Entertainment

Sohan sitting on the top rung

by Mahes Perera

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As you read this in the morning today Sohan & the X’periments are in full swing at the Joe-Pete Ball in Toronto. Considering the time difference the band was billed to perform on Saturday 4 and according to Sohan whom I met before he and the band took wing last Saturday, they were all looking forward to playing at the dance.

A long time in the business Sohan & the X’periments are not only a popular band abroad but also at home. When they come back they will be in action on Thursday at the Heist, Ceylon Continental.

This is their weekly date and throughout the week there’s more variety entertainment at the hotel.

On Fridays the band that stirs up your emotions is Chandral and Kings with a fashion show by Yamuna Perera. On Saturdays it’s the all girl threesome Kismet. Sundays sees Warren & Rozette back at the Heist to make you groove the evening.

As a matter of fact the week commences on an easy laid back note with Sam the Man and his evergreen repertoire, while on Tuesdays it’s the young band Fame with the twosome Cool Set filling in the mid week slot on Wednesdays.

Mariazelle’s 40 Bash unfolds today

by Mahes Perera

Mariazelle’s Gala 40 Bashbecomes a reality today presented by the Old Boys’ Association of Isipathana College, Colombo in collaboration with D.K. Promotions.

The concert at the BMICH is at 7.00 pm with the print sponsors being Sunday Observer and Daily News while the electronic sponsors are Derana and Real Radio. Featured at the concert will be a mixed bag as expressed by Mariazelle who herself will be singing all the popular Sinhala and English songs associated with her.

The other musical lights will be Nalin Perera, leader of Marians, Ronnie Leitch, Keerthi Pasquel, Indrani Perera, Damayantha, Voice Print a small choir of Old Benedictines with Shyami and Mercia providing vocal harmony for Mariazelle. Music will be by the Marians. Be there to hear Mariazelle’s new release a Singlish song titled Naughty Forty.

The lyrics Mariazelle tells us were written by Dakshini de Silva and the music was composed by Chandral Fonseka. For those who enjoy a visual impact at a live performance there will be colourful choreographed dancing by Chandana Wickremasinghe’s Dance Guild.

Complete live performances today as opposed to synching is hard to find, and if you are a lover of live performances then be sure to be at Mariazelle’s concert and be a part of the exciting experience, threaded together by compere Clifford Richard.

Exclusively Conrad

by Mahes Perera

One of Sri Lanka’s best known and well loved singer Conrad de Silva who thrilled audiences with his version of Tom Jones’ Delililah, Ten Guitars, I’ll Never Fall in Love, Love Me Tonight and Danny Boy to name a few will be back home for exclusive performances at the Galadari Hotel.

Conrad will be performing at the lobby of the Hotel on October 11, 12, 17 and 18. His programme for all four evenings will include songs from the repertoire of Michael Buble, Bobby Darin, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and of course Tom Jones and Stieve Wonder.

Conrad who was in Sri Lanka for the Spitfires Re-union Concert in 2007 says he is happy to be back home and is looking forward to meeting up with his fans and friends. Before he migrated to Australia he commenced his musical career with the Spitfires and with Budrin Musafer they rocked the then Akase Kade and Ceylinco Hotel.

He later joined Mignonne and the Jetliners and toured Bombay and Singapore with the band. His popularity saw him join with Gabo and The Breakaways and he sang with another leading singer Priyanthi. Now in Melbourne he tells us he still sings and does floor shows at many hotels. Be a part of the experience at the Galadari Hotel.

IPTV is now here

Wildfire and Natasha provided music entertainment at the launching of IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) by SLT VisionCom Private Limited. It’s the newest entertainment experience giving the viewer personalized entertainment options. With fourteen international channels and five domestic channels the viewer has access to a large library of movies and songs at leisure.

The Trick Play functionality provides pause, slow-motion, rewind and fast forward of live television. Time Shift TV gives you the opportunity to watch your favourite show that you may have missed.

Percussionist remembered

Sri Lanka’s acknowledged pianist Harsha Makalande along with Ravibandu Vidyadhipathy - Sri Lankan percussionist, Alston Joachim - bassist, Shiraaz Nooramith - drummer and Antoinette de Alwis - vocalist will play a featured special set as a tribute to the late percussionist/drummer Nesan Thiagarajan, when leading musicians gather together today to rapport with one another.

They will be featured at 3.30 pm. The other musicians at 1.30 pm will be vocalist Kanthie de Silva with Dilukshi Sirimane - piano, Basil Paiva - bass and Royle Andrews - drums. The Trio after the opening set will be pianist Kumar de Silva with Duleep Gnanakan - bass and Shiraaz Nooramith - drums.

The magic of the piano accordion

The piano accordionist Nihal S. Perera is back home with his band The Clan after completing his contract at the Taj Krishna Hotel in Andre Pradesh. A versatile musician the band is gearing for the entertainment season that is around the corner.