West Sumatran Minangkabau Traditions: A Randai Theatre Performance and Illustrated Lecture by Edy Utama

Shangri La, Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art
4055 Papu Circle
Honolulu, HI 96816

Saturday, February 4, 2012
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

1:30 – 2:00 p.m. Open House
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Concert/Lecture
3:00 – 3:30 p.m. Refreshments

West Sumatran Minangkabau culture is the result of a long process of dialogue between various world cultures with a matrilineal kinship system in combination with Islamic religion. This salon focuses on elements of Minangkabau culture beginning with dance and musical selections from the Randai theatre production The Genteel Sabai performed by students from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa Theatre and Dance Department. Sumatran Minang cultural expert, scholar, and photographer Edy Utama, will follow the performance with an illustrated talk, Contemporary West Sumatran Minangkabau Traditions with the aid of interpreter, Rohayati Paseng. The talk will focus on the characteristics that make up this unique culture and the ways in which the culture is changing due to pressure from the Indonesian government and an increasingly westernized world.

$15 per person
Register Now!

Please note there is no parking at Shangri La or in the surrounding neighborhood. Access to Shangri La is by shuttle van only.
Van service to Shangri La will begin at 1:15 p.m. from the Kapi’olani Community College, parking lot B.

The mission of the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art is to promote the study and understanding of Islamic arts and cultures. In the context of the increasing tension between the U.S. and the Muslim world, DDFIA plays a unique role in the growing dialogue among scholars, artists and the public about how to help cultivate mutual understanding.

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The University of Hawai’i at Mānoa’s Department of Theatre and Dance presents the rare theatre form of randai with its production of “The Genteel Sabai,” a folk dance-drama from the Minangkabau ethnic group in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Synopsis: A daughter seeks revenge for the murder of her father in this exciting folk dance-drama. Randai comes from the Minangkabau ethic group in Sumatra, Indonesia, and features beautiful traditional music and singing, martial arts, dance and acting; and its signature pants-slapping percussion!

Dr. Kirstin Pauka, Director and Professor of Southeast Asian Theatre at UHM along with guest teachers from Indonesia, bring this exciting theatre form back to Kennedy Theatre’s main stage Feb. 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 at 8 p.m., and Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. Randai combines beautiful singing, talempong music, dancing, acting, and story-telling along with its signature pants-slapping percussion and the Indonesian martial arts form called silat. This is the third time Pauka has directed a randai play at UHM, the first in 2001 (“Umbuik Mudo and The Magic Flute”) and the second in 2005 (“Luck and Loss: Manandin’s Gamble”). Audiences will have an opportunity to attend two pre-show chats on Feb. 4 and 11 at 7 p.m.

“The Genteel Sabai”

UHM Department of Theatre and Dance

Feb. 3, 4*, 9, 10, 11* at 8 p.m
Feb. 12 at 2 p.m.
*Free Pre-show Chats: Feb. 4 and 11 at 7 p.m.

UHM’s Kennedy Theatre, Mainstage

$22 regular; $20 seniors, military, UH faculty/staff; $12 students; $5 UHM students with validated fall 2011 UHM photo ID.; all service charges included in ticket price.

Onstage seating will be available on a first-come first-serve basis at the performance to all ticket holders. Tickets are available online now at www.etickethawaii.com, at outlets, and by phone at 944-2697. Tickets available at Kennedy Theatre Box Office beginning Jan. 23. Call 956-7655 for more information or visit the Kennedy Theatre website.

UHM Student Buy-One-Get-One-Free Night: Thurs. Feb 9, tickets available beginning at 5 p.m.

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Phra Apai Manee and the Spell of Laweng
Kofman Auditorium at Alameda High School, California
Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 4pm with dinner reception after the show

Summary
On Saturday, October 22, 2011 at Kofman Auditorium at Alameda High School, the Thai Cultural Center of Berkeley will be putting on our latest production of Thai music, dance and drama, entitled Phra Apai Manee and the Spell of Laweng. Most recently performed at the National Theater in Bangkok, we bring this tale of love, guile and betrayal to our audiences here:

Phra Aphai Mani and his brother, Sisuwan were princes who were sent to study by their father as he hoped they could use the knowledge gained to rule the country, but Phra Aphai came back with the knowledge of playing the pipe and his brother at sword-fighting. Their father was angry and drove them away. But the pipe Aphai had learned was a magic one. Its sound could put people to sleep and take the soul out of the body causing death.

One day while the others were lulled to sleep by the sound of the pipe, a giant came and took Aphai away to her cave where she transformed herself into a beautiful girl. He lived with her until she bore a son, Sinsamut. When Aphai found out that his wife was really the giant, Nang Phisua Samut, he fled with his son. He was assisted by a family of mermaids, father, mother and a daughter. The father and mother were caught and eaten by the giant.

The daughter took Aphai and Sinsamut to Kokaew Phitsadan (Wonder Island) where a hermit saved them from the giant. The young mermaid later bore a son with Aphai, called Sutsakhon. One day a ship went by the island. In the ship were King Silarat of Phleuk with his daughter, Princess Suwannamali. She was engaged to marry Prince Usaren of Lanka. Aphai and Sinsamut asked to go with them on the ship, but on the way the giant attacked them and killed King Silarat. Aphai escaped to the shore and had to blow the pipe which killed the giant. Sinsamut swam with the princess to an island. They continued their journey and met Sisuwan and his daughter, Arun Rasami. They went on in search of Phra Aphai.

