Celebrated Sri Lankan musicians Rookantha Goonatillake and Chandralekha Perera host an evening of music and dance from the Sri Lankan diaspora performed in Sinhalese and English at the College of Staten Island’s Center for the Arts on Saturday, December 8 at 8:00pm. Hear hits from TV, film, and their many recordings, as well as new songs. Enjoy dance with Shiromi’s Dance Troupe and Roshan & Rhythm Lanka.
Goonatillake’s band, RU & CRU, features musicians Milan Rodrigo, guitar; Sumith Tissera, guitar; Suresh Robert, bass; Cisil Fernando, trumpet, saxophone; Akila Dharmasena, drums; and NYC musician, Newman Taylor Baker, drum set/percussion. Mahinda Bandara is expected to perform as a guest artist, but could not be confirmed at press time.
Goonatillake has sold thousands of albums in Sri Lanka and has a following around the world. Perera is a renowned television and film star.
Tickets for Ru Sanda Rae at the Center for the Arts, College of Staten Island, are $25 and can be purchased through the CFA Box Office, 718.982.ARTS (2787) or online at www.cfashows.com.
Directions to the Center for the Arts:
By Car: The Center for the Arts is located within a few minutes’ drive from the Verrazano, Goethals, and Bayonne Bridges. Take I-278 (the Staten Island Expressway) and exit at Victory Boulevard, proceed to campus parking lots 1 and 2. Parking is free.
By Mass Transit: The Center for the Arts is served by the S62, S61, S93, and S53 buses, which are coordinated with the Staten Island Ferry schedule.
