Nynke Laverman was born in 1980 and finished her study at the Academy of Performing Arts in Amsterdam in 2002. A year after finishing, she released her debut album called Sielesâlt (Salt of the Soul), the poems from Dutch poet, Slauerhoff that she translated into Frisian and sang in the Portuguese Fado style. She introduced something new, a Frisian Fado, which is a music combination that has never been made before. It became her gold album that got her a Piter Jelles Award. This time, Erasmus Huis will present Nynke Laverman on Saturday May 19 at 7:30pm, and the concert is totally free for all.

Soon, rave party lovers will be insatiated again by the Wonderland event. The event will be located at two areas: Fairgrounds and a new club that is placed in the same area, Fable. The internationally acclaimed stars such as DJ Morales, John 00 Fleming, Daniel Kandi, Moto Blanco, Super Nova, and Oscar de Rivera will be spinning block rockin beats. Based on those names, we’re assuming a lot of house, tech, and trance. On a more local note, it will present DJ Ali, Bone, Zanou, Ivan D, Pierre, Six Pratama, Windu, Jacky, and Tendy. Wonderland will be held on Friday May 18. Don’t miss it!

Jakarta boybands have something to worry about, the South Korean invasion. Mblaq (Music Boys Live in Absolute Quality) a boyband from Seoul, South Korea, will break out their shipping containers worth of hair product and invade the city. The boyband that consists of five members; Seung Ho, Lee Joon, GO, Cheudung, and Mir, started their career in 2009 and has released a single called ‘Oh Yeah’. The vocal group that released their album called Blaq Style last year will be ready to entertain the K-pop lovers in Jakarta on June 30 on their world tour. They will perform at Mata Elang International Stadium (MEIS), Ancol. So hide your prepubescent daughters and lock up your hair gel, BLAQ is on the attack.

After a successful run last year, the lutung (type of monkey) is about to jump again. The Sundanese legend tells a story about the journey of Sanghyang Guruminda from heaven who was sent down to Buana Panca Tengah or this earth as a lutung. The play will be held at Theater Jakarta, Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), from May 18 to May 27. The Musikal Lutung Kasarung (Legend of the Lost Monkey) directed by Didi Petet will also present Melly Goeslaw, Nina Tamam, Marcell Siahaan, Poppy Sovia, Netta, Candil, and Ronny Waluya. As a rhyme story, Lutung Kasarung is categorized as a special story and sacred one especially for the Sundanese people. This spectacle is a must see show.

Who doesn’t know Jason Mraz? His special performance last time in Indonesia is still fresh in our minds. The Grammy nominated American singer and songwriter who became popular with the song ‘I’m Yours’ just released his new album called Love is a Four Letter Word with its successful single ‘I Won’t Give Up’. Jason will return a visit to Indonesia to promote his that new album and he will perform with his band at Lapangan D Senayan on Friday June 22.

Again, an international level football club will visit Indonesia. This time, FC Internazionale Milano, the 18-time champion of Seri A Italy and three time Champions League’s winner is about to visit Indonesia for the first time. The players who have been confirmed to show off their skills at Stadion Gelora Bung Karno Senayan on  May 23 and 26 are Javier Zanetti, Douglas Maicon, Diego Milito, Julio Cesar, Samuel Walter, Motta Thiago, Cambiasso Esteban, Stankovic Dejan, and Diego Forlan. They will also have a match with two Indonesian teams: Indonesia Selection and U-23 national team. Their first visit to Indonesia will feature a meet and greet session and a coaching clinic as well.

“I wasn’t expecting this. Not this!” Morrissey told the audience, gesturing to the large crowd that packed Tenis Senayan to see the first ever performance from the former Smiths lead singer and songwriter in Jakarta. Thousands of mostly young people (a really vocal and enthusiastic crowd, btw) were at the sold out show and they weren’t let down for a minute. Starting off with The Smiths’ classic ‘How Soon is Now’ and working through a bunch of his 25 years of solo material and a few tracks from the Smiths four years of existence, including ‘Shoplifters of the World’, ‘I Know it’s Over’, ‘Last Night I Dreamt that Somebody Loved Me’ and a stunning version of ‘Meat is Murder’, that just about stole the show. By the time the almost 53 year old Morrissey played the uplifting encore ‘Still Ill’, he had shown everybody in the house that he still had what it takes to crank out an excellent show. With the aid of his crew of brondong, bare-chested accomplices who were backing up on guitar, bass, drums and keyboard, and a mysterious, slightly over-weight woman dressed in sequins on guitar to the left of stage, the show was a rocking, emotive and an inspiring hour and a half with the Big Mouth from Manchester. I’m so glad I managed to get in past the security, minus my camera, cigs and my beer, of course, but it was all worth it in the end. [D.Trauts]

Salah satu tempat yang tidak pernah ketinggalan untuk menggelar selebrasi Cinco de Mayo atau Tanggal Lima Mei, adalah Hacienda. Musik yang biasa dimainkan oleh Los Paraguas, kali ini diganti dengan DJ Ruffie. Sang DJ memainkan music yang dapat membuat para pengunjung berdansa salsa dengan ditemani oleh sang instruktur cantik bernama Damaris.

