july 01
Kayu Manis Nusa Dua presents a charity painting exhibition organized together with the BHA (Bali Hotel Association) from today until the end of this month. All funds from the exhibition will be donated to Yayasan Senang Hati to support their ongoing programs for disabled children and young adults.(Nusa Dua, T: 0361 770 777)

Now open - the ‘Open Space’ Gallery, situated right beside Cafe Batujimbar in Sanur. ‘Open Space’ displays a wide range of glass artworks in a close-to-nature gallery experience. Artworks are designed and developed by Japanese glass artist Seiki Torige. (Jl. D.Tamblingan, No.75 T: 0361 289 363)

july 02
Every Wednesday evening this month, Bella Singaraja is offering a generous tasting of wines from around the world. Savour a tantalizing selection of light appetizers prepared by Executive Chef Rene O’Skam and his culinary team. (Intercontinental Jimbaran, T: 0361 701 888)

july 03
Ganesha Gallery this month introduces a painting exhibition called ‘Ritual and River’ by Australian artist Marcus Walkley. In this exhibition Marcus combines a minimalist sensibility, Balinese iconography and precious metals and glazes. The textures of the paintings explore light, reflections and shadows. (Four Seasons Hotel, T: 0361 701 010)

july 04
International Puppet Shadow Festival and the Department of Traditional Music Taipei National University of The Arts will be performing at the Bali Art Festival today and tomorrow. This performance is a part of Bali Art Festival agenda, a yearly festival running from June to July. (Denpasar, T: 0361 227 261)

july 05
The Gangsa is pleased to introduce an exciting dining experience at Gong Restaurant: Balinese Rijsttafel – Indonesia’s legacy of a real cuisine. A selection of the island’s richest and most flavourful dishes are presented in one grand meal. (Jalan Tirta Akasa 28 Sanur, T: 0361 270 260)

july 06
Atlas South Sea Pearl - Bali’s premier jeweller, is expanding to Seminyak this month. Their new store will provide a smart setting to showcase their stylish cutting edge ranges of jewellery featuring the finest quality South Sea pearls direct from their farms. (Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai Sanur, T: 0361 284 455)

july 10
Bali Kite Festival will return to the beaches of Sanur at Padang Galak from today to July 13, where the event is expected to draw some 800 teams competing for honor. Considered a major event on the international kiting calendar teams from a number of countries, including Malaysia, Japan, German and India - are expected to travel to Bali for the event.

july 12
Lion Air will launch a new daily route from Bali to Singapore with their newest Boeing 737-900ER airliners. The granting of the additional flight frequencies is aimed at increasing international tourism arrivals on the island to promote Visit Indonesia 2008 (www.lionair.com)

 

july 15
Maya Ubud Resort & Spa will feature a solo painting exhibition by Suminarto, entitled “Faces of Bali” from today to August 31, 2008. Suminarto has found inspiration for his work in the unique character and beauty of the faces of the Balinese people. (Peliatan Ubud, T: 0361 977 888)

 

july 19
Awaken, embrace & celebrate the surf goddess in you! The program provides a space for daily yoga practice while also having fun learning to surf and taking time to pamper yourself in an enchanting environment that will revitalize your body, mind, and spirit. (Seminyak, www.surfgoddessretreats.com)

july 24
Biasa Art is presenting a contemporary collection entitled Sciascia/Untoro from Javanese artist Ugo Untoro and Filippo Sciascia from Italy. The exhibition will be held today until August 16th. (Jalan Raya Seminyak, T: 0361 8475 766)

july 26
The award winning restaurant, Dava at Ritz Carlton proudly presents yet another spectacular wine dinner featuring first class wine from Casa Lapostolle’s state of the art winery in Chile. Special guests, Yves Coppin and Diego Urra will give an introduction to the vineyard and their wines at the dinner, tickets available in advance. (Jimbaran, T: 0361 702 222)

Tumpek Pengatag is devoted to Ida Sanghyang Widhi Wasa/ Almighty God as Sanghyang Sangkara, lord of all food, plants and vegetation. Blessing ceremonies are held today at gardens, ricefields and plantations for good crops and harvests.

july 31
Feel sexy and salsa your night away at Sector Bar & Restaurant. Thursday Night Salsa Fever “Red Hot Chili Salsa” starts at 7.30 pm till late (Jalan Hangtuah Sanur, T: 0361 287 733)

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Island News - Goings on

 

all change at the top

The Balé, Nusa Dua (T: 0361 775 111) have refurbished and upgraded their pavilions in time for summer 2008. Each individual villa now sports a huge 40 inch plasma flatscreen, outdoor wooden decking with daybed, a far more spacious interior through expansive use of glass walling and partitions and increased privacy in the outdoor shower areas. To top it all off, Fluid, the bar adjacent to celebrated Faces restaurant, has just introduced private daybeds overlooking the main pool and a cushioned garden perfect for sundown cocktails and chic canapés. Free transport service to and from The Balé is provided in the Nusa Dua, Benoa and Jimbaran areas.

