Holy Cross Holds First Balinese Performing Arts Conference in U.S. History

WORCESTER, Mass. – The College of the Holy Cross, with support from the Henry Luce Foundation, will hold a conference/festival dedicated to the Balinese performing arts, titled "Continuities and Change: A Celebration of Balinese Music, Theatre, and Dance," from Friday, Nov. 21 – Sunday, Nov. 23. The conference marks the first of its type in the United States. Performances are free and open to the public. Conference registration is $30.

Organized by master artists I Nyoman Catra and Desak Made Suarti Laksmi, the conference features 21 guest performers from Bali, including celebrated national treasure I Gusti Ngurah Windia. "Continuities and Change" is the largest assembly of Balinese master artists in the U.S. in the last decade.

"Short of traveling to Bali, this conference provides the unique opportunity to interact with remarkable master musicians and artists in a variety of settings," says Lynn Kremer, chair of the Holy Cross theatre department.

"It will be a truly thrilling experience to participate in workshops, hear talks, and see awe-inspiring performances by so many exceptional artists in the same place at the same time. Participants are coming from as far away as Indonesia, France, and Mexico."

The three-day conference will feature several performances and concerts, scholarly papers and panels, performance workshops, and master classes. It will open with a presentation of gong kebyar music and traditional Balinese dance by the eminent artists invited especially for the conference.

Other performances include topeng prembon – panyalonarangan, wayang kulit, and a contemporary music concert by living composers who have been influenced by Balinese music.

The keynote speaker for the event is renowned composer and ethnomusicologist Michael Tenzer.

Performance schedule: All performances are free and open to the public.

Gala Opening Concert Friday, Nov. 21, 8 p.m., Brooks Concert Hall The Gala Opening Concert kicks off a three-day celebration of Balinese music, theatre, and dance with a traditional gamelan gong kebyar concert with dance.

Shadow Puppet Theatre Saturday, Nov. 22, 2 p.m., O'Kane Hall 35 Featuring gamelan batel and dalang Ida Bagus Gede Mambal.

Concert of Contemporary Works Saturday, Nov. 22, 7 p.m., Brooks Concert Hall Featuring Boston Musica Viva performing on a combination of gamelan and western instruments with a variety of composers.

Prembon Performance Saturday, Nov. 22, 9 p.m., Brooks Concert Hall Panyalonarangan mask dance/drama featuring Bintang Bali.

Gamelan Gita Sari Sunday, Nov. 23, 11 a.m., Brooks Concert Hall Gamelan Gita Sari, the gamelan in residence at the College of the Holy Cross, will perform with visiting gamelans from MIT, Eastman School of Music, and the Indonesian Consulate in New York City. The concert will include traditional and new music for gong kebyar and angklung ensembles.

Shadow Puppet Theatre Sunday, Nov. 23, 1:45 p.m., O'Kane Hall 35 Balinese national treasure I Gusti Ngurah Windia will perform shadow puppet theatre accompanied by gamelan batel.