new use permit

Pre-Application Proposal
GAMELAN SEKAR JAYA—A non-profit 501(c)3 arts organization dedicated to
the study and practice of Balinese music and dance—proposes to move into
3023 SHATTUCK AVE. Berkeley, for music and dance training & residency.
Pre-Application Proposal
Summary: Gamelan Sekar Jaya (GSJ) is a sixty-five member ensemble of musicians and dancers,
based in the East Bay Area, that specializes in the performing arts of Bali, Indonesia. GSJ frequently
performs in the SF Bay Area at a wide variety of venues, ranging from small community venues
such as Rhythmix Cultural Works and the Ashkenaz, to large venues including the Julia Morgan
Theater, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, the De Young Museum, Cowell Theater, and Cal
Performances Zellerbach Hall. Gamelan Sekar Jaya’s reputation and renown extends to Bali as
well—the Governor of Bali personally awarded Gamelan Sekar Jaya the Dharma Kusuma—Bali’s
highest award for artistic achievement, and has been recognized by the Indonesian Tempo Magazine
as “the Finest Balinese gamelan ensemble outside of Indonesia”.
History in Berkeley: GSJ has a history in the City of Berkeley. Many of the founding members
were first exposed to Balinese music at the 1974 Center For World Music, held at the Julia Morgan
Theater. Berkeley has always been a symbolic home for the group, and many of the members
participate in activities offered by the UC Berkeley Center for Southeast Asian Studies and the UC
Berkeley Music Department—an exchange that helps to build a bridge between academia and
community arts. It is appropriate that the group has now found a potential long-term facility here.
Operations: GSJ is a performance oriented, member-based organization, artistically led by
visiting Guest Artists from Bali, and administratively run by a Director and General Manager. Semiannual performance seasons run from September through December, and January through June.
Typically, the summers are quiet, with the resident Balinese artists returning home to Bali. GSJ
comprises several kinds of gamelan orchestras and dancers. Each orchestra is composed of bronze
metallophones and/or bamboo marimbas, usually combined with tuned gongs, drums and flutes.
Each ranges from 6-20 participants. Ensembles meet on alternate weekday evenings (from 6:3010:00 pm) and Sunday afternoons. Dancers (from 5-15 persons) generally meet on weekends in the
late afternoon.
Facility Search: GSJ is currently located in the Temescal commercial district in Oakland. GSJ
has been searching for a facility for its administrative offices and rehearsal spaces for the past year.
In December 2009, a reception sponsored by the Indonesian Consulate of San Francisco announced
this search, and due diligence has been conducted on no less than six facilities. The proposed facility
at 3023 Shattuck Avenue meets all the required criteria:
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Space for the study and practice of the acoustic music and dance of Bali, Indonesia.
Storage for instruments, costumes, props, and stage set pieces.
Administrative office space for Director and General Manager
Residency quarters for Guest Balinese Artists (2-3 bedroom apartment)
Parking for administrative staff and ensemble coordinators
Close proximity to BART and AC Transit (Many, if not most members take public
transport).
Proposed Activities: GSJ proposes to use 3023 Shattuck Avenue for weekly music and dance
ensemble classes and the administrative offices, including storage of costumes and instruments.
Sound from the acoustic ensembles will be attenuated under the engineering direction provided
through a C.M. Salter Acoustical Engineering analysis. Outside noise will be kept to a minimum.
GSJ ensures that it will be a good neighbor and an excellent contributor to a lively diverse cultural
experience in the South Berkeley Area.
Pre-Application Proposal
COMMUNITY MEETING
January 8 , 11:00am – 12:00pm || LOCATION: ___________
Please RSVP by Jan. 5th by emailing [email protected], or by calling 510-655-1227
th
APPLICANT INFORMATION
Gamelan Sekar Jaya: 4803 Shattuck Ave, Oakland, CA 94609
Phone: 510-655-1227 || Email: [email protected] || Website: http://gsj.org
CITY OF BERKELEY PLANNING DEPARTMENT
For more information, check the Planning Department Web Page:
www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/planning || or call 510-981-7410