10 Things to Do in Bali This Month: March 2018
PUBLISHED March 2nd, 2018 04:00 pm | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 05:35 pm
Welcome to the first edition of our monthly roundup of the best happenings in Bali! Besides the sand, sea, and surf, the island paradise has a spiritual and cultural soul, as well as a vibrant nightlife scene. Read more for our top picks of events, parties, and festivals going on in Bali this March:
Da Maria Sundays X 528Hz: Lauren Lane
Gaining recognition through appearances at festivals such as Coachella and The BPM Festival, the girly rebel Lauren Lane (Visionquest / Edible, US) will be taking over Bali with her new dance/electronic release Diary Of A Madwoman this Sunday. The original mix, whose title was inspired by spins from Jamie Jones, Marco Carola and The Martinez Brothers, can be expected at Da Maria, alongside two of Bali’s finest – Black Wolf and Carlo Davids. Don’t go home before 10pm – that’s when they start distributing free pizza.
When: Sunday, 4 March 2018, 6pm till late
Where: Da Maria
Entry: Free, more information here.
The Beat Goes On feat. Aeroplane
When beloved Balinese nightlife destinations – such as W Bali – hosts anniversaries, you’re guaranteed it will never be dull. Make your way through to Woobar to celebrate their seventh year as “The Beat Goes On”; presenting a line-up of international DJs like Italian-Belgian producer, Aeroplane (known for his distinctive “analog house” sounds), as well as W Hong Kong’s music curator, dj, and violinist Olivia Dawn. Supporting them are W Bali’s resident DJs Nanda and Damian Saint. Expect tunes from sunset to the wee hours of the morning – we’re pulling an all-nighter as long as the beat goes on!)
When: Saturday, 31 March 2018, 6pm till late
Where: Woobar, W Bali Seminyak
Entry: Free, more information here.
Phoenix Sunday at OMNIA: Trus’me
This coming Sunday, OMNIA welcomes their first international guest DJ, Trus’me (UK), to their breathtaking venue by the cliffs of Uluwatu. The dayclub is the perfect place to end the weekend the island way – day party, sunset cocktails and a swim, all with a majestic view of the Indian Ocean. Trus’me will be sharing the deck with Bali’s finest Ricardo Who, Black Wolves, and Ben Pound bringing sunshine grooves.
Where: OMNIA Bali
When: Sunday, 4 March 2018, from 11am
Entry: Free, email [email protected] for table bookings.
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Nyepi and Saraswati
The most iconic and anticipated Balinese celebration is Nyepi, the Day of Silence, where the island sinks into an almost surreal calm (even planes are not allowed to land on this day). The holiday is extra special this year, as it will be celebrated with Saraswati (Day of Knowledge). Be enchanted by the exotic colours of Ogoh-Ogoh parades (displays of Hindu’s mythological statues) happening all around Bali the day before Nyepi, followed by a day of solitude and stargazing.
When: Saturday-Sunday, 17-18 March 2018
Where: across Bali
Sun Down Circle 024 – Floating Points
English electronic solo musician and neuroscientist Sam Shepherd, also widely known as Floating Points, will be taking you on a sundown-til’-dawn musical journey at Potato Head Beach Club. After a number of EPs, singles and live sets, Shepherd is finally reaching the island, and the line-up also sports PTTHead’s Expected on the deck too, a line-up of the beloved resident DJs Archie, Dea and Seabass.
When: Thursday, 15 March 2018, 4pm till late
Where: Potato Head Beach Club, more information here.
Monday Night Movie: Sharkwater
Biologist and filmmaker Rob Steward is bringing us closer to the underwater world through his captivating 2006 Canadian documentary film Sharkwater. The film aims for awareness towards shark protection, adjustments in government policy, and inspiring the shark conservation movement. Having caused major change in the shark-hunting industries that are driving sharks to extinction, Sharkwater is one of the most daring exposés of the exploitation. Happening at The Yoga Barn in Ubud, the screening comes with free flow popcorn! Hungry? Opt for the pre-movie vegetarian dinner at 6pm.
When: Monday, 26 March 2018, 7.30pm-9pm
Where: The Yoga Barn
Entry: IDR 30,000
The 40 Thieves Throwdown – Beachclub Qualifier
It’s the battle of the beach clubs at this head-to-head tournament-style cocktail competition between two of Bali’s top bartenders. This time, Melvern ‘The Alchemist’ Nathaniel of Potato Head Beach Club, and Bili ‘The Dragon’ Wiriwan of Alila Seminyak will presenting their cocktails to a panel of judges and the bar-goers at 40 Thieves. Bonus points are awarded for the best selling drinks, so feel free to drink more. There’s also a charity auction where proceeds go to SMILE Foundation (a non-profit that helps those with craniofacial disabilities to obtain healthcare).
When: Thursday, 15 March 2018, 8pm till late
Where: 40 Thieves, more information here
Entry: Free
Earth Colours Workshop by Threads of Life
If you’ve always been interested in Indonesian textiles and natural dying traditions, this five-day workshop explores the traditional art of batik and the indigenous plant-sourced dyes of the Indonesian archipelago. Happening in Umajati Retreat amidst rice fields and coconut groves, workshop leaders Jean Howe and William Ingram will take participants on a journey of preparing and dying cotton swatches with traditional natural dyes, learning batik using canting (wax pen), cap (stamp), and brush, and creating a personal cotton or silk scarf batik project.
When: Sunday-Friday, 11 – 16 March 2018
Where: Umajati Retreat
Entry: US$775 for residential participants and US$445 for non-residential participants. More information and registration here.
Another Night at The Opera
In the mood for a different kind of musical night? Be wooed by Indonesia’s talented soprano, Dessy Ananta Permatasari, with a night of live Italian opera at Zibiru restaurant. Desi started singing at the age of three, and she completed her classical vocal training at School of Music in Yogyakarta in 2010. Currently, she’s an active soloist in several orchestras in Yogyakarta, and she’ll be bringing popular Italian opera classics that will certainly be music to your ears as you enjoy an Italian dinner.
When: Thursday, 15 March 2018, 7.30pm-10pm
Where: Zibiru Cucina Italiana
Air Festival Bali Edition 2018
Unlike the 2017 party held on Gili Air, the fourth edition of Air Festival will take place in one of the trendiest beach restaurants in Canggu on Echo Beach. La Brisa is their temporary home for three days of musical festivities; from house to techno to soul, the line-up of international DJs include Fred P from Soul People Music, Bas Ibellini (Tuskagee and Crosstown Rebels), Art Alfie (Studio Barnhus) to Boris Werner, as well as Bali’s beloved gems KMLN, Jonathan Kusuma, Tiago Oudman, Archie, Trigan Young, Dr. Yez, Kai and Kusasi.
When: Friday – Sunday, 30 March – 1 April 2018
Where: La Brisa, Echo Beach
Entry: US$108 for three days, tickets available here.
