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We were deeply honored to be invited to be a part of a very special
event in support of the people of Tibet - a cause very close to our hearts.
It was a beautiful afternoon of bright sunshine, and we brought our
Balinese umbrellas and temple flags, as well as our brand-new banner
which you can see above the canopy in these photos. We played for
about two hours - a mixture of belaganjur, sitting pieces on gangsa,
and reyong pieces. The event was held at Cabrillo College in Aptos,
near Santa Cruz.
 These two
pictures show us playing the beleganjur - marching gamelan. In Bali this
type of gamelan is used in processions which often go for miles, as part
of a temple ceremony or other ritual occasion.
 The
event was a benefit in support of vaccination and health education
programs for both the native Tibetan people throughout the Tibetan
Plateau, as well as for the exiled Tibetan community, now living mostly
in Nepal and India, through the Tibetan Government in Exile.
Click on the photo for a larger view, showing our newly commissioned
banner flying above the canopy. The banner was created by Astrid Randall,
and features the words 'Gamelan Anak Swarasanti' in English and in Balinese,
flanked by our mascot, the character Twalen from the shadow puppet plays.
Twalen is depicted in the shadow plays as a slightly comical figure, although
he often displays great wisdom. He is, in fact, the great god of the Universe,
disguised as a lowly clown.
 The
players at the Dance for Tibetans were Justine Kragen, Steve McDonald,
Cecile Cruz, Micah Lubensky, Danica Stein, Luis Yanez, Andy Bouchard, and
Martin Randall.
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