Entertainment

Mariazelle’s Gala 40 Bash

By Mahes PERERA

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Her’s is a wide repertoire, shakes away from that golden hit Kandy Lamissi which was on everybody’s lips years ago and still continues to bring out the adrenalin in audiences when the opening bars of the song comes alive. Guess by now you know whom I’m referring to. It’s none other than Mariazelle who will go all out to celebrate 40 years in show business on Sunday October 5 at the BMICH.

The show entitled “Mariazelle Gala 40 Bash” will be presented by the Old Boys Association of Isipathana College, Colombo in collaboration with DK Promotions.

The concert which will commence at 7.00 p.m. is a 2 1/2 hour show. The media sponsors are Sunday Observer, Daily News, Derana and Real Radio, and the show will be compered by Clifford Richard.

Seems like it is the trend these days among musicians and singers to celebrate their years in the music industry if they hit the 25 mark and for Mariazelle this is her celebration of 40 years. Why is it significant, 40 years!

“I did have a celebration for my 35 years in show business and I thought to myself we are not getting younger and I do not know what the future holds for me, so that’s why I thought I’ll have a go at 40.

What can the audience expect from the show?

“There will be popular Sinhala and English sings sung by me and the others who are participating. I’ll be singing a new one - a Singlish one titled Naughty Forty. The lyrics were written by Dakshini de Silva and set to music by Chandral Fonseka. At the concert all the artistes will be backed by the Marians.

It will be a mixed bag of music that will be served out. I will be singing country music songs and my popular hits.”

It will be an interesting line up of singers at Gala 40 Bash. There’ll be Nalin Perera, leader of Marians. Ronnie Lietch, Keerthi Pasquel, Indrani, Damayantha, Voice Print - a small choir of Old Benedictines. Shyami and Mercia will be two of the harmony vocalists. Dance wise Chandana Wickremasinghe’s Dance Guild will be in live action.

Ever since she won the Elasto Showcase Radio competition in ‘68 Mariazelle has moved from strength to strength. Her interest in music never dulled.

In a moment of reflection Mariazelle comments “this whole music scene today needs a lot of excitement or it will sure fold up.

I remember my Dad used to take me to hear Mignonne Fernando of Jetliner fame and Dalreen when ever they performed at the Coconut Grove, Galle Face Hotel.

He used to perch me on the windows and I used to enjoy watching both of them perform.

You asked me about the progress of music. All I can say is that music then was ‘pure’ it came from the heart. Today music has been over taken by technology. Nothing seems to come from the heart.

This concert does not lean on technology. Musicians should use technology to improve themselves. It is good for recording sessions - say if you hit a wrong note you could adjust it. But not so if you are going live - accuracy and emotion are important and most of our musicians can produce it.”

Whatever opinion you may have, we say don’t miss out on the concert - its entertainment in a class of its own. Tickets at Torana, Liberty Plaza and Video International, Nawala Road.

New singer in action

by Mahes PERERA

Versatile musicians, young in age are hard to find today and the talented Chamila Perera vocalist bassist, has joined Golden Chimes to give the band an overall new sound what with a wide repertoire of western songs. Before he made the decision to join the band on a permanent basis Chamila was involved in DJing professionally and according to him will continue his DJing career. He also runs two event management studios the Innovents Event Management Solutions and Cool Jays Entertainment. Nurtured in a household that appreciated music night and day Chamila is the son of Chanaka and Lankika Perera and hence needs no introduction to the music scene. He will be taking over playing of the bass from his father Chanaka who led the Golden Chimes in their success story for the past 38 years. The band performed continuously at Stage shows, weddings, dances, social events and gospel programmes. Well known for their golden hits like Kimada Naave, Mage Pelpathe, Muhudu Rella, Kiri Muhuda, Sihin Sinawi, Ma Adare Nangi, Dalada Perahera to name a few. Golden Chimes with Chamila in the vocal spot as well is sure to be a something to look forward to. The band to commemorate this new addition will be releasing a CD of their popular hits and new songs composed by Lankika.

Making music waves

A popular band associated with the Galadari one time, The Star Combination have spread their wings to fly a free lance route which has helped them rake in success. If you are fan of this band led by the vocalist/guitarist Nalin Fernando and if you enjoy professional dancing then you have a date with the band an October 11 at the Queen’s Hotel, Kandy. “It’s going to be an exciting and enjoyable evening as the event is organised by The Dance Academy of Prince Ratnam and we enjoy playing for the professional dancers who make alive the Jive, Cha Cha, Wattz, Samba. Watching their steps is fascinating and since the rhythms have to be in strict tempo. We are kept on our toes” exclaims Nalin whose experience in the entertainment business is extensive.

A five piece band Star Combination comprises besides the leader Nalin, the female vocalist Shirmila Fonseka, daughter of the late C.D. Fonseka who started singing with her father from the young age of seven years. The keyboardist is the versatile Dilantha Silva. A youngster who has immense talent and versatility in playing the guitar and singing is Hirukshe Fernando and the other guitarist/localist is Ajantha Siriwardena. (MP)

Miyesi Visaka 2008

The students of Visakha Vidyalaya are busy putting together preparations for a benefit show to be utilized for the much needed development projects of the school. The scintillating evening of music “Miyesi Visaka 2008” will go on the boards at BMICH on October 4 from 6.30 p.m. onwards.

A popular and fascinating line up of artistes will be featured that evening. They include Shihan Mihiranga, Priyantha Fernando, Ranil Mallawarachchi, Deepika Priyadarshini, Uresha Ravihari, Dushyanth, Harshana and Samitha Mudunkotuwa. The students of Visakha Vidyalaya will captivate the audience with dances choreographed by the talented teachers of the school. Kamal Addaraarachchi will be the compere of the show while the music backing will be by Flash Back.

Randhir launches debut album

Randhir will celebrate the launch of his debut album on September 29 at 6.30 pm. All music lovers can experience Sri Lanka’s biggest solo R&B act and sample the best of German electronic dance music in an electrifying atmosphere typical of the Cologne Pop Music Festival. The concert will be in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut Sri Lanka. The Institut has always been in the forefront in promoting e-music (electronic music) as one of the booming new endeavours which finds its biggest international stage in Cologne, Germany. Randhir participated in this year’s festival and will share his ideas in a talk cum concert with music lovers. Randhir the most internationally exposed Hip Hop/R&B artist from Sri Lanka, began his career in 1999 with the leading group Bathiya & Santhush and according to reports has a string of No. 1 hits to his name. Make a date with Randhir and experience the electrifying atmosphere typical of the Cologne Pop Music Festival.