A memorable evening
The people just kept coming in until it was a 'House Full' at the
Ballroom of the Ceylon Continental Hotel last Friday.
|
Vijaya Corea, casual yet professional, this time, with a
song upon his lips |
The Royal Commonwealth Society had set the stage for the much awaited
Sing-A-Long. Upfront was the genial compere for the evening, the much
sought after and evergreen Vijaya Corea, who got the audience off to a
swell session which saw every table lend voices in unison and in harmony
with an audible clarity that filled the air, while a hand picked panel
of judges wended their way to discover the better singing tables who
qualified to be finalists for the big prize on offer to the best singing
table.
With the prize winning table identified, the Sing-A-Long continued
with even greater fervour with Nalin & The Star Combination on the
bandstand doing justice to those golden oldies and perennial favourites
until things really began to hot up with the arrival of Shadow Star,
Anura Palihawadana who built up the tempo to fever level with the top
hits of Gypsies' Sunil Perera.
At this stage, the dance floor of the ballroom was filled to capacity
in next to no time with revellers capturing a swinging time for
themselves. The breaks between each session, afforded opportunities for
bagging in big prizes on several draws, with not a single dull moment.
The evening culminated with a Baila Competition which showed up two
couples who were winners and runners up in a breathtaking performance.
With the prizes awarded and the popular request for a demonstration by
the winners and runners up granted, the final session took those present
past midnight.
It was indeed a unique and memorable evening wrapped up with just the
right ingredients. Consequently, there was more than one person being
heard to inquire, "When will this happen again?" The answer provided
was, "Good things are worth waiting for, perhaps, next year!" |
