December/January, 1998
No. 032/VI/97
cover story
Christians in
Paradise
How Christianity came
to Bali
Once Upon a
New Years Eve
MC-ing a New Year's
Eve party during a
blackout
bali focus:
nusa dua and
jimbaran
The Origin of
Nusa Dua
A fable
People of a
Fertile Sea
The fishers of
Jimbaran beach
Steve Charles revamps
the Candraloka
Amphitheatre
Nusa Dua Nights
How to survive them
The Sacred
Wilderness
Colonial encounters with
Bali's southern peninsula
arts and
culture
Latter Day
Laksamana
A.A.M. Djelantik's
recently launched
autobiography
Kulkul
new Fiction by Gde
Aryantha Soethama
The Rat Pack
Who are Bali's literati?
beyond
bali
An Eddy in The
Counter of Time
Kayaking off the west
coast of Lombok
Slick and Cool in
Sengigi
Round midnight at the
famed Lombok resort
regular
Fashion
Adventure
Into the blue
Food
Jewel of the southren rim
Jungle Drums
Bali Update
On the Road
Home Grown
Made Adi Putra
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Eclectic falls somewhat short of describing the entertainment programme at the
Candra Loka Amphitheatre. The Nusa Dua venue is striving to become a relevant facility for
both tourists and locals, and it's new team seems set to do just that.
Located beside the Nusa Dua Galleria the amphitheatre features cultural events from around Indonesia as well as international acts that cover the spectrum from jazz to rock and almost everything in between.
"We want to avoid featuring the same fare as the hotels in the area, so if we do feature an Indonesian act we work with their local tourist promotion board and bring a huge team over. They will include dancers, costumes and musicians as well as local chefs and craftsmen who will make and sell authentic food and handicrafts," explains Steve Charles, the amphitheatre's co-ordinator.
Troupes from East Java, Timor and Sulawesi are featured on a monthly basis.
There has been criticism in the past about the amphitheatre not doing enough to support local acts from Bali. In response to those critics the Candra Loka recently staged the first annual local showcase, Parade Musik Underground, which featured 30 acts in all, 20 of them from Bali.
"It was quite a scene here. Attended by over 3,000 young people, the bands mostly played alternative music including more than one who came in full make-up reminiscent of the '70's group Kiss," he continues.
The list of international acts for the upcoming year will depend largely on availability and sponsorship, but the venue hopes to sponsor one a month. Many of the major acts will play Bali as part of their South East Asian tours.
January will feature Australia's Rick Price in concert, with a possible appearance by Air Supply in February and the teeny bopper's favourite, Michael Learns To Rock is sure to return early in December.
Steve's dream is to host a Rolling Stones' concert and has already approached them to play Bali at the end of their 1997-'98 tour.
"Mick Jagger loves Bali and so far they haven't said no," he says.
The venue is also busy putting together it's own tailor-made show that they hope to feature every two weeks. "We want to put together a showcase of Bali talent that includes a mix of contemporary, traditional and some comedy. A blend of dance drama, song and stand-up to spice up Friday nights in Nusa Dua."
Looking at the bigger picture, the team at the Candra Loka Amphitheatre want to make the most of the excellent stage and facilities they have and offer world-class entertainment to the people of Bali and it's visitors. And the chances are, they will do just that, stay tuned.
by Sarah Keehan
Photos courtesy of Candra Loka Amphitheatre
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