KLENENGAN: Gamelan Music for Contemplation, October 9, 2022

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.

BARENG AMBARUNG—Together We Grow, A Tri-Culture Collaboration

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.

KLENENGAN: Gamelan Music for Contemplation, November 7, 2021

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, played traditional Javanese gendhing in an open, informal house concert. All were welcome, coming when they could and staying as long as they liked, perhaps bringing a favorite pillow or your favorite book. Everyone was asked to please wear a mask to cover their nose and mouth, for the protection of everyone involved.

Klenengan

Sunday, November 7, 2021, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Sumunar Studio
512 North Prior Avenue, St. Paul 55104

Free admission – contributions gratefully accepted.

This Gamelan Music program taught and leaded by Joko Sutrisno, 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.

Sumunar at the State Fair

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.

Sumunar at Como Lakeside Pavilion, June 19

Join Sumunar Indonesian Music and Dance Ensemble for a performance on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at the Como Lakeside Pavilion (1360 Lexington Parkway N, St. Paul). The performance begins at 1:00 p.m. and is free (though donations will be gladly accepted). We hope to see you at this first performance following the long pandemic break!

Gamelan and Dance Workshops – Free! – Saturday, September 18

Experience for yourself the excitement and fun of Javanese gamelan or dance in this ‘hands-on’ workshop. Even if you have never played a musical instrument before or had any formal dance training, by the end of the workshop, you will find yourself playing or dancing with other participants.

The workshops will be held Saturday, September 18th, in the Sumunar Studio (512 North Prior Avenue, St. Paul). The dance workshop runs from 1:00 to 2:00, followed by the gamelan workshop from 2:15 to 3:45. Come to one, or the other, or both!

Suitable for adults and children age 6 and older. No previous experience necessary.

To better plan for the workshop, please register using this link.

Invitation to Indonesia: A Sharing of Music and Dance, June, 2019


Invitation to Indonesia: A Sharing of Music and Dance

Sunday, June 9, 3 p.m.
Como Park Pavilion
1199 Midway Parkway
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Free family event by Como Lake in St. Paul!

Sumunar Gamelan and Dance Ensemble
Music Director: Joko Sutrisno
Dance Director: Tri Sutrisno

Traditional gamelan music of Java, Indonesia, including traditional and contemporary dances.

The concert will be immediately followed by a free gamelan workshop from 4:30 – 5:15 p.m.

Endang Nawangsih: Thirst for Water + Javanese Classics

October 18-20, 2018
Southern Theater
1420 Washington Avenue South Minneapolis

Join us for two exceptional programs of Indonesian music and dance!

Sumunar and the Southern Theater proudly present the premiere of Endang Nawangsih: Thirst for Water, featuring guest dancers Wisnu Wicaksono and Baghawan Ciptoning. Follow the story of a young woman, Endang Nawangsih, as she persuades a prince to help her in her quest to secure fresh water for her village. Endang Nawangsih questions her own motives as the prince wages battle with an ogre on her behalf. Featuring choreography by Tri Sutrisno and music by Joko Sutrisno. The program also includes contemporary and traditional dances from Indonesia, performed by the Sumunar Dance Ensemble, joined by the guest artists. The Sumunar Gamelan Ensemble, with distinguished guest musicians, provides live gamelan music.
Thursday-Friday, October 18-19, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 20, 2 p.m.

An unprecedented gamelan and dance performance! Our Saturday evening show, Javanese Classics, showcases our guest musicians, four of the world’s most respected contemporary Javanese gamelan musicians: I.M. Harjito, Midiyanto, Djoko Walujo, and Darsono Hadiraharjo, in an evening of Javanese classical music and dance. Experience world-class artistry in a program featuring the meditative long-form gendhing, which will highlight the skills of our visiting musicians. This program will also feature classical dances, including the elegant court gambyong dance and the masked topeng dance, with distinguished guest dancers Wisnu Wicaksono and Tri Kumara as the epic character Klono and his impish antagonist. Never before has such an illustrious group of gamelan musicians been gathered on a Twin Cities stage. This is one concert not to miss!
Saturday, October 20, 7:30 p.m.

