Cultural Goodies

One of Yogyakarta's popular aliases is the Cultural Capital of Indonesia. It's not hard to figure out why when you take into account not only the number of cultural performances and exhibitions going on but the fact that a large number of them are free!

Here are a few places I've found that offer free performances (although sometimes you might need to pay an entrance fee for the venue - but not the performance itself)

1. Kraton - entrance fee 12, 500 RP (Sultan's Palace near Jl. Malioboro)

Karawitan - Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon.

Wayang Golek - Wednesday 10 a.m. to nooon.

Gamelan and Classical Javanese music - Thursday 10 a.m. to noon.

Macapat - Friday 10 a.m. to noon

Wayang kulit - Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

2. RRI (Radio Republik Indonesia)

Look out for banners with information on free concerts ranging from classical Western music to rock to traditional Javanese music. RRI is located along Jalan Gejayan. Bus number 7 from outside PSSAT (Pusat Studi Sosial Asia Tenggara) will drop you off directly opposite.

3. Taman Budaya (near Jl. Malioboro)

Taman Budaya can be 'friended' on facebook for regular updates on events and performances that are playing at their venue. Many of these are free (or "gratis" as they say in Indonesia) or not very expensive at all.

4. Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI)

ISI is kind of far if you live near Jogja City, which is a pity because nearly every day of the week there is something going on there. Performances, practices, run throughs, classes, masterclasses...and the students and faculty members are so friendly they will let you hang out there and observe things all day long.

5. UGM Campus

UGM has many budding musicians as well primarily from "Fakulitas Ilmu Budaya" or the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. They often put on performances and it is worth taking a trip down to their faculty and looking out for posters and banners for details. If you're feeling brave, say hello to a stranger and ask them if they know of any! Students at UGM are generally very happy to speak to exchange students and help them out in any way possible.

...and of course if you feel like supporting the local arts scene in a more substantial way, there is no shortage of non-gratis performances. Sometimes there are also student discounts so remember to bring your UGM student ID card with you. :)