When we first burst onto the Ottawa music scene, they said we’d never last. They said our instruments were too heavy, and our knowledge of Balinese music too rudimentary. Over ten years later, our instruments are still pretty heavy but we have learned a lot about Balinese music. We have had the pleasure of studying with Balinese Master musicians I Made Lasmawan and I Dewa Made Suparta, and many of us have visited Bali to take in the sights and sounds first-hand.

In addition to great teachers, we are very grateful to have the continuing support of the Indonesian Embassy here in Ottawa. They’ve given us a practice space, a place to store our instruments, and have provided us with countless opportunities to perform the music that we love.

It has been a wild ride so far! We’ve shared the stage with accomplished Balinese dancers (Eko Nurcahyo), far-out jazz bands (Rakestar), African drummers and dancers (Akpokli), rock stars (Matt Ouimet), accomplished world acts (Orchid Ensemble), choirs (Cantata Singers), and many many more amazing musicians. We even had the opportunity to score the soundtrack for a silent film! Thanks to everyone who has made the last ten years possible; this of course includes all the wonderful audiences that we’ve been privileged to play for.

Our tenth anniversary show is going to be wonderful. We are preparing a selection of our greatest hits, premiering some new tunes, and performing with some incredible Balinese dancers. Come on out — you won’t be disappointed!

Here are the details:

What: Semara Winangun’s 10th Anniversary Celebration
Where: First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Avenue, Ottawa
When: Saturday April 13, 2013 @ 7:30PM

Tickets are 10$ in advance, and 15$ at the door (10$ at the door for students / seniors). Free admission for children under 10.

Tickets are available from gamelan members, from the Leading Note (starting March 7th), or by emailing us at ottawagamelan@gmail.com.

On February 9th we took part in the 2nd Annual Cultural Appreciation and Performance Night, put on by the Malaysians @ Carleton Student Association. The audience was very appreciative during our set, and we also got to watch some wonderful Malaysian, Chinese, Filipino, and Indian performances. On top of all that, there was lots of awesome Malaysian food.! We hope that Malaysians @ Carleton will continue this event in future years — it is a great way to bring cultures together.

Pictures courtesy of Robert S. Vibert.

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!