Every August 17th, Indonesia celebrates its national independence day. There are often celebrations at the Embassy as well as at the Ambassador’s residence in Rockliffe Park.

This year, we were doubly lucky: we got to play at the cultural celebrations at the Ambassador’s residence, and we got to debut our new outfits, graciously gifted to us by the Indonesian Embassy. We were a hit!

After playing, we spent many minutes posing for photographs and talking to Indonesians living in Ottawa and the surrounding area. It was especially gratifying to talk to people from Bali and to find out that we sound pretty good to their ears.

Thanks to Robert. S Vibert for taking such great photos of the group!

What do you think of the new outfits?

On June 3rd 2011, we once again took the stage at the Museum of Civilization as part of the 9th Annual Asian Heritage Gala. Here’s the Indonesian contribution to the evening, as directed by Eko Nurcahyo.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Semara Winangun is proud to be part of the Month of Silence Film Festival at the Mayfair Theatre. Moreover, we sure are excited to be playing the soundtrack for Legong: Dance of the Virgins, a film actually set in Bali! This film was released in 1935 and contains some, shall we say, National Geographic style nudity.

We couldn’t think of a better way to spend a Monday evening and hope that you’ll join us. Following our show, you can catch the HILOTRONS playing the soundtrack for The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.

Here are the details, taken from the original press release.

LEGONG: DANCE OF THE VIRGINS (1935) Monday October 18. | Doors: 6:00 PM | Show: 7:00 PM Shot on location in Bali, this tale of a young woman who falls in love with a musician who has designs on her half-sister was the last film made using the two-strip Technicolor process. We add more colour with a live, original score by Gamelan Semara Winangun. $10 members, students and seniors | $15 non-members

THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI (1919) Monday, October 18 | Doors: 7:30 PM | Show: 8:15 PM The ultimate act of expressionist filmmaking, Caligari tells its tale – of a hypnotist who uses a somnambulist to do his murders – on the underside of a tightrope stretched between dreams and reality. Featuring a suitably dreamy live, original musical score by HILOTRONS. $10 members, students and seniors | $15 non-members

More information:

Month of Silence descends as Mayfair Theatre’s Silents is Golden screening series presents nine classic silent films with LIVE MUSIC SCORES This October, the Mayfair Theatre’s ongoing Silents is Golden screening series takes over as we present our Month of Silence Film Festival! The festival features a Silent Horror Film Festival (bringing back favourites from last year), a tribute to Canadian film pioneer Nell Shipman, a children’s matinee and BBQ, and an international silent film spotlight – all to the ORIGINAL MUSIC OF LOCAL COMPOSERS AND BANDS!

Tickets and festival passes on sale now at the Mayfair box office!

Here is a great video of our performance at the Asian Heritage Gala at the end of May. It was a pleasure and honour to participate in this piece, choreographed by (and starring) Eko Nurcahyo.

Semara Winangun • Asian Heritage Month from Daniel Powell on Vimeo.

If you missed our collaboration with the Cantata Singers, you still have two more chances to catch us this month. Over the next two weekends, we are playing at the Tulip Festival and as part of the Museum of Civilization‘s annual Asian Heritage Month Gala.

First up, at 1pm on Saturday May 22nd, you can see us play on the International Friendship Stage at Major’s Hill Park. We are performing a traditional Indonesia dance piece as well as a very new piece composed by our own group! This is the last weekend of the Tulip Festival so come out and enjoy the festivities — admission to Major’s Hill Park is free and there will be other interesting performances on the International Friendship Stage all day long.

Where: Major’s Hill Park
When: Saturday, May 22nd from 1-15pm
How Much: Free!

On May 29th, we share the stage with many other Asian-Canadian performer as part of the Museum of Civilization’s Eighth Annual Asian Heritage Gala. The event is billed as as “East meets West in a fusion of the traditional and the contemporary in a concert featuring many exceptional Asian-Canadian performers.”

Where: Museum of Civilization Theatre
When: Saturday, May 29th from 7:30-10:30pm
How Much: Tickets for this performance are 25$ and are available at the Museum of Civilization Box Office.

Hope to see you at one or both of these gigs!