been selected for a 'Make Over' which is done by Bollywood film stars. Rinoze has registered with some of the Indian talent management agencies as they are looking for new faces. Now the question on eager lips is will Rinoze make it to Bollywood? We hope so !

A professional rugby players who played 'A' division rugby in Sri Lanka and Captained Old Zahirians SC in 2004. When questioned on his good fortune Rinoze replied that he was looking forward to starting a career in acting in his motherland before moving into the international field. He will be happy to give his service to the local film industry as a new face on the big screen.

Gypsies perform at Smithsonian Gallery

To celebrate Portugal and the World in the 16th and 17th centuries, a series of events in music and dance were held at the Smithsonian Freer Gallery of Art and Authur M. Sackler Gallery, US.

Sunil and the Gypsies were invited to perform the infectious rhythms and the light hearted melodies of the baila of Afro-Portuguese foundation. The inventive lyrics address social issues, historical legacies and contemporary events in biting yet humorous fashion.

The Gypsies performed to crowded hall on July 12 at the Smithsonian center as a part of their tour to USA, Canada and UK.

MP