Features
The long wait…brings results
It certainly was a long wait for most entertainers, in Switzerland, to do what they are good at – keeping the public entertained, live on stage.
They were confronted with an extremely long lockdown, from December 2020 to June 2021.
But, the wait was worth it, they say, as now there are very few restrictions, in place, to curb their live performances.
Her last performance was in October, 2020, and then it was home, sweet home.
The only time her fans, music lovers, and the general public got to see her in action was on the social media live streaming platform, TNGlive.
However, no sooner the lockdown restriction were relaxed, in her part of the world (Switzerland), Suzi has had work galore, coming her way!
“It was almost back to normal, for me, and I enjoyed having the opportunity to perform to a live audience,” said Suzi, who is known in Sri Lanka as the frontline singer for the now-defunct Friends group.
It was a big scene for Suzi when she performed at an event for a Swiss crowd where she had a lot of bouquets coming her way.
It was a dinner function and Suzi went into action, after dinner.
Commencing her act at 10.45 pm, she went on till 2.30 am, singing nonstop, without a break, as ‘they were all dancing,’ said Suzi. ‘I didn’t want to take a break as everyone was having a good time, on the dance floor.”
At another function, a garden party turned into a restaurant event, as it rained, but here again Suzi made it a happening scene for the guests.
Suzi went into action at a cricket match, too, where she provided the music for the cheer parties.
Suzi also did her thing at a restaurant, in a castle, called Schartenfels, in Wittingen, celebrating Switzerland’s National Day, which was on August 1st.
Describing the location, she said: ‘It’s beautiful. Right round the castle is a forest, and the fireworks display was awesome.”
Suzi went on to say that only 120 people were allowed and it was a sold out event. “I entertained the crowd with Swiss and German songs…a mix of everything!”
Happy with the setup, after the lockdown, the singer said: “I have got a lot of bookings, one after another – last minute…like a sale!”
But…the long lockdown seemed to have increased Suzi’s weight and now she spends nearly two hours, a day, playing tennis!
Most Sri Lankans would remember Suzi for her bubbly personality that made her a huge drawcard, during her days with Friends.
Friends, led by the late Nihar Hamid, were probably the most popular outfit, in the local scene, at that point in time.
Although based in Switzerland, they used to check out the Colombo scene, regularly, during the festive period, and Suzi’s livewire action on stage was a major attraction.