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Elton John & Band appear in Jakarta in their Greatest Hits Tour

In November 2012, Indonesia will witness a special performance by one of the biggest names of all time in music:  the legendary Pop singer-songwriter, composer, and Pianist:  Elton John.

Elton John is to stage his first appearance ever in Indonesia on 17 November 2012 at the Sentul International Convention Center, just at the outskirts of Jakarta. The special concert is part of Elton’s world tour entitled the Greatest Hits Tour that will commence in early November covering half the globe from Latvia all the way to Australia.    

For this special occasion, Elton John will be joined by his long time band consisting of Davey Johnstone, Nigel Olsson, Robert Birch, Kim Bullard and John Mahon, and also four backup vocals comprising Rose Stone (Sly and The Family Stone), Lisa Banks, Tata Vega and Jean Witherspoon.

The concert will also feature special guest stars, 2CELLOS, a duet of Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser from Croatia, accomplished musicians who have played the cello since childhood. The meteoric success of 2CELLOS started In January 2011 when they uploaded a unique duo cello version of “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson onto YouTube. Within just a few weeks, their video became a huge viral sensation, receiving over 5 million views from across the world. They were invited by Sir Elton John to join him on his worldwide tour playing with and opening for him.

Over his 40 year career, Elton John has won an impressive 5 Grammy Awards, sold over 250 million albums worldwide and continues to perform more than 100 shows a year, placing him squarely among the top 10 best-selling artists in music history. In addition to being the most successful pop-rock pianist in the world, he oversees an artist-management company. And his AIDS foundation has raised more than US$220 million since 1992 and benefits programs in 55 countries. The sales of the song "Candle In The Wind" in 1997 raised over US$40 million for charity, following the death of his friend Diana, Princess of Wales.

The legend of pop released his first solo album Empty Sky in 1969, and by 1970 he had his first top 10 pop single in the US, "Your Song." 40 years later he is still one of the most successful pop artists of all time with over 25 top 10 pop hits in the US. Elton John is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame and Aside from Grammy Awards, he has also won an Academy Award, and a Tony Award. In 2008 Billboard ranked him as the third most successful artist of all time just behind the Beatles and Madonna.

The concert will be the best opportunity to catch Elton live on stage with 1970s classics like 'Your Song', 'Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)', 'Rocket Man', 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road', 'Candle In The Wind', 'Tiny Dancer', 'Crocodile Rock' right to 1980s favourites 'I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues,' and 'Sad Songs (Say So Much)' and many more in the setlist.

For more information visit: http://bigdaddy.co.id/

Ambon Bay Festival, Maluku

A variety of traditional customs and traditions of the Maluku people are going to be displayed during the Ambon Bay Festival. These include traditional fishing competitions and Arumbae Manggurube or traditional boat races. Arumbae were once used as war vessels. There will also be the Semang Boat races which involve the traditional Maluku outrigger or known as Semang with women in traditional costumes manning the boats and race against each other. One of the most anticipated highlights of the event is a relay swim race starting from Ambon Bay (Martafons point)  and finishing  at the southern part of Ambon (Galala).

Jazz Gunung 2012: Groove the Chill at Mount Bromo

Following its success in 2010 and 2011, the event will once again present groovy Jazz at the Java Banana Bromo Lodge, Café and Gallery, at Sukapura in Probolinggo, East Java, with the enchanting landscape of Mount Bromo as backdrop. Carrying the tagline “Cool Music – Fresh Air”, the event will also fuse vibrant jazz tunes with unique “mountain” ethnic sounds brought by some of Indonesia’s best musicians.

This year,  JAZZ GUNUNG 2011 comes with a fresh lineup,that  include favourites Tohpati Ethnomission, Glenn Fredly, Kua Etnika & Djaduk Ferianto ft Trie Utami and Maya Hasan, and Kramat Ensemble Percussion Ethnic Madura. While Butet Kartaredjasa and Djaduk Ferianto will once again act as Hosts for the event. In the two previous years, Butet Kartaredjasa contributed greatly in entertaining the crowd with his jokes. To add to this Jazz celebration, Sigit Pramono, one of the initiators of Jazz Gunung has invited  famous Indonesian senior sculptor, Dolores Sinaga to open her exhibition at the Java Banana Art Gallery, Bromo during the event.

The first ever Jazz Gunung was held 2 years ago (july 25, 2009), featuring artists like Kua Etnika, Djaduk Ferianto and Trie Utami. It was the first time ever that jazz landed at such a high altitude and the event successfully promoted the venue as a new favorite tourist site. The second Jazz Gunung held on July 3, 2010  involved  more artists such as ESQI:EF (Syaharani and the QueenFireworks), Balawan & Batuan Ethnic fusion, C26 Jazz Community Surabaya, Androginn’s Malang Jazz Forum and Monday Night Band Yogya. Again, this second round was praised by all.

