The Spirit of Bali Revival

As a tourist destination Bali has everything to offer - Great beaches, breathtaking scenery, good food, plenty of nightlife, great shopping, fantastic weather, a fascinating culture and more especially, friendly and warm people.

Although the tourist numbers dwindled since the October bombing last year, the number of tourists visiting the island is steadily on the increase. Garuda Airlines and the Bali Tourism Board have tried all kinds of inducements to increase tourism so that it will return to the boom days of the 90s.

The Bali Arts Festival and the upcoming Ubud Writers Festival are just two of the main drawcards during the year that are guaranteed to attract tourists to the island. But now there is another. I was reading in the Bali Discovery about an exciting program of Ubud-centred cultural events, tours, and an art auction organized by the Bali Bangkit Committee called the Spirit of Bali Revival and to be held July 12-23, 2006.

Here is the schedule for the Spirit of Bali Revival:

July 12, 2006 - Mask & Wayang Exhibition - 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. an opening of the exhibition and performance by I.B. Anom. Location: Kampung Seni Kubu Bingin, Banjar Tegal Bingin Mas, Ubud.

July 13-15, 2006 - Viewing of Auction Items Preceding Art Auction by Larasati of the Works of Balinese Traditional Artists Viewing on Thursday and Friday July 13-14 between 11:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. and on the day of the Auction July 15 between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. - Location: Maya Ubud Resort - Ubud

July 13, 2006 - Mask & Wayang Exhibition - 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Cak Rina Kecak Dance Performance. Location: Kampung Seni Kubu Bingin, Banjar Tegal Binging Mas, Ubud.

July 14-23, 2006 - Balinese Traditional Painting Exhibition - "Tradition and Reputation" - Location- Agung Rai Museum (ARMA).

July 14, 2006 - Children Traditional Balinese Dance & Garden Dinner Party - Location: Agung Rai Museum (ARMA).

July 14, 2006 - Book Launching and Arts Awards - "Bravo Bali - Lexicon of 200 Years of Balinese Traditional Painting" and AMEX Art Awards - Location: Agung Rai Museum (ARMA).

July 14, 2006 - Mask & Wayang Exhibition - 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. Regog Ponorogo Performance; 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Mask Dance - Tari Topeng Tu Gek Carangsari. Location: Kampung Seni Kubu Bingin, Banjar Tegal Binging Mas, Ubud.

July 15, 2006 - Art Auction by Larasati of the Works of Balinese Traditional Artists - Location: Maya Ubud Resort, Ubud

July 15-16, 2006 - Golden Morning Tour - Free of Charge Sunrise Tour to Traditional Balinese Village and Surrounding Agricultural Lands - Departure at 6:00 a.m.. Location: Departure from Agung Rai Museum (ARMA).

July 15-16, 2006 - Free of charge tour to Jatuluwuh Rice Terraces, Mask and Wayang Exhibition and the Tradition and Reputation Art Exhibition - Departure at 8:00 a.m. Location: Departure from Agung Rai Museum (ARMA).

July 15-16, 2006 - Free of charge tour to the location of Walter Spies Villa in Sidemen, Mask and Wayang Exhibition and the Tradition and Reputation Art Exhibition - Departure at 8:00 a.m. Location: Departure from Agung Rai Museum (ARMA).

July 15, 2006 - Mask & Wayang Exhibition - 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. Stage presentation of Balinese traditional music performed by I Wayan Sutawa, a child dalang master. Location: Kampung Seni Kubu Bingin, Banjar Tegal Binging Mas, Ubud.

July 16, 2006 - Mask & Wayang Exhibition - 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. A contemporary Wayan Beber performance presented by a child dalang from Malang; 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Cak Rina Kecak Dance Performer. Location: Kampung Seni Kubu Bingin, Banjar Tegal Binging Mas, Ubud.