UW’s Gamelan Candra Wyoga to Perform ‘Sounds of Bali’ at UW May 5

Gamelan Candra Wyoga, the University of Wyoming’s Balinese music ensemble, will perform music and dance in a concert Sunday, May 5, at 1 p.m. in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts recital hall.

Admission is free and open to the public.

Known for its intricate percussive rhythms, flashy interlocking pieces, vibrant costumes and dancers, and instruments depicting dramatic scenes from the Balinese-Hindu tradition, Balinese gamelan is a rich musical art played in traditional ceremonies and in modern music festivals.

The “Sounds of Bali” performance will feature guest musicians from Denver Gamelan Tunas Mekar and a special section of songs played on a rare set of selonding gamelan instruments made of iron.

Gamelan Candra Wyoga is a community ensemble guided by Balinese gamelan master I Made Lasmawan and dancer Ni Ketut Marni. “Candra” refers to the beauty of the full moon. “Wyoga” has a double meaning, indicating both “Wyoming Gamelan” and “meditation on the beauty of the full moon.”

This type of Balinese gamelan is called semar pegulingan, a particularly full and versatile set of instruments that was handmade in Bali, Indonesia, and shipped to Laramie in summer 1996.

Composed of UW students and staff, and members of the community, the instrumental ensemble has performed throughout the Rocky Mountain region for nearly three decades. New members are always welcome and invited to join the group.

For more information about Gamelan Candra Wyoga, visit www.facebook.com/CandraWyoga/ or email Mollie Hand at mollie.hand@uwyo.edu.