Entertainment

Nuwara Eliya season - a hive of activity

Nuwara Eliya will be a hive of activity for holiday makers this season. At the Grand Hotel the bands lined up for entertainment are Chandani and C & C and the 8 Beat Band with Asanji will be performing at the Supper Club and Dining Hall for the pleasure of all holiday makers.

The April Blooms Flower Show sees The Grand participating in the Commercial Large Category. Already the gardens, hedges and lawns have been judged and the Cut Flower Competition will be judged on April 19. The prize distribution will be held at the Victoria Park on April 20.

Tomorrow April 16 there will be a Snooker Tournament at the Trout Club and also an Agriculture and Animal Exhibition. Of course the Summer Fair Carnival which commenced last week, organised by the Municipal Council will be on till April 30.

For environment freaks an Environment Exhibition is being held at the Public Library and motor racing fans can be a part of the Mahagastota Race Track organised by the Nuwara Eliya Motor Racing Club. On April 17 the Bak Maha Ulela will be held organised by the Municipal Council and E Team Private Ltd.

Sport fans can further enjoy the Netball Tournament on Wednesday April 18 at the Municipal Indoor Stadium, the 4 x 4 Motor Races at the Mahagastota Race Club (trial) as well as the Football Tournament for girls and boys organised by the Department of Sports, Nuwara Eliya.

The Flower Show opening ceremony at the Victoria Park will be held on Thursday April 19 and finals of 4 x 4 Motor Race will be worked off on this day. The next day April 20 will see the Table Tennis and Badminton Tournament being played at the Indoor Stadium while an Elle Tournament will be held at the Municipal Grounds.

The Road Race Trials and the Horse Races organised by the Nuwara Eliya Turf Club will be the entertainment highlights on Saturday April 21.

MP

Creative guitarist

by Mahes Perera

A guitarist who knows how to make melodies come alive, is the Sri Lankan musician Dylan Lye in town on a brief holiday and has given audiences the opportunity to enjoy his music expertise.

He has long possessed one of the most expansive and resourceful fret board techniques that is awesome. Watching him play you are convinced that it is something in his touch, the way his fingers move with sensitivity on the fret, and his parallel scat singing - picking which has given joy and inspiration to listeners.

Dylan Lye needs no introduction to Sri Lankans. His name is synonymous with guitar artistry, and his unassuming ways has endeared many a fan to him. A vital member of the highly successful Jetliners led by the living legend Mignonne Fernando, who held sway at the Regent Hong Kong, for seventeen years, Dylan continues to play in Hong Kong, freelance, leading his own group.

"Four times a week I work with the band Dynamo Hum at the Jazz Bar and then on Fridays I lead my own outfit and play at the Cricket Club from 7.00 p.m to 9.00 p.m. From there we move over to the Bohemian Lounge from 10.30 p.m. to 1.00 a.m.

I'm enjoying it. Along with these weekly dates I handle Corporate functions which require different programmes according to various themes and so it means arranging of special music and that's inspiring. Also I make appearances at Macaw, Singapore and China - life's hectic what!" says Dylan flashing that characteristic smile of his.

What about capturing your music on an album? "As a matter of fact we've done a CD called 'Red Taurus,' the group too is of the same name led by guitarist Jason Ho and includes two other well known Sri Lankan musicians Hassen Musafer and Bubu Wijesinhge on drums and percussion.

Also the CD features two female vocalist Ginger Kwan and Brigitte Mitchell and further details could be obtained from [email protected]. The compositions are a collaboration by all of us and leans on latin-tempo," reveals Dylan.

Soon Dylan Lye will fly back to Hong Kong and music lovers here will miss the familiar figure with the bald pate and singing guitar. Dylan has always given his own personality to music be it pop, rock, funk, soul, latin or Jazz - there are no barriers to his versatility - only happiness in expression.

[email protected]