Visiting Sri Lankan classical musicians to present concert
BY SRIANTHI PERERA
AZ Sri Lankans, a group of arts-loving Sri Lankan-Americans in Arizona, is presenting an evening of classical music in Gilbert.
“Yugmasara (Duet Melodies),” to be held 5 p.m. Sunday, April 17, at Williams Field High School, 2076 S. Higley Rd., features visiting musicians from Sri Lanka, Amarasiri Peiris and Deepika Priyadarshani Peiris, who enjoy immense popularity in the island nation on the Indian Ocean.
to provide social and cultural engagement to educate and promote multiculturalism in the community
The musicians are on a multistate tour of the United States and will come to Phoenix following a concert in Los Angeles.
AZ Sri Lankans has a mission
ON STAGE
“Anything Goes,” through Saturday, April 2, HCT. This tale of boy-meetsgirl and the complications that ensue will intrigue every audience. This show features an incredible collection of Cole Porter songs including “It’s DeLovely,” “I Get A Kick Out Of You,” “All Through The Night,” “Anything Goes,” “You’re The Top” and “Blow, Gabriel, Blow.”
“The Andrews Brothers,” through April 19, HCT. Mistaken identities and madcap adventures abound in this wonderful valentine to the heroes of World War II.
Belinda Carlisle , Friday, April 1, WHP. Her first solo album, 1986’s “Belinda,” featured the hit single “Mad About You,” and the following year she released “Heaven on Earth,” her greatest solo success.
In Arizona, the group is estimated to number less than 1,000, including the families in Tucson and the student populations at ASU and U of A.
The close-knit group is known for its support and attendance of cultural events. It also likes to share its culture with others.
“We want to foster friendly dialogue among Sri Lankans and all those interested in Sri Lankan culture regardless of age, race, gender, creed or national origin,” said Sujeeva Randeniya, a member.
Randeniya said that attendees can be
assured of a melodious evening in the intimate atmosphere of the high school auditorium.
Violinist, vocalist and stage performer Amarasiri Peiris has worked his way up to become the director of music at Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. He has more than three decades of singing under his belt, and is the recipient of many awards.
In 1981, Deepika entered the field of music at 14, singing in children’s programs broadcast over the Sri Lanka Broadcast Corp. She has been a top radio/television artist since 1986. Her catchy rendition of the kapiringha song “Aju Thapara Lahi La” in the teledrama “Bhagya” was an instant hit.
Guitarist Nalaka Anjana, violinist Kalani Perera, tabla player Dhananjaya Somasiri and keyboardist Chathura Perera provide the supporting music to the two artists.
Tickets are priced at $100, $75 and $50 with free admission to children
under 12 years. Call (480) 603-8001 or (480) 268-1565 in Phoenix and (520) 270-1911 in Tucson.
For details, visit the Facebook page, www.facebook.com/azsrilankans or azsrilankans.com
The von Trapps , Friday, April 1, CCA. Their performances make room for melodicas and ukuleles, lyrics that can unspool in 10 languages twinges of Appalachia and Portlandia, some shout-outs to the Mamas and Papas, all filtered through the DNA of the most beloved musical, “The Sound of Music.”
“The Diary of Anne Frank,” through May 14, HCT. “The Diary of Anne Frank” is a true story about a Jewish girl in hiding during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam in World War II.
Air Supply , Saturday, April 9, WHP. Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock celebrate 40 years of hits, including “Lost in Love,” “All Out of Love,”
“The One That You Love,” “Sweet Dreams” and “Making Love Out Of Nothing At All.”
2CELLOS , Saturday, April 9, MAC. Their version of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” went viral in 2011, and the
Croatian cellists continue to with dynamic music videos and covers.
The Garth Guy , Friday, April 1, HACC. Dean Simmons presents an accurate tribute to country star Garth Brooks.
Hillbilly Deluxe , Sunday, April 10, HACC. Classic and modern country cover songs.
Ghost in the Machine , Friday, April 15, HACC. The best songs from The Police and Sting from this cover band.
Marty Stuart , Saturday, April 30, HACC. The five-time Grammy winner is an American country music singersongwriter, known for both his traditional style and eclectic merging of rockabilly, honkytonk and traditional country music.
Alton Brown Live: Eat Your Science , Thursday, May 12, MAC. Fans can expect more comedy, talk show antics, multimedia presentations and music.
Los Lonely Boys , Sunday, June 12, CCA. Rootsy brown-eyed soul, rustic acoustic textures and good oldfashioned bluesy rock ‘n’ roll.
VENUES
CCA—Chandler Center for the Arts
250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler Tickets: (480) 782-2680, www.chandlercenter.org
For Nancy Wilson of Heart, her 40year career has gone by in the blink of an eye.
It’s been four decades since the release of Heart’s debut album, “Dreamboat Annie,” which spawned the singles “How Deep It Goes,” “Magic Man,” “Crazy on You” and the title track.
Heart continued topping the charts through the ’80s and ’90s with huge hits like “These Dreams,” “Alone,” “What About Love,” “If Looks Could Kill,” “Never,” and a string of other hits that showcased the sisters’ talents as musicians, singers and songwriters. This new millennium showed them back in the charts again, with the albums “Red Velvet Car” and “Fanatic.”
