2 Friday 31st July 2009 It’s sometime late on a breezy Monday evening and I am trotting down Fife road. Looking for Ezra, I have directions; I know who I am supposed to meet. I am excited. I met one of the band members; I was taken to a little studio where the band is supposed to gather. I hear that the band members have not met in a while either. Why, they have been silent for so long and now the time has finally come for all of them to come out and start performing what they do best, make music for the wider audience. I come face to face to with an odd, almost out of place picture that is browned with age but is not hard to make out the two people pausing. That’s my father, says Billy Fernando simply known as Billy, pointing to one in the picture. I know the other person. Amaradeva. I am awed. When I finally meet the gang who makes up the Gospel rock band, Ezra, I am overcome by a sense of elation as if I have actually found good music. One by one, each one of them fill the place and I sit back , letting them chat and catch up, the friendly people that they are, and I am finally introduced. Billy, sings and plays guitar ( or any other instrument points out a band member ) , who I note is a simple person who enjoys a good laugh and puts others at ease. The beautiful two 1) Opt for a monochromatic outfit. Head-to-toe dark neutrals are visually lengthening and slimming. K e e p T he Ara stu Sre Exclusively for youth Billy Fernando silent side because of a dentist appointment prior to my interview with them, had a witty come back and is quite sunny to be around. Nigel, the guitar player, the skinny, friendly young one apparently is also a guitar teacher. This is the one I did not mistake for the stick figure to take it. “Let people discover God in their own way” said Devashrie. And I’d say if music is to be a religion, then so be it. It’s about the zest of life. Their music is supposed to bring hope. “Deep” Selomi notes. They began their singing; this is where say. Asked when they hope to do so, Billy said to look out for them around next September. The event will be hosted by Tharshika Rajendren Ezra ments and cuts short the illusion of leaness. Remember you do not have to limit yourself to Black to look your sleekest. Mix textures and shades of a colour to keep the look interesting. 2) Any stripes on the garment should be Vertical. Prints should be scaled for your body- no ditzy large prints if you are large. 3) Avoid big belts, which can cut you in half visually. Instead opt for thin belts or wraparound dresses. They not only give you a waist but enhance your hips to show off a curvier body. 4) Wear skirts that are long & avoid wide skirts. 5) Always wear high- heels. * your eye NorthSouth as opposed to E a s t - We s t . Once you wear high contrast colour combinations, your figure breaks in too many ele- Tharshika Rajendran on show o Aug. 1 If you are petite ( 5’3 or under) make sure you scale everything down: smaller prints , pockets etc.. so they don’t overpower your figure. Just because you are a plus size don’t cover up your f i g u r e with tent dresses. Just follow a few rules o f proportion and accent your best features. If you have a curvy bust, flaunt it! There’s no reason to cover up from head to toe just because Fashion Tips for Plus sizes: How to look Taller and Slimmer Ma Co Contributions and poems to this section could <youphoria.theisland@gmail.com>, <featureseditor@unl.upali.lk> or by post to ‘Yo Newspapers Ltd. 223, Bloemendhal Rd, Colomb 2497573) you’re a plus size. Always choose darker colours as the basis of your wardrobe. Navy, Black, Brown, Dark green, Dark red, Charcoal grey etc.. * Focus on playing up your best features, for example showing off shapely legs with a knee-length skirt. * Avoid anything too tight or clingy. Choose clean lined clothing without big emblishments or buttons. * Don’t wear overly baggy clothes. Body conscious clothes that hint at your curves, without being clingy or tight, are the most flattering. * One – piece dresses look smarter than separates. If you do separates, remember the brightest or lightest colour or print , “ pops” and accents whatever It’s on. A good way to balance out a top heavy figure: printed skirt with a plain black top. If you are bottom heavy, wear tops with broad shoulders or a horizontal stripe to look more balanced. * Don’t be afraid to wear sleeveless garments, especially Evening wear. If you don’t feel comfortable with your upper arms, drape a beautiful sheer shawl around your shoulders or wear a sheer top or even a Bolero jacket. * Keep styling simple, yet edgy and forget frills. The fussier your outfit gets, the fuller you look. * Accessories- Make sure you scale your accessories – from your hand bag to your- earrings-to your size. Accessories are a smart trick for looking slimmer. Wearing an elegant pendant or a brooch can draw attention to your face. Adding bangles or a nice pair of earrings is a great way to add a splash of colour to a monochromatic look. * Give preference to pointed shoes * * as they elongate your figure. And last but not least always stand straight and be aware of your posture. If you hold your body up straight instead of slouching , you’ll add at least an inch to y o u r height. REBELLION in Finding Ezr a Text and Pix by S. Peiris I am forced to keep my jaw where it is supposed to stay without letting it drop to the floor. I clap suppressing the goose bumps, for they just sang Amazing Grace for me and I am amazed by the harmony of the voices, so different yet so equally pleasing and mind blowingly good. It turned out that they had not sung together in a while, but who could tell! Not me. They emphasize that they have not disbanded. They never did. What did happen was that some of the band members moved on to greener pastures, some started pursuing higher education and new individuals started filling the spaces of the one’s who had left. But the band worked in such a way that they have ended up with everyone who played in the band at different times. Thus they have stayed true to their band, the band that promises optimism and a boost to life. They seem to have stuck through with their music even though the band has been largely inactive for the past year or so. But, they have decided to come back, for the sake of the music, for the sake of their fans, for the sake of anyone who enjoys good music, such as me. “Expect us to re-emerge” They by Ruchira Silva “We are not disbanded” says Billy Fernando ladies are Devashrie and Selomi who are strictly vocalists. Devashrie is soft spoken and mild but when she sings she takes you by surprise, and makes you wonder how such a tiny person can have such a powerful voice. Selomi, even though she was more on the found on the door outside. Joshua and Dale also plays guitar. Dale helps with the vocals too. Romesh and Ruban, play the drums but were not present at the time I met the rest of the gang. Also Yohan, who played bass and Rajiv Fernando who helped with sounds were mentioned with warm feelings by the gang. Asked what they have to say about their music they explained to me that even though they are based on Gospel rock, they do not like to limit themselves. “We do not want to put off people” said Billy. What we play is called “Positive Music”, the kind of music that lifts your spirits, and makes you feel good, and if you are hopeless, you find some sort of solace. I for one, can do with that kind of music, I tell myself. This band is named after a Biblical prophet who was called Ezra. According to legend he led about 5000 Israelites to their homeland and reconstituted the dispersed Jewish community. Ezra, the rock band,seem to work more or less on the same concept that, even if you do not believe in God , everyone is equal on the grounds of music and if their music can reach out to people , then they are willing Style