Exciting experience …in Oman

Their first overseas tour, after putting together a new, impressive lineup, turned out to be an exciting experience for the group Mirage, and they are back home with happy memories.

The outfit made its debut, in the scene here, on December 3rd, 2022, at the Peacock, Berjaya Hotel, Mount Lavinia, and their opening night was well received by the ‘full house’ present.

They left for Oman, for their very first overseas assignment, on December 20th, and the two-week tour saw Mirage perform at four events; the first was on December 23rd, at the Al Falaj Hotel, in Muscat.

It was called ‘Sri Lankan Party’ and the Grand Hall of the hotel certainly took on a party atmosphere, with a large crowd of Sri Lankans, employed in Oman, turning up to experience a typical Sri Lankan party.

The band decided to give them the music they wanted and it was almost 80% baila, said bassist Benjy.

“We have two guys, in our lineup, who are adept at doing bailas and they had the crowd dancing away…almost nonstop”, added Benjy.

Sharon (Lulu), who is an ex-member of the Gypsies, was also into all the action.

Benjy, Sharon, Niro, Viraj, Asangi, Donald and Christine checking out the scene in Oman

According to Benjy, having performed with the Gypsies, Sharon, too, generated a lot of excitement, on stage, and the crowd enjoyed it.

Their second gig was an open-air event, at the Night Camp Luxury Hotel, in Al Wasil, Oman, patronised mainly by tourists, and Mirage had the opportunity of unleashing their full repertoire of songs.

Says Sharon: “What an epic night it turned out to be, at this exotic luxury resort…and with the enthusiastic and excited guests, dancing to the music of Mirage.”

On December 27th, the Mirage scene was switched to Sur Plaza Hotel, and this event was called ‘Reggae Night.’

“Again, it was our kind of music, and we also had the company of a DJ, and the dance floor was never empty,” said Benjy.

Their special night was New Year’s Eve, held at the pool side of the Al Falaj Hotel.

New Year’s Eve atmosphere, with Mirage providing the music

It was a dinner dance and, according to Benjy, the atmosphere, and the setup, made the midnight countdown doubly exciting…with fireworks lighting up the sky, etc.

“Immediately after the dawning of 2023, a New Year cake was rolled in, on a trolley, for the 500 plus guests, followed by a baila session which the large Indian crowd, present, loved.

“Yes, our first overseas tour, as the new Mirage, turned out to be awesome.”