"Honoring Our Heroes" Balinese Gala Benefit for Fourmile Fire Fighters is Dec. 3

A Spectacular Evening of Balinese Music and Dance

Benefits Boulder's Fourmile Fire Fighters

Friday, December 3, 7pm
First United Methodist Church
1421 Spruce St., Boulder

The allure of the Indonesian island of Bali comes to Boulder!

Shimmering metallophones...stirring gongs and drums...exquisite costumes, sets, and dances..."Honoring Our Heroes" Balinese Gala is a wonderful way to start the festive season.

This spectacular evening of Balinese music, dance and cuisine honors Boulder's Fourmile Fire Fighters, and features a rare appearance by the mythical Barong lion for a processional/ purification ceremony and the popular Barong dance.

Proceeds will go to help rebuild the four mountain fire departments devastated by the Fourmile Fire (Fourmile, Sunshine Canyon, SugarLoaf and Gold Hill). Volunteer firefighters also provide the first medical response to emergencies in the mountains. Your support of these heroes is greatly appreciated and needed!



Gala ticket includes:

* Concert with preferred seating * Reception with Indonesian cuisine * Live music by Boulder's Musha Marimba ensemble * Meet the Artists and Firefighters. Gala tickets are $40/Adult; $30/Students & Seniors; $20/Children 12 and under and must be purchased by Tuesday, November 30.

Concert Only tickets are also available in advance and at the door, and are $15/Adult, $10/Student, Senior and Children 12 & under.

Purchase tickets online at Gamelan Tunas Mekar's website, or call 303-433-3782 to make reservations by phone.


A FESTIVE FAMILY EVENT

The concert features new and traditional dance pieces with guest Balinese dancers Ni Ketut Marni, Luh Made Didik Dwi Wahyuni, and I Putu Tangkas Adi Mayena and Boulder dancers Linx Selby and Jeanna Del Vecchio.

A special highlight will be the Lion Barong appearing in a traditional Bala Ganjur processional which is believed to clear negativity and assist in purification and rebirth.

The four mountain fire chiefs and the firefighters who lost homes have been invited to lead the processional as the Barong dances down the aisle to the stirring sound of gongs. Residents whose homes were destroyed and other firefighters will be invited up front to form the "villages" to which the Barong will bring blessings.

Dance and instrumental pieces will be performed on the gamelan angklung instruments, imported from Bali in 1976.

A Gala Reception will follow, featuring the festive music of Boulder's Musha Marimba, along with traditional Indonesian cuisine including Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce, Vegetarian Lumpia (Indonesian egg roll), Perkedel (corn fritters), Kue Singkong (gluten-free Kasava cake) with Shredded Coconut, Pisang Gorang (fried, batter-dipped bananas) and more. The artists and guest firefighters will also be available to meet with Gala attendees.

With prices starting at $10, "Honoring Our Heroes" Balinese Gala is a wonderful family event.


NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS

"When our daughter Linx decided to return to Boulder this fall for her senior year, she started dancing with a world-renowned Balinese music ensemble," says Linda Jade Fong. "Her first performance was at an international benefit just after we returned to our still-standing house after being evacuated for over a week during the Fourmile fire. So it gave me the idea of asking the group, named Tunas Mekar, if they'd come to Boulder, bring their spectacular color, music and dance, and do a Fourmile Fire benefit.

They enthusiastically agreed to help us and even bring the magnificent Barong lion (pictured top right) in a rare appearance. Not only is Linx a Fourmile Canyon resident, but several other members of Tunas Mekar are from Boulder, so they will be performing for neighbors and friends who lost their homes."

TICKET PRICES

Gala Ticket - includes preferred seating and Gala Reception: $40/Adult, $30/Seniors & Students, $20/Children 12 and under

Concert-only Ticket: $15/Adult, $10/Student, Senior & Children 12 and under

Purchase tickets online at the Gamelan Tunas Mekar website or make reservations by phone using the Tunas Mekar ticket hotline: 303-433-3782.

ABOUT GAMELAN TUNAS MEKAR

Tunas Mekar performs the indigenous music of the island of Bali, Indonesia. Modeled after typical village groups found throughout Bali, and learning by traditional methods under the direction of Artist-in-Residence I Made Lasmawan, Tunas Mekar provides audiences with a glimpse of one of the world's most fascinating cultures.

Gamelan Tunas Mekar is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is sponsored in part by the University of Denver Lamont School of Music.

EAT LOVE PRAY Sparks Interest in Cherokee Event

Cherokee Ranch CEO: “Eat Pray Love” to Stir Interest in Indonesian Culture
Wilson Offers Value Pricing on Bali Dance, Drama and Cuisine--August 28 Event

I Nyoman Wenter performing the masked dance of Bali

“ 'Eat Pray Love’ spent 150-plus weeks on The NY Times best seller list --- and the film version, starring Julia Roberts, was released this month,” said Cherokee Ranch & Castle CEO Donna Wilson, of the popular Elizabeth Gilbert novel turned big screen flick about a woman’s search for herself during a yearlong trek through Italy, India and Indonesia.

Wilson predicted, along with others, the film may positively impact Bali’s struggling tourism industry and “… is highly likely to ignite greater interest in Indonesian culture stateside.”

“According to Ladies Home Journal, ’Eat Pray Love’ is the first motion picture filmed on the culturally-rich and fascinating Island of Bali,” said Wilson, adding, “…though most people can’t drop what they are doing and jet to Bali, they can easily get to Cherokee Ranch & Castle for a colorful and profound evening featuring amazing Indonesian dance, drama and cuisine.”