Located at around 2000m above sea level, Mount Bromo , a spectacle on its own, offers stunning scenery and cool mountain breeze with temperatures ranging  around 14-18°C (about 57-65°F) during the day and a low 6-10°C (42-50°F) at night. As the spellbinding landscape meets the exceptional performance, the event will be a night that offers one of a kind sensation.

You can reach Mount Bromo from Surabaya or Malang. There are direct flights to Surabaya from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hongkong, Jakarta and Bali. Sriwijaya Air flies twice daily from Jakarta to Malang. From Surabaya it’s a 2-3 hours drive to Mount Bromo, and from Malang the trip will take approximately 2 hours.

Official Website:  http://www.jazzgunung.com/

Legian Beach Festival, Bali

Legian Beach festival decorates the Calendar of activities in the fabled island of Bali with colorful programs including exhibitions, cultural performances, fun bike, and several city tours. Participants will come from all over the archipelago and all of the tourists related business in Bali.

Solo Jazz Festival, Central Java

Solo Jazz Festival will be held at the  Sriwedari Park in the heart of Solo, Central Java. The event will present a fun jazz night with music collaboration from Solo’s own finest musician with other talents from Jakarta, Salatiga, and Bandung. Setting a unique tone to the event, the concert will also take place in a number of traditional marketplaces such as at the markets of  Gede, Klewer, and Triwindu. Aside from contemporary jazz, the event will also feature Indonesia’s own keroncong music.

Palu Bay Festival, Central Sulawesi

Palu, the provincial capital of Central Sulawesi is blessed with outstanding panoramic views of the sea, mountains, and city, all in a single location. The festival includes a display of traditional and contemporary arts, exhibition on culture and creative industries, traditional singing contest, tambourine contest, kite flying contest, horse-drawn carriage contest, food fair, and many others.

Sail Morotai 2012: Journey back in history to World War II Battle of Morotai

This year’s Sail Indonesia regatta which will take place from July to end October 2012 will highlight the island of Morotai in North Maluku, site of the Battle of Morotai waged under Allied Commander General Douglas MacArthur.

Highlight of Sail Morotai 2012 will be on 14th September held at the historic Daruba Bay, which will be attended by President Soesilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Almost to the day , - back in 1944 on 15 September  at the height of World War II, Allied Forces from the United States and Australia under Supreme Commander General Douglas MacArthur landed on Morotai and defeated the small Japanese troop remaining stationed there.

Although the Japanese had landed on Morotai earlier and began constructing an airfield here, they abandoned the airfield to set up base on the larger neighoring island of Halmahera, leaving only a small batallion on Morotai. 

From that day until the end of World War II, Morotai became the base of the Allied Forces where a large air and naval base of the Allied Forces in South West Pacific was built to free the Philippines from Japanese occupation.  For more detailed description of Morotai and the strategic position of Morotai in World War II see Destination Morotai.

Taking the theme “Step to the New Era of Pacific Regional Economy”, Sail Morotai is anticipated to, not only put Morotai back on the tourist map, but moreover improve the economy of the region and its population.  

More than 120 yachts are expected to participate, not only arriving from Darwin in Australia but also from Davao in the Philippines and Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia. In all, Sail Morotai is estimated to attract around 5,000 visitors from Australia, the United States, Japan and others. 

Also organized are a sailboat rally, seminars, nautical sports, cultural festival and an exhibition of products produced by small and medium scale enterprises.

Since there are only few simple hotels on Morotai, the government plans to operate ships to berth at Daruba harbor to serve as accommodation for visitors.   

Yachters from the Philippines wishing to participate in Sail Morotai 2012 can click the following websites:

http://www.cruiserlog.com/forums/f21/sail-morotai-2012-from-davao-philippines-6025.html

http://www.sailsamal.com/blog/post/2012/01/28/Sail-Morotai-2012.aspx

http://www.sailindonesia.net

http://www.sailmorotai2012.com/ 

photo courtesy : sailindonesia.net

The Sabang International Regatta 2012

The Ministry of Culture & Tourism of Indonesia is pleased to announce the inaugural Sabang International Regatta 2011 (SIR 2011), which will be held from 12 to 24 September 2012. Jointly organized with the Technical Assistance from the Indonesian Sailing Federation, and supported by the provincial government, the Sabang  International Regatta kicks off with a pre-regatta dinner on the evening of September 13 in Phuket, Thailand, followed by a rally to Langkawi, Malaysia, before racing across to, and around the island of Sabang in the province of Aceh, until September 25.

Marked as the first Regatta to be held in Indonesia’s North-Western region, the event is aimed to promote Sabang and the Aceh Province, that has been rebuilt after the 2004 Tsunami. Sabang is the capital Town of Weh Island, the furthest island at the north-western tip of Indonesia that boasts scenic natural beauty, pristine beaches, fascinating coral reefs, as well as arts and culture of the people.

