Balinese dance simply thrives on the performing arts and Sanur
is no exception. On the surface, Sanur may appear little more than a sleepy
hotel resort, dotted with art-shops and restaurants. If you peep behind the
scenes, however, you will find that this ancient fishing village is the home
to a wonderful array of performing art forms, one of which is known as Pelegongan,
commonly known as Legong dance. Pelegongan, however, also covers the instrumental
repertoire which may include pieces from both the Legong and the Barong repertoire.
Sadly, about halfway through the twentieth century this ancient tradition began
to fade away, replaced with more modern music and dance forms, then popular
with the younger generation.
They have been working together with local dancers to preserve rare forms of
Balinese dance. They now specialize in classical Legong dance and are honoured
to have some of the most talented dancers in Sanur and Denpasar as members of
their association. Through ongoing practices and performances, they hope to
preserve as many dances as possible from the extensive Legong repertoire. Their
dancers are accompanied by our antique Pelegongan gamelan – something
of a rarity in Bali these days. Their male dance forms include the mask dances
such as Jauk Manis and Keras, as well as Sandaran (Telek & Jauk), Barong,
Rarung and Rangda.
(From Mekar Bhuana, http://www.balinesedanceandmusic.com)
Barong Dance
This Balinese dance is about a contest between the opposing forces of chaos
and destruction ("Rangda") and order (the "Barong"). Performances
in Suwung and Kesiman (suburbs of Denpasar), and in Batubulan daily from 9:00
or 9:30 AM.; in Banjar Abasan, Singapadu, daily from 9:30 AM., and at Puri Saren
in Ubud, Friday from 6:30 PM
Legong Dance
A highly stylized, extremely difficult dance performed by young girls. Choreographed
to the finest details, and no improvisation allowed. Performances at the Peliatan
Stage, Friday from 6:30 PM, at Pura Dalem, Puri Peliatan, Saturday from 6:30
PM, at Pura Peliatan in Ubud, Sunday from 7:30 PM, and at Puri Saren, Ubud,
Monday from 7:30 PM.
Kecak Dance
A ritual dance created in the early 1930's for the movie "Island of the
Demons" by the German painter and intellectual Walter Spies who combined
the chorus of the "Sanghyang" trance dance with a story from the "Ramayana"
legend. Very impressive with its circular chorus of sometimes over 100 bare
chested male singers. Performances are held at the Arts Center, Denpasar, daily
from 6:30 PM, and in Banjar Tegal, Ubud, Sunday from 6:00 PM.
Fire Dance
The Fire Dance is an exorcist dance against spirit possession. Girls in trance
dance barefoot among glowing coals. Performances in Bona Kangin, Gianyar, Friday.
Monday and Wednesday from 6:30 PM. In Bonasari, Gianyar, Friday, Monday and
Wednesday from 7:00 PM, and in Batubulan, daily from 6:30 PM.
Ramayana Dance
There are occasional performances of this Balinese dance Nusa Dua Beach Hotel
& Spa. This cultural dinner show is available on Tuesdays from 8:00 PM at
Rp. 240,000 + 21% tax and service charges per person.
(From Bali Guide, http://www.baliguide.com/balinesedances.html)