🎉 Ayo! Festival of Indonesian Gamelan music, Dance & Legend

May 23–24, 2025 | Buffalo, NY
Presented by Nusantara Arts

Experience two unforgettable nights of music, dance, film, ritual, and community as Nusantara Arts presents Ayo!, a festival celebrating the breathtaking cultural traditions of Indonesia. From the meditative tones of Javanese gamelan to the explosive drama of Balinese dance, this event brings master artists, immersive experiences, and powerful storytelling to life right in the heart of Buffalo.

Festival Features: World renowned guest artists Gusti Komin and Heri Purwanto will lead incredible Javanese and Balinese performances Saturday at the Connecticut St. Armory. Friday features the premiere of Carve, Chisel, and Paint (Dir. Kartiko Nugroho, 2025)— a new Nusantara Arts produced Documentary film about Wayang Kulit Shadow Puppets.

🌙 Friday, May 23 – Nongkrong Night: Music, Film & Community

📍 Nusantara Arts Indonesian Culture Center | 490 Lafayette Ave. | 6:00–11:00pm
Join us for a relaxed and lively evening of music, film, food, and conversation—an Indonesian-style "nongkrong" night of community and culture.

Program Highlights:
🎶 6:00pm – Live Balinese Gamelan Performance The Eastman Community Music School’s Gamelan Ensemble
Traditional Balinese 4 tone Angklung music on unique four-tone gamelan angklung instruments. Performed by special visitors from Rochester on Nusantara Arts Angklung Instruments. Ensemble director: Ken Luk.

🎥 7:00pm – Film Premiere: “Carve, Chisel, and Paint” - Dir. Kartiko Nugroho 2025
Be the first to see this captivating new documentary from Nusantara Arts, filmed on-location in Central Java, Indonesia. Follow the intricate process of creating handmade wayang kulit (shadow puppets), from rawhide to storytelling masterpieces. With a live discussion featuring producer Matt Dunning and a hands-on shadow puppet display and demo.

🎬 9:00pm – Indonesian Cult Horror Cinema: Mystics in Bali - Free Event!
Settle in for a cult-classic Indonesian horror film that’s spooky, surreal, and not to be missed. The story featured in Mystics in Bali is an 80’s B Movie horror rendition of the Calonarang legend that will be showcased in Saturday’s Balinese ensemble Performance at the Armory.

☕ Wedangan Corner – Enjoy Javanese-style tea service with traditional snacks from the Nusantara Arts Wedangan cart throughout the evening. Chess Set available as well.

🏛️ Saturday, May 24 – Gong Nusantara: Night of Music and Legends

📍 Connecticut Street Armory | 184 Connecticut St | 5:30–10:00pm
Step into one of Buffalo’s most historic venues, Buffalo’s West Side castle, for a stunning night of Indonesian performing arts—featuring master musicians, dancers, and awe-inspiring stagecraft.

Program Schedule:

🎼 6:00–7:30pm – The Soul of Java: A Javanese Gamelan Journey From the Palace to the Village
A majestic concert of Javanese gamelan music led by our Winter /Spring artist in residence, master gamelan musician Heri Purwanto. This journey through Central Java’s musical landscape ranges from serene and meditative to rich and celebratory. Performed on Nusantara Arts’ full bronze gong orchestra, tuned in the traditional slendro and pelog scales.

🌑 8:00–9:30pm – Calonarang: The Balinese Dance-Drama of Sacred Balance between Good and Evil
A dramatic Balinese “Calonarang” dance drama that tells the mythic tale of Rangda the witch queen and the eternal battle between dark and light. Featuring all-new music and script by Balinese composer Gusti Komin, the performance includes 15 live musicians and a dynamic cast of over 20 dancers and actors. Komin has written compositions that mix east and west for this production adding Flutes, Drum Kit, Djembes and Violin to the compositions alongside Nusantara Arts 7 Tone Semar Pegulingan Gamelan. Expect intricate costumes, powerful storytelling, and cosmic spectacle.

🎉 Ayo! Festival of Indonesian Gamelan music, Dance & Legend

A festival celebrating the breathtaking cultural traditions of Indonesia! 💜