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| Sunday, 24 July 2005 |
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Happenings / People Grand Salute - great happening
An entertainment extravaganza of an unprecedented magnitude will be staged at the BMICH on Saturday August 6 when celebrities from the world of music will present Grand Salute a great happening to express their admiration and appreciation to Sri Lanka's No 1 compere, Vijaya Corea who over the past 40 years was a dominating force in show biz. The cream of the entertainment world and superior choreography will provide a breathtaking and spectacular audio visual phenomenon. For the first time three leading figures will come together to be a part of the celebration. Desmond de Silva entertainer extraordinaire will wing his way from London to take the audience by storm. Alston Koch will be flying down from Australia to put on a tantalising performance while Sunil Perera and the Gypsies will be there to give the audience what they are now asking for! Others on this star spangled show will be Annesley, Indrani, Mignonne (of Jetliners fame), Sohan, Dalreen, La Bambas, Dharmaratne Brothers, Susil (son of M. S. Fernando) Noeline, Paul Fernando, Joe 'Bee' Perera, Rajiv, Mariazelle, and Ronnie. Harold Seneviratne will revive memories of strict tempo dance music. El Latino and Channa Wijewardene's, internationally famed dance troupe will come up 'trumps' with colourful new presentations. Everyone in awhile a star rises on the firmament, but not always does its brightness stay on to be admired. 40 years ago such a star emerged. Young, dynamic and vibrant, the voice of the inimitable Vijaya Corea was heard to adorn the airwaves through the only electronic medium in this country at that time - the Commercial Service of Radio Ceylon. Little did he know then that he would climax his career as Director General of the same radio station which later became the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. As a broadcaster, it did not take long before he carved a niche for himself in the hearts of radio listeners. University students and employees alike were invariably late to reach their destinations until Vijaya had signed off with his last announcement on Wednesday mornings. His choice of music and choice of words were just the right blend that completed a menu in entertainment that so many looked forward to and never would miss. His popularity soared. He bagged the trophy at every public poll that was conducted for the most popular radio DJ. He went on from radio to stage and was soon acclaimed Sri Lanka's No. 1 Compere. Vijaya Corea became a household name. No big show or dance ever went on the boards without him as Master of Ceremonies. His tall personality and the mellifluous flow of words that poured out with a spontaneity linked to his command of the English Language brought him much admiration. Twelve years down the line, in July 1976 when Sri Lanka hosted the 5th Non-aligned Summit Conference, in Association with Yugoslav Radio and Television, he was at the helm of the first ever television transmission in Sri Lanka. Three more years down the line in September 1979 when Air Ceylon switched to Air Lanka, Vijaya was the first to enunciate a 'Taste of paradise' during the promotional campaigns that were conducted in Europe and Southeast Asia. To add to his multi talented character, he has adorned the silver screen on many occasions. He will, in fact, be seen in Udayakantha Warnasuriya's Hiri Poda Wessa which is due to be released in the latter part of this year. On this his 40th year in electronic media and showbiz, Vijaya Corea can look back and proudly claim that never before was he a part of a show like this! - mp Lankan performers at Peterborough festival
Chandana Wickremasinghe's versatility extends from training dancers to costume and jewellery designing as well. This was the troupe's first visit to Britain. The night's performance was an exposure of traditional dancers of the mediterranean Arabic and Indian. The flags of all nations, who strived to make a difference was flown at the Peterborough festival. From the Mayor's carnival parade through the world village to the American civil war society re-enactment, the boat festival, drama, music as well as exhibitions and food festivals, there was something for everyone to celebrate the arts in Peterborough. - R. K. Cello extravaganza
The Cantando Cello Ensemble, directed by the outstanding cellist Dushyanthi Perera presents a varied and exciting programme at its premiere-concert on Wednesday, July 27 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre. Dushyanthi Perera is the principal cellist of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka and the cellist of the acclaimed Colombo Piano Trio. The Cantando Cello Ensemble is the outcome of her passion for the cello, and her dedication and commitment as a teacher. The concert will cover a wide range of music from the Baroque to the modern period, and feature the cello in a variety of settings. Dushyanthi Perera will perform Chopin's Etude Opus 25 No. 7 arranged for cello and piano by Glazunov, with Ramya Perera at the piano. Namali Fernando will be featured in the Adagio by Bach from the Toccata in C major and Amila Abeysekera and Kamani Perera will be featured as soloists in the first movement from the concerto for two Cellos by Vivaldi. One of the most interesting items in the programme is the work by the French composer Claude Bolling for solo cello and jazz piano trio. Tamara Holsinger plays solo cello in this work with the versatile pianist Soundarie David leading the jazz trio, Christopher Prins at the drums and Dushyanthi on bass. The full Cello ensemble consisting of ten cellists will be performing amongst other items, Embolada from Bachianas Brasilleiras No. 1 for orchestra of cellos by Villa-Lobos, David Popper's Requiem, Pachelbel's Canon, and excerpts from Bizet's Carmen suites. Two talented young musicians who are not cellists will be performing as guest artistes at the concert. Satish Casie-Chetty will perform Prelude and Allegro by G. Pugnani-Kreisler on the violin, and Shalini Saravanamuttu will sing "Can't help Loving That Man of Mine" by Jerome Kern. |
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| Produced by Lake House |
Twenty-eight professional dancers of the Dancers Guild, formed by veteran
free-style choreographer and dancer, Chandana Wickremasinghe was a night's
highlight of cultural dance performances at the Peterborough Festival of
Entertaining Excellence in Britain last week. 