A record-breaking crowd of well over 10,000 guests gathered for the BaliSpirit Festival’s free community music event “Konser Sejuta Cinta, Sejuta Peduli Untuk HIV & AIDS” on the Ubud soccer field. Concert-goers tweeted the following morning that this year’s outdoor concert was an historic event; one describing it as the “most successful open air event in Ubud’s history.” The community concert also featured KIS Band and other popular musical acts to raise awareness about the alarming rise in Bali HIV/AIDS cases and to support the Festival’s AYO! Kita Bicara (Let’s Talk About) HIV/AIDS Outreach program.
Featured vocalist Daddy T, who accompanied Indonesia’s Reggae Ambassador, Ras Muhammad commented “We can really tell that the audience has such a positive energy. It’s a great thing to experience at an event like this.”
In addition to featuring top Indonesian bands, the BaliSpirit Festival team premiered a new collection of short documentary films featuring footage from Ayo! Kita Bicara HIV & AIDS EduSpirit workshops, interviews with the concert’s featured artists commenting on HIV & AIDS in Bali, and a special message from the Regent of Ubud, Dewa Made Sutanaya SH, in support of the education program and concert.
Ubud’s Vice-Regent, Ir. Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukaati, MSi, was also welcomed to the stage, along with BaliSpirit Festival co-founders Meghan Pappenheim and Made Gunarta. The three expressed their deep thanks for sponsor support (including Yamaha, Teh Kotak, and Sutra) and other key partners who helped coordinate the schoolbased Ayo! Kita Bicara EduSpirit Workshops over the last two years.
Among those honored were Yayasan Spirit Paramacitta, Yayasan KISARA, Bali Children Project, KDS Kosala Buleleng, & Yayasan Cahaya Pendidikan Anak Bali.
The concert opened with the Mr. Botax– a compelling fusion of rock, traditional Balinese percussion and kecak vocals. The indie rock band, Nymphea, fronted by Ubud native, Sari, had a massive following of young Nymphfriends, in support. Sari remarked to the crowd about the importance of HIV & AIDS awareness and eliminating the social stigma attached to those afflicted: “Mengjauhi virus, bukan orang terkena.” (Distance yourself from the disease, not from people who suffer from it), she said.
Jakarta’s popular hit band, Ras Muhamad took the stage, with a rousing performance of socially conscious reggae, including a powerful live version of their latest hit “Prosa Tinju Lima Jari” (Five-fingered Boxing Prose).
Headliners and Ubud’s award winning “home band,” Kis, shared their signature rock and roll magic with hometown pride to wrap up the nightlong gala event.
For more information or quality pictures of this event, please send your requests to Pr@baliSpirit.com .
Ayo! Kita Bicara (Let’s Talk About) HIV/AIDS is an AIDS awareness initiative which uses innovative schoolbased HIV prevention and education to support highschool students in Bali’s most at risk areas. Ayo’s! school education activities are reported as a fresh and innovative effort to stop the alarming spread of HIV and AIDS in Bali, as well as to curb discrimination against Balinese victims of HIV and AIDS and their families. For more information, visit: http://www.balispiritfestival.com/ayobicarahivaids.html
The Fifth Annual Balispirit Festival (March 28 – April 1, 2012) is a vibrant and energetic celebration of yoga, dance, and live music, which entertains and awakens positive change. The Festival is reputed as “one of the world’s leading lifestyle festivals,” by Sky TV Europe’s Ciaran Caulfield, and among Asia’s top 5 “Events with Edge,” by MICENET Magazine. Join the one 2012 Bali celebration that combines the best of yoga, over 100 daytime health and wellness workshops, nighttime concerts, healing arts, eco-marketplace vendors, and more. For more information, visit: www.balispiritfestival.com
BSF2012 Community Concert Attracts 10000