Jith brings out the stars for the children of Nuwara Eliya
When Jith Peiris and the Creative Arts Foundation bring his stars to the stage on the last day of April it’ll be for a slightly unusual but timely cause. ‘Stars on Parade: a musical evening for a charitable cause’ will have some of Colombo’s finest choirs, soloists and performers unite for a celebration of music, and all proceeds raised will go towards the purchase of uniforms, books, schoolbags and shoes (among other provisions) for children affected by the recent landslides in the hill country.
Jith Peiris
This is nothing new for Jith, one of the country’s most renowned patrons of music and theatre. His Christmas concerts have traditionally raised money to buy school supplies for children-“it’s a cause that’s close to my heart,” he explains. We must do what we can to “keep children in school,” he notes. “A number of friends who had visited these landslide affected areas, especially in Nuwara Eliya, shared that the children were more upset about losing their books and school materials than anything else. It didn’t matter that they didn’t have a roof over their heads-the books were more important.”
“I immediately wanted to do something for them,” Jith tells us over a phone interview. “Luckily, we have some excellent performers coming on board for the show as we’re hoping to raise sufficient funds to do something meaningful.” His friends have already happily chipped in as well, he laughs. “I already have some stationery and school bags that they brought over as soon as they heard I was doing this. Once we’ve raised funds from the concert we’ll buy everything in bulk, and with the assistance of the relevant authorities ensure they’re distributed to those who need it the most.”
Bringing their own brand of oomph to Stars on Parade you’ll find some well-known performers including the Soul Sounds Academy choir, Menaka Singers, St. Cecilia’s Choir of St. Joseph’s College, Holy Family Convent (Bambalapitiya) school choir and a number of soloists that will be featured in next week’s issue- so keep posted!
‘Stars on Parade’ takes place on April 30 from 7.30 p.m. at the Lionel Wendt. Tickets will be available at the venue from Tuesday (April 21).