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Mirror Magazine

Christmas happenings
By Esther Williams and Marisa de Silva
With Christmas round the corner, there is certainly that Christmassy feeling in the air. And if you're planning to celebrate with some special Christmas music and entertainment, check out the Mirror Magazine's guide to all the Christmas specials.
Carol services

December 15
* 2.30 - 6.30 p.m. - D. S. Senanayake College Interact Club Musical Evening at the Bishop's College auditorium.
* 6 p.m. - St. Luke's Church, Borella.
* 6 p.m.- The Singing Christmas Tree, at the People's Church, Narahenpita.
* 7 p.m. - Elizabeth Moir School at St. Andrew Scot's Kirk, Kollupitiya.
* 6 p.m. - St. Bridget's Convent Carol Service, at the Convent Chapel.

December 17
* 5 p.m. - Christmas programme by Asian International School at the Bishop's College auditorium.
* 7 p.m. - Colombo International School (CIS), at Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour.
December 18
* 5 p.m. - Christmas programme by Asian International School at the Bishop's College auditorium.
* 7 p.m. - Peradeniya Singers' Adoramus Christum, a classical Christmas Carol Service at the Russian Centre.

December 19
* 6.30 p.m. - Centenary Carol Service of Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya, at the Convent Chapel.
* 6 p.m. - Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) Choir Carol Service, at DRC, Wellawatte.
* 6.30 p.m. - St. Benedict's College Choir, at the College Chapel.

December 20
* 7.15 p.m. - St. Peter's College Carol Service, at the College Chapel.
* 7.30 p.m. - Police Carols at the Police Park, Colombo 5.

December 21
* 6 p.m. - St. Lucia's Cathedral Choir Carol Service, at the Church, Kotahena.
* 6.30 p.m. - St. Theresa's Church Choir Carol Service, at the Church, Thimbirigasyaya.
* 7 p.m. - Believe, an evening of entertainment, organised by Rotary Club of Colombo Uptown at the Bishop's College auditorium featuring The Old Joes Choir, Deja Vu and Flame.

* 7 p.m. - Grand Singing of Carols by Police, Navy, Army and Air Force Bands together with Church choirs at St. Lucia's Cathedral Square, Kotahena. (The public is requested to be in their seats by 6.30 p.m.) This will be preceded by floats depicting Christmas converging at Cathedral Square.

* 7.30 p.m. Christmas programme by Korean Union Church at the Lionel Wendt theatre.

December 22
* 6 p.m. - The Church Choir of the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour - Carol Service at the Cathedral, Colombo 7.
* 6 p.m. - Christ Church, Christmas Carol Service, at the Church, Galle Face
* 6 p.m. - St. Paul's Church Choir Carol Service, at the Church, Milagiriya.
* 5 p.m. - Baptist Church Choir Carol Service, at the Church, Cinnamon Gardens.
* 6 p.m. - All Saints' Church Choir Carol Service, at the Church, Borella.
* 6 p.m. - St. Mary's Church Choir Carol Service, at the Church, Dehiwela.
* 7 p.m. - St. Lawrence's Church Choir Carol Service, at the Church, Wellawatte.

December 24
* 9 p.m. onwards - Grand Musical Show by ABC Networks at Parliament Square, Sri Jayewardenepura.
* 6 p.m. - St. Michael's Church Choir Carol Service, at the Church, Polwatte.
* 6 p.m. - Methodist Church Choir Carol Service, at the Church, Kollupitiya.
Other celebrations

December 21
* 4-10 p.m. - Carnival and Christmas Party for needy Children at Sathutu Uyana, Colombo, (Courtesy Cargills Food City)

* Colombo Municipal Council is organising a Hawker Street Carnival between December 20 and 22 on Perahera Mawatha. Hawker Street is a colourful, fascinating night street concept, popular in countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. An ordinary street is transformed into a food bazaar by night. Entertainers line the street and the whole area is illuminated. Deputy Mayor Azath Salley says that there are plans for carol singers, service bands and cultural events by embassies. Painters, palm readers, street artistes and performers will do their bit. Sri Lankan, Chinese and Mongolian food will be available.

