Entertainment

Greet 2008 with Super Chimes

Kandy is gearing itself to greet the New Year with all the trimmings, usually associated with the occasion. At the Earl's Regency Hotel Annesley Malawana and his band Super Chimes will be in live action to help you bid 2007 goodbye and say hello to 2008.

According to the General Manager Thusith Samaraweera, Earl's Regency will carry a theme of 70's music for the benefit of many expats who have booked in at Kandy for the festive season.

That is why they have selected Annesley and Super Chimes to be the band for New Year's Eve. In addition, to cater to the youth, DJ Outburst will man the console spinning grooves for them to dance their cares away.

The compere for the evening will be Mohamed Adamally. Of course, quite naturally the evening will see many prizes being offered for the various competitions that will be held. Special package offer will be available for guests who wish to stay over the 31st.

The Super Chimes who comprise Jagath Kulasinghe - drums of vocals, Annesley Malawana - vocals, Dimantha Seneviratne - keyboards, Gihan Shalinda - bass and vocals, Prashan Fernando - rhythm guitar, keyboards and vocals and Channa Athalage - lead guitar are recognised for their vesatility in catering to western and oriental audiences with a speciality of songs of the 60s and 70s.

M.P.

Entertainers at heart

by Mahes Perera

Purple Rings have no connection with royalty but they certainly have an unlimited rapport with music. With his experience of having performed in the Middle East on contract, Lakmal Fernando guitarist and leader of the trio Purple Rings is happy with the progress of the group. "The festive season will see us in live action at the Trans Asia lobby from 7.30 p.m. on Saturdays.

We've been playing regularly down South and will be featured at Taj Exotica, Bentota on Christmas Eve and the much awaited New Year's Eve night. The New Year's Eve night is a high point in a musician's career and this year the hotel is scheduled to have a big patronage," says Lakmal, a versatile guitarist.

"You say you were performing in the Middle East where were you playing?" "Purple Rings was playing at the Novatel in Oman. We had a female vocalist with us then she was Chamari. I came back and with vocalist Fabian Paul, I continued with Purple Rings.

But he left us now and joined Wild Fire. To date Purple Rings perform on Wednesdays at Eden Hotel, Mondays at Riverina Hotel and on Thursdays and Fridays at Taj Exotica.

I performed with Bathiya and Santhush for three or four years as solo guitarist and I enjoyed it. I'm grateful to Derrick Wickramanayake for expanding my knowledge in playing the guitar and to Sudu Guonesekera for the constant advice and support he gave and continues to give to Purple Rings", expresses Lakmal.

The group which was known for their reggae rhythms now have extended their repertoire to take in well known hits of the 60's, 70's and 80's, rock nuggets and dance music for groovers young and old.

Any plans for the future? "Well if lady luck is on our side then we hope to leave for a contract abroad in March. This time I'm hoping to take a full band" reveals Lackmal Fernando, who is noted for his praiseworthy rapport with the audience.

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22 Bands 2 Rock at 'Rockapoluza'

by Nilma Dole

Part 2 of the 'Rockapoluza' gig, the brainchild of Anil Balasuriya, will come alive at 2 p.m. at the CH&FC (Gymkhana Club) December 22. The amazing line-up of artists tipped to perform will be Hollow with highly-acclaimed bands like Powercut Circus and Ranil of Hollow Point Halo fame.

Fan favourites Daddy are expected to perform their super hits while last year's Most Outrageous Band The Land of No Return will give the audience a good dose of action.

Fun-loving high-jumping entertainers Icarus will fly with their medley of songs while Magic Box Mix-up will sure mix some magic up. Percussion maestros Thriloka are sure to thrill the crowd along with What Rhymes with Elephant.

The 2007 TNL contenders Grey Mind Domain, Tyrant, Ethereal and Cynosure will also whip their special brew for the rockers. Firey souls Fuzz Mechanix and the newly improved band 10 Second Rule will also lighten the festival in the best of spirits.

TNL Onstage solo winner CC (a.k.a Crishantha) will be backed by Reap this time around while the band that is going to break up Soul Skinner will also take the glory for their final moment onstage.

Artists like music master Azlan Sheriffdeen, heavenly-voiced Romany, crooner Mariam, hip Sheham and the man himself Anil Balasuriya will also contribute in their own way.

Nutcracker - the season's ballet

More than four hundred children will be on stage to dance the famous ballet 'The Nutcracker' which will be presented by the Deanna School of Dancing on December 18 and 19 at the BMICH.

It is an ambitious project but one that Natasha Jayasuriya is confident they can pull off with Panache. "This is our first production in the year 2007 and we thought it was a fitting one for the Christmas season.

About 500 children will be participating and despite the fact that it is 'examinations time' the children have been dedicated and have progressed well.

Normally in a ballet such as this little children are not in the main production, but we made the children be a part of the ballet and my mother Deanna changed the choreography to suit the children's involvement. Our rehearsals commenced as early as in August" says Natasha who designed the costumes for the ballet.

'The Nutcracker' is based on the story by E.T.A. Hoffman with music by Tchaikovsky and is all about a young girl Clara, played by Shonaka Ranatunge, who dreamt a wonderful dream of festivities with the Nutcracker Prince at the Kingdom of Sweets, and the people of the land of sweets. Part proceeds from the show will go towards charity.

M.P.