Gamelan Festival 2010 (23-25 July)

Can't believe it happens sometimes. Just last year I heard that my colleague was going for this festival and I was pretty excited bout her going. Secretly, I hope one day I could be playing in these type of festivals too. And tadaa! a dream came true again. I would honour 2010 with love, and also 2009.

It's the second World Gamelan Festival , hosted in Terengganu. We flew there on the 22nd night, I am pretty excited bout the workshop. An introduction to diff kind of styles from Javanese to Balinese to Malay. Newbie like me, this is a golden opportunity for me. It was a rainy time. When we reached at night , it seems the storm has blew the stage to a slight wreck and instruments are wet.

The 23rd, was the first night of the concert. Luckily, no rain that night. Excited that Hands Percussion were going to be playing too! Am a big fan of their works, esp stage and and choreography besides the fabulous drumming as well. The stage was icky, and wet and very squashed up in term of space. Some of us have to share a stool or play back to back literally.

The second day was much more relaxed. We were just there to enjoy the concert. Had a chance to play around with the Balinese instrument as well as Javanese. Balinese has very impressive rhythm and the ceng ceng (cymbals with fluffy red balls) and Javanese has pretty intense stuff as well. There are two Japanese groups one based in Japan and another is in Bali with two diff gamelan influences. Pretty to cool to watch them. There were also a group which does a lil stunt, for instance breaking plates on the ground and stepping over the broken porcelain, along with some fire act.

Third night, I had never been so wet before a performance before. The rain was starting to pour and the wind were so strong, that I fear the lashes I had on will fly off! It is really exciting playing with Rhythm In Bronze, which comprises of Sharm, Ann, LFong, Winnie, Umar, May, Colleen, Zul and Nadia, along with Vas who make sure we are on time, Nana who does our make up along with guitarist Isyam and Kamarul on drums. Judi came along with us too to dance for one song and Yasmin on vocals. I am really nervous for this show, esp for Teman, the arms..ahhaha..its not lifted enough, and the quickness of it as well. But great experience no doubt :)



Standby pose before the Perarakan song.


At the Terengganu beach while waiting for the bus to come. Last day before the ride back to KL


My fellow roommate for the trip! Hugs winnie!


Will end this post with the group picture for the nite :)