10 Things to Do in Bali This Month: April 2019

Besides the sand, sea, and surf, this month in Bali will see the return of Indonesia’s leading food festival featuring a solid line-up, and an equally stellar rotation of DJs, producers and musicians visiting to give the island paradise‘s nightlife scene a boost. Read more for our top picks of events, parties, and festivals going on in Bali this April.

Detroit Swindle at Red Ruby

As Detroit Swindle, Dutch house duo Lars Dales & Maarten Smeets will be making their debut in Bali at Red Ruby with obscure disco and African funk tunes. The pair publish most of their music through their label Heist Recordings and had gained recognition through releases such as “The Wrap Around” and “The Breakup”, as well as collaborations with artists like Tom Misch and Mayer Hawthorne. Get in early for one-for-one cocktails, Rp. 60k vodka and Red Bull, and more at the bar from 11pm to 1am.

When: Wednesday, 3 April 2019, from 11pm

Where: Red Ruby, Seminyak

Entry: Rp. 150k

Sun Down Circle #027: Mr Scruff

Here comes the first round of Sun Down Circle of the year, and it’s looking like an epic one! Led by master selector, English DJ and producer Mr. Scruff, embark on the 27th edition of  Potato Head’s sunset marathon with a seven-hour long musical journey filled with an esoteric blend of house, disco and Afro & Latin sounds. Joining him on the deck, local favorites Dea Barandana and Indonesian rising collective Tantra on the headlines.

When: Monday, 8 April 2019, from 3pm

Where: Potato Head Beach Club, Seminyak

Entry: IDR 100k, available here

Ubud Food Festival 2019

It’s that time of the year again, where every foodie should be tuning in on Indonesia’s biggest culinary event, Ubud Food Festival. With the theme Spice Up the World, UFF2019 brings you a lineup of spectacular chefs, producers, restauranteurs, and entrepreneurs to lead you through the nation’s diverse cuisines and gastronomic scene. Head over to their website for more information on workshops and masterclasses, cooking demonstrations and more events during the three-day festival.

When: Friday to Sunday, 26 – 28 April 2019

Where: Taman Festival, Ubud

Entry: See tiered pricing system here

Fatboy Slim at Ulu Cliffhouse

Image courtesy of Mixmag Asia

Ulu Cliffhouse welcomes the legendary English beats genius Norman Cook – better known as Fatboy Slim –  into their stunning venue by the cliffs of  Uluwatu. Known for his global hits such as “Right Here, Right Now” and “Rockafeller Skank”, the MTV Video Music Awards winner will be taking you on an intimate event bringing some of his take on rock, dance and funk tunes.

When: Sunday, 14 April 2019

Where: Ulu Cliffhouse, Uluwatu

Entry: Rp. 1 million per person, available here.

 

Orpheus: A Tale of Ancient Gods


The Flanagan Collective and Gobbledigook Theatre (UK) presents Orpheus; A Tale of Ancient Gods, a 5,000 years old divine love story between two gods of Ancient Greece. Performed in a storytelling manner with spoken words by Alexander G Flanagan Wright and music by Phil Grainger, Orpheus will be touring around Bali, heading to Sanur, Tabanan, Canggu, Ubud, and Lovina, so book your tickets at your favorite Bali venue!

When: 22 – 30 April 2019, 7pm -10pm daily

Where: Power of Now Oasis (Sanur), Paradiso (Ubud), Beachouse Villas & Resto (Lovina), Deus Ex Machina (Canggu), Joshua District (Tabanan), Drifter Surf Shop & Gallery (Uluwatu)

Entry: £16 per person, available here

The BPM Festival Bali

One of the most celebrated music festivals in the world, The BPM Festival, will be coming to the Island of the Gods this April with a two-weekend lineup. We’re more excited about the second, featuring headliner Marco Carola (IT), who is making his Bali debut. Kicking off the festivities, Jesse Calosso (NYC) will be on the deck going back to back with Jean Pierre (NYC) to warm up the dance floor!

When: Wednesday, 24 April 2019

Where: Courtyard 66, Seminyak

Entry: From Rp. 400k per person, available here.

Build Your Bamboo Instrument Workshop

Photo courtesy of Rizal Abdulhadi

Calling all passionate musicians and music enthusiasts! Make your very own bamboo string instrument on a five-day workshop brought to you by Bamboo U, conducted by Indonesian multi-instrumentalist and talented musician Rizal Abdulhadi. Over the course period you will learn about the material’s potential and limitations, designing instrument of your choosing (be it regular guitar, lap steel guitar or ukulele!), as well as the sustainable production method.

When: Wednesday to Sunday, 10-14 April 2019

Where: Bamboo U, Sibang Kaja

Entry: US$950 per person, see here for bookings

Digitalism at Mrs Sippy

In celebration of their 2ndanniversary, Mrs Sippy invites you to an Easter weekend pool party in the sun with electric vibes from one of the most celebrated Electronic musicians, Digitalism. The German duo will be spinning their epic selection of remixes in the likes of their big hits such “Spectrum” and “Glow”, as well as remixes and tunes from their album Mirage which was released in 2016.

When: Sunday, 21 April 2019

Where: Mrs Sippy, Seminyak

Entry: IDR 200k, available here.

Kaskade & Oliver Heldens at OMNIA One Year Anniversary

OMNIA’s one-year anniversary is looking packed with a month-long celebratory weekend events, one of which is co-headlined by American DJ and producer Kaskade and Dutch DJ and producer Oliver Heldens. Kaskade, a multi GRAMMY Award-nominee, will be tuning his dance funk tunes in the likes of his old to recent releases such as “Cold As Stone” and “Almost Back”, while Oliver Heldens will be vibin’ electronic beats through his singles like “Fire In My Soul” and “This Groove”.

When: Saturday, 27 April 2019, 11am onwards

Where: OMNIA, Uluwatu

Entry: Rp. 850k, available here

Hatch Opening Party

There’s a new psychedelic beach spot in town! Located in Bukit, Uluwatu, this colourful cosmic vessel-looking new hotspot will be hosting its opening party with a selection of DJs such as Pleasurekraft, Fred P, Latex and Ben Pound. To pair the cocktails and boogie-down, a special Japanese-Latin fusion menu by chef Ben Leek (who, by the way, was once upon a time, Jamie Oliver’s sous-chef!).

When: Saturday, 27 April 2019, 2pm-12am

Where: Hatch, Uluwatu

Entry: Free, see here for more information 

Top Image: Ubud Food Festival


An art curator turned a nomad as of late, Chitra currently spends her days juggling between cooking, journalism and pottery. Having lived a few years in multiple countries away from home, the photography-and-poetry enthusiast decided to reside back in Indonesia, choosing Bali as the place to reconnect with her creativity and passions.