Our own Geethma wins the Spice food festival cocktail competition

Oktoberfest 2012 - The best of Bavaria and barrels of fun

Where can you find whole five days of fanfare, festivities and frolic with the best of the ‘wursts’ sizzling away, the frothiest of brews brimming over, and a whole lot of ‘oompah’ going on – Oktoberfest of course. The greatest of all things Bavarian come together in one fantastic fair as Oktoberfest Colombo lifts off in style from the 17^th to the 21^st of October 2012 at the CR&FC grounds, starting at 6pm daily. Sponsored by CR&FC, Yes FM, Elephant House, Mount Lavinia Hotel and SriLankan Airlines.  There will be music and mayhem for the whole family to enjoy with plenty of food and drink; games for the old and the young and live bands to dance the night away to.

Known as the largest ‘People’s Fair” in the world, Oktoberfest is a 16-day festival celebrating all things Bavarian held annually in Munich, Germany. One of the most famous events in the country more than 6 million people from around the world attend the festivities every year to celebrate this important part of Bavarian culture – a tradition joyfully maintained since 1810. Numerous similar events using the name Oktoberfest in Germany and around the world now take place; many of which were founded by German immigrants or their descendants. Joining many cities across the world that now holds such events to enjoy the festivities, Oktoberfest will be kicking up a storm of fun in Colombo this year too.

The CR&FC grounds in Colombo will come alive with carnival style atmosphere with a large marquee set up for the bands to take centre stage. Stalls of festive fare offering the best of traditional Bavarian delights will also keep the revellers sated. Authentic German cuisine from Mount Lavinia Hotel will of course include all the must have Oktoberfest specialities:  the choicest of traditional German sausages, Pork roasts and Pork knuckles, Sauerkraut and many other delicacies. In addition spirits will be kept at high levels with a vast range of speciality brews and beverages on tap – to celebrate Oktoberfest in its truest form.

In keeping with heritage, live music will be provided by the traditional Bavarian ‘Oompah’ band Waidigel 7, a troupe of musicians who are as unique as their name and their style of entertainment which aims to provide a pure party atmosphere. Comprising traditional brass band, modern big band sounds and bravura solos that blare out latest hits in their own way, they believe in a healthy mix of entertainment in the form of music. And as they state “Our biggest concern is to give people joy in the music and fun on stage, so that each evening will be a success with us.” Waidigel 7 will take centre stage for all five days of the festival. Two local bands – Black and Crossroads will also be performing to bring additional party cheer with their own style of music as well.

A host of unusual games typical of Oktoberfest will also keep the action going: barrel rolling, hammer strength testing, brew drinking and a host of others are planned for the whole family to enjoy. In addition, firework displays every night will bring more sparks to the carnival buzz.

So it’s time to hunt out the Bavarian costumes: dress up in Dirndl or Lederhosen, don the Bavarian hats and say ‘Prost’ (that’s cheers) to Oktoberfest and join in the celebrations at CR&FC grounds from the 17^th – 21^st October for heaps of hot food, barrels of cool brews and some great high jinks to remember: a feast of a festival not to be missed.

Oktoberfest

Sustainable Tourism efforts places MLH in Gold ranking

Going on holiday? Whether you're going to your favourite destination or somewhere new, a credible source can help you make the most informed choices when it comes to your holiday accommodation.

Sustainable tourism practices like reducing the amount of energy and water usage, employing people from the area, and using locally produced foods does play a role on one’s decision. It's about looking after people and places to keep destinations special and authentic. Well MLH is proud to be amongst the selected few who thrive in making people feel the authenticity of the destination.

Mount Lavinia Hotel being awarded a Gold by Travelife for their initiatives in the Go Green area with the Organic Poya Lunch, Slow Food Movement, Ape Kema and many others, endorses the fact that efforts in sustainable practices is being recognized. Many tourists are motivated to visit certain destinations because of the beauty and the uniqueness of that country. Hence Travelife has been set up to support an efficient and cost effective introduction of sustainability principles within the tourism sector.

