“The Aftermath of ‘Goemcho Avaz’ ….”
By Pamela Vasandani
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“The memories that this show evoked will last a lifetime….” is how one member of the audience put it. I believe she encompassed what everyone who was present felt. “Never before have I enjoyed myself so much…,.” put in another gentleman from Mississauga. “I hope Francis D’Costa continues to bring in shows like this for us to enjoy..”. Several ladies from out of town said they had traveled from Ottawa, Montreal, Calgary and Buffalo, New York just to take in the show and meet relatives at the same time. In fact, one of the ladies said that she came again on the 24th, even though she had seen the show on the previous Sunday -17th July….so much did she enjoy herself. They were so enthusiastic about coming again, it was truly heartwarming. Yet another lady visiting from Australia said that being able to attend the show was one of the highlights of her trip to Canada.
The second show of “Goencho Avaz”, produced by Francis D’Costa, President of D’Costa Financial Group and performed on Sunday July 24th, more than lived up to everyone’s expectations. Platinum Sponsor’s Transamerica representative, Damien Borges – Sales Director, commented enthusiastically and favorably saying he had never seen audiences participating so wholeheartedly while almost falling off their seats – so uproarious was their laughter. The comedy duo of Agustinho and John D’Silva brought rollicking hilarity, while Succorine managed to make the audience believe she was totally sozzled with her rendition of “Jaddoo”. Antoinette’s voice carried the pathos that she is noted for and took many seniors down memory lane. It was heartening to see the audience totally spellbound during the performances and their comments during the interval and after the show were all about how fabulous it was and could Francis D’Costa please bring in more shows of this caliber.
Comments like this are food for Francis D’Costa’s entrepreneurial soul as this is the kind of support and enthusiasm that makes all the time, trouble and effort worthwhile. In producing these shows, invariably D’Costa Financial Group goes way over budget and it would be encouraging to know that more and more Konkani speaking Canadians are passionate about promoting, attending and supporting functions like these. At the very least, it would enable the Producer to break even, rather than financing most everything out of pocket.
The Artists of course were thrilled with the response of the audience, applause being food to the artists. They are now well on their way to carry on the rest of the tour in England, France, Portugal and Germany. Let’s hope they wow the Goan audiences there like they did here.
D’Costa Financial Group and some ardent fans were all at the airport to bid farewell and say ‘Thank You’ to the Goan Stars (See Pictures) for the scintillating shows they performed.
With all this enthusiasm abounding, D’Costa Financial Group has decided to sponsor a Fan Club, open to all individuals who hold Konkani dear to their hearts. In tandem with our theme the Club will be “Keeping the Goan Tradition Alive Club“ and will welcome all members who are passionate about this motto. Membership is free and members will enjoy many advantages like advance information of everything that’s on the Calendar of Events, preferred seating for shows like these, discounted tickets for Seniors, invitations to meet the Stars of the Konkani Stage, Autographed Pictures etc. etc. Membership details to follow and will be posted here shortly.
Incredibly Entertaining - 'Goemcho Avaz' In Canada
By: Pamela Vasandani
Canada, July 18: Stupendous is the word that comes to mind!! Never before have Canadian audiences of Goan descent laughed so much. The jam-packed hall, bursting at the seams with a crowd that sang along and totally connected with the stars. "GOEMCHO AVAZ", the Musical Tiatr, produced by Francis D'Costa President of D'Costa Financial Group is definitely the best Konkani show I have seen in Canada so far!! I overheard scores of people saying their jaws ached from so much cackling!! Hilarious, riotous, uproarious comedy was the order of the day!! People were practically rocking off their seats in side-splitting laughter, the sounds resounding off the walls so much, the laughter was bouncing off them.
The inimitable Succorine the 'Comedy Queen' extraordinaire, well deserving of her title, was no doubt Queen of the 'applause meter' while the Duo of Agustinho and John D’Silva, jockeyed for the same position. Legendary singer Antoinette of "Amchem Noxib" and "Nirmonn" fame brought back a plethora of old memories with her unforgettable voice, while Rosy Alvares pumped up the heartbeats of many males. Jose Rod, blessed with one of the melodious voices, poured out several numbers with a 'honey and molasses' smoothness. His rendition of soulful songs enchanted the audience.
All in all, these Goan Stars, who have graced the Canadian stage for the very first time, are a fabulous bunch of crowd pullers, exuding oodles of experience and stage presence which seamlessly flowed off the stage in waves and blanketed the audience. Pravin's keyboards were vibrating off the stage and the ivories would have played on their own, such was the level of energy and verve rolling off. He was centre stage – literally – while Pauly's expertise on the Skins provided resounding backup. Young Ben's flawless performance was noted by one and all. Now, there's a young lad to watch out for in the future – Him and his singing violin!
Jr.Nelson and Damacian from U.K. were also much appreciated as were the couple who coordinated the tour – Mr. & Mrs. Simeo Fernandes and Mr. Francis D’Silva (UK). Francis D'Costa, who spoke with heartfelt emotion, while thanking the stars, thanked the audience in a very special way, for supporting Konkani Tiatr and helping D'Costa Financial Group keep the 'Goan Tradition Alive and Kicking'. He requested the audience to spread the word and ensure that more Goans come out in strong numbers in support of shows such as this especially forthcoming show on Sunday the 24th July, which are redolent of memories and bring out nostalgic sentiments. Only with the support of Konkani-speaking people, will the word spread, enabling entrepreneurs like Francis D’Costa to sponsor and produce shows of this class and caliber.
