Opera, Broadway hits to brighten up young lives

Shana Dagny will be the star attraction at ‘One Night Only’ the charity concert at the Hilton Colombo Residences on Friday. An interesting medley of Filipino, Chinese-Indian descent-her multicultural roots and the fact that her parents owned an arts-centric school developed her love for all things aesthetic. Currently based in Chicago, USA, she works with the US Department of State and balances her time between performing and nursing.

‘One Night Only’ organised by The Charity Committee in aid of the Maharagama Cancer Hospital, will take place on March 22 with the gifted soloists presenting a programme that encompasses opera and Broadway favourites.

Shana began performing at a young age and won national acclaim at age 7 when she was crowned the Rainbow Princess of the Philippines. At age 15, she directed “Helen of Troy”, a play with a cast of 368, many of them, older than her. Her family moved to Chicago and even there, she shone. The City of Chicago would have her open the annual Asian American Festival with her unique renditions of the US National anthem. She also sings, hosts and performs in special events in the United States.

The concert will also feature well known singer Menaka de Fonseka Sahabandu. Menaka is a Fellow of the Trinity College London and a Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music in both piano and singing. A frequent soloist with the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka, she also founded and heads the ‘Menaka Singers’ and the ‘Menaka Singers Opera Ensemble’.

The duo will be accompanied by Soundarie David Rodrigo on piano. Soundarie is one of Sri Lanka’s best known pianists and vocal trainers, earning prestige internationally for the country. She completed her musical career at the Royal College of Music in London and has performed with the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka. As a soloist, Soundarie has performed both locally and internationally. She is also the Founder and Music Director of Sri Lanka’s premier female ensemble, ‘Soul Sounds’.

The Charity Committee was founded in early 2003 to raise funds primarily for children afflicted with cancer. The group consists of five members who have dedicated their time for the cause. They’ve done many such fundraisers for charity including musical concerts, dinner theatre by overseas artists, a comedy night with renowned comedian Russell Peters and a huge range of homegrown talent have graced the stage on behalf of them. So far, their fundraisers have raised over Rs. six million that has been used to purchase medication and equipment to sustain the lives of many children suffering from cancer.

They were instrumental in setting up the first immunohistochemistry lab in the teaching hospital in Galle for people in the Southern region. They gifted the Karapitiya Cancer Hospital endoscopy and colonoscopy units and helped complete the children’s ward at the Maharagama Cancer Hospital with floor and wall tiles. The proceeds of this show will go to the refurbishment of Dr. Dehan Gunasekera’s Ward 17 of the Maharagama Cancer Hospital.

‘One Night Only’ will be held on Friday, March 22 at the Hilton Colombo Residences Ballroom from 7.30 p.m. onwards. Tickets for the event are priced at Rs. 10,000, inclusive of dinner. Tickets and table plan are available at the lobby reception of the Colombo Hilton Residencies on Staples Street.