'Odalan Bali' – Coming in 2005 to the U.S.A.

(11/15/2004)

An instructor at Denpasar's Indonesian Arts Institute (ISI), I Nyoman Cerita, is busily putting the finishing touches on a new dance creation entitled "Odalan Bali" set for its international debut in the U.S.A. in May of 2005.

The two-hour dance drama was staged locally on November 10, 2004, at the ISI, where it was performed by the 25-member Sanggar Cudomani dance and music troupe from Pengosekan, near Ubud. Four months in preparations and rehearsal, the dance depicts the rituals and emotions surrounding a traditional odalan or founding anniversary celebration for a Balinese temple. Split into two sections, the dance shows the preparations and actual execution of a traditional temple festival in Bali performed by dancers accompanied by a full gamelan orchestra.

The dance and musical performance created and choreographed by I Nyoman Cerita will be presented at UCLA in May as part of his final examination for a Master of Fine Arts degree. The group will then spend two months touring the United States presenting Odalan Bali together with a program of traditional Balinese dance and music.

While a complete concert schedule is not yet available, balidiscovery.com has learned that the group is scheduled to perform in New York City at the Frederick P. Rose Hall - Lincoln Center on Sunday, May 01, 2005.