The Bali Art Festival 2008

The Bali Arts Festival is a full month of daily performances, handicraft exhibitions and other related cultural and commercial activities during which literally the whole of Bali comes to the city to present its offerings of dance, music and beauty. On display are trances from remote mountain slopes, forgotten or recently revived village dances, food and offering contests, classical palace dances, stars of Balinese stage, odd musical performances, "kreasi baru" (new creations) from the dance schools of Denpasar, as well as contemporary choreography and dance companies from other islands and from abroad.

It is a month long revelry that perhaps no other place in the world can put up on such a low budget as the Balinese. Not only is their traditional culture alive and well, but they have a tremendous pride in it.

It begins in the villages, where the seka or cultural groups are selected and organized at the regency level, vie with each other to perform the Arts Festival and thus display in front of a large audience the uniqueness of their village of birth and resting place of their ancestors.

The Bali Arts Festival is the Denpasar cultural event of the year, perhaps it would no be too far fetched to suggest that it is the cultural event of Indonesia. The festival is thus a unique opportunity to see local village culture both "live" and at first hand. Tourists are warmly welcomed.

The History of the Bali Arts Festival

When tourism took off after 1965, the Balinese insisted that it followed cultural guidelines: if tourism was to be accepted, it was to be a cultural tourism, or "pariwisata budaya".

As the Balinese put it: "Tourism should be for Bali instead of Bali for tourism." In time, this idea become national policy, as part of a larger revping of regional cultures for national purposes. The policy owes much to the former Director General of Culture (1968-1978) and Governor of Bali (1978-1988), Ida Bagus Mantra, an Indian-educed Balinese. It led, on the one side, to the creation of enclave resorts such as Nusa Dua to limit the direct impact of tourism, and on the other, to a long haul cultural policy aimed at nurturing and preserving the traditional agrarian culture while adapting it to the demands of modernity, and in particular of "cultural tourism".

At the village level, local music groups, dances and other cultural events were inventoried, then supported by a series of contests at the district and regency level. The ensuing competition energized the cultural life of villages, whose "young blood" was already being drained to the city by the process of economic change and urbanization.

Schools of dance and art were created, in particular the Kokar conservatory and the STSI School of Dance and Music. Beside research, these schools replaced the traditional master/disciple relationship by modern methods of teaching; standardized the dance movements, produced new types of Balinese dances for tourism and modern village entertainment. Most important, it enabled former students to return to the villages as teachers, where they diffused, beside the creed of cultural resilience and renewal, new dances and standardized versions of old ones.

Many of the performances are held at the amphitheater which can hold up to 6,000 spectators, in a temple-like stage.

Each year, the Bali Arts Festival, beside the fed classical dances of the island, such as the legong, gambuh, kecak, barong, baris, mask dances and the like, is based on the theme around which new "dance choreography" is produced and old village dances and activities revived. Over the years, the whole range of classical Balinese stories - Ramayana, Mahabharata, Sutasoma, Panji - have thus been turned into "colossal" Sendratari Ballets.

The main challenge to the Arts Festival is obviously economic in nature. As village life is increasingly feeling the strains of monetary considerations, dancers, musicians and others cannot be expected to continue participating simply for the sake and the pleasure of it. As costs soar, new sources of financing have to be found. The obvious answer is the private sector and in particular the tourism industry. The greater task then is to convince the hotels, travel agencies and tourist guides to be more participatory in the Arts Festival rather than to their own sponsored events.

Considering the pride the Balinese have in their culture, and the adaptability and dynism they have always demonstrated, this little hurdle can be overcome. Trust the Balinese. They will eventually succeed to transform their tradition into a modern, Balinese culture of their
own.