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a fresh focus

Surfer Girl has recently staged the first in a series of shop events to draw the visitor's attention to the plight of the Balinese environment. Over the Environment-Weekend (with World Environment Day held on June 5th and World Ocean Day on June 6th) - Surfer Girl focused specially on the 'green message'. A tailor-made theme and concept for the regular Mannequin live show was developed especially for the weekend as Surfer Girl did its part to pay homage to the beautiful world that we live in.

Surfer Girl has always been an active supporter in organisations like G.U.S (Gelombang Udara Segar) whose headquarters are in the Surfer Girl corporate office block, and who help clean up our local beaches. Recently, in partnership with EcoBali, Surfer Girl have introduced 100% recycling programs in all their Bali stores and offices.

Their mission now is to educate the masses with the first initiative being the introduction of the first 'Surfer Girl recycling bin' intended for public use. Even larger bins are under construction so that Surfer Girl can personally process all the trash that the public brings down and separates. This is certainly one small step towards a cleaner southern Bali and we can only hope that other stores and companies take the same initiative.

A big thank-you goes to EcoBali, G.U.S. and Surfer Girl for bringing environmental awareness and action right into the heart of Kuta. Head down to Surfer Girl on Jl Legian to learn more about how you can help Bali keep its image cleaner and greener.

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eikon opens

Kuta is slowly transforming itself into the Kapital of Kool with Ocean Beach, Sky Garden and a newly transformed Maccaroni leading the charge. Last month saw the opening of Eikon (Jl Legian, T: 0361 750 701) with a bevy of entertainers, canapés courtesy of ex-Mozaic chefs and a free-flow of drinks to keep the assembled throng of Bali partygoers smiling late into the night. With plans for a fine dining restaurant upstairs and a long list of performers, DJs and drinks promos downstairs at the bar this new kid on the block is set to entertain this summer.

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one for the palate and the heart

Two big thumbs up go out to the good folk at The Ritz-Carlton (Jimbaran, T: 0361 702 222) for their recent Cuvaison wine dinner and the introduction of the hotel's 'Give Back Getaways' offering guests staying at the resort the opportunity to give a little something back to Bali during their stay. June saw staff and guests head to Menjangan Island in the West Bali National Park to assist in the 'Save the Coral Program' together with the FKMPP (Communication Forum for Community that is concerned with the maritime ecosystem) and endorsed by the WWF (World Wildlife Fund). This month sees the prestigious Casa Lapostolle wine dinner being held at Dava on Saturday, 26 July 2008 with an exclusive line up of Casa Lapostolle wines founded by the Marnier-Lapostolle family from France, the owner of the world -renowned liqueur Grand Marnier. For dinner reservations and more information about involvement in the hotel's 'Give Back Getaway' program contact The Ritz-Carlton directly.

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roll on

The latest addition to the Japanese dining circuit in Bali has now opened its doors with a menu featuring some of the freshest sushi and sashimi on the island. Owner and chef Hideo Yamamoto started his career in 'Inagiku' in the 1980's – at the time Tokyo's most prestigious high-end restaurant - before moving to Bali to set up 'Sushi Bar' at Jalan Kartika Plaza. This month Hideo has opened a second 'Sushi Bar' in the Discovery Mall with the same winning formula and dedication to fine Japanese dining at affordable prices. (Kuta, T: 0361 765 198)

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sichuan charity gala

Congratulations to the Sofitel, Seminyak for the successful staging of their charity gala to support the victims of the recent earthquakes and landslides in China. The tragedies have claimed over 80,000 lives whilst displacing over a million people in what the country has described as its worst natural disaster on record. As one of Accor's sustainable community programs - the Accor Bali & Lombok hotels raised over 9,000 US dollars to be donated to the International Red Cross. If you wish to contribute please contact the Sofitel directly on 0361 730 730.

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sticky fingers

Echo Beach, Canggu has a new kid on the block for summer '08. Sticky Fingers (Jl Pura Batu Mejan, T: 809 0903) is upping the ante in the west with two tiers of rooftop wining and dining right by the beach. Breakfast, lunch and dinner menus are available as is a tapas selection whilst the drinks prices are just as sensible as the local warungs next door. Get stuck in.

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level up

Original Bali sushi sultans, Ryoshi (Jl Legian, T: 730 445) have upped and left their premises on Jl Legian and moved all of ten paces next door to occupy the old Kura Kura restaurant. Expect the usual Ryoshi high standards at low prices but now on two floors with live music, air-conditioned dining room and even a boutique on the top deck

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tee total

Proof that industry professionals love nothing more than skiving off early on Fridays, hello bali and the Amex Guide to Bali celebrated the second annual golf tournament in June with a huge turnout of golfers and an even bigger turnout at the bar later in the evening. Hosted by the good folk at Bali Golf & Country Club the event saw several prize winners with Mr Yossy scooping the award for the best gross overall.

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furama villa opening

Furama Hotel International (FHI) has just opened its first resort property – Furama Villas & Spa in Ubud. The 24 villa property is set to win guests over with its rustic charms and warm hospitality. Now, set to open adjacent to these villas on 6 June 2008, is sister resort, the Furama Xclusive Villas & Spa in Ubud featuring 18 additional villas that boast spaciousness with modern interior designs set amongst lush paddy fields. (Banjar Bindu Mambal, T: 0361 7463 060)