Help children's gamelan Sanggar Dwara Dwani!

Hi everyone, you may know I've written a book on the significance of children's traditional gamelan music organizations in Bali, Indonesia. Since that was published, a friend (GusDe) founded a new program in his village for girls and boys to both learn gamelan and dance (Sanggar Dwara Dwani). Because gamelan and Balinese dance are such important parts of daily and spiritual life in Bali, it is so important for these kids to have equal opportunities to learn and participate in their cultural arts!

This group is now applying to perform as part of a nationwide event that showcases performing arts from all over Indonesia called Gema Nada Nusantara, meaning Tonal Resonances of the Archipelago (or GENTA, meaning bells). It will be held in Bali in October 2023, but entrants have to demonstrate that they have the funds to cover performance costs (transportation, costuming, food for members during rehearsals and the show, etc.), as the event organizers only cover the venue and media promotion costs. GusDe is estimating needing about $1500. His village of Tulikup is off the beaten tourist path, so they don't have the influx of foreign capital that villages closer to Ubud or other touristy areas do. GusDe and his wife Imut have been incredibly selfless in teaching the children's groups purely so that they can participate in local temple ceremonies.

GusDe says, "We from Dwara Dwani are very interested to participate in this event, because the kids would get a good experience to demonstrate their skills, and they would have the opportunity to meet artists from different parts of Indonesia and get to know other regional cultural arts." Please chip in to help make this happen!