Japanese Bowl

A song by Pete Mayer

Tea Bowl -- repaired. Lacquer and gold leaf,
Freer Gallery, Washington, DC. 
Photo by Flickr user ghbrett, Creative Commons license.

I’m like one of those Japanese bowls
That were made long ago
I have some cracks in me
They have been filled with gold

That’s what they used back then
When they had a bowl to mend
It did not hide the cracks
It made them shine instead

So now every old scar shows
From every time I broke
And anyone’s eyes can see
I’m not what I used to be

But in a collector’s mind
All of these jagged lines
Make me more beautiful
And worth a much higher price

I’m like one of those Japanese bowls
I was made long ago
I have some cracks you can see
See how they shine of gold

Listen at www.petermayer.net

New Beginning Gamelan Class this Summer

Gamelan Sekkar Sequoia

New beginning Gamelan community music class:

Three Sundays (June 12, 19, 26) -- from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Sharon's house in Arcata (11th & D).  Cost for the session: $20.

No previous music experience necessary, no long term commitment required, no performance expectations (unless you join the performing group!). 

All learning is hands on, without notation. 

Sharon is delighted also to report that she recently acquired some new instruments which are particularly easy for beginners -- kenong (very big pots), kempul (medium sized gongs), ketuk/kempyang, and demung.  ("Colotomics" for you music theory types -- well, except for the demung).

Please give Sharon a heads up (via comment to this post) if you or anyone you know would be interested in joining the class.

Terima kasih ("thank you" in Indonesian)

Gamelan Classes

Sharon of Gamelan Sekar Sequoia just sent us an update that she will be starting a new session of classes beginning in January:

The next beginning Gamelan class will be a session of eight Sundays, starting January 23. The class is from 9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m., and meets in the gamelan room at my house at 11th & D in Arcata. $5 per week. No previous musical training is necessary. The level of challenge can be easily adjusted to suit the individual. Young adults welcome. We focus on classical repertoire in the Solonese style, using traditional instruments imported from Central Java. For further information, please contact Sharon by e-mail at GamelanSekarSequoia@gmail.com or by phone at 707-502-7904.

Gamelan Performance During Eureka Arts Alive!

Eureka's monthly arts night, Arts Alive!, is a remarkable showcase for the area's diverse artistic talents. In May, we stumbled upon a performance by Gamelan Sekar Sequoia (pictured above), a community-based gamelan ensemble. If you're unfamiliar with this traditional Indonesian music, search YouTube.com take a listen: it's percussive, melodic and magical. Live gamelan music is a special treat. 

Gamelan Sekar Sequoia will treat your ears with a free live performance during Arts Alive! Saturday, Nov. 6, 6-9 p.m. at Indah Bali, 440 F St., Eureka.

For more information about Arts Alive! call 707-442-9054.