2008 Program - Layout of Art Centre

Saturday, June 14 2008 Activity : Opening Parade Of The 30th Bali Arts Festival 2008 Time : 15.00 Place : Renon Square Denpasar Activity : Opening Ceremony Of The 30th Bali Arts Festival 2008 Presenting Colossal Exhibition Dance Time : 19.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Sunday, June 15 2008 Activity : Flowers & Coconut Leaves Arrangement Festival Time : 10.00 Place : Ksirarnawa Building Activity : Genggong / Gong Suling Performance from the Province Time : 12.00 Place : Ayodya Stage Activity : Cak Creation Sanggar Miniarthi from Karangasem Regency. Time : 18.30 Place : Open Stage Ksirarnawa Activity : Arts Present Unique Dance from Badung Regency. Time : 20.00 Place : Kriya Building Activity : Korean JEJU Arts Festival Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Monday, June 16 2008 Activity : Performance Arts from Province I Time : 10.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Social Dance From Badung Regency Time : 12.00 Place : Angsoka Stage Activity : Performance Arts from Province II Time : 20.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Gong Kebyar Parade in era year 1960 - 1980 Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Tuesday, June 17 2008 Activity : Kerawitan Arts from Badung Regency Time : 10.00 Place : Angsoka Stage Activity : Cak Creation Parade by Sekaa Teja Mekar from Tejakula Village Buleleng Regency Time : 18.30 Place : Open Stage Ksirarnawa Activity : Creation Arts From Badung Regency Time : 20.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Gong Kebyar Parade in era year 1960 - 1980 Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Wednesday, June 18 2008 Activity : Angklung Kebyar Parade Time : 12.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Performance Arts from Denpasar City Time : 20.00 Place : Kriya Building Activity : Youth Gong Kebyar in era year 1960-1980 Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Thursday, June 19 2008 Activity : Kerawitan Arts From Denpasar City Time : 10.00 Place : Angsoka Stage Activity : Performance Arts from Province Time : 12.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Chandra Activity : Cak Creation from Badung Regency Time : 18.30 Place : Open Stage Ksirarnawa Activity : Pengembangan Macepat Geguntangan Arts Presented by Panca Karya Sunari Gading Sawe Dauh Waru from Jembrana Regency Time : 20.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Dance and Drama Performance follow with Baleganjur Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Friday, June 20 2008 Activity : Performance Arts from Province III Time : 10.00 Place : Angsoka Stage Activity : Social Arts Performance from Denpasar City Time : 12.00 Place : Ayodya Stage Activity : Dance and Drama Performance follow with Baleganjur Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Activity : Tradition Music Jegog presented by Tirta Amerta Jati Banyubiru Jembrana Regency Time : 20.00 Place : Kriya Building Activity : University of Illinois School of Music East/West Ensemble (gamelan and jazz quartet) Time : 20.00 Place : Ksirarnawa Building Saturday, June 21 2008 Activity : Ngelawang Parade Time : 10.00 Place : Kriya Building Activity : Utsawa Darma Githa Time : 15.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Cak Creation from Tabanan Regency Time : 18.30 Place : Angsoka Stage Activity : Mask Dance by Sekaa Gong Bangun Lemah Kawan Susut from Bangli Regency Time : 20.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Competition Jegeg Bagus Bali Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Activity : Asia Dance Music Festival by ICCR India Time : 20.00 Place : Ksirarnawa Stage Sunday, June 22 2008 Activity : Food Contest Time : 10.00 Place : Ksirarnawa Building Activity : Angklung Kebyar Parade Time : 12.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Traditional Arts from Tabanan Regency Time : 20.00 Place : Kriya Building Activity : Arts Collaboration and Ethnics from Bona Alit Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Activity : Asia Dance Music Festival, Jusei's Arts from Japan Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ksirarnawa Monday, June 23 2008 Activity : Classic Music Gong Degdong Panca Yadnya from Mendoyo Village Dauh Tukad Time : 10.00 Place : Angsoka Stage Activity : Joged Bumbung Social Dance Performance by Kumara Sari From Candi Kusuma Village Jembrana Regency Time : 12.00 Place : Ayodya Stage Activity : Children Creation Dance and Drama Time : 20.