Travelife is an international certification scheme that helps hotels and accommodations to improve the way they manage their social and environmental issues and if they have met Travelife’s strict sustainability criteria, they will receive a Bronze, Silver or Gold award. Properties can then highlight their award status in their marketing material, on their premises or in the Travelife Collection, to showcase that their property is doing things right - from paying fair wages to reducing their energy consumption - helping you make a more informed choice about where you stay on holiday.

And it’s aim is to increase:

•   The sustainability of travel products    

•   Customer satisfaction      

•   The quality of life in destinations

Gospel and Jazz to kick start the festive season at MLH

Allan Tate - A master of Gospel and Blues music. Very moving singer and virtuoso piano player will give Thanksgiving Day at MLH a new meaning. Allan Tate started to play in churches across the US in places like New Orleans in the late 50's and stayed there up to the 60's. He played for a while in duo with the Legendary Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Then he moved to New York City, where he is based at present. .His career took a new direction in 2011 with successful European concerts and festivals in France and Germany. Now MLH welcomes Allan Tate on 22^nd of November at the  Empire Ballroom, Dinner and Music – LKR4000/-nett.

The entertainment will also be provided by Sri Lanka’s much sought after all boy acapella group VOICE PRINT. The  Olivier Franc Jazz Ensemble and beautiful Gabrielle Jeanselme hailing from France will accompany Allan Tate. Gabrielle is a Professional classical concert pianist and jazz singer. She completed her studies at the National Conservatory of Music of Lyon, France. Aside from performing regularly as a classical concert pianist, she developed skills as a jazz singer and is featured in both kinds of festivals and concert halls nowadays. A well recognized artist in both worlds. Is a great admirer of Billie Holiday, she sings also standards made popular by Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, but also Fats Waller, Louis Armstrong, etc. She performs in prestigious Parisian Jazz Clubs like Le Petit Journal Montparnasse or le Lionel Hampton Jazz Club at Meridien Hotel Paris. A beautiful lady with a natural grace, bringing a lot of emotion in her singing.

A Tribute to Sidney Bechet with Jazz Classics and Boogie Blues is set for the 24^th of November, when Jazz under the stars with New Orleans cuisine just got better.  LKR3500/-nett – Dinner and Jazz with New Orleans Cuisine, 7pm onwards, at the Governors Terrace

Oliver Franc’s Jazz Ensemble  - Reputed to be one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time, Sidney Bechet and as Duke Ellington would say, “Sidney Bechet was simply “the greatest  soloist and creator of the history of Jazz.” Olivier Franc is widely believed to be one of the best interpreters of Sidney Bechet’s music, recreating the same passion through the compositions as the master himself. This is the reason that Olivier is universally recognized as the best disciple of Sidney Bechet and MLH is priviledged to have him begin the Christmas season at the hotel playing on the very same saxophone that used to belong to Sidney Bechet. Olivier Franc gathered around him a true “All Star Band”, composed of musicians who thoroughly understand this style of music: his son, Jean-Baptiste Franc on piano, and Benoît de Flamesnil on trombone.

Jean Baptiste(Piano)

On piano is the rising star Jean-Baptiste Franc, son of Olivier Franc and grand-son of René Franc, famous French clarinetist who was in the Sidney Bechet band in the 1950s. Evidently, in the Franc family, jazz is a well established tradition. He is just starting his career but is already very well recognized and appreciated among “stride” pianists. He has already been invited as a soloist in many “stride” piano festivals throughout Europe and in the USA.

Benoît de Flamesnil (trombone)

What people say about Benoît de Flamenil is that his playing is the closest to that of Vic Dickenson among French trombone players. And Vic Dickenson was a long time partner of Sidney Bechet.

For information please call the Special Events Desk on 2711 711 or 2711 711 ext 430

Kick off the festivities with Gospel and Thanksgiving!

Catch the T20 finals live at our Terrace this Sunday!!

* 06 piece Papare Band
* Giant Screen
* Special Beverage and Bite Menu
* Action Stations
* Live Entertainment

For reservations pls call 2711711 ext 430