With a name like Hacienda, you better believe they were getting all Mexican on Cinco de Mayo. Los Paraguas usually plays, but tonight was different with DJ Ruffie taking over el decks. He played the some muy caliente beats and a very fine salsa dancer named Damaris left a bunch of muchachos with slack jaws.

Red Square juga ikut memeriahkan perayaan Cinco de Mayo, dan selebrasinya digelar lebih malam. Selepas tengah malam saat pengunjung sudah ramai, DJ Ruffie memainkan musik pengantar bagi Hot Latin Senorita Dancers dari AN Generation beraksi. Warna merah dan dekorasi dari Kobar mempercantik sentuhan interior di Red Square dan menjadikan acara ini sesuai dengan temanya. Acaranya berlangsung sangat seru.

Red Square came up with its own Cinco de Mayo celebration in the wee hours of a muy caliente night. The venue was packed right after midnight, with DJ Ruffie on the decks and some hot Latin senorita dancers from AN Generation on the stage. The room was painted in red to evoke a Mexican look and was decorated by Kobar. Everyone seemed muy bien and it was a great night por todo el mundo. Awwwwwww haaaaah!

Cinco de Mayo yang berarti tanggal 5 Mei, awalnya hanya diperingati di Meksiko. Namun, semakin lama perayaan ini semakin diminati oleh beragam bangsa di dunia, dan salah satunya adalah Indonesia. Di Jakarta, Otel Lobby merupakan salah satu yang merayakannya, dan sesuai dengan tema perayaan tersebut, menu spesial yang dihadirkan adalah Mexican food & drink seperti Quesadilla, Burrito, Ensalada, Tortilla dan tentunya Margarita. Beberapa kru yang terlihat mengenakan Sombrero semakin menciptakan suasana meksiko di malam itu. Tidak ketinggalan piñata yang disiapkan di bagian tengah dan menjelang malam, tradisi memukul piñata itu pun dilakukan sebagai bagian dari hiburan.

Cinco de Mayo is a pretty good excuse to party. Otel Lobby celebrated the Mexican Day by serving Mexican food and drink, such as quesadillas, burritos, enchiladas, and also margaritas. A Cinco de Mayo celebration wouldn’t be complete without the piñata because everyone loves hitting something hard with a stick.

Barisan DJ dalam 8Delapan Management kini bertambah dengan bergabungnya seorang wanita bernama DJ Cila. Acara pengukuhannya digelar pada hari Jumat malam dengan menampilkan sederetan DJ dari 8Delapan DJ Management, dan tidak ketinggalan para model dari LV C&C yang kali ini memamerkan koleksi yang bertemakan ‘Angels’. Selamat untuk DJ Cila yang telah resmi bergabung dengan 8Delapan.

DJ Cila has joined forces with the DJs of 8Delapan Management and an inaugural ball was held with, you guessed it,  DJs from 8Delapan Management. Also there to spice things up, the LV C&C’s models strutted dresses that looked very angelic. Congratulations to DJ Cila for being picked up by 8Delapan and for giving them another excuse to party.

Salah satu acara akbar yang paling ditunggu tahun ini adalah Playground yang digelar di kawasan Tennis Indoor Senayan. Dimensions Playground yang tahun ini menggunakan angka keramat yaitu 5, yaitu tahun kelima dan digelar pada tanggal 5 bulan 5. Sejak awal acara, pengunjung yang memasuki pintu masuk, langsung disambut oleh komidi putar dan berdekatan dengan area khusus bernama silent concert. Playground sebelumnya, pernah menggemparkan dengan konsep Silent Disco, namun perbedaan sekarang adalah terdapatnya 3 channel di headphone untuk mendengarkan 2 DJ dan 1 band yang tampil, plus visual mapping sebagai tampilan dan areanya lebih besar. Musik yang ditampilkan pun sangat beragam dari mulai Pop, Electronica, House, Dubstep, Drum n Bass.

Terletak di tengah sebelum masuk area Embassy Club yang menggunakan Tennis Indoor, terdapat booth makanan dan minuman dengan desain unik dan nyaman. Selain menyaksikan para bintang tersebut beraksi, sekaligus juga banyak yang ngadem karena kepanasan diluar.

Satu area lagi yang juga penting adalah Wonderbar Forest Rave. Panggung ini yang menyedot perhatian bagi sebagian besar fans dari Wonderbar dan di kawasan sekitarnya dimeriahkan dengan permainan banteng liar dan juga ayunan untuk bersantai. Pengisi acara di panggung ini, ada Marc Roberts, Danny Howells dan yang juga sangat ditunggu adalah Jakarta Techno Militia, gerombolan lokal DJ seperti DJ Remy Irwan, Indra7, 1man, Uchieel, Daniswe, Ai dan Laser lighting yang digunakan disini, mengingatkan kembali ke jaman Wonderbar.