* Liberty Plaza's campaign this season is called Red Hot Christmas. The interior and exterior of the Plaza have been decorated in red. E-FM will have a booth for free gift wrapping. Christmas jingles will be installed free of charge on cell phones. A mystery Santa Claus will wander about the Plaza and step into any shop and may offer to pay for an item chosen by you. On December 20, there'll be Red Hot Carols featuring different groups. Live bands are playing throughout the season.

* World Trade Centre: An Alpine village in the Lobby with the largest model train in Sri Lanka going round the tracks and the tallest Christmas tree in town (60 ft) are some of the attractions here. Those willing to contribute gifts and make donations to the children's ward of the Cancer Hospital may leave them beside the tree. December 16-23 will see Christmas carols sung by groups organised by the tenants. From December 17 to the 20, there will be an exhibition of wood pulp pictures by Apex International.

* At Crescat: Radio Yes FM that has its offices there will be broadcasting live from the mall. A 30 feet Christmas tree will be set up on the roof top. Decor has been done elaborately in white and gold.

* At Majestic City: It will be a white Christmas at Majestic City. Christmas Carols will be sung by different groups during the season from December 15-24. Several competitions have been organised and surprises are apparently in store for customers.

* The Lanka Oberoi: December 21-23 (6.30-8.30 p.m.) - Sing Choirs of Angels - Meneka Singers - Atrium Lobby

Trans Asia
* December 22, 23, 24 - Christmas Carols

Colombo Hilton
* December 15-25 8 a.m. -midnight - Fine Things will display a selection of Christmas goodies, hampers, gifts, floral arrangements, greeting cards and gift certificates.
* December 16 - 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Lady Hilton Club Gala Luncheon - Indian models will take the ramp, sporting the UNREAL Odel collection

* December 15-29 (Wednesdays and Sundays) - Thorana Lounge
* Tittle Tattle Fashion Round-Up will host shows from popular local designers such as; J.L.D. Fashions, Kalyx, Rebel, Limited Edition, Arena, Sonali White, Teenage Special and Chathurajith Goonetilleke.
* December 24 & 25 - 7.30-8.30 p.m. - Thorana Lounge - Choir of Visually Handicapped Children

Galadari Hotel Colombo
* December 15: 4-7 p.m. - Kiddies Party, featuring a bouncer, magic shows, Santa, a guest appearance by Bathiya and Santhush who will sign autographs, live music by Nalin and the Star Combination.

* December 20-24: 6-8 p.m. - Kids can meet with the jolly, fat man at the Lobby.
* December 22-24: 9 p.m. - Sing-a-long Christmas carol session.
Blue Water, Wadduwa

* December 22-24: Christmas carols - Joint school choirs and the Blue Water Choir.
* December 25 - Carols sung by the Choir of Visually Handicapped Children.
The Ceylon

Continental Hotel
* December 22-24 - 7.30-8.45 p.m. - Christmas Carol Sing-a-Long - Youth Choirs of St. Mary's Bambalapitiya & St. John's Choir- (Lobby)

Christmas in Jaffna:

After 20 years, residents of Jaffna can look forward to a more peaceful Christmas. As the scattered communities rebuild their homes and lives, they are hopeful of peace becoming a reality.

Archdeacon S. P. Nesakumar of the Anglican Church says that most churches will conduct midnight services on December 24 after a lapse of several years. Previously, roads were dead by around 7 p.m. as curfew was imposed. However this year, the children and youth would celebrate more joyously as they go on carol rounds.

Christmas in Kandy:

* The Peradeniya Singers will present Adoramus Christum (Classical Christmas Carols) 6.30 p.m. - Santa Maria Church, Kandy.

* The Assembly of God Church has their Carol Service at 5.30 p.m. on December 21 and St. Paul's Cathedral has their Carol Service at 6 p.m., on December 24.
* On the hotel front, The Earl's Regency has a Christmas party for children from 4-7 p.m. on December 15 and the evenings of December 24 and 25 will see carols sung by the Globe Church Choir.

Christmas in Galle:
Christmas in Galle is relatively quiet. According to Father B. N. de Silva of Kaluwella Church, besides the usual midnight mass on Christmas eve, there is the Parish Christmas get-together on December 15 and the Holy Family Festival on December 29.

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