This year, Sri Lanka Foundation (SLF) showcased a blissful finale to the year 2022 with the Academy of Performing Arts (APA) traditional Dancing Concert at Disney California Adventure Park Hollywood Backlot stage on the 26th of November. Flared with the festive vibe of the holidays, this event had the audience bubbling with joy in anticipation of the breathtaking performances of the members of APA, much like previous concerts of APA at Disneyland with much enthusiasm and awe. The ceremony was glorified by the presence of the Chairman, Dr. Walter Jayasinghe, President/CEO, Dr. Dishan Jayasinha, Vice President, Mrs. Aeshea Jayasinghe, Mrs. Zuigly Jayasinha, and the COO, Shirani Stanislaus of SLF.
The students and the teachers of APA, and the community performers were zealous by the honor of their presence at the event. The show was set in motion with a beautiful Managalam Dance, welcoming all the spectators and guests, performed by our talented External Lecturer, Nirosha Wijegunasekara, with the students and the community performers. A beautiful Swan Dance followed this Mangalam Dance performed by our External Lecturers, Akila Palipana, accompanied by Nirosha Wijegunasekara & our Senior Dance Instructor, Umendra Kahadawarachchi, on stage.
APA students graced the occasion with beautifully choreographed Mayura Wannama, Raban Dance, and an Elephant Dance to enthrall the crowd with their talents. And then, an astounding low country dance mesmerized the viewers. The community performers then boomed the stage with another act of beating the traditional Sri Lankan drums, bringing out the idiosyncratic glory of Sri Lankan cultural music. The non-Sri Lankan audience was flabbergasted by the authentic beauty of Sri Lankan music and dance performances.
The immense gratitude of the SLF is extended to the staff of APA-Nirosha Wijegunasekara, Akila Palipana, Umendra Kahadawarachchi, and the Director of Cultural Affairs & the Director of Operations of APA, Achala Weerasinghe, for making the concert a roaring success. And we can never forget the utmost dedication of our students of APA, the community performers, and the parents to adorn the occasion, to whom we at SLF convey our heartfelt appreciation for flaunting the grandeur of Sri Lankan traditional music and dancing in the global arena.