Performa yang paling ditunggu oleh pengunjung yang memadari Playground sejak sore hari, adalah sang veteran seperti Saint Etienne, Kelis yang malam itu tampil selain bernyanyi juga bermain drum setnya, dan satu lagi pemuncaknya adalah Gorillaz Sound System.Secara keseluruhan, Playground kembali mendulang kesuksesan, dan pada edisi kelima ini, Playground tidak hanya digelar di Jakarta, namun di Bali. Angkat jempol!

One of the most anticipated events this year was the Playground in the Senayan Indoor Tennis area. This year’s Dimensions Playground revolved around the sacred number “five”, which represents the event’s fifth anniversary on the fifth day of the fifth month. At the main entrance guests were welcomed by a merry-go-round that was placed near a special section called the silent concert. The previous Playground had garnered attention with its Silent Disco concept.  This year, the event featured a 3-channel headphone that broadcasted two DJs and a live band, plus visual mapping as the presentation and a bigger venue. There was also more variety in the acts that headlined the event, ranging from pop, electronica, house, dubstep, to drum n’ bass.

There were food and drink stalls with unique designs at the center of the Indoor Tennis area, just before the Embassy Club entrance. People came in to the building for the shows and to take refuge from the heat outside.

Another equally important section at the Playground was the Wonderbar Forest Rave. The stage and its vicinity attracted much attention from the majority of Wonderbar fans as well as the mechanical bull and the swings in its vicinity. A heap of artists performed on stage, including: Marc Roberts, Danny Howells, the Jakarta Techno Militia, local DJs like DJ Remy Irwan, Indra7, 1man, Uchieel, Daniswe, and Ai. Audiences were reminded of the heyday of Wonderbar by the laser lighting used during the performances on the stage.

The most awaited performances by the audiences that night were the veterans Saint Etienne and Kelis, who sang and played a drum set, and the main act, the Gorillaz Sound System. At the end of the night, it was another successful Playground to mark its five years in the business. Besides Jakarta, the Playground was also held in Bali. Thumbs up!

Cox Bar and Lounge yang berlokasi di Jalan Raya Kemang adalah sebuah konsep baru dengan dekorasi yang telah diperhalus, dan agak seperti klab bagi para pria. Minggu lalu, pembukaan dan pengenalan secara resmi telah digelar dengan berbagai macam hiburan di tengah hiruk pikuk kota Jakarta, seperti fashion show dari Marline World, live acoustic dari Rani Rockin dan Putri Qoustic, serta Karen Idon yang membawakan beberapa buah lagu. Malam itu sangat menyenangkan apalagi banyak gadis cantik yang datang, dan ditemani musik dari DJ Windy sampai sekitar pukul 1:30 pagi.

Cox Bar and Lounge is a new venue with stylish and refined décor, a bit like a gentleman’s club, on Jalan Raya Kemang. Last week saw their soft opening and formal introduction to the entertainment world of Jakarta with a free flow session, fashion show from Marline World, live acoustic music from Rani Rockin and Puti Qoustic, with Karen Idol getting up for a few songs. It was a fun night with an abundance of gorgeous gals in attendance. DJ Windy kicked it along till about 1.30am.

Apollo Bar & Lounge memasuki usianya yang ketiga dan sebuah perayaan digelar selama dua hari. Dengan tema ‘One World Together’ pada selebrasi ulang tahun kali ini, hari pertamanya dimeriahkan oleh fashion show. Koleksi dari Boppa diperagakan oleh para modelnya seperti Aida Nurmala, DJ Devina, Kimmy, Chitra Nartomo dan lain-lain. Sedangkan hari keduanya, acara yang mewajibkan pengunjungnya mengenakan dress code warna putih ini, diramaikan oleh penampilan DJ Zbrx dari Stadium. Tidak ketinggalan resident DJ Yecko, Dicky, dan Vally ditambah dengan semaraknya hiburan dari D’Specta Divas dengan lipsync performance. Acara selama dua hari dipenuhi oleh para pengunjung setianya.

Apollo Bar & Lounge is now three years old and two whole days of celebration were commenced to mark the occasion. Under a theme of ‘One World Together’, the first day featured a fashion show with a collection from Boppa and was modeled by Aida Nurmala, DJ Devina, Kimmy, Chitra Nartomo along with a few others. On the second day, tthe dress code was white and DJ Zbrx from Stadium provided the tunes.  Resident DJs Yecko, Dicky, and Vally had some stage time and there was also a lip sync performance by D’Specta Divas. Both events were attended by the loyal patrons of Apollo who kept the party rockin’.

Club Voyeur kembali menampilkan bintang kelas internasional dalam program unggulannya yaitu In Space. Kali ini, giliran dua orang DJ yang dihadirkan ke dalam dek, yaitu DJ Anhken dan Alexander Popov. Usai dibuka oleh penampilan jagoan lokal, Anhken terlebih dulu mengisi dek dan mulai menggulirkan musik Progressive yang disambut oleh pengunjung yang meramaikan Club Voyeur yang malam itu hanya menggunakan setengah kapasitas club area. Usai Anhken, sekitar pukul 3 pagi, barulah seorang DJ asal Rusia bernama Alexander Popov tampil dan langsung memainkan sederetan track dengan genre musik Progressive Trance. Saat itu pula, pengunjung semakin ramai di area dance floor karena mereka sudah tidak sabar menyaksikan penampilan Popov dan sebagian besar adalah fans yang akrab dengan musiknya.

