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In 2012, while on an artist’s residency on the Indonesian island of Java, Buffalo, N.Y.-raised filmmaker Matt Dunning made documentary films featuring gamelan music, a style that utilizes pinging metal drums, gongs, and metallophones. Neither the 15-minute Srimpi Muncar nor Sekaten, a 35-minute effort (packaged on DVD under the title The Stirring of a Thousand Bells), follows the Ken Burns approach of talking heads and floating images; in fact, no one is interviewed in either work. Instead, in Sekaten, Dunning offers a few sentences of type near the beginning explaining that it is a film about the Sekaten festival, a tribute to the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Then, it dives into a street celebration that features carnival rides, a parade, and a room where a gamelan orchestra’s percussion rings like a series of doorbells. Srimpi Muncar is a slow-tempoed Javanese classical piece danced by women in traditional costumes in the Mangkunegaran Palace. Read more >>> The film shows at 7 p.m. at BloomBars, 3222 11th St. NW. $10. (202) 567-7713. bloombars.com. (Steve Kiviat)
EAT THIS
Nine H Street NE restaurants are serving foie gras dishes now through Dec. 25 as part of the second annual “Foie La La” competition. Peruvian restaurant Ocopa has a foie gras ceviche, Boundary Road is serving foie gras poached in chicken fat with sage, rutabaga bread, Brussels sprouts, and cranberry gastrique, and Granville Moore’s is preparing an open-faced shaved duck sandwich with foie gras mousse, pickled cherry and parsley salad, roasted sourdough, and spicy balsamic vinaigrette. Diners can vote for their favorite dish at foielala.com. (Jessica Sidman)
OH AND ALSO
Local rock act the Deadmen play a benefit show at DC9 with Brandon Minow and Carrie Ashley Hill, who will perform with members of Caveman. Guests are encouraged to bring gifts to donate to Toys for Tots. 8:30 p.m. at 1940 9th St. NW. $12.
Last Comic Standing performer Nikki Carr headlines the “Funny-n-Stilettos” comedy show at the Howard Theatre. Rebecca Steinhoff and DJ C. Devone also appear. 8 p.m. at 620 T St. NW. $22.50–$40.
The Kennedy Center begins performances of its big holiday musical. This year, it’s Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, starring two American Idol rejects. 7:30 p.m. at 2700 F St. NW. $25–$155.
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