Tickets
General admission: $20 in advance, $24 at the door
Students and seniors 65+: $12
ARTshare members: Free
Saturday matinee: Pay what you can
Reserve online

Don’t miss: free dance workshop led by Wisnu Wicaksono Tuesday, October 16, 5:30-7 p.m.

These activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

 

Spring Concert: Sumunar and University of St. Thomas Gamelan Ensemble

Indonesian Music and Dance Performance

Presented by the Sumunar Gamelan and Dance Ensembles
with the University of St. Thomas Gamelan Ensemble

Free admission! Open to all!

Saturday, May 5, 7:00 PM
Baumgartner Auditorium
Brady Educational Center
University of St. Thomas
2115 Summit Ave, St. Paul

Click here for a map. Parking is available at the Anderson Parking Facility at the corner of Grand and Cretin Avenues.

Indonesian Music and Dance concert

Join us for a FREE Program of Indonesian Music and Dance

Presented by the Sumunar Gamelan and Dance Ensemble

Featuring guest dance artists
Wahyu Santoso Prabowo • Maharani Luthvinda Dewi • Tri Kumara

And introducing the St. Thomas Gamelan Ensemble

Wednesday, April 12, 2017, 7:30 PM
Baumgartner Auditorium
Brady Educational Center
St. Thomas University
2115 Summit Ave, St. Paul

Click here for a map. Parking is available at the Anderson Parking Facility at the corner of Grand and Cretin Avenues.

This concert is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Additional support from the Asian Pacific Endowment of the St. Paul Foundation.

 

 

Bimo Gugah – All-Night Wayang Kulit show at Northern Spark 2016!

midiyanto

Sumunar musicians and dancers will offer an all-night shadow-puppet (wayang kulit) performance at Northern Spark 2016, from sundown on Saturday, June 11 to sunrise on Sunday, June 12. The performance features master dhalang (puppeteer) Midiyanto, who has worked with Sumunar on several occasions, most recently in sold-out performances in October 2011. Guest musicians include I.M. Harjito on gender and rebab and pesinden (singer) Heni Savitri. The performance will also feature dancing by Javanese master dancer Wisnu Aji Settyo Wicaksonowith the Sumunar Dance ensemble.

The theme of Northern Spark 2016 and 2017 is Climate Chaos | Climate Rising. In keeping with the theme, Sumunar performs Bimo Gugah (Bimo Prevails). In this story, a hero discovers that the volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and drought destroying his country are the result of corrupt leaders. Amidst the climate chaos, people are hungry for change—can Bimo save the day? Midiyanto will serve up political commentary and social satire, along with fast action scenes, all to the accompaniment of a full gamelan orchestra. Join us under the stars for an Indonesian tradition you won’t want to miss!

Bimo Gugah will be performed in open air in the courtyard of the Mill City Museum. Check the Northern Spark site for information on the many other performances at or nearby the museum that night.

Here is a sample of Sumunar performing wayang kulit with master dalang Midiyanto in 2011. More information on wayang kulit.

Shadow Visitors: A Minnesota Adventure

prince

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

GA + LO = Gamelan and Cello

joel_salvo tri_rama

GA + LO = Gamelan and Cello
Sumunar Gamelan and Dance Ensembles
Joel Salvo, Guest Cellist

Saturday, October 10, 2015, 7:30 p.m.
Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University, 1531 Hewitt Ave, St Paul
Tickets: $12 for adults; $8 for students and seniors

This performance featured the first public performance of Galo a composition by Sumunar music director Joko Sutrisno for cello solo and Javanese gamelan. Galo (Ga = gamelan, Lo = cello) was “officially” premiered one week later (October 16) at the Orpheum Theatre in Sioux City, Iowa, as part of their centennial celebration for the Sioux City Symphony. Joel Salvo was the solo cellist in both performances, very successfully meeting the challenge of integrating the rich sonority and technique of cello with the contrasting tonal and rhythmic structure of gamelan music.

Sari, the third and central movement of Galo, was previously performed as accompaniment for a dance choreography by Tri Sutrisno, Sumunar dance director. Tri performed this for both the St. Paul and Sioux City performances of Galo. We share it here for your enjoyment.