Club Voyeur kembali menampilkan bintang kelas internasional dalam program unggulannya yaitu In Space. Kali ini, giliran dua orang DJ yang dihadirkan ke dalam dek, yaitu DJ Anhken dan Alexander Popov. Usai dibuka oleh penampilan jagoan lokal, Anhken terlebih dulu mengisi dek dan mulai menggulirkan musik Progressive yang disambut oleh pengunjung yang meramaikan Club Voyeur yang malam itu hanya menggunakan setengah kapasitas club area. Usai Anhken, sekitar pukul 3 pagi, barulah seorang DJ asal Rusia bernama Alexander Popov tampil dan langsung memainkan sederetan track dengan genre musik Progressive Trance. Saat itu pula, pengunjung semakin ramai di area dance floor karena mereka sudah tidak sabar menyaksikan penampilan Popov dan sebagian besar adalah fans yang akrab dengan musiknya.

Dua top DJ lokal mengisi acara Heineken Music Soundsation yang digelar di LUV’s Bar & Dine, DJ Anton Wirjono dan Yasmin. Mereka berdua bergantian menggulirkan musik House, Tech House, Electro dari balik dek. Dan acara yang juga berbarengan dengan Models Night #3 ini menampilkan para model yang tergabung dalam LV C&C models, D&D Sexy Dancers, dan DJ yang berkolaborasi dengan penyanyi.

Two top local DJs, DJ Anton Wirjono and Yasmin, performed at the Heineken Music Soundsation that was held at LUV’s Bar & Dine. They played house, tech house, and electro music alternately. The event coincided with models Night #3 that featured models from LV C&C models, D&D Sexy Dancers, and a DJ.

Drew, sebuah band yang berformat akustik namun sangat funky ini tampil di Otel Lobby Rabu malam lalu dan menghadirkan hiburan alternatif yang cukup keren di Epicentrum Restaurant. Mereka juga dibantu oleh DJ Mikey Moran dan Steve G.

A funky acoustic band called Drew played at Otel Lobby last Wednesday night and created a very cool alternative scene at the Epicentrum restaurant. They were helped along by two Bali regulars, DJs Mikey Moran and Stevie G.

Kompetisi bergengsi antar bartender kembali digelar untuk ketiga kalinya. Sejak siang hari, babak penyisihan digelar dengan mempertemukan para peserta dari berbagai kota di Indonesia. Berbagai teknik diperagakan oleh para bartender dan dinilai oleh para juri yang terdiri dari Wawan dan Unggul dari Red Square dan adit selaku duta dari WFA. Setelah melalui babak final, akhirnya Bar Pro Flair Challenge Indonesia 2012 dimenangkan oleh John asal Bali, sedangkan juara kedua adalah Taufik dari Jakarta dan di tempat ketiga yaitu Asa. Juara pertama dan kedua mendapat kesempatan untuk tampil di final regional di Kuala Lumpur. Congrats!

A prestigious competition among bartenders was held again for the third time at Reds. The qualifying round brought together the contestants from numerous cities in Indonesia and all the contestants showed off their best techniques and styles in bartending. The comp was judged by Wawan and Unggul from Red Square and Adit as the ambassador of the WFA. In the final round, the Bar Pro Flair Challenge Indonesia 2012 got its new winners. John from Bali won the first place, Taufik from Jakarta in the second place, and Asa in the third place. It means that John and Taufik have an opportunity to appear in the regional final in Kuala Lumpur. Congrats!

Red Square berubah menjadi kehijauan saat digelarnya acara berjudul Glow in the Dark Party pada hari rabu malam. Acara yang didukung oleh Absolut Vodka ini, menampilkan pertunjukan Laser Man yang menampilkan baju yang memantulkan lampu laser ke segala arah, dan juga tampilnya Sexy Glow Dancers dengan baju ala film Tron. Ditambah pula dengan dekorasi dari Kobar yang membuat red Square menjadi berbeda pada malam itu.

Red Square had a greenish glow appropriately called Glow in the Dark last Wednesday. Sponsored by Absolute Vodka, the show presented a Laser Man who wore a reflective costume that directed  green laser beams like a giant disco ball. There were also the Sexy Glow Dancers which looked like characters out of Tron. The art decoration of Kobar made the usually Red Square kind off green and it was stormsome.

DJ Milinka has been putting her forces behind helping others with her charity called Milinka Love Movements (MLM), which we will be raising funds for at The Beat Party on Thursday May 24 at Red Square, and we thought we better find out more about the charity and what they do.

