Bali Dances, Drama & Museum

Balinese Dances

Most Balinese dance performances are held in the evenings, however, you can also see some Barong Dance performances in the morning.

If you prefer to watch one of these Balinese dance performances in a hotel after a sumptuous dinner buffet, the OBEROI is recommended because of the beautiful beach front setting. For those who do not wish to have dinner here, there is a US$10/person fee to enjoy the dances; Classical Dance on Tuesdays and Ramayana Dance on Thursdays, starting from 8:30 p.m.

Barong Dance: This Balinese dance is about a contest between the opposing forces of chaos and destruction ("Rangda") and order (the "Barong"). Performances in Suwung and Kesiman (suburbs of Denpasar), and in Batubulan daily from 9:00 or 9:30 a.m.; in Banjar Abasan, Singapadu, daily from 9:30 a.m., and at Puri Saren in Ubud, Friday from 6:30 p.m.

Legong Dance: A highly stylized, extremely difficult dance performed by young girls. Choreographed to the finest details, and no improvisation allowed. Performances at the Peliatan Stage, Friday from 6:30 p.m., at Pura Dalem, Puri Peliatan, Saturday from 6:30 p.m., at Pura Peliatan in Ubud, Sunday from 7:30 p.m., and at Puri Saren, Ubud, Monday from 7:30 p.m.

Kecak Dance: A ritual dance created in the early 1930's for the movie "Island of the Demons" by the German painter and intellectual Walter Spies who combined the chorus of the "Sanghyang" trance dance with a story from the "Ramayana" legend. Very impressive with its circular chorus of sometimes over 100 bare chested male singers. Performances are held at the Arts Center, Denpasar, daily from 6:30 p.m., and in Banjar Tegal, Ubud, Sunday from 6:00 p.m.

Fire Dance: The Fire Dance is an exorcist dance against spirit possession. Girls in trance dance barefoot among glowing coals. Performances in Bona Kangin, Gianyar, Friday. Monday and Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. In Bonasari, Gianyar, Friday, Monday and Wednesday from 7:00 p.m., and in Batubulan, daily from 6:30 p.m.

Ramayana Dance: There are occasional performances of this Balinese dance Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa. This cultural dinner show is available on Tuesdays from 8:00 p.m at Rp. 240,000 + 21% tax and service charges per person.

If you are seriously interested in Balinese dance and music, you should contact the YAYASAN POLOS SENI (Foundation for Pure Art) in Peliatan near Ubud. They offer dance and music lessons at reasonable prices (see under "Balinese Dance & Music Classes" further down).

Wayang Kulit, Traditional Drama & Other Performances

Wayang Kulit: In the Indonesian shadow puppet play, beautifully painted and gilded leather puppets are used although only the shadows are visible to the audience. The stories come from the spirit world and are full of symbolism and myth. A highly skilled puppeteer controls hundreds of puppets, speaks with a different voice for each character, and controls the musicians. Plays go on for several hours. Performances can be seen at Oka Kartini, Tebesaya, Peliatan, Ubud, on Saturdays from 8:00 p.m.

Balinese Temple Festivals, Drama, Other Performances: See the "Bali Post" daily newspaper and the Friday edition of the English language "Jakarta Post" for details.

Museums, Exhibitions, etc.

Bali Museum: Jalan Letkol Wisnu, Denpasar, daily from 8 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. except Mondays.

Museum of Archeology: Jalan Letkol Wisnu, Denpasar, daily from 8 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. except Mondays.

Taman Budaya Cultural Center: Jalan Nusa Indah, Denpasar, daily from 8 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. except holidays.

Museum Le Mayeur: Jalan Hang Tuah, Sanur, daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Fridays.

Agung Rai Museum of Art: Jalan Pengosekan, Peliatan, Ubud, daily from 9.00 a.m. to 6 p.m. except holidays.

Bamboo Gallery: Nyuhkuning, Pengosekan, Ubud, Monday to Friday 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Blue Moon Gallery: Jalan Tirta Tawar, Banjar Kutuh Kaja, 900 meters north of Ubud's main road, and Studio Blue Moon, Ubud main road at Jalan Sriwedari, daily from 10 am to 5 pm, specializing in exhibitions featuring emerging contemporary artists.

Neka Museum: Jalan Raya Campuhan, Ubud, daily 8.00 to 5.00 p.m. except holidays.

Museum Puri Lukisan: Jalan Raya Ubud, daily 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. except holidays.

Rudana Museum: Peliatan, Ubud, daily from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. except holidays.

Seniwati Gallery of Art by Women: Jalan Sriwedari 2B, Ubud, daily 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. except holidays.

Others: for exhibitions and other events such as high-tech Wayang Kulit performances in Ubud, concerts, Western theatre performances, bull racing in Tabanan, etc. as well as the daily movie programs, please see the daily "Bali Post" newspaper and the Friday edition of the English language "Jakarta Post" for details.

To find out more specific information, please contact us.