Lila Cita, London’s Balinese Gamelan, First UK Group Invited to the Bali Arts FestivalLila Cita Gamelan and Lila Bhawa Balinese Dance Troupe have been invited to perform at the 26th annual Bali Arts Festival (Pesta Kesenian Bali), which runs from June 17 to July 15 2006. They will be the first UK group to participate in the festival and the very first foreign group to play the traditional gamelan semar pegulingan at the festival. Lila Cita and Lila Bhawa will be on stage at the Ksiranawa Theatre at the Bali Arts Centre in Denpasar at 8.00 pm on July 8. The following week they’ll perform at GEOKS, the Centre for Creative Arts (Geriya Olah Kreativitas Seni), created by Dr. Wayan Dibia in the village of Singapadu. The group’s repertoire will consist of some traditional dance pieces, including the “welcome dance” Sekar Jagat, Cendrawasih (Bird of Paradise Dance) and the spectacular virtuoso solo Kebyar Duduk, but they will also be performing some new pieces specially written for the group. These include the Jayaprana, by guest artistic director I Nengah Susila, with choreography by Lila Bhawa Artistic Director Ni Madé Pujawati and Bali-Sugriwa, with music and choreography by I Wayan Dibia. They will also give the Indonesian premiere of two pieces by British composers: Nye Parry’s Lila Cita and Andy Channing’s Pig in the Kraton. Getting 25 people to Bali is an expensive proposition—not to mention the costs of accommodation, rehearsal sessions and transport on the island. The group has put all fees earned in the last year into their “Bali Fund” and is applying for Arts Council and Lottery grants to help cover the costs, but even if they are successful, this will cover only a small portion of the expenses. The group has also been working with the Indonesian Embassy to make contacts with British businesses and corporations who have interests in Indonesia in the hope of attracting sponsorship both for this and future activities. As part of their fundraising efforts, the group is giving a Gala Benefit Concert at the Brunei Gallery Theatre at the School of Oriental and African Studies on June 10 at 7.00 pm (Russell Square Tube). Tickets may be purchased in advance via info@lilacita.com or from members of the group for a minimum donation of £6 (suggested donation £20). Lila Cita welcomes support from all sponsors, large or small. If you would like to help, you can also make donation via the Lila Cita website (www.lilacita.com) using Paypal. |