Music & Dance of Bali
Presented by Gamelan Gita Asmara
Vancouver’s only 25-piece Balinese gamelan ensemble performs for the first time in New Westminster! Immerse yourself in the shimmering percussive sounds of Balinese music, accompanying intricate dances with colourful costumes. With 3 international guest artists, Gamelan Gita Asmara will perform a range of traditional and contemporary works, including three dance pieces.
For full guest artist info and program, please visit https://sites.google.com/view/gamelangitaasmara/2025-program
About Gamelan Gita Asmara:
Gamelan Gita Asmara (GGA) creates a space where people can engage with and be inspired by Balinese gamelan while connecting it with lifestyles and cultures in the greater Vancouver region.
Founded in 2001 by Michael Tenzer, GGA is Vancouver’s premiere Balinese Gamelan ensemble. Since achieving non-profit status in 2006, the GGA community has performed yearly throughout the BC lower mainland area, including in venues such as the UBC Chan Centre, The Annex, The Roundhouse, Performance Works and even touring to the Gulf Islands. In 2013 GGA toured to Bali and collaborated with the one of Bali’s most famous groups, Gamelan Çudamani, performing across the island.
GGA has been privileged to host a number of incredible Balinese musicians, teachers, and composers. This long history of collaboration began with famed composer Dewa Alit (2001-2002), then Wayan Sudirana (2007-2013), Dewa Made Suparta (on and off between 2013-2023), I Putu Gede Sukaryana (Balot) (2017-2020), and I Putu Swaryandana Ichi Oka (Ryan) (2022-present).
Housed in the UBC Asian Centre, GGA rehearses weekly on seven-tone instruments called “Gamelan Semaradana”. If you are interested in learning to play, please come up to us after the show – we’re always excited to recruit new members!