The Gong Show
FRI 3/25
Who knew that Kansas City had the largest Balinese dance ensemble on the continent? The Gamelan Genta Kasturi (Balinese for blossoming sound) is a UMKC Conservatory-based group of mostly experienced community musicians and dancers whose elaborate performances are inspired by the communal traditions of Bali's isolated Hindu population. Even the group's instruments have a fascinating history. Constructed out of bronze in Bali and Java over a period of seven months and housed in ornately carved teak cases, the gongs, metallophones, flutes and myriad other instruments were painstakingly tuned, then blessed by priests for their journey to Kansas City. The dancers, whose facial expressions are essential to their dances, provide a visual context for the music. The troupe performs for free (though donations are welcome) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at UMKC's Pierson Auditorium (4949 Cherry). Call 816-235-2742 for information. -- April Fleming
Radio Free Academia
SUN 3/27
Second only to A Prairie Home Companion, the University of Missouri-Kansas City's weekly radio program New Letters on the Air is the nation's oldest English-major-hard-on-inducing talk show. Since 1977, the broadcast counterpart to the school's literary mag has been bringing diverse authors to the microphone. To plebeian ears, this has amounted to a three-decade sophomore lit lecture; to aspiring writers, the show has been a stolid, weekly dose of self-affirmation. Women's History Month is the show's theme for March; Arundhati Roy fans should tune in to KCUR 89.3 at 5 p.m. Sunday for an interview with Indian novelist Bharati Mukherjee. -- Jason Harper
