[Entertainment]

Musical extravaganza

by Mahes PERERA

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The Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind need to improve further the welfare, education and quality of the students of both schools. As such a host of contemporary young musicians and singers have come together to provide the best in entertainment at the car park of the Hilton Colombo on September 21 from 6.00 p.m. onwards.

The day coincides with the 21st birthday bash of the hotel and guests attending this musical extravaganza will be treated to the very best of acts in Sri Lanka - Marians, Ashanthi, Iraj, Centigradz, Chinthy, Natasha, Phase 3. Well that’s not all!

The dancing stars from the TV world Dushyanth Weeraman and Hashini will provide the exciting glitz for the evening while Revelations The ‘Choir Champions’ will be in sharp focus, displaying their award winning vocal artistry.

A search for Ashanthi the “hip hop Queen” took us to the recording studio where she was streamlining the music tracks of her second album which contains Hantane and Pem Kumara.

“I’m looking forward to meeting up with my fans at this bash. I’ve been busy recording four new music videos which I will be completing before the end of this month. Hantane will be released in two weeks. In all probality I will be singing new songs from my second album to rapport with my fans.

On October 1, B & S will be leaving abroad for three weeks for a series of six concerts. We will be performing in London, USA and Canada and will be returning by October 21” an effusive Ashanthi clues us in.As for the Marians we were able to speak with their dynamic leader Nalin Perera who coincidentally talked of leaving our shores to proceed to Korea for a concert.”

We will be leaving on September 11 morning. There will be two concerts for us on September 13 and 14, and we will be back home on September 16.

Do you back singers performing English songs?

“Yes we do. We played at many corporate events and at dances. We were in Nuwara Eliya for the season. We enjoy playing an English repertoire. Because of the different styles and rhythms we have learnt a lot.”

What about composing?

“I’ve done that for new comers. I’ve been in the field for twenty years. I’ve released six CD’s in the last six years. Our unplugged concert at the BMICH is now on DVD. Coming back to new talent I’m happy about the standard. We need competition and the music industry needs them to take over after us.”

So make your tracks to the anniversary concert and be a part of the music and the surprising cuisine in a carnival atmosphere, all in aid of the Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind.

Debut violin recital

by Mahes Perera

The first time I heard young Dominic Johnpillai perform along with a set of his pals last Sunday I was quite surprised at the dexterity and sensivity with which he played his violin. Nutured in the classical idiom he sailed through the jazz funk phrases and improvision effortlessly giving pleasure to the music lovers who thronged the venue that day. The resultant thunderous applause he received, he well deserved it.

Now news comes to us that young Dominic Johnpillai will be giving a debut recital on September 17 at 7.30 pm. The concert will be held at the Russian Cultural Centre. Soundarie David will accompany him at the piano.

Dominic’s program will include a work by his favourite composer Edward Greig. He will be performing the complete Sonata for Violin in C. Minor, No. 3.

His other selections will include Haydn’s Concerto for Violin in C.Minor. The 1st movement Bartok’s Rhapsody for Violin No. 1 the 1st movement and the first movement from Bach’s Concerto for Violin in E. Major.

Tutored by the maestro Ananda Dabare, young Dominic has acquired a skill which is remarkable. Ananda Dabare is considered a violin tutor who has the capacity to bring out the best from his students, and his influences make a mark on his students.

Through Ananda Dabare’s guidance Dominic played for the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka and values the experience he derived from Ajit Abayasekera and Ramya de Livera.

Hailing from a musical family Dominic is a singer as well and plays the piano and guitar. His brother Daniel is a pianist while his sister Marissa is into composing.

The night pulse - swings again

The Blue Elephant - the night pulse of Colombo and the first real disco will open its doors again for all dance groovers for just two days only - on September 19 and 20 from 10.00 p.m. onwards. It’s going to be an anniversary bash and all the DJ’s who were behind the controls and are still on the scene will be there to make you happy.

DJ Bunty Noordeen spun the first grooves, DJ Kapila Mohotti who followed DJ Bunty, DJ Shad (Naushad) and DJ Harith Kotandeniya.

Apart from the KNH Project the anniversary gig will feature DJs Bunty, Pradeep, Danushka, Wendel and Ben.

Mention must be made of the other DJs who performed at the Blue namely Viran, the late Ray, Moni and Thoshan. Sponsored by Gold FM 99.9 the eight DJ’s have many surprises up their sleeves with special themes and deals.

Eya Oyamai

The comedy entertainment presented by the Moratuwa Arts Forum will be staged on September 21 at 3.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. The cast for Eya Oyamai is drawn from the members of MAF and includes Tennyson Cooray, Don Guy, Sankalpa de Mel, Jagath Devapriya, Gunerathne Tennekoon, Deepal de Alwis, Surani Fernando, Ivan Fernando and Dilshan Fernando.

Scintillating dances

The Chandana Wickremasinghe dancers entertained the guests at the launch of Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel’s revolutionary communications package Upahara for State sector employees and pensioners spread countrywide.