Entertainment

Entertainer in a class of his own

by Mahes PERERA

Soon this year 2008 will move out of our lives and as we look back on the entertainment industry, there's no doubt that singer Sunil Perera stands out as the entertainer of the year.

Not only in 2008 but for the past decade Sunil has held that top rung with ease. There is something about him that draws your admiration for him. His name today is synonymous with entertainment.

At a concert when he walks in on stage from the wings doing his adaptation of the moon walk and wearing that familiar hat audiences through sheer enjoyment welcome him with a thunderous applause. His image and his impromptu wit about society and its happenings and of course his lyricism have yet to be matched.

Sunil and the Gypsies will be at the Ceylon Continental Hotel on New Year's Eve to help you welcome 2009 in the typical Gypsies style. How do you look upon the music scene this year? "Well the Gypsies were okay but the smaller bands were not so successful like last year for instance. We had out tours which kept us going and I feel that the spirit of the people was on a low key. However I hope that for all of us musicians, next year will be different and musicians will be able to have more opportunities in performances."

The Gypsies will be in full swing on New Year's Eve led by Sunil with Piyal - vocals/guitar, Derrick Hepponstall - bass, Dushan Jayatilleke - keyboards, Ranil Waas - guitar, Lal Witiwala - drums and Radika - the female vocalist.

Nevanthi lends her voice to help cancer afflicted

By Mahes PERERA

Unassuming about her career, singer Nevanthi Gunasekera one time singer in a duo scene with Diliup Gabadamudalige and later the first female vocalist to sing with the now popular Bathiya and Santhush when the group launched off, has released a CD titled Closer. The music is gospel and appropriate for the season.

"The CD was produced by Eshan W and the music was arranged by Billy Fernando who plays piano and guitar on some of the tracks. But we had other Sri Lankan pianists as well like Kumar de Silva, Mahesh Denepitiya and Vanya Goonathilake from the Symphony Orchestra who also played violin on certain tracks. Sajeeva Gurusinghe played concert flute and recorder. The music was different for me yet it was interesting" expresses Nevanthie, who has stretched her hand out to help children suffering from cancer.Do you miss singing with Diliup and B & S?

"To some extent yes. Bathiya and Santhush was fun. Superb really when we went to Kazakhastan. But then you have to move on. I had to go to England on the two year work permit which I was fortunate to get but when I returned I sang with Mahesh Denepitiya's band and Billy Fernando at dances and corporate functions. Eshan and I intend releasing another CD next February, here the music will be different."Nevanthi has acquired an LTCL in classical singing and she won the Sunday Observer Golden Clef Award for the Most Promising Singer when she was singing with Bathiya and Santhush from 2000-2005. So this season help the Children's Ward of the National Cancer Institute, Maharagama as all proceeds from this album is in aid of the Institute.

For singers who enjoy classical music

A joint Choir of over one hundred and fifty singers comprising the Merry An Singers, the Peradeniya Singers, the Menaka Singers, Soul Sounds, the Philharmonic Choir, Camerata and the Josephian Choir will perform the Requiem Mass by Verdi on March 6 and 7 at the Anglican Church. Singers not belonging to anyone of these choirs who wish to join in the performance are invited to contact the office of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka. The joint choir will work under the direction of the well known British Conductor Gregory Rose.

Copacabana

In collaboration with MTV UK 'Copacabana' will be presented by the MTV Hip Hop DJ/VJ Model Sarah Love on New Year's Eve at the Galle Face Hotel. The event will be recorded and telecast at a later date on her Good Luck show