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On June 18 and 19,2004, the Centre National de la Danse, created in 1998 by the Ministry of Culture in France will officially open its new purpose-built premises on the outskirts of Paris - a major event in the world of international choreography and an ideal opportunity to open its doors to the general public.

Que ma joie demeure (Let my joy remain) (Johann Sabastian Bach), a Baroque ballet performed in 2003 by the Compagnie des Fetes Galantes, choreographed by Beatrice Massin, one of the choreographers selected to open the CND in June 2004.

It has the architectural rigour of the temples of antiquity and their purpose too. Dedicated to thinking and reflection, the building that will now be home to the Centre.

National de la Danse (CND) will also be a lively focal point. On the banks of the Canal de I'Ourcq, the former Pantin government complex, built in the early 1970s, has retained the austere appearance given to it by its designer, Hungarian architect Jacques Kalisz. Monumental and functional, graphic and rectilinear in style, the building was ideally suited to the services it housed. So how could it conceivably be adapted for free flowing choreographic use? It was a bold gamble, but it seems to have paid off.

To do so took almost four years of refurbishment work directed by French architects Antoinette Robain and Claire Guieysse and by Italian artist Michelangelo Pistoletto, given the job of designing the interior. The French graphic designer, Pierre Di Sciullio, designed the interior and exterior signage. The overall cost of the project totalled 13.84 million euros for a floor area of over 11,000 square metres; which provides sufficient space for choreographic movements.

Eleven studios, a multimedia reference library, lecture theatres, meeting room, exhibition spaces, etc. everything has been done to ensure that both dance professionals and the general public will find their place here; and in such a way that all the functions of the Centre National de la Danse can be properly fulfilled.

Currently no such a structure exists anywhere else. In the 1990s a Dance Commission was already operating within the Ministry of Culture - a distinctively French feature. At that time it was the Ministry's objective to make France's heritage in this field more widely known and to exploit it. To this end, in November 1998, the Centre National de la Danse was created initially with a contract for a period of four years.

At the time, with no permanent home, it was in a fragmented form, and it was in three different places in Paris that the CND began the hard and exciting work that the official opening of the Pantin building will make into a reality visible to all.

Full of wit and hilarity, importance of being Earnest was probably the best play written by Oscar Wilde.

This extremely funny play which subtly pokes fun at the idiosyncrasies of the British Aristocracy of the 19th century will come alive on stage at the Namel Malani Punchi Theatre on May 13 and 14.

Directed by Nedra Williams and Jehan Bastians, and produced by Jinashri Samarakoon, the production boasts of a strong cast comprising Neluka de Silva, Joachim Johansson, Nelum Goonatilaka, Nigel Balakrishnana and Jinashri Samarakoon.

Jehan-Nedra production of the importance of being Earnest takes a minimalist approach that places the emphasis on acting, which the script combining clever dialog with an excellent and imaginative plot demands.

The production packs lighthearted entertainment for the theatre enthusiast while keeping the more serious patrons of theatre interested throughout with perfections of performance that does deserved justice to Oscar Wilde's brilliance. You are well advised to keep the dates free as an event not to be missed in your entertainment calendar.

Chanaka and Lankika of Golden Chimes

A cassette titled 'Songs of Jesus' comprising praise and worship non stop choruses sung by Chanaka and Lankika Perera of Golden Chimes and their two sons namely Chameen and Chamila Perera will be released and dedicated at the Holy Emmanuel Church, Moratuwa on May 9, Sunday during the 7.30 service. Cassette will be produced and distributed by Back to the Bible 'Jeewithalokaya'.

Music arrangements are by Primal Fernando of Golden Chimes and recorded at Back to the Bible Studio.

Gopal Kumaresan of Norwood was awarded the first place for the best Singer Contest conducted at BMICH recently by the Sri Lanka Samurdhi Authority Board. The shield was presented to him by Dayanantha Rajapakse, Singer, Writer and Director who was the chief guest to the ceremony.

He has been in the musical field for the past 15 years and he is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gopal of Bunyan Estate, Maskeliya.