Malanginspirasi.com – Ahead of the East Java Provincial Sports Week (Porprov) IX, scheduled to take place on June 28, 2025, at Gajayana Stadium, Kampung Budaya Polowijen (Polowijen Cultural Village) is organizing dance auditions as a primary preparation for the prestigious event’s opening ceremony. Auditions for the Topeng Sabrang Dance, Beskalan Dance, and Jaranan Dance were held at Polowijen Cultural Village on Sunday, May 18, 2025. The rigorous selection process aimed to select 300 dancers from a total of 400 applicants.
According to Isa Wahyudi, familiarly known as Ki Demang, the audition aims to choose the best dancers from various studios across Malang and its surroundings. From the 400 participants, 300 will be selected to perform at the opening of Porprov IX East Java 2025.
“This audition involves 400 dancers from various regions, and we will select 300 dancers to perform at the opening of Porprov,” explained Ki Demang.
The selection criteria include a minimum height of 150 cm and an approximate weight of 60 kg.
However, these are not strict requirements, as dancers outside of these measurements still have opportunities to be selected. The principal factor in the evaluation is the dancer’s proficiency and fluidity in technique.
“We prioritize flexible and skilled dance techniques. Participants under 147 cm in height still have a chance to pass if their technique is excellent,” he added.
The opening ceremony of Porprov IX East Java 2025 will feature a colossal cultural performance entitled “Malang Mbois,” involving approximately 1,000 performers.
A variety of traditional arts will be showcased, including the Beskalan Putri Malang Dance, Grebeg Sabrang Mask Dance, Dolan Jaranan Dance, Bantengan, Macanan, as well as performances of Pencak Silat, Gunungan, and Panji banners.
Ki Demang emphasized that this event is a valuable opportunity for dancers from the city of Malang to gain experience and achieve recognition on a grand stage.
“Porprov is a significant moment that can serve as inspiration and appreciation for the dancers. It may well be a once-in-a-lifetime chance for them to perform at an event of this scale,” he stated.
Selected dancers will undergo eight training sessions. Some rehearsals will be held three times in front of the Malang City Hall and twice at other stadiums apart from Gajayana Stadium.
The full-scale rehearsal, involving all one thousand dancers, will be conducted at Gajayana Stadium shortly before the opening event.
“Training will take place during the school holidays in June. We hope that collaboration with the Malang City Government will provide enthusiasm and motivation to the dancers,” said Ki Demang.
Ki Demang also expressed hope that the Porprov event could act as a catalyst for the development of interest and talent in performing arts in Malang.
Furthermore, Ki Demang expressed his hope that the Porprov event would serve as a catalyst for the development of interest and talent in performing arts within Malang City.
He advocated for the establishment of specialized art schools, similar to those found in Yogyakarta and Surabaya, to nurture and develop the artistic talents of young people.
“I hope there will be a special art school in Malang that can be a place for young people’s talents and interests in performing arts,” he concluded.
