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| Friday, 18 January 2002 |
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Elvis' in concert by Aditha Dissanayake "It's now or never Sings... (hold your breath) No, not Elvis Presley, but Janaka Palapathwala.
Since then, Janaka had staged several concerts of Elvis' in the outstations. This is the first time this year, however, that he is staging a show in Colombo. The place is The Grand Oriental Hotel. The date, 19th January 2002. Janaka would be singing 35 songs of Elivs' which would include "Blue Sued Shoes, Teddy Bear, Hound dog, Jail House Rock and Are you Lonesome Tonight". He would be backed by Ebony and four background vocalists - Kumudini, Darshi, Sherine and Sanjeeva. "The show will be identical to the shows presented by Elvis" promises Janaka. Meanwhile, a fifteen year old fan of Elvis' says "When I see him gyrating his hips on video tapes I feel like going down on my knees and screaming." Who knows you might do the same when you see Janaka at the Grand Oriental tomorrow. Catch you there. Meanwhile, The Harbour Room of Grand Oriental Hotel will feature Janaka tomorrow, January 19 to commemorate Elvis's Birth Anniversary. ============================= Boney M performance a possibility here Pop music fans could be in for a special treat of an international flavour when another top band will arrive at our shores. This time it is Boney M, which, according to sources at Galadari Hotel will be holding a show on Saturday February 9.
Some years ago Boney M did have a performance at the BMICH but much to the chagrin of the thousands who were attracted the show was considered a flop - a debacle largely attributed to the poor standard of 'singing' by the new-found female members. It was much expected that the original members of Boney M - Marcia Barret, Liz Mitchelle, Maizie Williams and Bobby Farrel the male singer would perform, but only Bobby Farrel was able to make it here. However this time round it is expected that apart from Farrel at least one other original band member is likely to be in the act. Boney M this time has sponsors such as Sri Lankan Airlines, Dialog GSM, Yes FM, MTV etc. for their show here. Boney M is presented by Harris Ghouse. ============================= Book launch on life and songs of Rukmani Devi "Rukmani Devi - Yugayaka Swarna Geethaya (The Golden Song of an Era)," a book written by veteran journalist A.D. Ranjith Kumara on Sri Lanka's ever-green actress and songstress of yesteryear, will be launched at a ceremony at the Elphinstone Theatre, Maradana on January 21 at 5.30 pm.
The keynote address will be delivered by Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne while veteran actors Gamini Fonseka, Joe Abeywickrema and Ravindra Randeniya MP will also address the gathering. The ceremony compered by veteran journalist Dharmasiri Gamage and lyricist Kularatne Ariyawansa will be presided over by actress Malani Fonseka. The ceremony is organised under the patronage of Pansilu Kala Kendraya. Arrangements have also been made to sing several popular songs of Rukmani Devi. This musical evening will be conducted by Pundit W.D. Amaradeva, Visharada Nanda Malini, Deepika Priyadharshani, Ishak Baig, Kumari Moonasinghe, Damayanthi Jayasuriya, Kithsiri Jayasekera, Rukantha Gunathilake and Chandralekha Perera. Minister of Mass Communication Imitiyaz Bakeer Markar and Minister of Human Resources Development, Education and Cultural Affairs Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku will grace the occasion as special invitees. At this ceremony, the Tower Hall Foundation will donate five scholarships to commemorate Rukmani Devi. Invitation cards for this ceremony can be obtained from the Sarasavi Book Shop, Nugegoda, the publisher of the book. |
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Still, you will have to pinch yourself to make sure you are not in 1956,
watching Elvis Presley on stage, entranced by what LIFE magazine once described as his
"bump and grind routine usually seen only in burlesque". Janaka, with his
sideburns, fair skin and the identical clothes worn by his idol, looks so much like the
King of Rock'n Roll, the audience is sure to be momentarily transformed into the '60s and
the '70s. January 8 was Elvis' birthday. 
Boney M which was formed in 1976 careered into the charts comet-like with a
continuous string of hits. Their special brand of music consisting of reggae, disco, funk,
gospel, soul and rock brought phenomenal success to the members. Boney M, the name is
derived from a TV show which Frank Farian got when he turned on the TV and saw the credits
of an Australian series. 'Boney' is the lead character in the series, which gained cult
status in Germany in the early 70s. 
The book will be launched to coincide with the 55th anniversary of the local
cinema which falls on January 21. The book contains the life story of Rukmani Devi
including songs sung by her for gramaphone and commercial albums and her contributions to
the cinema and stage. 
