Entertainment

Celebrations a la Annesley

By Mahes PERERA

"It is important that we continue to spread the popularity of Sinhala music, especially the songs that bring back nostalgia among adults and also to the youth", says Annesley Malawana who is presenting a New Year's Eve celebrations for the entire family at Palm Beach Hotel, Mount Lavinia. "It's going to be an unique event, because parents will have no worry about leaving their children back at home on this day when everyone greets the arrival of 2009 into their lives. There will be a special play area for children under fourteen years with a spacial children's buffet. Of course we have included lots of prizes, competitions, Queen of the Night Contest and more. The night club, Club 52 is also open for all teenagers so that parents can enjoy the night knowing that their children are in the same building close to them", informs Annesley who has over the years captured the centrestage with his songs, ever since the popular band 'Moon Stones' disband.

The Super Chimes comprises Channa Athalagey lead guitar, Gimantha Seneviratne - keyboard, Prasanna Fernando - bass and Jagath Kulasinghe - drums.

All the members sing and harmonise not only Sinhala songs, but also English and it's going to be an evening of yester year songs to greet a New Year. Be a part of the experience.

Antoinette performs at Sydney

Sri Lankan singers and musicians more often than not are invited to perform in Australia and this New Year's Eve, the acknowledged singer Antoinette de Alwis jetted to Sydney to perform at the Blue Elephant New Year's Eve Dance which will be held at the Castle Grand Pioneer Ballroom.

The band in the spotlight is the popular Breakaways led by the Sri Lankan bassist Russel de Hoedt.

Antoinette who was the female vocalist with the much sought after Peter Prins Combo who held the top rung for so many years and later when Peter disbanded the group, Antoinette started off an her own with most of the members calling the band Cross Section.

As for handling a New Year's Eve Dance, Antoinette has considerable experience in this field creating the excitement for that all important music run half an hour before midnight leading up to the dawn of a New Year and the infectious Auld Lange Synge section thereafter.

This is something the Sri Lankan bands are noted for, not heard in celebrations in countries abroad. Yesterday (December 20) she was the featured singer at the Goanese Christmas Dance held at the League Club, Parramatta Sydney.

Sri Lankans in Sydney were awaiting her performance to relive the happy days they had when they were at home and which they miss so much. M.P.

Ramona's back in town

"I cannot explain it the feeling of happiness one experiences when coming back home", confesses singer Ramona Carr who arrived two weeks ago to enjoy the festive season in Sri Lanka.

No sooner she arrived she was requested to sing by her musician friends and that has led her to be the featured singer at the Cinnamon Grand Lobby daily from December 18 till 24. Ramona has hitherto been singing and living in Turkey. "In fact since I left Sri Lanka I've been singing six days a week in Istanbul for three months and for six months at Antalya at the poolside at five star resorts.

It's fifteen years for me in Turkey and it is good", enthuses Ramona. When she was in Sri Lanka, Diliup Gabadamudalige and she were a duo performing professionally in '87 and '88 at Trans Asia.

"This was the time when Priyanthi and Raja and Manilal Perera were singing weekly at the hotel and we had such good times", recalls Ramona, who arrived here from California where she was spending part of her holidays with her family. "In Los Angeles when I'm there, I sing with the Cornelius Herring Quartet when I get the opportunity" concludes Ramona. Los Angeles is a long way to go and if you haven't heard Ramona before then make a date with her at her limited engagement at the Cinnamon Grand Lobby. MP

'Kirikodu Hithata' on Rupavahini

A special musical programme will be telecast by Rupavahini on December 24 at 10.30 pm.

The lyrics of the songs were written by Nilar M. Cassim and the singers include Niranjala, Edward, Amarasiri, Nirosha, Bathiya 'N Santhush, Asanka Priyamantha, Pradeepa, Rookantha, Chandralekha, Athula, Samitha, W.D. Ariyasinghe, Dayan Vitharane, Chandana Liyanaarachchi, Kasun and Nelu. There will be dances by Channa Wijewardena and Upekha. Special dance sequences will be by Kamal, Sangeetha, Roshan Ranawana, Anarkali and Semini Iddamalgoda.

Goodbye 2008

The popular Gypsies led by the inimitable Sunil will help you to say a rocking goodbye to 2008 and welcome 2009 at the Sapphire Ballroom at the Ceylon Continental on New Year's Eve.... Sohan and the X'periments with Sohan Weerasinghe in the lead and Rajitha Rupasinghe leading his group Misty will keep you on your feet till the next morning at the Oak Ballroom, Cinnamon Grand..... Shaman and the Reggae Colours at the Poolside of the Hilton Colombo Residence especially for family and friends plus groovy DJ music.

At the Il Ponte Hilton Colombo C&C will spread their New Year's Eve charm.... At the Terrace Mount Lavinia, the Latin laced Phase 3 will help you greet 2009, while Aquarius is all geared to give 2008 an exciting musical farewell.

Warren and Rozette at the Beira Lonuge Trans Asia will herald in the New Year while Ricky Bahar and Legacy invite you to an evening of fun, games and groovy music at the Poolside to say Hi to 2009.

Year end 'Reflection'

Soon the year will end and with 2009 just round the corner, entertainment of a different kind will be presented today at the California Grill commencing 8.30 p.m. Titled 'Reflections' it will see the doyen of fashion Kirti Sri Karunaratne presenting refreshing styles from the past which are not out of date in today's fast moving world while eco-friendly Dr. Lilamani Wijeratne de Silva presents styles based on nature.

Voice of Praise on an esoteric flight

The Voice of Praise directed by Denham Pereira, well-known for their high quality choir performances will commence their Christmas carols singing programmes today at the Hilton Colombo from 8.00 p.m. The choir will be featured daily until December 24 singing many well arranged popular carols that should not be missed.

The choir sing mostly a - cappella and they hope to tour the country, spreading a love of music wherever they go. Each of the ten individual choristers has a deep-rooted love for music as well as a solid background in choral singing. According to Denham Pereira a former chorister of St. Thomas' College, his choir was formed a year ago and the members are 20 to mid 30 years in age and committed to their music. Voice of Praise has a wide choral repertoire and with the experience he gathered at St. Mary's Church, Lowton, Manchester, he was scheduled to hold a Christmas, Organ Recital at St. Andrew's Scots Kirk last week.

He intends making the choir bigger and invites those who are interested to get in touch with him. To be able to read music would be an advantage. MP