Island news around.....

Kites Filled the Sky in Sanur

The Sanur Festival from August 12th – 16th transformed Mertasari Beach into a village of fun filled events and activities focusing on 'Marine Life'. Watching the huge octopus, fish and snakes flying across the Sanur sky, grooving to the jazzy sounds that filled the evening, sneaking a peek at the Visual Arts Programme and the Bonsai Exhibition and taking part in the Mass Yoga and Golf Tournament were activities enjoyed by all who flocked to the festival over this August weekend. Looking forward to the Sanur Festivals' fifth birthday in 2010.T: 0361 286 987, Gotosanur

Nikko Bali Cultural Appreciation Nights

The opening night of the incredible cultural month of cultural appreciation held at Nikko Bali Resort and Spa saw five maestros of Balinese dance perform at Kupu Kupu Amphitheatre on Wednesday, August 5th.

Ni Jero Puspawati took the stage first. She performed the infamous Candra Metu dance with the grace and harmony that made her the star that she is today. While enjoying the variety of rich tasting Balinese cuisine prepared by Nikko Bali's skillful chefs, another Bali maestro, Ni Jero Gadung took the stage with the Wiranatha dance – a beautiful dance telling the story of a warrior's journey.

The never ending applause continued as Gusti Ayu Raka Rasmi performed a cheerful dance of Oleg Temulilingan, followed by a performance by Ni Ketut Arini with her Terunajaya dance, the story of a man's journey into becoming an adult with her unique and dynamic movements. The highlight of the night was the spectacular Kebyar Duduk dance performed by Ida Bagus Oka Wirjana, or famously known as Gus Aji Blangsinga. The mood of the dance was strongly felt from the music and the dancer, who works in close coordination with the entire gamelan to interpret its shifting colour. (Nikko Bali Resort and Spa, Jl. Raya Nusa Dua Selatan, Nusa Dua, T: 0361 773 377, www.nikkobali.com)

The Red and The White

August 17th heralded the waving of the red and white flag across this beloved land of Indonesia to signal Hari Merdeka (Independence Day). Here in Bali, the Banjars were full of singing – the Indonesian national anthem being the main choice of lyric alongside 'tak gendong, ke mana mana' and other such favourites – and kids were joining in the fun competitions held in each area. Fancy eating krupuk that is tied to a string, or seeing how fast you can drink a carton of Ultra milk. Maybe you can make really great Sambal or balance an egg on a spoon. If these sound like fun, you can always come back next year. Happy Birthday Indonesia, we hope you live a long, happy and prosperous life!

Ayana Gets Intimate

Perched on a rocky 'stage' jutting out from the cliff-face, Third Eye Blind singer Stephan Jenkins rocked the Ayana Rock Bar in an intimate acoustic performance that had everyone smiling with memories of singing along to his songs of old. Jenkins gave a solo performance of tracks from the band's new album 'Ursa Major', their first album in six years. He also granted audience requests to play some of their past hits including 'Deep Inside You' and 'Semi Charmed Life'. (Ayana Resort and Spa, Jalan Karang Mas Sejahtera, Jimbaran, T: 0361 702 222, www.ayanaresort.com)

Ku De Ta

It is almost assumed these days that there wouldn't be a party season without Ku De Ta at the helm and this August was no exception to that rule. They got the month started with the delivery of the Ku De Ta Republic Passports and then it was all flights to Jalan Laksmana for the sea, the sun and the music. The 7th 'I'm an Angel' Charity Gala Event and party was the first destination. Delta Goodrem sang out into the crowd, a children's choir sang a teary eyed cover of Michael Jackson's 'Heal The World', and an awe inspiring fire swinging dance troop performance that incited everyone to jump up on the stage and feel like they could dance too. The community dug deep into their pockets in the spirit of sharing with their brothers and sisters in need. Auction Success.

Then, the KDT parties continued with their 9th Birthday Bash. We all sang a great big "happy birthday to you" and watched the rockin' fashion parade by Religion – a fantastic East London fashion store that happens to have a shop on Jalan Laksmana – just up the road from KDT. A live dinner performance by Louie Austen, and of course, for the birthday guests a glass of Moët Chandon on arrival was the only drink to celebrate with.

Bikinis Bikinis and more Bikinis - Not an event to have passed up if you were one of those respectable, or not so respectable, guys on the Island of Bali on Sunday, August 16th. It was a colourful day with sun drenched grooves by DJ Jim Breeze and the ever extraordinary B-Boy's Wicked Force Breakers. And, well, yes, lots of bikinis. (Ku De Ta, Jl Laksmana No. 9, Seminyak, T: 0361 736 969,) www.kudeta.net

What's On.....!

Matteo Basilé THISORIENTED 2nd Stage
August 28th– September 30th

The second stage of an exiting two stage international exhibition by digital artist Matteo Basilé will be diplayed at Biasa Artspace during September. The first stage has already taken place at GALLERIA PACK in Milan. Born in Rome in 1974, from a well-known dynasty of artists, Matteo Basilé has been exposed to the art world all his life. Since his first appearance on the art scene (1996), Basilé has been working by interacting with his cultural inheritance and aspiring to a new system of productive meaning. Among the first European to explore and develop what is today regarded as digital art, Matteo Basilé conveys photography with avant-garde technology as a linguistic formula to research the processes of self and social discovery. The artist constantly rejects a static vocabulary and confronts himself in relation to memory and tradition. View his thought provoking pieces whilst he is here in Bali.

Biasa Artspace
Jl. Raya Seminyak 34, T: 0361 847 5766,
Biasaart

Tumpek Uduh or Tumpek Pengatag
September 19th

People around Bali hold prayers to give thanks to the gods of the life giving plants that provide us with nutrition. The ceremonies will be held in all of the main temples. As with all Balinese ceremonies, it will be a day filled with lots of colour and gamelan will ring in the ears of all around. You are more than welcome to go and watch the ceremonies being conducted. However, please remember that these are religious ceremonies and they should be watched from a distance and not interrupted.

Idul Fitri
September 21st

Idul Fitri is the celebration that marks the end of the Ramadan or the fasting month. Throughout this month of fasting, people refrain from eating and drinking during the daylight hours. To mark the end of this month long fast, people from all across Indonesia gather in their family homes, visit their families and friends, and give thanks for their health and happiness. They celebrate and pass around gifts of clothes and such useful items to the children. There is an important morning prayer held throughout the world. On this day it is also important to attend Mosque to pay the annual tax for the poor. Thanks to this tax, poor people are able to attend the mosque to collect food, clothing, blankets and money when it is needed.

Ubud Writers & Readers Festival
October 7th – 11th

Suka Duka: Compassion and Solidarity
Prepare to be moved, entertained and enthralled. The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival is one of the largest and most prestigious literary events in Southeast Asia. This year more than 80 authors from 25 countries, including 30 of the best established and emerging Indonesian writers, novelists, journalists, bloggers, playwrights, filmmakers, historians and poets converge on Ubud for 4 jam-packed days of ideas, anecdotes, wisdom and fun. Bask in the brilliance of acclaimed writers, including Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, Seno Gumira Ajidarma, Hari Kunzru, Fatima Bhutto, Lloyd Jones, Julia Leigh, Vikas Swarup and NH Dini.
So join in and shift your perceptions, tickle your fancy and change your world.

T: 0361 780 8932, E: info@ubudwritersfestival.com, Ubudwritersfestival