Wilson is touting the upcoming Cherokee performance entitled Topeng Pajegan of Bali: A Taste of Indonesia in Dance, Drama and Cuisine presented by Gamelan Tunas Mekar slated for Saturday, August 28, 6:30 p.m in the Veranda Tent at the Castle.

“This magnificent event is specially priced so entire families or groups can experience a taste of Bali right here in our own backyard,” said Wilson. “Of course, coming to Cherokee for one of our all-inclusive evenings is also a wonderful date-night get-away for couples.”

"A Taste of Indonesia in Dance, Drama and Cuisine," which includes a castle mini-tour, cash bar, Indonesian supper buffet, dessert & coffee with the performers, has been value priced at $35/Adult (reg. $55) and $15/Child 12 & under (reg. $20). Offer is valid while seats last for reservations made before or by August 24.

“At this price, seats won’t last long,” noted Wilson.

Reservations Hotline: (303) 688-4600, or use Cherokee's Online Registration Form.


ABOUT THE TOPENG PAJEGAN OF BALI

Topeng Bali is a masked drama dating back to the 9th century. In Topeng Pajegan, a single dancer/actor dons a series of masks depicting contrasting characters to tell a story tying the ancient world to the present. Experience an ancient King, his trusted servant, an aging, slowed warrior, and a series of comical village characters acting out a story as old as the village itself, yet filled with present-day concerns.

Tunas Mekar, an orchestra under the direction of Balinese composer I Made Lasmawan, performs the indigenous music of Bali, Indonesia. It is modeled after village groups found throughout Bali. By traditional methods, Tunas Mekar provides guests with a glimpse of this fascinating culture. Evening supper features Indonesian fare.

ABOUT THE CHEROKEE RANCH AND CASTLE

Cherokee Ranch and Castle is committed to preserving the natural environment, enhancing cultural life in our Colorado community and providing educational opportunities devoted to western heritage, wildlife and the arts. The Cherokee Ranch and Castle Foundation is a non-profit organization that truly exists as a resource for the public.

At the heart of Cherokee Ranch and Castle is a Scottish-style 1450s Castle built in the 1920s. The castle is home to collections of art, antiques, period furniture and rare books. Various species of wildlife along with about forty head of Santa Gertrudis cattle thrive on the ranch’s 3,100 acres of pristine, protected acres. Located adjacent to the communities of Castle Pines Village and Castle Pines North, Cherokee Ranch and Castle offers guests a quick get-away, spectacular views, charming elegance, and surprises around every corner. Your visit to Cherokee Ranch will be an experience you’ll treasure for years. The Cherokee Ranch and Castle Foundation is a non-profit organization, 501 (c) (3), that truly exists as a resource for the public.

Live Music and Dance of Bali, Indonesia

An Evening in Bali
at DecorAsian, Denver

Saturday, February 27
Concert at 7:30pm, Pre-concert at 6:45pm
DecorAsian, 1787 South Broadway, Denver, CO

Immerse yourself in the rich culture of Bali, Indonesia when Gamelan Tunas Mekar, under the direction of I Made Lasmawan, brings to DecorAsian's magical atmosphere authentic music and dance from the island of Bali. Enjoy the unique, tropical sounds of shimmering compositions and dynamic flurries of percussion performed on the exotic bronze instruments of the Balinese gamelan.

Balinese dancers Ni Ketut Marni and Luh Made Didik Dwi Wahyuni will perform the dances Taman Sari (Flower in the Garden), a contemporary welcome dance; and Margapati (Hungry Tiger), the popular dance-drama depicting the life of the ruler of the forest. Full costumes and world-class dancing give American audiences a true glimpse of this beautifully refined art form.

FINE THINGS ASIAN

Arrive early to enjoy DecorAsian's stunning collection of "Fine Things Asian". The "Asian" aesthetic embodied in DecorAsian's collection and sense of style adds peace and harmony to our individual lives and through that, in a small way, to peace and harmony within the world.

DecorAsian will kindly donate 10% of any purchases made during the evening of the performance to Tunas Mekar. You are encouraged to visit their showroom the week before the event so that you may finalize your purchase that night, and thereby facilitate a further donation to Tunas Mekar. DecorAsian is open every day, from 10:30am-6:00pm. Call 303-998-5632 for more information.

PRE- AND POST-CONCERT EVENTS

Pre-concert music will be performed on the sublime gender wayang by the quartet Catur Eka Santi. Gender wayang is an ensemble of instruments that traditionally accompany the shadow puppet plays (wayang kulit) of Bali.

Doors open at 6:45pm, music and dance performance starts at 7:30pm. A light reception will follow the concert, with an opportunity to meet the performers and see the intricately carved instruments up close.

TICKETS

Tickets are $15; $10 students, seniors & children 12 and under. Tickets may be purchased in advance at either the Denver or Boulder DecorAsian location, or online at Tunas Mekar's website.

DecorAsian is located at 1787 South Broadway in Denver. Visit their website to view their collection online and for more information: www.DecorAsianStyle.com

Photos: Top:Ni Ketut Marni performs Taman Sari welcome dance. Photo by Marc Sabatella. Above: Gamelan Tunas Mekar performs on the traditional gamelan angklung instruments at the Denver School of the Arts, Denver, Colorado.