Whoop nerd’s Gamalan

[fbhjr]

Amazingly, I got out of work on time. Very unusual as my boss called me into a 4:30 meeting. But, I still got out in time.

OK, the sun was not still up when I left. It was more than an hour after sunset. But, you get the idea.

A couple of times a year the college where my wife works holds Gamalan doing Indonesian music and dance. We often attend.
http://fbhjr.livejournal.com/tag/gamelan


Tonight, they had some of the professional musicians and dancers from Indonesia over. They had been performing in Washington DC for the Smithsonian, but stopped by to visit their professor friend and put on a show.

I am in no way saying the kids put on a bad show. They don’t. They do great.
But, this was professionals including the head of the best music institute in Indonesia.

The guy who normally leads it was relegated to the turtle gong.


They did an excellent job. Six percussionist doing different themes that all come together.


The dancers were also very good.

One man did a dance dressed as a woman while dancing crouched down playing an instrument and using a fan.


Two women were dancing the “bird dance”.

Their headdresses bounced up and down like a bird.

Finally was a woman dressed as a man doing a male dance with a fan.


They were a very, very, very talented bunch of performers.


We don’t normally go off to do things on a Monday night, but we were both glad we did.

Comments

[manintheboat.livejournal.com]

The word gamelan was stuck in my head last night.
We must have been transmitting.
That looked awesome.

[evrgreen.livejournal.com]

These do seem very interesting - I like experiencing new music, especially from other cultures. My wife isn't always so game, though. Having it being performed by real musicians from its native culture is all the mo better, IMO! Like going to New Orleans to ehar the blues, there are often many things that can get lost in translation/interpretation with older cultural musical forms.

[morgan-lafaye.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you were able to attend. Looks like a great show.

[endlessblush.livejournal.com]

Indonesian dancing and music is lovely - I've been to Bali and seen some performances.. loved it.

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

You have seen a whole lot of this world...

[endlessblush.livejournal.com]

I have been very fortunate .. although bali is very close and quite cheap for us to visit - cheaper than visiting some places in Australia.

[palusbuteo.livejournal.com]

I -really- wanted to go but goofed up on the day, I thought it was this coming Monday. UGH.

I regret missing it, it's always a fun performance.

[temperlj.livejournal.com]

December 6th is the next one with the students