Milinka, when was the MLM charity created and what does it do exactly?
M: When my mom died in 2010, I felt that I needed to do more to help people. Losing her was unbearable. She always taught me to be a strong person and also to help people. She also helped loads of people when she was alive. I came up with the name “Milinka Love Movements” and did two charity events that year. I’ve had more time lately and since December last year I’ve done events once a month in a different city in Indonesia and hopefully will do some more in Europe this summer.

What does it do?
M: Milinka Love Movements is actually sharing ideas, feelings, helping others and also helping our own awareness of who we are by doing MLM activities. Milinka Love Movements means: love yourself, love your family and love your life. Once I did a charity event for AIDS victims and hope one day we can share my ideas to educate people about aids in remote areas in Indonesia. Once I did a charity to help poor kids living on the street for their education costs, once I did a speech in a primary school motivating them to reach their dreams as much as they could, as many people are holding back their goals or dreams. At this moment there are many new jobs available, such as DJing, designing clothing, being a professional makeup artist, EO, being a lighting and sound technicians, and bartending. These jobs can now create a good future as well. I teach kids to be brave and make their dreams come true. As long as it is “halal/legal” and doesn’t harm people. Why not? Right?

Who controls or decides what happens with the funds raised?
M: Me.

And what do you do with the funds exactly?
M: We give it to local people who really need it.

Are there any success stories since you began MLM?
M: Success can be meaningful. When I did some charity in Aceh it wasn’t easy as it is a Muslim city. I helped them by raising funds in a club. And in the end I could help the local orphanage to eat for six months. They accepted my help and the media helped also. But my goal is to have an international foundation or help people not only in Indonesia… So in regard to this, I’m still far away from success.

Aren’t there enough problems and causes to fight for just here in Indonesia?
M: Yes… Actually too much to handle, but since I’m going to travel a lot across the world, why not do something good for the local people there as well.

How do you raise funds for the charity?
M: At this point by doing free gigs and sharing profits with the events, which go to the MLM charity. We also have a charity box and ticket shares.

You were in Bengkulu a couple of weeks ago. What was going on there?
M: The same things I did in Aceh. Fund raising and give the money to local orphanage

What’s the next project you will be working on?
M: For Milinka Love Movements I will do in Bangka Belitung on June. And July I will do in Serbia. My father’s country.

Pasukan perang dari rawa, Komunal, kembali datang menyerang. Setelah pada 2008 gilang gemilang meluluhlantakkan medan pertempuran heavy metal Nusantara, empat serdadu yang bermukim di Bandung yaitu Doddy Hamson (bersenjatakan vokal), Harry Reza (drum), Anwar Sadat (gitar), dan Arie Khomaini (bas) beberapa pekan silam memberondong publik dengan peluru paling gresnya, Gemuruh Musik Pertiwi.

Dirilis di bawah panji Progresiv Barbar Musik, album ini merupakan terbitan ketiga setelah Panorama (Agustus 2004) dan Hitam Semesta (Januari 2008). Masih berasaskan musik cadas ritme Selatan dan tanah tandus (southern metal/desert rock), dibanding dengan yang sebelumnya komposisi kali ini sedikit memperlambat tempo, artikulasi yang lebih jelas, serta lebih dekat ke rock dibanding metal namun tetap berbobot berat. Selain itu Gemuruh Musik Pertiwi direkam secara live di ArtSound Studio, Jakarta, dan hanya memakan waktu sehari—belum termasuk merekam gitar tambahan serta vokal latar. Selain demi menunjukkan penghambaan kepada heavy metal, kuartet ini pula mengaku bahwa album berisikan 9 tembang ini adalah refleksi penghormatan terhadap band rock legendaris negeri sendiri, God Bless. Komunal ingin mencontek habis apa yang God Bless pernah kreasikan di album brilian Raksasa, utamanya dalam spirit. Sementara itu secara lirik, masih menurut Doddy dkk, mengisahkan betapa menyenangkan bermain musik di dalam institusi bernama Komunal.

“Ini adalah album tanpa harapan, tanpa diragukan karena sudah dipastikan kehebatannya. Selamat menikmati. Heavy metal tetap berkibar,” demikian tutur penutup mereka. Selebihnya, anda bisa simak lebih dekat dinamika mereka lewat www.myspace.com/fromswamp serta www.twitter.com/komunal

The heavy weight quartet from Bandung, Komunal, just released their latest record, Gemuruh Musik Pertiwi. Even though it’s still as heavy as ever, the approach in this third album is slightly different compared to the previous ones. Its roots are a little more rock than metal. Yet it’s not as fast, more mid-tempo, with clearer articulation, meaning you can hear what the vocalist sings about.

According to the band, which is often tagged as one of the best heavy metal collectives in Indonesia, the album was recorded live at ArtSound Studio in Jakarta and only took a day to finish (excluding additional guitar improvisation and backing vocals). It’s also dedicated in honor of the legendary Indonesian rock veterans, God Bless. “In terms of spirit, Komunal wants to replicate what God Bless did in their magnum opus, Raksasa,” commented the frontman, Doddy Hamson.

Keep yourself informed by visiting them at www.myspace.com/fromswamp and following at www.twitter.com/komunal.

