 
Sri Lanka was a new experience
for the Irish teenagers Mairead Gillen, Siobhan Gargan and Kelly Rock,
who were the featured dancers with the Aer Lingus Musical Society at the
Trans Asia Hotel when the successful celebrations and promotions were on
for the famous Irish St. Patrick’s Day which fell on March 17. Watching
them perform you were mesmerized with the lightening speed with which
the girls danced the steps of their routines which were a mix of tap,
the Irish jig and modern ballet. The girls proudly give it the identity
- IRISH.
“We love dancing” they chorus together “and the routines were planned
by my mother who is a teacher of dance, back home” reveals Mairead
Gillen who intends reading for a degree in psychology after school. “We
don’t do classical ballet.
Most people ask us this question. But I do jazz ballet. I started
studying dancing when I was three years old. I have two brothers who
dance as well. Most of the girls and boys learn dancing at three or four
years. The three of us have been performing for some time. We’ve been to
Croatia, Austria, Italy, Czech Republic, France, Abu Dhabi and last year
we were in Malta and it was good.”
 Siobhan
Gargan is the younger sibling in her family. Her older sister is a good
dancer herself. “I’m enjoying myself dancing at functions like this. Its
a hobby for me and for the other two as well. Actually I’m concentrating
on my academic studies. I like biology and I intend doing my post
graduate in the subject. I want to involve myself in research. Strange
you might tell yourself but that’s me!” Siobhan signs off.
As for Kelly Rock it’s going to be a dance career for her. “After
school it will be dance college for me and a degree in dance which will
take me three years to achieve” a smiling Kelly unravels.
We had our pow wow just after the girls returned from Bentota where
they had an exciting day swimming and getting sunburnt. “We were also
taken to Pinnawela and just loved the elephants and the baby ones too”
enthused the threesome. When they go back home the group will be off
again to Latvia for an Irish weekend. “We are keeping our fingers
crossed we could come to Sri Lanka again” the girls echoed before we
parted.
- Mahes
Swing and
Latin groves at the Terrace
If you are wondering where you can go and listen to the evergreens
and standards that came from the pen of George Gershwin, Cole Porter or
perhaps Latin favourites associated with Tito Puente or Xavier Cugat,
then make your tracks on a Tuesday evening to the Terrace of Mount
Lavinia Hotel and soak in the sounds of the threesome Norma’n Jazz.
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Hans, Kumar &
Norma. |
Norma the vocalist is backed by Kumar de Silva on keyboards and Hans
Mater on the congas.Norma is no stranger to our music scene.
She’s been performing with many dance bands in the early years and
now is a free lance singer featured at private and corporate functions.
You are bound to enjoy her soulful sounds in ballads and the blues,
including the swing if that category is your favourite.Kumar de Silva
the pianist is one of the leading contemporary pianists in Sri Lanka. He
is a free lance pianist with a wide repertoire under his belt.
His versatility sees him behind the keyboards with pop groups on a
higher plane.
The pulsating conga rhythms of Hans Mater enhances the music of Norma
‘n Jazz. What strikes you as you enjoy their music is that you don’t
need acoustic drums to complete a trio set. The congas turn the
standards created by the great American songwriters into an irresistible
attraction within the parameters of smooth jazz. Hear the trio, you’ll
be happy.
‘Miyuresi’ at
Dharmaraja
 “Miyuresi”,
musical show presented by ‘Siha Shakthi’ band led by veteran musician
Ananda Perera and organised by the Old Rajans Scout Association together
with the 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group will be staged on April 4 at
the Dharmaraja College Auditorium, Kandy at 3.00 p.m.
Three well-renowned artistes Somathilaka Jayamaha, Amarasiri Peiris
and Bandara K. Athauda will perform at the show.
The ‘Miyuresi’ show is organised to raise funds for the 100th
anniversary celebrations of the 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group and
proceeds will be in aid of rehabilitation and refurbishment of the Lake
View Park International Scout Centre which was opened in 1978.
It is located on a summit of a promontory with the 54 acre land
belonging to Dharmaraja College giving a panoramic view of the
surroundings.
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Astrid Brook |
Today is the day for you to freak out in a country atmosphere at the
DBU (Reid Avenue) from 4.30 p.m. onwards. The popular annual Country
Roads concert presented by the Country Music Foundation takes a
different turn this year.
It’s a Festival and Fair with food and beverage stalls and
activities, traditional country and ethnic cuisine, games, horses and
much more.
Participating in the open-air acoustic concert are the mainstays
Astrid Brook from England, Mariazelle, Cosmic Rays, Anno Domini, the
Country Revival Band, as well as Flame and Thilan. Proceeds from the
concert will go towards displaced children based in Vavuniya - camps
through Save The Children. Dress code - Jeans and T-Shirts.
Punsanda
Paaya 2009
After a lapse of four years Punsanda Paaya will go on the boards on
Sunday, March 29 at the Ummul Maleeha Memorial Hall, Keselwatte
commencing 6.30 p.m. Organised by the project co-chairs Lucky Deva and
Shriaz Sudar. Their band Spirit is the backing band.
The show will feature a host of well-known Moratuwa musicians and
singers as well as dancers who will add colour to the show. Proceeds
will go towards the welfare fund for assisting members and their
families in times of need. |
