Apart from its extraordinary natural beauty, Bali is alsoknown for their rich cultural heritage. Many tourists are fascinated by thebeauty and exoticism of Balinese culture.
One of Bali’s mainstay cultural products that is widelyconsumed by tourists are their traditional dance performances. You can findshows like this in many places in Bali. Here are some of the best traditionaldance performances that you can enjoy in Bali.
Sahadewa Barong Dance
This is a dance performance held daily in Batubulan village, Gianyar. Sahadewa Barong Dance has two stages so that performances can still be held in all weather. This place is also one of the pioneers of stage dance performances in Bali.
The first dance performance here was held in 1972, and it is held routinely every day since. The Barong dance is held in an open stage, while Legong, Jegog and other dances were held indoor.
Barong and Kris Dance
There are many stages and venues that display Barong and Keris dance. You can find the stage for this dance performance in Batubulan and Denpasar. This dance is usually held in the morning and accompanied by gamelan from the surrounding community.
Barong and Keris are usually presented in 5 episodes that illustrate the story of Calon Arang. This dance describes the battle between Rangda and Barong, the good against evil.
Garuda Wisnu Kencana
This place is better known as a spectacular park that showsthe grandeur of the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue. However, this park alsoroutinely holds dance performances in its open space amphitheater. In additionto barong dance, you can also watch Kecak, Legong, and others. This place isalso presents a bamboo orchestral performance that has little resemblance toangklung.
Jambe Barong Dance Culture
Barong dance performances at Jambe Barong Dance Culture isdifferent compared to other barong shows. Almost all of the dance performersare residents of Batubulan themselves. This dance is not too serious and oftenexhibit hilarious comic reliefs. The theater itself is also quite terkini withadvanced lighting and sound systems.
Uluwatu Temple Amphitheater
This is probably the most famous dance performance in all of Bali. The dance performances here are usually held before Sunset. You will be able to witness the Kecak dance ritual.
This dance is not accompanied by gamelan, but with chants from dozens of dancers involved. The rhythmic chanting of ‘chak chak chak’ gives the dance its name. You can also watch fire dances which are usually held after sunset.
ARMA Open Stage
The ARMA Museum in Ubud shows many traditional danceperformances in their open-air theater. You can watch Legong dance, Balinesemask dance, barong and keris dance, and various other traditional dances anddramas here. The highlight of the open stage here is the performance of theLegong Dance which is held during the full moon.
Surya Mandala Cultural Park
Tanah Lot Temple is a restricted area that tourists cannotventure into. But the beauty around the holy temple can still be enjoyedthroughout the day. At night, you can watch a dance performance at SuryaMandala Cultural Park. Here you can watch the Kecak dance with its spectacularfire show.
If you are interested in enjoying traditional danceperformances in Bali, you can watch them at many locations. Ubud and South Balihave many venues that present traditional dance performances regularly.