Indonesia and World Tourism News

DEEP Indonesia 2008 Program Highlights

Indonesia’s only international diving, adventure travel and water sports exhibition is set and ready on 28th to 30th March 2008 at the Jakarta Convention Center. Join us for this annual exciting weekend to get a taste of the specially designed programs just for you….

• Seminars : Partnering with a number of government bodies and conservation groups, DEEP Indonesia 2008 will provide seminars during the three days show to communicate conservation and dive related issues to the industry, government bodies, NGOs and general public. Please check www.deepindonesia.com for seminar and stage program details. 
• SCUBEX : Operated by Planet Diving, this year’s SCUBEX will bring you lots of activities and fun contest and of course…. more prizes! 
• Children’s Painting and Coloring Competition : This is the perfect platform to nurture and educate children to “Save the Coral Reef” and “Love the Shark”. Bring your kids to have fun and get interesting prizes at the event, 30 March 2008. 
• Film Festival : Award winning UW documentary films at the Film Festival for your viewing pleasure, some contributed by Mr. Michael Aw from Ocean Geographic Society. 
• Digital Poster Design Competition : Sponsored by COREMAP II, this event is aimed for university students in Jakarta and the surrounding cities. With the theme : “Our responsibility to save the beautiful coral reef”, the 10 best results will be featured at the show and winners will be announced on 30 March 2008. Please find out how to participate at www.deepindonesia.com  
• UW Photo Competition : In association with DivephotoGuide.com and Wetpixel.com, DEEP Indonesia will feature the results of the winning categories of this international photo competition. 
• UW Exposed : A photo exhibition featuring Indonesian UW photographers showcasing their masterpiece. 
• UW Digital Photo Workshop : POSSI & Info Komputer will host this “Underwater Macro Photography” workshop on 29 March 2008, 4 – 7 pm, at Mola-Mola room. Presented by Makarios Soekojo. For registration please contact Irvan 021-5483008 ext 3773/ 3340. 
• IYOR 2008 : Get involved in the worldwide campaign for International Year of the Reef (IYOR) 2008! The launching of IYOR 2008 will be conducted by Mr. Freddy Numberi, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Affairs at the inauguration of DEEP Indonesia 2008, 28 March 2008.  
• Door Prize : Win fantastic prizes in the three days show! Prizes including scuba gear, accessories and exotic trips with value over US$ 20,000 from Absolute Scuba Bali, Blue Season Bali, Nemo Wetsuit, Sea Pearl, Luminox watches and much more to come…. Prizes will be drawn everyday on stage! 
• Opening Ceremony : The show’s Opening Ceremony will be conducted by Mr. Jero Wacik, the Minister of Culture & Tourism accompanied by Mr. Freddy Numberi, Chairman of Indonesia Sub Aquatic Association who is also Indonesian Minister of Fisheries and Marine Affairs. 
• Meet Nadine : Visit Scuba Diver Australasia, the Official Publication of DEEP Indonesia, at booth A38 and meet photographer Windiarto Tjandra and Miss Indonesia 2005, Nadine Chandrawinata, who will be there to sign copies of his newly released books, Nadine. 
• Pre registration is already opened in www.deepindonesia.com . First 1000 walk in visitors and 500 pre registrants will receive special gifts from Nemo Wetsuit! 

Click the links for more details: www.deepindonesia.com

Source: http://my-indonesia.info/

Add comment March 18th, 2008

All that jazz, in Indonesia

By Richard Li
CONTRIBUTING REPORTER

Java conjures up steaming cups of strong coffee in the minds of many. After last week’s Java Jazz Festival, it should be jazz.

The festival is the largest gathering of jazz musicians in the world, with over 1,000 performers. This year it included artists of almost every jazz sub-genre. Jazz virtuosos like Lee Ritenour, standard jazz vocalists like Kurt Elling, R ‘n’ B/Soul legends like Incognito, smooth jazz artists like Marc Antoine and even pop stars like Babyface, all made appearances.
When we - the bandmates and friends I was traveling with - arrived at the Jakarta Convention Center, there was already a huge crowd and a plethora of souvenir vendors. It looked like a rock concert rather than a jazz festival. At the door, we saw the members of a young jazz band playing with skill beyond their years - and that was just the outdoor stage.

After entering the venue there was a problem: With 20 stages, how would we ever decide which act to watch? Luckily, we found out that legendary keyboardist Jeff Lorber was playing the opening act in the Exhibition Hall and ran to hear it like paparazzi after celebrities.

Over the three-day festival, for which we had purchased passes for US$100, we often had the same problem. We did get to see some great performances, though. Joe Sample and Steve Gadd were there. Incognito reunited with Maysa in a groovy act that had the audience up and dancing. Ex-Yellowjackets drummer William Kennedy backed up Lee Ritenour. Old comrades Melvin Davis and Patrice Rushen released a fusion of Latin and West Coast jazz. Besides these renowned international artists, there were also many Indonesian bands, most of which appeared to be quite young.

Taiwan’s presence was felt when Taiwanese band SiZhuKong (絲竹空) performed. The band’s combination of traditional Chinese ballads and modern jazz gave a fresh twist to traditional songs.

In between shows, we did some people watching. Not knowing the popularity of jazz music in Indonesia, we had thought most of the audience would be expats. In reality, the majority of participants appeared to be young, local people. We could see their enthusiasm for jazz, as many sang along with the performers. We were surprised by this passion for and acceptance of jazz music, which often takes second stage to pop idols in the hearts of the young.

The sound systems used throughout the event ensured that the music came out crystal clear. All of the audio-visual and broadcasting equipment, as well as the hardware and software, was operated by professional crews. The overall experience was like watching meticulously edited DVDs of live gigs with a 5.1 Dolby stereo. The professional staff of 1,000 ensured that everything ran smoothly.

In a cost-benefit analysis after the event, I found that this large-scale event barely turned any profit at all, but for those who went, the benefits were off the books.
This story has been viewed 432 times.

Source: http://www.taipeitimes.com/

Add comment March 18th, 2008