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Gong Kebyar Parade in era year 1960 - 1980 Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Activity : Asia Dance Music Festival from Thaliand Time : 20.00 Place : Ksirarnawa Building Tuesday, June 24 2008 Activity : Gong Traditional Arts presented by Tangkas village Klungkung Regency Time : 10.00 Place : Angsoka Stage Activity : Dance Drama presented by Tunas Mekar From Buleleng Regency Time : 20.00 Place : Kriya Building Activity : Youth Gong Kebyar Parade in era year 1960-1980 Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Activity : Asia Dance Music Festival from Jakarta Time : 20.00 Place : Ksrirarnawa Building Wednesday, June 25 2008 Activity : Woman's Angklung Kebyar Parade presented by Guna Suara Gummrih Pekutatan village Jembrana Regency Time : 10.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Balinese Pop Song Parade Time : 19.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Activity : Creation from Tabanan Regency Time : 20.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Asia Dance Music Festival from Bali Time : 20.00 Place : Ksirarnawa Building Thursday, June 26 2008 Activity : Social Arts from Gianyar Regency Time : 12.00 Place : Ayodya Stage Activity : Pop Song Parade Time : 19.00 Place : Open Stage Ksirarnawa Building Activity : Social Dance Arja Classic Time : 20.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Asia Dance Music Festival from Apsara Singapore Time : 20.00 Place : Ksirarnawa Building Friday, June 27 2008 Activity : Handicraft Competition Time : 10.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Social Arts from Tabanan Regency Time : 12.00 Place : Ayodya Stage Activity : Cak Creation from Denpasar City Time : 18.30 Place : Open Stage Ksirarnawa Activity : Dance Drama presented by Youth Group IHDV Denpasar Time : 20.00 Place : Ayodya Stage Activity : Woman's Gong Kebyar Parade Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Saturday, June 28 2008 Activity : Ngelawang Parade Time : 10.00 Place : Kriya Building Activity : Kerawitan Arts from Tabanan Regency Time : 12.00 Place : Angsoka Stage Activity : Creation Arts from Gianyar Regency Time : 20.00 Place : Ayodya Stage Activity : Woman's Gong Kebyar Parade Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Activity : Keroncong Festival around the Indonesia Time : 20.00 Place : Ksirarnawa Building Sunday, June 29 2008 Activity : Children Fashion Show Time : 10.00 Place : Ksirarnawa Building Activity : Performance by Sanggar Wira Kencana from Jakarta Time : 10.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Youth Fashion Show Time : 15.00 Place : Ksirarnawa Building Activity : Cak Creation from Gianyar Regency Time : 18.00 Place : Open Stage Ksirarnawa Activity : Arja Classic Innovation Time : 20.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Opera by Salju Group around Bali Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Monday, June 30 2008 Activity : Arts From Province 4 Time : 10.00 Place : Ratna Kanda Stage Activity : Anglung Parade Social Dance Performance Time : 12.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Gandrung presented by Suagotra Budaya Abang Songan village from Bangli Regency Time : 20.00 Place : Kriya Building Activity : Performance Arts from Old Generation Time : 20.00 Place : Ksirarnawa Building Activity : Woman's Gong Kebyar Parade Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Tuesday, July 01 2008 Activity : Kerawitan Arts from Gianyar Regency Time : 10.00 Place : Angsoka Stage Activity : Puppet Shadow Paksabali Dawan village Bangli Regency Time : 20.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Woman's Gong Kebyar Parade Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Activity : Puppet Shadow International Festival from America Time : 20.00 Place : Ksirarnawa Building Wednesday, July 02 2008 Activity : Arts Performance Province 5 Time : 10.00 Place : Angsoka Stage Activity : Angklung Kebyar Parade Time : 12.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Collaboration Arts presented by Sanggar Tedung Bang from Bangli Regency Time : 20.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Woman's Gong Kebyar Parade Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Activity : Puppet Shadow International Festival from New Zealand Time : 20.00 Place : Ksirarnawa Building Thursday, July 03 2008 Activity : Selonding Pancak Saron presented by Br. Pendia Tembuku Bangli Regency Time : 10.00 Place : Angsoka Stage Activity : Social Arts presented by Sanggar Premandini Kubu Bangli Regency Time : 12.00 Place : Ayodya Stage Activity : Social Arts called Menyama Braya Music and Dance by Ethnics Saddha Wiangun Pamutera Village Buleleng Regency Time : 20.