Gamelan X is a 12-person
music ensemble drawing inspiration from
Indonesian, Balkan, African, Indian and American traditions. The dynamic,original
music is a hybrid of interlocking Balinese rhythms and sinewy melodiesthat pulls
the audience into a vast, exotic soundscape.The musicians perform on a customized
set of bronze gongs which expands
the traditional harmonic palette of Balinese music. Add synth bass, live drumkit,
brass, strings, African percussion, engaging group choreography, andcrowd interaction, and you have a visceral groove experience that excites and
entrances listeners.
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Integral to Gamelan X is the mythic theater,
which incorporates kecak [pronounced KETjak], also known as monkey chant.
This very physical theater draws from the traditions of Bali and from
many other cultures. Performances are magical, joyful, alive, and full
of surprise. In its former incarnation as "One People Voice," Gamelan
X performed throughout the United States in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco,
Los Angeles, Oakland, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Austin, and at the famous
Burning Man Festival in Nevada.
In 2005, Gamelan X was invited to perform
in Indonesia at the annual Bali Arts Festival and in Java at the Yogyakarta
Gamelan Festival. Gamelan X's performances, which incorporated theater,
song, dance, and acrobatics in a fully staged re-telling of a popular
Indonesian myth, drew an outpouring of rave reviews, national media coverage,
and public goodwill. Gamelan X continues to push the boundaries of various
genres to relate to its audiences in the most vital, generous, exhilarating
manner possible.
The Gamelan X traveling performance ensemble
is able to do staged, amplified performances, including aerialists, and
is also available to parade throughout festivals between main acts. Gamelan
X also hosts vocal percussion workshops, inviting audience participants
to join the troupe in music making, and the ensemble has conducted these
chant workshops throughout the U.S. and Europe in venues ranging from
Universities to outdoor festivals.
The Gamelan X ensemble ranges from 13-17
performers and will tailor its performances to each venue and audience.
Gamelan X is also proud to be an "eco friendly" ensemble
that has converted its vehicles and touring bus to run on veggie fuel.
"The Bay Area's own Funkadelic of ethnomusicology.”
--
Todd
Lavoie, SF Guardian 2007
INTERNATIONAL APPEARANCES:
• Bali Arts Festival, 2005
• Jogjakarta Gamelan Festival, 2005
• STSI (Solo, Java), Indonesia's Premier Arts Institution, 2005
AMERICAN APPEARANCES:
• Earthdance , September 2007 (Northern CA)
• Burning Man, 2003-2007 (Black Rock City, NV)
•
Burning Man Decompression 2004-07 (San Francisco & LosAngeles)
• Oregon Country Fair, 2006, 2007 (Eugene, OR)
• CalArts Showcase, June 2007 (San Francisco, CA)
• Chilla Vista, June 2007 (Santa Barbara, CA)
• Lightning in a Bottle, 2006, 2007 (Santa Barbara)
• Raindance Chinese New Year, February 2007 (San Francisco)
• Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 2007 (San Francisco)
• Anon Salon Sea of Dreams, 2006 (San Francisco)
• Salmon Nation, 2006 (Portland, OR)
• Reggae on the River, 2006 (Northern California)
• artSFest 2005, 2006 Expo Gala (San Francisco)
• 28th Annual Harmony Festival, 2006 (Northern California)
• Whole Earth Festival, 2006 (Davis,CA)
• San Francisco Pride, 2006
• Art in Freedom Park, 2005 (Atlanta, GA)
• NACA Conference 2005, (Chattanooga, TN)
• Flipside, 2004 (Austin, TX)
• San Francisco Theater Festival, 2004-05
• Kaosmosis, 2004 (Portland, OR)
• Ripe, 2003-04 (Atlanta, GA)
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