All in all, the evening will live forever in people’s memories, rocked with laughter, redolent with Goan flavors and reminiscent of …. 'Goemcho Avaz'!!
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(A Review by Silviano Barbosa)
Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2005 00:25:59 -0700 (PDT)
Konkani Show "Goencho Awaz" in Toronto, Canada
A Review by Silviano Barbosa
What a fantastic show it was on Sunday, July 17th at John Paul II Polish
Cultural Centre at 4300 Cawthra Road, Mississauga. For those of you who missed
it, there is still another show next Sunday on July 24th. Same place, same time,
and tickets are still available at $25 as of now. For tickets call 905-471-0572
The entire cast of Goan Tiatrists who came mostly from Goa consists of:
1) The legendary Ms Antonette of Amchem Noxib and Nirmonn fame
2) The racy Goan sultry comedienne/singer SUCCURINE
3) The attractive, beautiful, young actress/singer Rosy Alvares from Sangolda,
the niece of the celestine legend C. Alvares
4) The hilariously gifted Goan comedian Agustin from Navelim
5) An equally famous Jacinto Vaz look-alike premier Goan natural Comedian John
D'Silva from Sao Jose de Areal (Nessai)
6) A talented actor/singer/director from Kuwait Jose Rod
7) A superb one-man band , musician Pravin from Margao.
8) Jr. Nelson from London UK, the son of the TrioKing Nelson Afonso
9) Tome Moniz from London.
The show started with the local group led by compere
Marshall who Translated "Oh Canada" in Konkani.
Jose Rod started the programme with "Ghantt". This was
the showcase of Goa of the yester era complete with a
truck with "Tiatro Tiatro aiz sanje" with handbills
spilled all over the road. Nice piece of nostalgia
there for the expat Goans. And Antonette sang her most
famous canto "Jurament divn fottoilo." from M Boyer's
Tiatro. Jose Rod sang about St. Francis Xavier, Padre
Agnelo and Padre Jose Vaz".
A skit about a young man in love who was about to go
to Dubai was quite tragic to watch. This was enacted
quite naturally by Jose Rod, Rosy and Antonette. A
very well written piece by Jose Rod.
Succorine stole the show and the audience loved her
sultry voice in songs like "Tisrekarn", "Main chali."
"Jaddu" and "Barbie Doll". She looked just fantastic
and in top form and Succorine was called back in three
encores each time for her hit songs. That goes to show
her powerful appealing personality and her singing
voice. Succorine came down the stage singing her song
wowing the crowd with her fenni from her bottle.
Succorine, by the way is the mother of that great
Mumbai play-back singer, Abbey.
Antonette's unique voice is still intact. She sings
with so much feeling and affection. Antonette sang
"Divorce" with her son-in-law, Jose Rod. Her song
"Maecho Ugdass" was a beautiful song written by Jose
Rod and it was very mollifying to the soul, reminded
me of my own mother. Another song "No Time" was very
pleasing to the crowd.
Jr Nelson sang there beautiful songs with his powerful
voice, "Viva Portugal"about Portuguese Passport holder
Goans, of which he said he was one. He also sang songs
"Vasco de Gama" and "Bomb Blast" in London.
Tome Moniz from London sang one nice song "Niall".
Rosy Alvares gave her powerful performance in acting
and in song and the audience just loved her. Her songs
"Music" which was very up-lifting together with
"Sopon" and the powerful "Separation" in a duet with
Jose Rod demonstrated her superior singing prowess.
Jose Rod in his all-round capacity of a
writer/performer, a singer with a fine voice and a
doyen of creative ideas on the stage, especially with
his performance on the impromptu video in "Mog" won
laurels from the participating audience.
Last but not the least the overall extra-special
credit of this show goes to the dynamic comedy duo of
Agostinho and John D'Silva who wowed the audience with
their rib-tickling comedy in every item that they took
part. Very lively comedy and original too never seen
before in these parts. Agostinho excelled in his
comedic performance of the Goa policeman, as a
passenger on the plane with black eye, and I can't
remember so many other roles and his language just
brought laughter to his every rejoinder to John
D'Silva's simple guy utterances like "Mod mata re?".
John D'Silva showed his equal talent of delivering
dialogues in Bardez Konkani when he churned out all
those dialogues "Tor tum maka sangxi." I can't
remember all those jokes that John and Agostin
performed that sent the audience jumping from their
seats. They were fantastic.
The music man Pravin just played to his heart's
content leaving the audience gasping for more. But who
will not be proud of a local young Goan sensation by
the name of Ben Fernandes, who played violin like a
Master?
And of course we can't forget the drummer from London,
Polly who played like a good old Goenkar for this
great Show that will be remembered for years. And all
those people who worked behind the scenes deserve an
equal shabas from the appreciating Konkani audience.
All participants gave the audience their money's worth
and more. We are very fortunate to have these
talented Goan Tiatrists among us. Hope we get more of
this Goan extravaganza in the coming months and years.
There is no doubt every one of the audience loved
this show and so will those of you who come next week.
To appreciate the comedy, it would be nice if you
would know some rudiments of the Saxtti Konkani.
The dresses worn by the ladies in this show were
fabulous, complemented with their jewelry and shoes
and shining outfits.
All of the actors and actresses gave out their best in
making this show the best of them all yet, in Toronto.
We can hardly wait for the advent of that another
talented duo of Prince Jacob and Humberto in September
hopefully I also can't wait to see Wilfy Remimbus,
another great Konkani superstar singer from Mangalore
& his Troupe in October in Mississauga.
Silviano Barbosa July 17th, 2005 Toronto.