Jessica Mauboy in Indonesia
Australia Idol star Jessica Mauboy visited Indonesia for a second time in August to support the IN2OZ: Creative Australia program. This time she visited Bali, Kupang (East Nusa Tenggara) and Jakarta.
Her second journey to Indonesia started in Bali where she visited Senang Hati Foundation, a community based program that provides physiotherapy to people with a disability in Ubud. She also met and performed with students of Bali International School in Sanur.
Jessica then visited East Nusa Tenggara province in Eastern Indonesia, where she met and performed with students of Sekolah Satu Atap (SATAP) Nunkurus, one of two thousand schools built and renovated by Australia under the Australia Indonesia Partnership. Two hours inland from Kupang, Jessica received an emotional and warm welcome from the local community at Yayasan Pecinta Budaya Bebali. This Australian-funded project helps the community to achieve sustainable livelihoods from their beautiful traditional weaving. The women of the community demonstrated for Jessica how the rich colours of the cloth – tenun – are attained through a repetitive traditional process using natural dyes and no chemicals.
This trip was important for Jessica because for the first time ever, she made an ‘official trip’ to represent Australia’s arts community to her ancestor land in East Nusa Tenggara. “With her Australian mother and Indonesian father, Jessica is a living example of the strong people to people links between our two countries,” Australia’s Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer said.
Jessica’s visit continued to Jakarta where she performed as the guest star at the Tribute to the Nation concert to commemorate the 63rd anniversary of Indonesian Independence.
Her tour concluded with a gathering and performance with students of Nurul Huda Pesantren, an Islamic school in Bekasi, West Java. Nurul Huda is another one of the two thousand schools constructed or expanded under the Australia Indonesia Partnership’s Basic Education Program.
Young and Restless IN2OZ Indonesia Tour
Australian rock band Young and Restless toured Indonesia throughout April, performing gigs in Jakarta and a number of regional centres. This exciting, energetic band, formed in Canberra just two years ago, has already made its mark on the competitive Australian rock scene. With half the band members having their roots in Indonesia, the Young and Restless tour underlined the role music can play in promoting cultural exchange.
Australian Musicians at the Java Jazz Festival
Australian musicians CODA, the Mike Nock Trio, Katalyst, Julien Wilson Trio, Megan Bowman, Logic and Kristin Berardi and her band all toured to Indonesia in March to perform at the prestigious Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival. The range of performances by these very different Australian artists demonstrated the diversity of Australia's music industry. The Australian bands made some real connections with their audiences in Indonesia and appreciated the opportunity to be included in the Java Jazz festival. Thanks to the festival for all of their support and assistance in making it happen!