Smiling.The moment we see someone we know, love or care about, our first reaction would be to put a smile on our face. We really can’t deny that uplifting feeling that we get when seeing a person you’re happy to see. Researchers say that 99.7 percent of adults believe that a smile is an important social asset. Not only that, it’s also been proven that a person’s first impression when meeting with another for the first time largely depends on their smile.

Therefore, in America, more and more people invest in their teeth, making them whiter and brighter. It has been widely proven too that in the states teeth whitening is now the most requested cosmetic dental procedure by patients of all ages. It has become another form of  lifestyle  augmentation which is why the demand is spreading more and more these days.

With all the hype going on in the United States, Indonesia is also beginning to realize the importance of appearance with teeth whitening becoming a trend for many Jakarta people. Opened in Plaza Indonesia, a place called SmileXpress delivers the right treatment for a busted smile. This teeth whitening studio also gives you the pearly whites you want. The treatment takes about an hour, but you can also purchase a kit that you can bring home which can take up to two weeks to change that yellow mess that once frightened your friends and especially the opposite sex.

So imagine your next dinner with a bunch of friends, and let them see something new about you, with your bright and white teeth. You will instantly be liked and loved by all. People will trust you more and babies won’t have to cry every time you open your mouth. You can’t put a price on that.

For further information :
Dr. HennySusanty
Telp : 021 2992 3993
Plaza Indonesia Level 4 #05
Henny.susanty@smilexpress.me

Crossing the road is quite an art for pedestrians in Indonesia

Although the most common road-related complaint in Jakarta is about traffic congestion, safety for pedestrians is a significant issue too. A lack of discipline and consideration for other road users by both drivers and pedestrians seems to be the root cause of the problem. Motorcyclists riding on the pavement at busy times has been sufficiently annoying to walkers that a protest movement has even been launched by concerned citizens.

Furthermore, car drivers will always try to park as close as possible to their destination – regardless of the impact on other road users, while some pedestrians will always jaywalk whenever an opportunity arises.

I’m sure you’ve noticed how drivers on a school run will double- or even triple-park as close as possible to the school even if it reduces visibility and the road width to a single lane, while pedestrians, often too lazy to use footbridges, will shortcut directly across busy roads, putting their own lives and that of the drivers’ in danger.

It doesn’t help, either, that many of the footbridges, particularly those on busway routes, are badly maintained, with gaping holes or worse and are potential death traps for the unwary.

Paradoxically, one of the advantages of Jakarta’s gridlock at peak times is that it actually becomes easier to cross the road. Adopt the posture of someone hailing a taxi at the roadside: With an arm outstretched and pointing downwards slightly, flap your hand and proceed gingerly. Surprisingly, the traffic will give way, for interaction between road users is ultimately a non-contact sport.

Compare this with the far more dangerous position that exists in some of the major cities that are not quite as congested as the capital. Try crossing a busy road in Surabaya, for example.
The problem you will face is that the traffic, although heavy, is moving much faster than the customary snail’s pace in Jakarta, making it that much harder to find a safe gap between vehicles. You can quite easily find yourself stranded at the kerb for almost 10 minutes before it is safe to cross.

A more extreme version of this problem exists where the routeing of a toll road has split a village into two or divided two communities that lie adjacent to each other.

You’ve guessed it: The locals will still want to cross the road. However, vehicles will be whizzing past at anything up to 200 kilometers per hour. Judging the speed of vehicles coming directly towards you is much harder than for those viewed sideways-on. The inevitable consequence of this hardly needs to be spelt out in gory detail.

Regardless of how we normally travel around the capital, we all become pedestrians at some stage. Although road conditions are likely to remain far from ideal, a little bit more consideration on both sides, by drivers for pedestrians and vice versa, will go a long way towards making the hustle and bustle of urban living that much safer all round.
(Jim Read)

A home for the holiday right in the center of Seminyak’s entertainment district.

Location
The spacious private villa is strategically hidden in the quiet part of the Dhyana Pura entertainment district in Seminyak, Kuta. With acclaimed international eateries, hangout spots, and beaches located a short distance away guests are in for both the tranquil as well as the exciting scenes of Seminyak.

Look
Villa Barissan is the brainchild of Zohra Boukhari, a Morocco born artist/designer, who uses her love of vintage and Middle-Eastern adornments as the main inspiration for the establishment. The villa blends the serene tropical ambiance of Bali, elaborate Javanese arts and earthy tones of  the North Africa cultural landscape.

Atmosphere
Quiet and private, Villa Barissan offers ample space for everyone to play and relax all day by the pool or in its large living room area. All of the three large bed rooms open up to a lush garden and swimming pool area, letting the cool breeze in and leaving the occupants connected with nature at all times.

Features
Villa Barissan stands on more than 450 square meter plot of land. Its three bedrooms – two located in the main house, one in a separate building by the front gate – are furnished with large double beds. Each bedroom comes with a private bathroom.

