“It was Abhaya Subba Weise’s idea to start something like Women In Rock, and it later turned out to be Women In Concert,” says Sheri Thapa, one of the maiden members of the organizing committee. Along with Sheri, Sapna Thapa, Rachana Gurung Sharma, and Palmo Khampa are at it every year, organizing the concert and taking time out of their hectic schedules.[break]
Vidhea Shrestha was one of the core members of WIC but the end of 2009 saw her sad demise. She played an integral part in the success of the event, organizing it every year with enthusiasm and dedication which led the event to become one of the most eagerly awaited concerts in Kathmandu’s calendar.
WIC –VII this year will be a tribute to Vidhea Shrestha. A certain percentage of the proceeds will also go to funding the “Vidhea Shrestha Music Scholarship” for women who wish to pursue an education in music at the Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory, informs Sheri.
“And besides that, certain proceeds will be given to Orchid Garden Nepal (OGN) based in Maligaon where they run a daycare centre for children of daily wage earners/laborers.”
WIC was a concert for a cause, and every year they donate proceedings from the concert to a charity organization for two consecutive years.
WIC started small in the garden of Dechenling Garden Restaurant in Thamel in 2003 with a group of five Nepali female singers, and it turned around to be a hugely successful evening with support from friends and family.
“It was basically just word of mouth, and we had no sponsors as such,” says Sheri.
This year, we will get to see Abhaya Subba Weise, Shreya Sotang, Preeti Kaur, Ciney Gurung, and young talents like Shivana Shrestha, Regina Chettri, Supriya Gurung, and Smriti Bajracharya performing solos at WIC.
The concert takes place today at Garden of Dreams in Thamel. Tickets are priced at Rs. 1,500, inclusive of dinner. The event is scheduled to run from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm.
Shivana Shrestha
Thirteen-year-old Shivana Shrestha realized that she wanted to sing when she was eight. Since then, she started performing in her school shows and is now enrolled in Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory’s vocal classes.
“I was shy to sing before, so I just sang in front of my family and relatives,” says Shivana. However, she is excited about singing in Women In Concert, and is really looking forward to an exciting crowd.
Regina Chettri
It’s been a year since Regina Chettri started singing with her band “Chaurasta” and creating a buzz in the capital. Like anyone else, she didn’t realize her likings towards singing until last year. This 17-year-old, along with her music, also studies in grade 11. She says, “It’s quite hectic to juggle between singing and studying. But I’m managing it quite well.” Though her grade 11 exams are looming just round the corner, she’s all geared up to rock WIC.
Supriya Gurung
This is her first time performing with WIC, and she’s really excited about it. Now 19, Supriya Gurung wanted to sing since she can remember.
“I used to perform when I was in school,” she says with a gleaming excitement on her face. Supriya, along with her band, Staceshake, has been performing in and around Kathmandu for the past three months. This upcoming diva wants to have fun on stage, and is all set to blaze the concert on fire!
Shreya Sotang
She was always associated with her famous award-winning singing father and mother, Uday and Manila Sotang. But no more. This 23-year-old has made a name for herself in the Nepali music industry, and is all set to perform two of her original tracks at WIC this year. She has performed at well over 25 concerts all over Nepal but says she’s quite nervous with her performance at WIC. “I hear the audience at WIC are real music lovers and great. So I’m really looking forward to a great evening,” she says.
Preeti Kaur
Preeti Kaur has been singing with WIC for the past five years. And this year, too, she’s all geared up to bring the Garden of Dreams down. She’ll be performing two cover version songs.
“Every year, I’ve been performing with WIC, and every year I’m excited to perform,” says the “Dheraipalta Jiwanma” singer.
Ciney Gurung
“Samhali Rakha” was her first hit, and come 2010, she’s going to perform at WIC. A regular performer at Shangri-La Hotel, Lazimpat, Ciney has created a name for herself in a short period of time. Excited to perform in the concert, the Hits FM Music Award nominee says, “Music is my passion, and WIC has mixed it with a social cause which adds a different dimension to the whole concert.”
Get ready to hear Ciney today with a jazz number!
Abhaya Subba Weise
Last but at the most, Women In Conert was Abhaya’s brainchild. And now, the event has grown to be one of the most successful ones of its kind.
Abhaya, this year, is all set to perform Michael Jackson medleys and some of her original songs at WIC. The Nepali rock goddess of the Nepali music industry has the reputation of not letting down the crowd; so her music will definitely rock.
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