A series of exciting activities has been prepared for participants once they reach Sabang.  Aside from the dinner parties at the selected venue, The SIR 2011 organizing committee has promised fun-filled prize giving parties.

The SIR 2011 is projected to be participated by more than 50 yachts from Australia, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and provinces of Indonesia.

The Race itself will commence from 17 to 20 September 2011 and will be divided into three categories of racing namely the IRC class, Multihull and Cruisers. The Organizers have also included a category for powerboats as part of this inaugural regatta. An entry fee of USD100.00 per yacht inclusive of skipper fee will be charged and USD25.00 fee will be charged for each additional crew member. For those wishing to join the social events at Sabang, a fee of USD50.00 will be charged per person. Trophies and Cash prizes will be given to winners of Sabang International Regatta 2011, during the Closing Ceremony and Dinner Party at Sabang.

Situated at the entrance of the Malacca Straits, Weh Island, - the regatta destination island, -  is  located at this busy sea passage and is a jewel for many yachts and cruise ships to visit and see. Its’ pristine underwater environment has made it a perfect destination for diving.  The Island also holds the zero kilometer point in Indonesia, marked by an iconic monument in the town of Sabang. The regatta will also be a perfect opportunity to explore the amazing culture of Aceh such as the dynamically synchronized Saman Dance. While they are in Sabang, participants will also be presented with the culinary delights of Aceh and also the exceptional taste of Aceh’s Coffee.

Indonesian Coffee Festival in Ubud,Bali

The Indonesian Coffee Festival is a cultural festival, emphasizing the culture of Coffee, or to be precise, the culture of Coffee drinking.  Participants of the festival can be identified into four communities: first, the community of Coffee houses, cafés, and restaurants which place coffee among their main menu. Second, the Coffee lovers communities and individuals who simply love coffee; third, Coffee Bloggers; and fourth, are the coffee farmers and all coffee related businesses.

The festival will be wrapped in the folk style atmosphere into coffee sipping sessions, accompanied by cosy chatting. The festival will be a gathering of many parties all united for the love of coffee. The main objective of the festival is to let communities of coffee meet one another and to start the campaign to popularize coffee, so that Indonesia’s coffee can be host in her own country. The Coffee Festival will also act as a campaign to promote Coffee houses and Cafes as a new option for tourism.

For more information do visit: http://indonesiancoffeefestival.net/

exact dates awaiting confirmation

Baliem Valley Festival 2012

Explore the last frontier of Indonesia’s remote Papua Island, embark on a spectacular cultural journey and attend the Baliem Valley Festival scheduled to take place from 8^th-11^th August this year.

This is the one occasion when all the diverse tribes from the highlands of Wamena and the Baliem Valley such as the Dani, Lani, and the Yali congregate to celebrate their annual festival. This year the festival will be held at Wosilimo, the Usilimo, area in the district of Jayawijaya.

Located high in the Jayawijaya mountains on the Indonesian side of  the island of New Guinea,  Baliem is a stunningly beautiful green valley long hidden beyond soaring hills.  

Highlight of the Festival is the mock tribal warfare held to maintain the agility and preparedness of the tribes to defend their villages.

To prepare for these mock battles, organizers have prepared an arena of 400m by 250m that will be filled with 500 to 1000 of warriors and dancers.

The tribal war simulation is scheduled to be held during two days featuring about 26 groups of 30-50 warriors. These mock battles are accompanied by the Papuan traditional music of Pikon. Pikon is a musical instrument made out of wood skin which produces sounds when one blows it. The sounds created produce soothing music. Not many people can play the instrument as it requires special skills.

Organized by the district government of Jayawijaya, the festival is aimed to introduce and preserve the values and culture of Baliem Valley’s traditional tribes. The Baliem Valley festival will be enhanced by various fascinating art and cultural performances, including traditional Papuan dances, pig racing, Puradan Rattan Spear Throwing, Sikoko Spear games, Papuan traditional musical performance, and many more.

There will also be a special competition of Sege throwing and archery competition for foreign visitors as a sign of appreciation for their attendance. Visitor can also experience the true meaning of being a Papuan by wearing the traditional costumes of Koteka and have their skins blackened so they can also be part of the festivities.

Join the crowd and learn what makes them smile, laugh, and cheer. The Baliem Valley Festival 2011 awaits, offering abundant memories of the magical land of Papua.

To reach Baliem Valley fly to the town of Wamena via Jayapura. There are regular flights available to Jayapura from Jakarta and Makassar.  To attend the Festival it is best to contact an experienced travel agent. For complete information on the Baliem Valley, including flights, operators, how to get there, where to stay, and what to do, you can visit our: Baliem Valley : Home of the Dani