The closing of Sanur Village Festival was given a fresh nuance with the performance of Grup Gedebong Goyang (Swaying Banana Tree Trunk Sister or G3). Powered by Rucina Ballinger, Kerry Pendergrast, Suzan Kohlik and Antonella De Santis, the G3 rocked the stage with hilarious performance, sending barrage of jokes and arising laughter of the spectators.

Accompanied by Band Satya Hati which belongs to Bali Hati Foundation, the G3 began their performance by singing Joni Agung’s Balinese reggae song, entitled Melalung (Naked) which mocks the anti-pornography issue. In par with melalung other songs in Balinese and Indonesian also kept the audience attention with their uproarious parody and of course with their fluency in Balinese language and Bahasa Indonesia.

Most of the audience especially Balinese were quite surprised by their fluency in Balinese language especially the ability to switch between popular Low Balinese to ceremonial High Balinese, not to mention their ability in presenting Balinese jokes which contains puns, the type of joke that Balinese love most.

Their awareness on the latest development and news of the island was expressed through their jokes which ranged from anti-pornography issue to the latest issue on new golf course in Besakih area, from using local fruit and Bakso Krama Bule to short-funded tallest building project. It was surely an entertaining way to address the present situation of Bali and the audience loved it.

Their performance was not just entertaining but also expressed their knowledge on the culture of Bali and most of all their awareness and love to the island.

NB: My heart leaped when I heard Jaran-jaranan melody, a typical melody for Joged Bumbung show, and one of the Gedebong came out dancing in Joged Bumbung style. I thought there would be an ngibing session. The idea of dancing with an expat Joged Bumbung dancer is quite amusing.

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