Two Islands, One Gong: Celebrating 10 years of Gamelan in Buffalo 🎉

On Sunday, May 24, Nusantara Arts celebrates ten years of gamelan in Buffalo with Two Islands, One Gong a matinee performance bringing together the bronze orchestras of Java and Bali alongside Balinese dance, onstage at Asbury Hall in partnership with Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center. A decade ago, the first iron Javanese gamelan instruments arrived in Buffalo: a handbuilt set from Karagan village in Solo, Central Java, rough-hewn, well loved, and tuned to its own standard. This celebratory program opens with the Javanese ensemble performing a piece on those same original instruments before moving on to the future when Nusantara Arts' two full bronze ensembles, one Javanese and one Balinese, take the stage. Featuring Balinese guest artistic director I Gusti Komin Darta and the musicians, dancers, and teaching artists who have made Buffalo one of the most unlikely homes for Indonesian performing arts in North America. Come hear why!

Guest Performers

I Gusti Nyoman “Komin” Darta - Guest Balinese Artistic director

Komin is one of the most well regarded and talented Balinese musicians living in the US. He is one of the only teachers that knows the traditional Balinese gamelan Semar Pegulingan repertoire that is played on Nusantara Arts instruments and is very talented at the Barong Dance.

Komin is from Pengosekan village on Bali and comes from a family of musicians. In his youth Komin went to temples to watch his father play and started learning many instruments. Komin learned in the true Balinese way: at home, in the temple, and in the community through experiences with close family and friends. He became known as a virtuoso player and helped found one of the most famous Balinese performing arts ensembles: Cudamani. For the last 10 years Komin has been living in New York and teaching at various colleges such as MIT, Bucknell, Queens College, and in community groups such as Dharma Swara.