Buffalo is steeped in cultural diversity, which can be readily experienced in myriad ways – from heading out to a Cambodian dinner to attending a Burmese Water Festival. When we experience different cultures from around the world, we open ourselves to the ways that people eat, work, pray, and play. This includes opening ourselves to the sounds of the cultures, including music and language.
Gamelan is one of the world’s unique art forms and Asbury Hall is the perfect setting to fully experience this extraordinary music.
For those who are looking to experience live music, from lands far away, Buffalo Gamelan Club‘s (Sari Raras Irama) director Matt Dunning invites you to come listen to the mesmerizing sounds of Javanese music, played on expertly tuned metallic and wooden xylophones, gongs, hand drums, and strings.
If you’re familiar with Buffalo’s Gamelan scene, then you will be happy to hear that there is a new klenengan program that showcases a variety of traditional Javanese music from the royal Mangkunegaran Palace in the city of Solo and the royal Kraton in Yogyakarta, according to Dunning. Another highlight of the show will be a dance routine by Rin Leung, performing a modern interpretive dance set to a classic Yogyakarta medley of pieces, including Gangsaran, Roning Tawang, and Bima Kurda. Attendees to this enchanting show will also be entertained by Sekaring Tawang, Wilujeng, Wirongrong, Puspawarna (gamelan song sent into space), among others.
The Buffalo Gamelan Club 3rd Anniversary Celebration seconds as a fundraiser for those affected by a major earthquake and tsunami that caused mass destruction on central Sulawesi Island, Indonesia last month, killing upwards of 2000 people. 25% of the money raised will go towards the ongoing relief efforts. Additional donations are always accepted.
Buffalo is extremely lucky to have Gamelan as part of our cultural bandwidth. Looking back, three years ago, when Dunning had just managed to bring the instruments overseas, it’s a wonder that it ever happened at all – it all seems like a dream. Then, he was tasked with housing the instruments, before he could even get the Gamelan scene up to speed in Buffalo. Three years later, here he is, performing with his Gamelan contingent at one of the most respected music venues in the city. It’s a tribute to Dunning’s perseverance, fortitude, and his love for the Gamelan culture that he is helping to showcase and preserve in Buffalo.
Celebrate Three Years of Gamelan in Buffalo
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
8:00 p.m.
Asbury Hall at Babeville | 341 Delaware Avenue | Buffalo, NY
$15 general, $12 students/seniors, $10 members
Performance at Asbury Hall – Hallwalls Music Program is made possible through public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency & a generous grant from the Cullen Foundation.
Buffalo Gamelan Club will be playing two sets with short intermission
Free pizza donated by Casa di Pizza
Funding for the show provided by ASI of Western New York
