"Festival Indonesia" brings Nusantara to Melbourne

FESTIVAL INDONESIA
Thursday 29 Sept - Saturday 1 Oct
Federation Square, Melbourne

All of the sights, sounds and smells of Indonesia's diverse cultures are coming to Melbourne's Federation Square from Thursday 29 September - Saturday 1 October. The Indonesian Consulate General in Melbourne will host Festival Indonesia, a trade, tourism and cultural fair aimed at strengthening the bilateral ties between Victoria and Indonesia.

As well presenting events for business and investors (including a trade exhibition and business forum), there will be a non-stop program of cultural performances during the Festival. Most cultural events will take place on the main Federation Square stage. The opening day (Thur 29 Sept) will feature traditional dances from Sumatra, Java and Bali, as well as central Javanese gamelan music, while on day two (Fri 30 Sept) traditional dance and angklung take centre stage.

The final day (Sat 1 Oct) will be dedicated to presenting a huge showcase of the best of Indonesia's traditional performing arts. Starting at 11am with a children's program, the packed line-up includes traditional dance from Sumatra, Java and Bali, demonstrations of the Indonesian martial art pencak silat, and music from around the archipelago (including a live dangdut performance). Plenty of delicious Indonesian food will be on offer too. From 5.30pm-8.30pm on the final day, a spectacular closing show entitled Jamrud Khatulistiwa (Emerald of the Equator) will bring the festivities to their climax. This closing performance will include a Balinese beleganjur procession, traditional dances, pencak silat and rampak kendang.

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Bali Night 2005: Bali Beyond Kuta
Click to enlarge

BALI NIGHT 2005: BALI BEYOND KUTA
Friday 30 Sept, 6.30pm-10pm
BMW Edge, Federation Square, Melbourne

To be held in conjunction with Festival Indonesia is Bali Night 2005: Bali Beyond Kuta, a showcase of traditional performance presented by the Balinese community organisations Mahindra Bali and STT. Entertainment includes traditional Balinese dancing and gamelan music, as well as a video presentation, and finger food and wine are included in the ticket price. There will also be raffles and door prizes throughout the night, with the main prize being a return air ticket to Bali courtesy of Air Paradise.

Venue: BMW Edge, Federation Square, Melbourne
Date: Friday 30 September, 6.30pm-10pm
Tickets: $25 per person
Bookings & More Info: Agung Parwata - 0418 356 929, Yoga Iswara - 0407 731 279, Riany - 0433 176 384, Merthi Poedijono - (03) 9522 6707