The large open-style dining and kitchen area is the central focal point in Villa Barissan. It overlooks the pool area and is equipped with a large table where family and friends can gather around for a feast or just an afternoon tea. Two friendly staff members are on standby every day until 8pm or longer upon request. They will happily provide assistance from making arrangements for a spa treatment, finding a rented bike or anything else to make for a more enjoyable stay.

Villa Barissan
Jalan Dhyana pura gang Jamu-Jamu N0. 1, Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia
Phone: +62 361 734 553
Email: info@balquisse.com
www.villa-barissan.com

Wait, wait, stop right there, smile and click!” Those are the words, we often hear when we want to capture a moment as an image. Our whole society is now exposed to photography which has naturally become a sizeable part of everyday life. With gadgets from smartphones to computer tablets containing a built in camera, its almost as if we’re never more than a few feet away from one.

Back in the old days, before digital cameras, photography was both expensive and primitive. We had to buy film that could not be wasted greatly affecting how many shots you could take and making it a costlier hobby. But as time flies before our eyes, technology has given us many user-friendly gadgets that have also given us the chance to take lots of images. This is why, the trend of photography is everywhere and anyone can simply capture a picture. Provided with many applications that help you design and enhance your pictures to look brighter, classy or even vintage and now all is affordable and available to just about anybody.

If you do wish to know more about the roots and techniques of good photography, many courses are offered in Jakarta and one in particular and out of the ordinary, is offered by a famous photographer named Anton Ismael. He offers his courses for free to anybody interested for a whole year, but there’s a catch. The course takes place at 6am in the morning and lasts until 9am two times a week. It might think it’s difficult to wake up to go to the gym, but imagine waking up to take a free class that teaches you the various aspects of photography. Well, at least it’s cool at that time of the morning!

So grab a camera, find out more and start taking those awesome pictures!

Third Eye Studio
www.antonismael.com
http://thirdeyeproject.blogspot.com/
Jln. Nangka I No. 6
Cipete Utara, Jakarta Selatan 12150
Telp/Fax. 739 4050

After previewing many of Aula Simfonia Jakarta’s regular concerts (as well as other concerts in Jakarta), my editor started to wonder if there is any concert that is not only focused on baroque and classical music. With such a long history of Western classical music, how come Jakarta always chooses Bach, Mozart and Beethoven compositions on its concert program all the time?

Luckily, every now and then there are concerts that take risks and come out from their comfort zone. This time, it is Aula Simfonia Jakarta that is surprising us with their unusual upcoming concert program on May 19. Instead of keeping it consistent with “heavenly music” repertoires (read: Bach, Haydn, Handel and Beethoven), this time Aula Simfonia Jakarta decided to up the ante by choosing repertoires from the romantic period.

Romanticism here has nothing to do with romance or love, though that theme was common in many works composed during this time period. Romanticism here is more of an artistic, literary and intellectual movement that originated in Europe toward the early 19th century. Its purpose is to increase emotional expression and power to describe deeper truths or human feelings, while preserving or extending the formal structures from the classical period. The subject matter in this period is not purely abstract, but also frequently drawn from other art forms such as literature, history (historical figures) or nature itself.

There are plenty of great monumental works created during this period of Western classical music. Aula Simfonia Jakarta chose some great works made by Sibelius, Mendelssohn and Rachmaninoff to represent the sound of music from this great period.

The resident orchestra: Jakarta Simfonia Orchestra led under Dr. Stephen Tong chose Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3 (known as the Scottish Symphony) to be the opening. Mendelssohn, who was composing during the early romantic period, drew his inspiration for this symphony after seeing a painting on his Scottish trip. Dedicated to Queen Victoria, this symphony has a grand first movement, a joyous second movement that is influenced by Scottish folk music.

The program follows with an exciting yet powerful symphonic poem of Jean Sibelius’ “Finlandia”. This piece was originally composed for the Press Celebrations of 1899 as a covert protest against increasing censorship from the Russian Empire. Going towards the end of this symphony you can hear calm comes over the orchestra and the serenely melodic Finlandia Hymn is played. This composition is very popular and used as movie soundtracks including the 1990 Bruce Willis blockbuster: Die hard 2 – Die Harder.

The last composition on this ‘romantic’ concert program is perhaps the most thrilling one of all and is the most famous: Piano Concerto No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninoff. Many professional pianists dream of performing this composition. This piece in particular is one of Rachmaninoff’s most enduringly popular pieces and established his fame as a concerto composer.

However this composition is not an easy work for him. Compounded by problems in his personal life, Rachmaninoff fell into a depression that lasted for several years. The second piano concerto confirmed his recovery from clinical depression and writer’s block.  He dedicated this work to Nikolai Dahl, a physician who had restored his self-confidence.

A young and talented pianist name Indah Lestari Hertanto who graduated from Towson University in Maryland, USA will perform as the solo pianist to play this defiant piece. Like Sibelius’ Finlandia, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 is also a popular movie soundtrack and has appeared in movies such as Nodame Cantabile and Clint Eastwood’s 2010 film Hereafter.

