Culture vultures in for a feast at GKJ festival

Stevie Emilia The Jakarta Post Jakarta

A ballet performance by Namarina dance company launched the 7th Gedung Kesenian Jakarta International Festival 2004 on Friday, kicking off what promises to be a two-week cultural feast for arts lovers here.

Taking Arts for Harmonious Brotherhood and World Peace as the theme of this year's festival, which is organized every two years, the event will present a blend of quality performances by local and international artists from four foreign countries -- China, France, Italy and the U.S. Mexico reportedly canceled the scheduled performance of its ballet troupe due to technical reasons.

Unlike previous festivals, where dance and theatrical performances dominated the schedule, this year offers a treat for jazz lovers, with three reputable groups -- Chicago Jazz Quartet, Bujana-Balawan and Batuan Ethnic Fusion, and Krakatau band -- scheduled to entertain the audience.

Chicago Jazz Quartet, comprising Benjamin Lewis (piano), Matt Lewis (vocal and trumpet), Lorin Coben (bass) and Michael Raynor (drum), promises to entertain music lovers with the group's unique musical character, with each member contributing to the overall sound.

Named the U.S. Jazz Ambassador after winning competitive auditions organized by the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington D.C., the group is coming to town as part of their tour of six countries in Asia.

Noted guitarist Wayan Balawan and his Batuan Ethnic Fusion group will explore in the great spectrum of traditional and modern music by presenting their signature blend of Balinese gamelan and jazz, as well as arranged traditional songs from little-known composers and modern music. Guitarist Dewa Bujana is also scheduled to make an appearance at their show.

A unique blend of karawitan (traditional music) and jazz will be brought to the stage by Krakatau Band, which will come in its new formation, comprising Dwiki Dharmawan, Pra B. Dharma, Ade Rudiana, Yoyon Darsono, Zainal Arifin, Gery Herb and Nyak Ina- Raseuki-Ubiet.

The group, which recently took part in the Vancouver Festival in Canada during a tour of North America, will also venture into new territory, presenting its latest compositions aside from numbers from previous releases Mystical Mist and Magical Match. For the festival, the group will not only deliver its signature blend of Sundanese karawitan and jazz, but also traditional songs like Bunga Tembaga (Bronze Flower) from Rote Island and Uhanjae from Sumatra.

The good news is that musical treats are not limited to jazz.

Nuovo Trio Parsifal from Italy, comprising Barbara Castelli (violin), Laura Pierazzuoli (cello) and Anna Paola Milea (piano), will charm classical music lovers with noted compositions; while Trio Innova of France, with Patrick Zygmanowski (piano), Jean- Marc Fabiano (accordion) and David Zambon (tuba), will enlighten the moment with tango music from Astor Piazzolla.

Innisisri's Kahanan music community will premiere its latest work, Jaranan -- inspired by a traditional game of East Java but set in modern times. Jaranan will also be staged at the Mundial Festival on Tour 2004 in the Netherlands from Sept. 20 to Oct. 25.

Local guitarist Michael Gan will present a solo guitar performance while Nusantara Art Ensemble provides songs and dances.

Dance and theater lovers will not be left out in the cold at the festival.

Guangzhou Arts Troupe promises to deliver no less than 21 numbers of Chinese classical songs and music, scenes from Chinese opera, traditional and modern dances, choir as well as acrobatic shows, specially packaged and supported by 20 artists.

Deddy Lutan Dance Company will stage Rijoq Pasir Sunyi (Rijoq Quiet Sand), inspired by the cry of the Dayak people of Kalimantan over the loss of their forest. The rijoq, or song of life, which they usually sing in praise of the Creator, has now turned into a cry for help as their forest turns to dust.

The ongoing presidential election and the craze for TV talent- scouting shows have inspired Teater Sim and Teater Kanvas in their plays for the festival.

Through Teater Sim's Penyanyi Sumbang yang Tersohor atau Kontes 2004 (The Famous Discordant Singer or Contest 2004), director Manahan Hutauruk criticizes such talent-scouting shows as the shortcut to popularity and wealth, while Zak Sorga's Teater Kanvas focuses on the dirty intrigues involved in winning the election for village head in Pemilu di Desa Gandul (Election at Gandul Village).

And the feast will continue after the Gedung Kesenian Jakarta International Festival ends on Sept. 5. Starting on Sept. 11, Jakarta will again host the month-long Art Summit Indonesia.

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Festival schedule

* Ballet Namarina Saturday, Aug. 21, 8 p.m. Tickets: Rp 50,000 - Rp 75,000 * Teater Sim: Penyanyi Sumbang yang Tersohor atau Kontes 2004 Sunday, Aug. 22, 8 p.m. Ticket: Rp 25,000 - Rp 30,000 * Guangzhou Arts Troupe Monday, Aug. 23, 8 p.m. Tickets: Rp 50,000 - Rp 75,000

* Nuovo Trio Parsifar Tuesday, Aug. 24, 8 p.m. Tickets: Rp 30,000 - Rp 40,000

* Chicago Jazz Quartet Wednesday, Aug. 25, 8 p.m. Tickets: Rp 40,000 - Rp 50,000 * Komunitas Musik KAHANAN - Innisisri : Jaranan Thursday, Aug. 26, 8 p.m. Tickets: Rp 25,000 - Rp 30,000

* World Music Jazz: Balawan & Batuan Ethnic Fusion--Bujana Saturday, Aug. 28, 8 p.m. Tickets: Rp 25,000 - Rp 30,000 * Nusantara Art Ensamble Sunday, Aug. 29, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets: Rp 40,000 - Rp 50,000

* Teater Kanvas: Pemilu di Desa Gandul Tuesday, Aug. 31, 8 p.m. Tickets: Rp 25,000 - Rp 30,000

* Krakatau Band Wednesday, Sept. 1, 8 p.m. Tickets: Rp 40,000 - Rp 50,000

* Trio Innova Thursday, Sept. 2, 2004, 8 p.m. Tickets: Rp 30,000 - Rp 40,000

* Michael Gan solo guitar Friday, Sept. 3, 8 p.m. Tickets: Rp 40,000 - Rp 50,000 * Deddy Lutan Dance Company: Rijoq Pasir Sunyi Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 4-5, 8 p.m. Tickets: Rp 30,000 - Rp 40,000

Further information: Gedung Kesenian Jakarta, Jl. Gedung Kesenian No. 1, Jakarta 10710. Tel: (021) 3808283, 3441892; E-mail: gkj@pacific.net.id; Website: www.gkj-online.com