“It doesn’t seem that long at all since ‘Dreamboat Annie,’” said Wilson, who is joined in the band by sister/ singer Ann Wilson. “It seems like a lot of personalities ago, not four decades. You kind of live a few lifetimes in your life. You look back on life in your 20s and say, ‘What was I thinking.’”
Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, Heart is getting a second chance at its music with the forthcoming album “Beautiful Broken.” The Wilsons and their band are reimagining and rerecording hits and their favorite songs for the collection, which will also feature new tracks.
“We’re working on a new album for Concord Records,” said Wilson, who will perform with Heart twice this summer, including Saturday, April 16, at Encanterra Country Club in San Tan Valley.
“They came to us with an idea to have the chance to redo some gems
from albums past to rerecord them and rerelease them. We’re doing a couple of our favorite songs that got lost in translation in the ‘80s. There are some of the all-time favorites that we wish we could have redone. Some of these songs come to life the way we wish they would.”
The project has breathed new life into the songs—not that the Wilson sisters were tired of them.
“The way things are turning out now, it sounds like one of our first albums before the digital stuff started happening,” she said. “The band came together in studio. We played together in the same room. We took a real human direction with it. It’s a really good sound.”
Wilson expects to perform some of the new songs and reimagined tunes at the Encanterra show.
“It’s just really nice to have some new things,” said Wilson, who frequently listens to the college music channel Sirius XM’s XMU. “So we’re not going to go out and do the same stuff all the time. We’ll do the familiar stuff that everybody wants to hear. I think it’ll be special, though, with the new stuff. That’s for sure.”
While recalling her last 40 years, Wilson said she owes her longevity to her family, actually, as fans.
“Our mom told us one time that however deep into this entertainment industry you get, always remember who you are,” Wilson recalls. “The tendency is to let it affect you, believe your own hype, and don’t let it turn you into an egomaniac.
Heart plays two Valley shows this spring and summer. Submitted photo
PHAVORITE!
Phoenix Film Festival showcases films for 16th year
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
As the 16th annual Phoenix Film Festival approaches, event director Jason Carney admits that his job can get a little stressful.
“Once January hits, it’s nonstop crazy until the festival comes,” Carney said. “I’m good for a couple of meltdowns. My wife, she usually talks me down and then it’s not so bad.”
The crunch time is just about over, as the Phoenix Film Festival hits the Harkins Scottsdale 101 14 from Thursday, April 7, through Thursday, April 14.
The Phoenix Film Festival annually screens more than 150 films, holds parties and provides filmmaking seminars to capacity audiences. Carney said he expects more than 23,000 attendees over the eight days.
To help film lovers navigate through the schedule, Carney offered a list of films to which he’s looking forward.
“Morris from America,” starring Markees Christmas and Craig Robinson, 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Thursday, April 7.
“Craig Robinson is in a more serious role,” Carney said. “It’s a feel-good movie that won awards at Sundance. It’s about this kid who’s engrained in the hip-hop culture and DJing, then his family moves him to Germany. It’s a sweet film.”
“The Man Who Knew Infinity,” starring Dev Patel and Jeremy Irons, 7 p.m. to 8:55 p.m. Friday, April 8.
The movie tells the story of Srinivasa Ramanujan, a mathematical genius. “I’ve heard nothing but great things about that film.”
“Sing Street,” featuring Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Lucy Boynton, Aidan Gillen and Maria Doyle Kennedy, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, April 10. “It comes from Tom Carney, who directed “Once.” It’s about an Irish kid in Dublin who sees a girl he likes and decides to get a rock band together. He doesn’t have any musical experience, but he does it to get the girl. It looks super charming.”
“Colin Hay: Waiting for My Real Life,” 6:25 p.m. to 7:50 p.m. Sunday, April 10, and 2:50 p.m. to 4:20 p.m. Wednesday, April 13. “It’s about the Men at Work singer and it shows his life in general. It’s a great story about how he rose to fame. When the bottom dropped out and there was a lawsuit, he plays a lot of clubs and small theater. He’s an amazing storyteller and so charming, this documentary’s great.”
The Phoenix Film Festival is Thursday, April 7, through Thursday, April 14, at the Harkins Scottsdale 101 14, 7000 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. Tickets are $13 to $300. For more information, visit www. phoenixfilmfestival.com.
“The important thing is to remember yourself and who you are. You should keep things real. If you’re so driven by success, you will compromise your own artistic integrity to the point that it’s not you anymore.”
She admits, however, that she and Ann went “through our various rollercoaster rides.”
“Most of that was about substance in the ’80s in particular,” she said. “We’re a strong family dynamic. Me and Ann and our sister, Lynn, who travels with us, too, have a very strong family. We keep our band close to us like a family. We all act like a family. It’s a good way to be.”
Heart performs at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the Encanterra Country Club, 36460 N. Encanterra Dr., San Tan Valley. Tickets are $32 to $70. For more information, call (888) 856-3727 or visit www.thegoodlife. com/festival-tickets.
The band also shares a stage with Cheap Trick and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, at Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix. Tickets are $25.25 to $125.50. Call (602) 2547200 or visit www.ticketmaster. com for more information.
