Experience the relaxing, rich textures of gamelan music in an evening of longer, meditative pieces for Javanese gamelan.

The Sumunar Gamelan Ensemble, directed by Joko Sutrisno, will play traditional Javanese gendhing in an open, informal house concert. All are welcome, coming when you can and staying as long as you like, perhaps bringing a favorite pillow or your favorite book. Tea will be served, and masks are optional.

Sunday, October 9, 2022, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Sumunar Studio
512 North Prior Avenue, St. Paul 55104

Free admission – contributions gratefully accepted.

SUNDAY, MARCH 20th, 2022, 3:00 p.m., at the Cedar Cultural Center.

Three extraordinary Twin Cities musical artists joined their talents to create this unique program. These include Joko Sutrisno, Sumunar’s artistic director, a performer, composer and teacher of Indonesian gamelan music; Hassan Shahid, an African-American singer, song writer and acoustic guitarist; and Maryam Yusefzadeh, vocalist who, along with multi-instrumentalist Tim O’Keefe, performs Persian musical traditions. Sumunar gamelan musicians and dancers will enhance this exceptional performance. 

The program began with repertoire selected by each participant to represent the essence of their own artistic tradition. It culminated in new compositions combining the three different styles of musical expression. Texts were based on Islamic tradition as practiced in Indonesia. The artistic result required considerable collaborative work by the artists, using each of their musics to support and complement the others. This represents the oneness of humanity, accentuating the beauty of differences while melding the musical experience to best represent a world community.

Tickets: $18 for adults, $12 for students and seniors; Call 612-338-2647

Date/time: Sunday, March 20, 3 pm

Where: Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave, Minneapolis 55454

Videos from four of the pieces in this performance are available here.

This project was made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Sumunar Indonesian Music and Dance Ensemble gave six performances at the Minnesota State Fair in 2021, on Monday and Tuesday, August 30 and 31! Performances were at the International Bazaar Stage, located in the southeast corner of the fairgrounds, starting at 10:45, 12:00, and 1:15 on each day.

This dance program taught and leaded by Tri S. Martodikromo, a fiscal year 2021 recipient of a Creative Support for Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. 

This project was made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Join Sumunar in Hastings on Tuesday, July 27, as part of Levee Park’s ‘Performance in the Park’ series. The performance runs from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and is free. Levee Park is located at 20 Ramsey Street in Hastings. For more information, see the Hastings Government homepage or their Facebook page.

Shadow Visitors: A Minnesota Adventure, a collaborative work by Sumunar with Green T Productions, is featured at the Minnesota History Center’s Asia Pacific Heritage Day. Join two Javanese princesses on their amazing journey to Minnesota, where they meet many Minnesota luminaries, including the Prince of Minnesota.

Showings are at 1 and 2 p.m. in the 3M Auditorium, Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul

This project funded by the Knight Foundation St. Paul Arts Challenge