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| Sunday, 6 November 2005 |
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Happenings / People Chandimal on tour by Mahes Perera
In fact today Sunday November 6 the group is scheduled to perform in Singapore. Leading singers joining Chandimal on tour are Dalreen, Susil Fernando, Paul Fernando, Nimal Jayamanne, Chandana Fernando and Nalin de Silva of the band 2nd Connection. "From Singapore", Chandimal tells us "we will be flying across to New Zealand first, to perform at three concerts between November 8 and November 23. After New Zealand, we will be in Australia for three concerts in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth respectively. On December 2 and 3 the group will perform at concerts in Kuwait, where the singers will be joined by the Latin Dance duo Rukshika and Anushan of Dance World. This concert series is the creation and presentation of Chandimal's, and he is proud of the fact that the artistes will be singing about 35 songs individually with a 45 minute baila non stop and a sing-along with the artistes and audience. Alliance Fran‡aise honours two great personalities by Ranga Chandrarathne It was a colourful evening for Alliance Fran‡aise in Kandy as the Institute celebrated an important event in its history. It was an occasion where the distinguished personalities, a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya Dr. Mark Amarasinghe, the Director of the Alliance Francaise, Kandy, Dr. Jacques Soulie were bestowed the prestigious title of Chevalier of the 'Ordre des Arts & des Lettres' in recognition of their service rendered to the propagation of the French language and culture in and around the hill country capital of Kandy. "It is a great honour to get an award like this from the French Government and particularly because it is evident that they have recognized that I have in a small way tried to introduce Sri Lankan audience to some important French work which otherwise they might not have known because not so many people know French. I am happy that I had the opportunity of learning French in the Alliance Francaise. In the past I could read only translations, but now I can read originals and make my own translations and adopt them and produce them as dramas," said Dr. Amarasinghe. Dr. Jacques Soulie served at the University of Sri Jayewardanepura - under the benevolent and very stimulating guidance of Prof. Nandasena Ratnapala and then at the University of Peradeniya and at the Alliance Francaise de Kandy as its Director. Dr. Jacques said "I am happy to work in Sri Lanka and share my knowledge with the Sri Lankans and to continue my work here". Ambassador for France in Sri Lanka, Jean-Bernard de Vaivre appreciated the service rendered by these two eminent personalities. Aquarius back at 'Blues and Cues' Aquarius led by Benjy Ranabahu, the fabulous bassist, was in town for a mini holiday and now the group is back in Dubai to continue their contract of playing at the popular nite club 'Blues and Cues' at the Ramada Continental Hotel.
They started their gig on Friday November 4, with saxophonist Gavin Senn replacing keyboardist Udaya Welikala who has opted to stay in Colombo and be with his family. "I'm grateful and thankful to Udaya for all his support to the band. We shall definitely miss him as a friend as well, says Benjy when we caught him as usual rushing around attending to last minute details before the group flew off, their tickets sponsored by SriLankan Airlines. With the versatile Gavin Senn an accomplished saxophonist, keyboardist and vocalist Aquarius will no doubt have a new sound, what with Gavin Senn's thrusting and driving saxophone that makes soul, funk and blues electric. He enjoyed his freelance work here in Sri Lanka which gave him the opportunity to successfully make inroads to different types of music. He's sure to miss the nighty music happenings at R&B and he's hoping to return for a holiday. Aquarius comprises besides Benjy, drummer Shiran, the female glitz Sheru, Ashan the keyboardist and Danushka the guitarist. With a repertoire of R&B hip-hop, blues and of course the evergreens Aquarius have made their mark in Dubai. (MP) |
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| Produced by Lake House |
Sri Lankans domiciled in New Zealand, Australia and those working in
Kuwait and Singapore are in for a treat when Chandimal Fernando tours these
countries to perform a series of concerts titled Sri Lankan Golden Oldies of
the 60s, 70s, and 80s. 