It is not that often that Aula Simfonia Jakarta chooses such a refreshing program like this one. I hope there will be more in the future…

A Romantic Evening
19 May 2012 starting from 19.30 onwards
Aula Simfonia Jakarta
For more information: +6221-6586 7808 or
www.aulasimfoniajakarta.com

Poor old Jack White. A cursory listen to brand new solo album Blunderbuss would suggest that he hasn’t been having a very good time lately in the romance department. Recently divorced from partner of six years, Karen Elston and no longer gracing stages with sister/ex wife Meg White (depending on which tabloid you’ve been reading), it’s understandable that he may be feeling a tad miffed with the fairer sex.

However, if it’s a string of soppy breakup ballads you’re expecting, think again, as Blunderbuss bashes us about the head with love in its most destructive, inequitable form. “I want love to roll me over slowly / stick a knife inside me / and twist it all around” he sneers on Love Interruption, clearly still smarting from the breakup.

All of this should be taken with a pinch of salt though, as the erstwhile White Stripe, occasional Raconteur and country duet aficionado is well known for flinging around a bit of artistic license in the name of blues “authenticity”. “I’m Bo Diddly” he boasts on the rockabilly I’m Shakin’ – tongue stuck firmly in cheek to make sure no one takes him too seriously. It’s also worth noting that Elston sings backup on a couple of the tracks, so I suspect things aren’t all that bad for our Jack.

Musically, Blunderbuss will slide in perfectly between The White Stripes’ DIY garage blues and the Raconteurs’ indie swagger on your record shelf – White’s caterwauling screech powering along tracks like Missing Pieces and the most White-Stripesy track on the album Sixteen Saltines. By track four though he really hits his stride, with Love Interruption, Blunderbuss and Hypocritical Kiss providing a glorious suite of country blues, all washed in sweeping Nashville piano and pared down acoustic guitar.

While no great departure from the kind of music we’ve all come to expect from this inimitable musician, Blunderbuss succeeds in being a fantastically inventive ode to broken-hearted blues for those who just don’t do soppy.
Dan Ashcroft

Exhibition by Nicholas Hilman and Sasya Tranggono. Now – June 8 2012.

Portraying the unconditional love a mom reserves for her children, artists Nicholas Hilman and Sasya Tranggono uses bright colors and shapes to express love in a soft beautiful object. To celebrate Mothers Day, this seemed like the perfect idea and images depicting a mothers fervent love to her children is a beautiful thought and in this case a beautiful sight. Masterful watercolor strokes combined with a beautiful setting at the Four Seasons Jakarta makes this a show you don’t want to miss. Drag your mums along and take a moment and appreciate art and all she has done for you.  Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta

Instagram has been quite a phenomenon in the social media world. It is every Apple and Android user’s most addictive application, in which you can upload photos of everything you want and follow other user’s photo streams and also comment and like each other’s pics.

Raisa Andriana, the beautiful and very trendy singer is apparently an Instagram addict. She uses this app quite nicely to share her daily fashion style, makeup looks, and a peek or two about her personal life (including her cute boyfriend at the moment, Keenan Pearce). She’s got thousands of followers, and gets thousands of likes on a single photo. That makes her the most sought-after Instagram celebrity in Indonesia and a trendsetter for her fans.

People adore her fashion sense because she’s simply adorable. She makes sure that everything she wears is not over the top but down to earth and fashionable enough to show people that she’s got her own taste in fashion.

She’s at her best when it comes to accessorizing herself. From Melissa to Zara, Furla to Marc by Marc Jacobs, her adorable selection of shoes and bags makes her a trend setter. Her style is a mixture of high-street fashion and some luxury stuff, but in a modest way. She would pair Furla candy bag with Melissa “Talking” heels, or a Marc Jacobs bag from ”Petal to the Metal” series with cute Zara flats. Not to mention how she makes the Kate Spade iphone case a phenomenon. Everybody seems to be carrying it these days, and I believe Raisa is the one to blame

So, do you love Raisa’s style as much as I do? I bet not, because I’m totally obseesed.

I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard the rumour that Kiehl’s is slashing their prices. Is it even possible? Turns out, it’s true! Kiehl’s has really decrease their prices.

There are several Kiehl’s products that I’m so fond of, especially its toner, but the price differences between here and in the US have made me reluctant to purchase it. It’s as big as 56% percent! But Kiehl’s current prices don’t differ much from those overseas. So no need to go through all the hassle to get it overseas for a fair price.

Cheryl Vitali, Worldwide General Manager of Kiehl’s, commented on the lowered price scheme. “As a result of our global expansion, we are currently in over 900 points of sale and have gained significant efficiencies in the costs of doing business. As part of our customer-centered approach to business, it has always been our goal to offer accessible pricing in all of our markets. It is, therefore, our great pleasure to be able to share some of that success with our customers in the form of new lower prices on our products in Indonesia.”

Kiehl’s recipe is simple, “We do no advertising and use simple, utilitarian packaging so that we may concentrate our efforts and costs on what is truly important – the efficacy and quality of our formulations.” added Vitali.

Don’t believe what we just told you? See it for yourself!

Are you planning to get anything now that the price has been reduced?