What's in store this weekend
Friday
First off, there's the launch of Bali-Paradise Rediscovered, a special photography exhibition at the Alila Hotel Space Lounge, featuring the works of 24 renowned photographers, from 7 p.m. onwards, sponsored by Charles Orchard. Early entry may be restricted to media only, so take your chances.
Next up, in celebration of the birthday the undisputed king of Jamaican reggae Bob Marley, there will be an evening of live reggae music on the rooftop of Kinara Indian restaurant (Jl. Kemang Raya No. 78, South Jakarta) starting at 8p.m.
Get a sneak preview of a new club called Bliss, featuring short sessions by local DJs Sumantri, Al Huat 88, Randon, Eric, Alan, Fabi, Sandro and Andre from 10 p.m. on. The club is located on the 25th floor of the Jamsostek Building on Jl. Gatot Subroto, Central Jakarta. Could be interesting!
Stereowerk will have two rooms of everything, from drums 'n bass to electro to deep house to breaks at Rouge (former location of Avalon, Gedung Powerpoint, Jl. Kemang Raya No. 3, South Jakarta), with a massive lineup of DJs Bima, Nishkra, Anggarezz, Lxxxtronic, Opaz, Gibran, QQ, Ade and Asking80. From 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
The big event of the weekend will probably be at Centro, Dharmawangsa Square, South Jakarta, where Clubhoppers (Indika 91.45 FM) and Pepsi Blue present UK DJ Jo Mills, the resident DJ at Circoloco in Ibiza and Pasha in London. Last year Mills blew some serious hearts and minds when she lit up Embassy's main room like few other DJs have done before with her hard-hitting selection of pumping percussive progressive house. She'll probably spin around 1 a.m.
Embassy will throw a Night Carnival Party that will see the Jakarta Undercover 2, with DJs Rim, Ai and Romy plus 18 sexy dancers and G&L Mardi Gras. From 10 p.m. on.
Frozzty Entertainment has a Bush Rush party at the a2 Club, Alila Hotel that will feature DJs Teddy, Oki, Romy and Winky in the main room and DJs Koko, Dimdok, Rivrav, Iman, Pasha and Bro in the Spotlight room, from 10 p.m. on. DJ Romy certainly has a hectic weekend, with two gigs on Friday and an outdoor rave in Bandung on Saturday.
Saturday
It's another night for the Future Revolution DJ group to play progressive trance and house @ The Gate, located just behind the GBKI Building in Semanggi, Central Jakarta. The main room will see DJ Leo, Downey and Hogi, while the outer lounge will feature the more eclectic sounds of Electro Virgo A Gogo.
Club Centro will finally get around to showcasing some of Jakarta's own homegrown progressive DJ talent on Saturday night. Like how about super spin stud DJ Riri (featured in a recent TV-7 Jakarta clubbing profile) and the always impressive Winky (who has a recent Clubhopper's Essential Mix CD release on Hot Mix label). This local DJ show will start at just after 10 p.m.
MTV and Nokia will be throwing the "N'Gress" Party at BC Bar, located right next door to the Hard Rock Cafe on the 2nd floor of the Sarinah Building, Jl. Thamrin, Central Jakarta, that will include a live performance by alternative pop female singer Tere (Aquarius Records), with MTV VJ Nirina and DJs Akhda, Andre and Wisnoe on hand. The show will begin around 12 midnight.
Who said there is no such thing as a free show? They obviously had not heard of the animated Arena drums 'n' bass and breakbeat party at Lini (Jl. Kemang Raya 9A-B), sponsored by the Javabass crew and featuring DJs Tara, Random, Jerome, Ismail and special guest DJ Sustain from 062 Underground. So head up to the loft and dance to the absolutely free vibrant driving beats from 9 p.m. until 3 a.m.
Last but not least, for more ambitious house music fans up for a big road trip to Bandung, there is the outdoor "Rave Trilogy Party" at the Tea Plantations Gracia Spa in Ciater, Lembang, that will include three of Jakarta's biggest names in progressive DJ- ing: Anton (of Future Revolution), Naro (Original Naro) and Romy (1945MF). Also on the bill are Simon Digitivity and Dee Advark, with live PA by Nuffnuxx, 30 models and a fireworks and laser show. Things start at 9 p.m. and will continue until morning. Call 08562144767 for more info. Next week
Apart from '70s pop rock legend Toto performing at Senayan Indoor Tennis Stadium on Feb. 9 at 8 p.m., German heavy metal band Halloween will be at Festival Beach in Ancol, North Jakarta, on Feb. 11.
-- Joseph Mangga
If your club or venue has upcoming events, tell us at shoalin@attglobal.net