Galak Tika presents pre-tour concert May 19To tune up for its upcoming tour to Bali, MIT's Gamelan Galak Tika will close its 12th season with a program combining new and traditional works for Balinese gamelan and dancers on Thursday, May 19, at 8 p.m. in Kresge Auditorium. The concert will feature the final U.S. appearance of two of the foremost figures in Balinese music and dance--I Nyoman Catra and Desak Made Suarti Laksmi--and will include new works by composer Dewa Ketut Alit as well as new American works for Balinese gamelan by current Galak Tika members. The concert features the Boston premiere of "Gringsing," the latest composition by artist-in-residence Alit, co-founder and music director of Gamelan ̽udamani, a professional ensemble based in the village of Pengsekan, Ubud, Bali. Alit's work "Semara Wisaya," choreographed by Nyoman Catra, will be performed by Suarti Laksmi and Cynthia Laksawana.The concert marks the final U.S. performances by Catra and Laksmi, who return to Bali after a four-year residence at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester. Galak Tika will also present four innovative pieces by current company members Sean Mannion, Dan Schmidt, Christine Southworth (S.M. 2002) and Rebecca Zook. And, to showcase the crosscultural spirit that has been the ensemble's hallmark, the concert will feature "Sabar Gong," a new work composed by Artistic Director Evan Ziporyn and Wolof master drummer Lamine Tour̩ for the inauguration of President Susan Hockfield.Admission to the concert is $10; $5 for non-MIT students and seniors; free for MIT students, faculty and children under 12.

A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on May 18, 2005 (download PDF).