Explore Asia
PRESENTED BY THE COLORADO COUNCIL ON THE ARTS
Here's a glimpse into this year's Explore Asia!:
Indonesia
Hosted by Consulate General of Republic of Indonesia, Los Angeles
www.kjri-la.net
The world's largest archipelago state, Indonesia consists of nearly 13,000 islands and boasts a population of more than 180 million people. Comprised of more than 300 ethnic groups that speak 200 different languages, Indonesia shows marked diversity in its linguistic, cultural, and religious traditions, each with differences developed over centuries, and influenced by Indian, Arabic, Chinese, Malay and European sources. Traditional Javanese and Balinese dances, for example, contain aspects of Hindu culture and mythology, as do wayang kulit (shadow puppet plays). Textiles such as batik, ikat and songket are created across Indonesia in styles that vary by region. Indonesian traditional music includes gamelan and keroncong. Indonesia is rich in natural beauty with volcanic mountains, white sand beaches, oceans with coral reef, tropical forests, exotic flora and fauna, and more. Indonesia's national motto, "Bhinneka tunggal ika" ("Unity in Diversity"), articulates the diversity that shapes the country.
The Indonesian area of Explore Asia! will provide an authentic glimpse into one of the world's most fascinating cultures.Festival goers can take in Catur Eka Santi, an enchanting musical performance that translates to "Four Becoming One in Peace," or they may opt to enjoy Gamalan Tunas Mekar, the ceremonial Balinese music often played during tooth filings, cremations and other events throughout the lifecycle. A demonstration of Pencak Silat, a fascinating martial arts style, as well as traditional and modern indigenous musical performances will also be available for guests to partake in.
India
Hosted by India Association of Colorado www.iaocdenver.org
Also known as Bhārat, India is the seventh largest country by geographical area, the second most populous country, and has the most populous democracy in the world. Bound by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the west, and the Bay of Bengal on the east, India borders Pakistan to the west; China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the northeast; and Bangladesh and Burma to the east. India is in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Indonesia in the Indian Ocean. India has offered the world commercial and cultural wealth for much of its long history. Four major world religions – Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism – originated in India, and Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam have also played a large part in shaping the region's diverse culture.
The Indian area of Explore Asia! will showcase the mesmerizing sounds of the Veena, a string instrument made of a large gourd that is similar in sound to the sitar that Ravi Shankar made popular in the West. Also featured will be Bharathanatyam, a spiritual dance celebrating the eternal universe as well as the scintillating, light-footed Kuchipudi dance and the seductive Western-inspired dances often featured in Bollywood productions.
Philippines
Hosted by Philippine American Society of Colorado
www.coloradopasco.org
At the edge of the Pacific Rim there are more than 7,100 islands that comprise the Philippines. Dubbed the “Pearl of the Orient,” the Philippines is richly endowed by pristine beautiful white beaches, luscious tropical green vegetation, pliant strong towering trees, and colorful brown foliage of bright green, yellow, red, and orange. For many centuries a mix of cultures emerged filled with Christian morals, Spanish and American influences, deep family values, and people of a warm and peaceful nature, seasoned with charm, grace, beauty and a fine sense of appreciation for the arts, architecture, food, and fashion.
Visitors to the Explore Asia! Philippines area will be privy to a remarkable, fear-defying martial arts demonstration involving rattan sticks, blade weapons and the empty hands. Guests can also savor the rich, spicy flavor of Filipino cooking, the symphonic sounds of the Rondalla and colorful indigenous dance.
Explore Asia! Schedule of Events:
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CDBF Explore Asia Stage Saturday, July 26th |
10:00-10:30 |
Philippines - Rondalla instrumentals. Enjoy the sounds of a traditional Rondalla, stringed musical instruments consisting of the pear-shaped piccolo bandurria, bandurria, and la-ud, and the guitar-shaped octavina and mandola, guitarra, and bajo de unas. |
11:00 – 11:30 |
Philippines – Arnis Martial Arts; A Philippine martial arts system that employs rattan sticks, blade weapons and the empty hands. Arnis combines techniques plus adapting the principles to one's own feel for each technique and any previous training--martial arts, dance or other body movement disciplines. |
12:00-12:30 |
Indonesian batik: Batik has been both an art and a craft for centuries. Batik is a wax-resist dyeing technique used on textile and a national art form in Indonesia |
1:00 – 1:30 |
Indian Musical instrument Veena, a plucked stringed instrument used in Carnatic music. There are several variations of the veena, which in its South Indian form is a member of the lute family |
2:00 – 2:30 |
Indonesian - Gamalan Tunas Mekar and Catur Eka Santi: Play the music traditionally used to accompany Balinese wayang kulit (shadow puppet plays) and the lyrical and vibrant music of Bali , Indonesia , used to accompany temple festivals, traditional life-cycle rites, and recreational events. |
3:00 – 4:00 |
Philippines – Cooking Demonstration: Rose Reyes, of Rose Cottage Catering, presents authentic Filipino recipes. Filipino cuisine is richly influenced by the many other civilizations that have graced the Islands over the past centuries, Chinese, Indonesian and Spanish. |
4:00 – 5:00 |
Indonesian – Greetings from Indonesian Consul General or representative. Inner Wave shares the knowledge and philosophy from the internal aspects of Indonesian Martial Arts including breathing technique, energy cultivation, and the arts of concentration. |
5:00 -5:30 |
Indonesian - Martial arts: Inner Wave. Externally aspects reflected in techniques of punches, kicks, blocks and weapons. Internal aspect includes breathing techniques, energy cultivation and concentration. |
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CDBF Explore Asia Stage Sunday, July 27th |
10:00 – 10:30 |
Indonesian Cooking demonstration: Chicken Satay. Satay is cubed meat arranged on a bamboo skewer. Marinated with Indonesian special thick soy sauce, and grilled. |
11:00 – 11:30 |
India - BharataNatyam – Bharathanatyam, which is a classical dance form originating from Tamil Nadu, a state in Southern India. This popular South Indian dance form is a 20th century reconstruction of the art of temple dancers. |
12:00 -12:30 |
India - Kuchipudi – a Classical Indian dance form from Andhra Pradesh, a state of South India. Kuchipudi is the name of a small village in the Divi Taluq of Krishna district that borders the Bay of Bengal and with resident Brahmins practicing this traditional dance form. |
1:00 – 1:30 |
Philippines - Fashion Show & PASCO Dance Repertoire featuring both traditional and modern dress-tropical chic that is truly Filipino in essence but global in flair, combined with the sights and sounds of the PASCO Dance Repertoire. Dancers will grace the stage with movements featuring Filipino indigenous dances, Rural dances, Muslim dances, and dances of the Spanish Influence. |
2:00 – 2:30 |
Philippines - Fashion Show & PASCO Dance Repertoire (continued) |
3:00 – 3:30 |
Indonesian - IMBIC: Performance of traditional close harmony vocals from their native land, accompanied by acoustic guitar, as well as traditional and modern music from other parts of Indonesia. |
4:00 - 4:30 |
Philippines -Tinikling dance, a bamboo stick dance, said to be an imitation of the tikling bird dodging bamboo traps set by rice farmers. Come watch and learn how to do this famed Filipino dance. |
5:00 – 5:30 |
India - Cinematic Dance - Bollywood and folk based dances primarily modeled on Indian dance: classical dance styles, dances of historic northern Indian courtesans, or folk dances. In modern Bollywood dances Indian dance elements often blend with Western dance styles.
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