Phra Aphai met Usaren who came out looking for his fiancee, Suwannamali. They went together until they met Sinsamut and Suwannamali. She refused to go to Usaren. There was a fight, Usaren fled back to Lanka. Phra Aphai came to Phleuk where the queen asked him to rule the country. Suwannamali was still angry at Phra Aphai for daring to give her up to Usaren, so she fled to become a nun. With the trick of a maid, Nang Wali, Suwannamali left the nunhood to marry Phra Aphai. She bore him twin daughters named Soisuwan and Chantasuda. Usaren and his father came back to attack Phleuk. The father was killed and Usaren died heart-broken.

The throne of Lanka fell to his sister, nang Laweng. A very beautiful Laweng decided to take revenge and she declared to all the princes in countries around that whoever could kill King Aphai would have her and her Kingdom. Nine armies moved to surround Phleuk. Aphai followed Laweng and won her love but the war continued until a hermit came and helped to stop the war between them.

Event & Contact Information
$25 per person (includes dinner)
For tickets, call (510) 520-1468 or email ( info@tccsfbayarea.org)

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Last year the celebration supported Hawaii Food Bank. This year, a $10 ticket will buy shoes for children in Hawaii. All proceeds go towards the shoes for kids campaign.

Tickets will NOT be available at the Pavilion and have to be purchased in advance. Please visit this facebook invite for information on purchasing tickets!

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Kennedy Theatre

Combining mesmerizing theatrics with dynamic, multicultural rhythms, the renowned Hands Percussion Team drum ensemble from Malaysia has been creating quite a sensation at performances around the world since it was formed in 1997 out of its founders’ desire to bring new creativity to Chinese-Malaysian drumming traditions. Since then, the troupe has received stellar critical acclaim for its approach combining respect for cultural tradition with innovative, contemporary performances on instruments drawn from a diverse range of percussion cultures.

In recent years, Hands Percussion Team has thrilled audiences at numerous international performances, ranging from Southeast Asia and China to Europe and the Middle East. According to the ensemble’s website, “the sound of a drum is part of a universal human bond, interconnecting cultures and peoples.”

The ensemble’s Kennedy Theatre performances will feature a dozen of the troupe’s energetic young drummers, whose rigorous training includes intense physical and mental discipline in addition to musical development. Also performing will be the acclaimed, Hawai‘i-based Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble.

To watch Hands Percussion Group Artistic Director Bernard Goh’s lecture on “Creativity & Chinese Drumming in 21st Century Malaysia,” visit the UHM Confucius Institute page. For more information on Hands Percussion Team, visit hands.com.my. This event is co-sponsored by the East-West Center and the University of Hawai`i’s Kennedy Theatre. The performances are part of the EWC’s 50th anniversary year celebrations.

Ticket Prices:
$16 Advance Super Saver until Sept. 5;
$20 Regular; $18 Seniors, Military, UH Faculty/Staff; $12 Students; $5 UHM Students with ID. (All service fees included.)

Tickets are now available online at ETicketsHawaii.com; beginning Sept 13, tickets will be also be available at Kennedy Theatre Box Office (M-F 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Sept 18 from 5:00 p.m., Sept. 19 from 1:00 p.m.), or by phone, 944-2697.

The Hands Percussion Team will also perform Sept. 23 at Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Sept. 27 at Kahilu Theatre, and Sept. 29 at BYU-Hawaii.

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Sunday, September 19, 2010 at the Honolulu Academy of Arts.

Two performances will be held at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm including Balinese gamelan gender duets performed by Michiko Ueno-Herr and Annie Reynolds and Balinese dances performed by Alice Terry, Desiree Seguritan, Annie Reynolds, and Made Widana. We will be performing in the central courtyard as you enter the Academy.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.honoluluacademy.org/cmshaa/academy/index.aspx?id=514

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We seek a dynamic, committed teacher and scholar in the performing arts of Asia who will contribute significantly to the Asian Studies Program and its vision of educating undergraduate and graduate students about Asia.

The successful applicant will have the ability to make Asian cultural sensibilities, knowledge, and epistemologies an integral part of his/her course work, and be able to work collaboratively with diverse groups of students and faculty within the university and in the community.

A faculty member in the Asian Studies Program has a minimal instruction load of four courses per year and is on duty for 9 months.

The selected faculty shall teach designated courses in the Asian Studies Program, conduct research and publish projects commensurate with Asian Studies Program standards appropriate to his/her rank, carry out curriculum development related to Asian Studies, and participate in Asian Studies Program committees as requested.

Must be able to contribute to and compliment the strengths of the Asian Studies Program as well as to those of the School’s Asia related National Resource Centers and be willing to provide service to the institution and academic community.

* Earned PhD from a college or university of recognized standing in the humanities or related discipline commensurate with the focus of hire (performing arts of Asia).

* Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in the performing arts of Asia, and strength in interdisciplinary teaching and scholarship.

* Have an active record in research/publication and strong instructional skills.

* Evidence of continued participation in scholarly and academic activities at the college/ university level, and a willingness and ability to enhance the image of the School and Program in the community.

Submit a letter of interest addressing the fulfillment of the minimum and any additional qualifications, a current vitae, and three letters of reference from professionals in the field competent to assess your work to Professor Michael Aung-Thwin at the address below. Official transcripts (from institution to institution) that reflect degree and course work are due at the time of hire.

Address:
Professor Michael Aung-Thwin
University of Hawaii at Manoa
School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Asian Studies Program
1890 East-West Road, Moore 413
Honolulu, HI 96822

Inquiries:
Professor Michael Aung-Thwin, Chair, Asian Studies Program; 808-956-5962; aungthwi@hawaii.edu

The University of Hawaii is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, status as a protected veteran, National Guard participation, breastfeeding, and arrest/court record (except as permissible under State law).

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawaii may be viewed at: http://ope.ed.gov/security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

more info

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