Friends of the Gamelan

06/02/2026

One of the highlights of Sunday's concert is "Chill It On Down," a new piece by Ross Lafleur. Here's a sneak peek from rehearsal.

The piece begins with a simple rhythmic figure played by the gangsas. In contrast to the fast, interlocking melodies typical of the traditional gong kebyar style, this pattern is played on a single note, focusing attention squarely on the combined rhythm and the sharp attack of the instrument. This rhythm is then woven throughout four sections of varying tempos and styles, delineated by an insistent bam! bam! played by the whole ensemble, as well as a virtuosic cascade across the gangsas. It’s kind of a lot—hence the title, a silly way of saying, “you need to relax.”

Experience the premiere live with FROG's Balinese Ensemble this Sunday at Epiphany Center for the Arts.

Tickets: https://epiphanychi.com/events/thunder-and-tranquility-a-gamelan-journey/

05/28/2026

Meet Jauk Manis 👀

In this video, dancer Lydia Martín shares more about the masked character they’ll perform with FROG’s Balinese Ensemble on June 7 at Thunder and Tranquility: A Gamelan Journey.

Lydia talks about their training in Balinese masked dance, the meaning behind the character, and what makes Jauk Manis such a compelling presence on stage — sweet, mischievous, and full of personality.

See the dance live at Epiphany Center for the Arts on June 7.

Tickets: https://epiphanychi.com/events/thunder-and-tranquility-a-gamelan-journey/

05/19/2026

Tranquility collides with explosive rhythm in this rehearsal clip from Jauk Manis, capturing the essence of “Thunder and Tranquility: A Gamelan Journey”, the annual concert of FROG’s Balinese Ensemble on June 7 at Epiphany Center for the Arts.

In Balinese culture, contrast is not conflict. Intensity and calm exist side by side, creating balance through sound, movement, and community. At FROG, performances like this are about more than a concert. They create opportunities for Chicago audiences to experience the rich performing arts traditions of Indonesia, often for the very first time, while bringing people together through a deeply collaborative art form.

Join us on June 7 and experience it live.

🎟️ Tickets: https://dice.fm/event/6dkbn8-thunder-and-tranquility-a-gamelan-journey-7th-jun-epiphany-center-for-the-arts-courtyard-chicago-tickets

05/12/2026

"Thunder and Tranquility: A Gamelan Journey" is coming June 7 ⚡️

The Balinese Ensemble's annual concert invites audiences to engage with a distinctly Balinese worldview that embraces contrast not as conflict, but as essential balance. In Balinese Hindu tradition, opposing forces (similar to concepts like "good" and "evil") are not mutually exclusive. They are interdependent and coexist in dynamic equilibrium. Rather than striving to eliminate darkness, the focus is on sustaining harmony among all elements.

This philosophy comes vividly to life through music and movement in the program, which shifts between intensity and serenity. Highlights include the electrifying masked dance "Jauk Manis", the delicate, shimmering textures of gamelan angklung, and the premiere of "Chill It On Down" by Ross Lafleur, along with additional works.

Join the Balinese Ensemble for an afternoon where thunder and tranquility are not opposites, but partners in balance.

Guests of all ages are welcome.

📅 Sunday, June 7, 2026, 3:00 PM
📍Epiphany Center for the Arts, Courtyard Garden, 201 S. Ashland Ave, Chicago
🔗 https://epiphanychi.com/events/thunder-and-tranquility-a-gamelan-journey/

04/01/2026

Join FROG’s Javanese Ensemble for a special performance at Glow Wild ✨

On April 10, experience the rich sounds of Indonesian gamelan at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, set among more than 70 larger-than-life illuminated animals and artistic lantern displays throughout the park.

Performances will take place at 7:30, 8:00, and 8:30 PM at the Hub of Hope.

Glow Wild is a special after-hours event and requires a separate ticket. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

📍 Brookfield Zoo
8400 31st St
Brookfield, IL 60513

Learn more and plan your visit: https://bit.ly/404kzzR

03/06/2026

Video from the Balinese Ensemble September 2025 performance, LEGONG, is now available on FROG's YouTube channel! 🎥✨

Relive (or experience for the first time) a vibrant program featuring:
• Tabuh Bintang Siang
• Lickety Split, a new work by ensemble member Ross Lafleur
• Topeng Lucu
• Legong Kraton Lasem

From shimmering ceremonial sounds to playful masked dance and the refined elegance of Legong, the evening celebrated the depth, vitality, and evolving tradition of Balinese gamelan.

Friends of the Gamelan's Balinese Ensemble performs Legong Kraton Lasem on gamelan gong kebyar at Madison Street Theater on Saturday, September 29, 2025. Fe...

01/22/2026

UPDATE: THIS SHOW IS POSTPONED!

on account of extreme weather

This week - all of our concerts and events are on Saturday, January 24! Stop by for one or stay for all of them.

We welcome Friends of the Gamelan to the Holtschneider Performance Center this weekend for both a free evening concert from their Javanese Ensemble and a screening earlier in the afternoon of their documentary film on forging bronze gongs.

Our voice area students present a recital - Exploring Identity: Gender and Joy featuring students from The Theatre School and The Art School and one of our viola students presents their individual solo recital.

It will be a great day of music - join us! All events are FREE.

For all the details & tickets, visit: https://bit.ly/SOMConcertSchedule

01/15/2026

We’re back in the studio prepping music for 2026! First up: the Javanese Ensemble will perform a FREE concert at DePaul University on Sat., January 24, at 8 PM, accompanied by Maria Mendonça, who will be screening her film on forging bronze gongs earlier in the day.

📅Saturday, January 24, 2026, 8:00 PM
📍Holtschneider Performance Center, Gannon Concert Hall
2330 North Halsted Street, Chicago

Registration is required. Get tickets here: https://events.depaul.edu/event/friends-of-the-gamelan-javanese-ensemble-performance

12/30/2025

As we wrap up 2025, we’re feeling incredibly grateful we’ve been able to offer Chicago rehearsals, and performances, and be a special “third space” for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together.

To be successful in 2026, we need your help now.

Please consider making a tax-deductible gift of your most meaningful amount by Dec. 31. Your donation directly supports programming that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Indonesia.

💛 Thank you for being part of the FROG community.

Donate: https://www.facebook.com/donate/1587509959275869/1281774900651308/ or https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/S876U72MJJVBL

12/02/2025

Your support to FROG today, Giving Tuesday, makes an amazing difference. Please help provide critical space for gamelan creativity, from workshops with underserved Chicagoland youth to ambitious and exciting performances.

Donate: https://www.facebook.com/donate/1587509959275869/

Friends of the Gamelan's Balinese Ensemble performs Bintang Siang on gamelan gong kebyar at Madison Street Theater in Oak Park on Saturday, September 27, 202...