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Children's Gong Kebyar Parade Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Activity : Puppet Shadow International Festival from Java Time : 20.00 Place : Ksirarnawa Building Friday, July 04 2008 Activity : Balinese Sacred Literary Reading Contest Time : 10.00 Place : Angsoka, Ratna Kanda, Ksirarnawa, Ayodya and Wantilan Stage Activity : Creation Arts and Dance from Denpasar City Time : 20.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Children's Gong Kebyar Parade Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Activity : Puppet Shadow International Festival from Bali Time : 20.00 Place : Ksirarnawa Building Saturday, July 05 2008 Activity : Performance Arts Province 6 Time : 10.00 Place : Ratna Kanda Activity : Gandrung Performance presented by Sekaa Gandrung Br. Pande Klungkung Regency Time : 12.00 Place : Ayodya Stage Activity : Telek Lepang Dance from Adat Lepang Village, Klungkung Regency Time : 20.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Dance and Drama era 1980 Reunion Time : 18.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Activity : Performance from Department of Traditional Music Taipei National University of The Arts Time : 20.00 Place : Ksirarnawa Building Sunday, July 06 2008 Activity : Paintings Competition Time : 10.00 Place : Kriya Front Building Activity : Kerawitan and Dance presented by Sekolah Santa Laurensia Serpong Tanggerang Banten Time : 10.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Calonarang Dance Province Time : 20.00 Place : Ayodya Stage Activity : Collaboration Manik Kasanti from Mr I Wayan Sinti Time : 20.00 Place : Ksirarnawa Building Activity : Student Parade around Java and Bali Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Monday, July 07 2008 Activity : Performance Arts Province 7 Time : 10.00 Place : Angsoka Stage Activity : Angklung Kebyar Parade Time : 12.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Jegog Collaboration presented by Yudistira Sound Factory from Jembrana Regency Time : 19.00 Place : Kertya front Building Activity : Music and Song presented by EIwaw Foundation Nijmegen - Holland Time : 20.00 Place : Ksirarnawa Building Activity : Children's Gong Kebyar Parade Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Activity : Youth Gong Kebyar Competation Time : 20.00 Place : Ksirarnawa Building Tuesday, July 08 2008 Activity : Children Performing Arts Time : 10.00 Place : Ratna Kanda Stage Activity : Balinese Sacred Literary Reading Contest from Buleleng Regency Time : 12.00 Place : Angsoka Stage Activity : Children's Gong Kebyar Parade Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Activity : Participations from Korea presented by Kubayashi Time : 20.00 Place : Ksirarnawa Building Activity : Traditional Creation Dance Festival from Mitra Praja Utama (MPU) Time : 20.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Wednesday, July 09 2008 Activity : Dance and Drama presented by Nyoman Cerita Time : 10.00 Place : Ratna Kanda Stage Activity : Mask Dance Province Time : 12.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Performance from Sanggar Tari Basundari Ami Hasegawa Time : 19.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Children's Gong Kebyar Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Activity : Traditional Creation Dance Festival from Mitra Praja Utama (MPU) Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ksirarnawa Thursday, July 10 2008 Activity : Kerawitan Arts Gambang and Ngoncang presented by Sekaa Rindik Classic Lega Sawitra Suwung Village Buleleng Regency Time : 10.00 Place : Angsoka Stage Activity : Performance Arts Province 8 Time : 12.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Traditional Arts from Gianyar Retency Time : 20.00 Place : Kriya front Building Activity : Pop Song presented by Pramusti Bali Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Friday, July 11 2008 Activity : Creation Dance presented by Sanggar Gita Mahardika Sukawati Gianyar Regency Time : 10.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Joged Bumbung Social Dance Performance Presented by Sekaa Werdhi Budaya Ambengan Village Buleleng Regency Time : 12.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Music Contemporer and Traditional Gending Gending Rare presented by Sanggar Geebo Ethnic Time : 20.00 Place : Ksirarnawa Building Activity : Performance Arts presented by Yayasan Tri Pusaka Sakti Batuan Sukawati Gianyar Regency Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra Saturday, July 12 2008 Activity : Performance Arts Province 9 Time : 12.00 Place : Wantilan Stage Activity : Closing Ceremony For The 30th Bali Arts Festival 2008 and Colossal Dance Drama from Bali. Time : 20.00 Place : Open Stage Ardha Candra