Latitudes.nu ‘Creative Talent Unleashed’, May 12 – Cemara 6 Art Gallery Jakarta

Latitudes.nu has been online for 1,5 year now.In that period we published over 500 articles, by talented Southeast Asian writers, expats and travelers.

Time to celebrate! That's why on May 12, Latitudes.nu throws a party at Cemara 6 Gallery Jakarta. In cooperation with Spotlight Media Centre, we bring you the best of Latitudes.nu live on stage! This community event will feature bands, artists, photographers and more.

Program 'Creative Talent Unleashed'

Photography exhibition & photography workshop

Photographers grab you cameras en come to our event. There will be a photo exhibition featuring 5 talented young photographers: Noorman Wijaksana, Labodalih Sembiring, Aisah Wolfard, Tino Djumini and Wisnu Leonardus.The work is all for sale and 1/3 of the proceeds will go to the fantastic Onedollarformusic foundation that supports young Indonesian musicians unleashing their creativity.

Besides the photo exhibiton there will be a free portrait photography workshop by Tino Djumini. During this workshop a short presentation about the origins of photography as an art and medium will be followed by a discussion and photography on the spot. At the end of the day the best three photos will be rewarded with some great prizes!

If you want to participate in the photography workshop be sure to register early (between 09.30-10.30) as there is only room for 20 people and to bring your camera!

Vesak/Waisak: Contemplation & Self-Reflection on ‘Buddha’s Birthday’

By: Putri Fitria

Vesak, or Waisak is a big day in Buddhism. At the Borobudur Temple, in central Java the Vesak celebrations attract thousands of visitors, most but not all of them Buddhist monks. Often called 'Buddha’s birthday,' Vesak actually celebrates the birth, enlightenment Nirvana, and passing (Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha. At Waisak night thousands of Buddhists from all over Indonesia gather at the temple's yard to hold the ceremony of Vesak Day 2556. Aside from the Buddhists, representatives from other religious beliefs also attend this festivel occasion.

Waisak: Contemplation & Self-Reflection

Last year the Vesak ceremony was led by Thai monk Bante Wongsin Labhiko Mahatera. The Buddhists meditated for 10 minutes in anjali position, which is sitting cross-legged with folded arms before the chest. Solemnly, they reflect on the journey of Siddharta Gautama, their guru and model in life. The monks come from Indonesia, Thailand, as well as other countries such as Tibet, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, and Cambodia.

Get your Invitation to the Latitudes.nu Event: Creative Talent Unleashed Here!

May 12...just an ordinary Saturday...not if you're in Jakarta! On May 12 the Latitudes Media Event Creative Talent Unleashed will take place. In collaboration with Cemara6 Art Gallery and Spotlight Centre for New Media, we will celebrate our first year or so online and the birth of the special print edition of Latitudes.nu.

All our members, friends and fans are invited, but there's only limited space. Do you want to be there? Then email info@latitudes.nu for an official invitation!

Drum Roll…the Very First Latitudes Magazine & Event are on the Way!

Great news! After our first year online, we decided to see how Latitudes.nu would look like on paper! After months of selecting and top secret editing, our Latitudes paper mag is now at the printers!

The magazine presents the best of Latitudes.nu with a selection of portraits, interviews, articles on music, culture and travel. Wanna get your hands on one of these? We will present the magazine on the Latitudes event May 12 in Jakarta!

CinemAsia Festival Filmtour 14-15 April

By: Yvette Benningshof & Emma Kwee

Did you miss the CinemAsia Film Festival in Amsterdam? Blast! But luckily, CinemAsia is going on tour with a few selected films. Don't miss your last chance to watch Arisan!2 in The Netherlands, as well as other Indonesian and Chinese films, during the CinemAsia Festival Filmtour.

Our Take on CinemAsia’s FilmLAB

By: Emma Kwee

The CinemAsia Film Festival in Amsterdam doesn't just showcase blockbusters and arthouse favorites, it also gives new talent a chance. In the FilmLAB three short films were presented, made by three young filmmakers from Asian descent. These three, Iegrien Yin Liu and Daan Vree from Amsterdam and Ari Purnama from Groningen, received financial, technical (and in some cases mental) support, during the painstaking, challenging and sometimes overwhelming process of making a short film.

Yesterday these films were presented. For those of you who missed it, be sure to buy tickets at CinemAsia for Saturday 13.00, for a last chance to see these gems.

Must See Films @ CinemAsia 4-8 April Amsterdam

By: Emma Kwee

Coming Wednesday April 4 the CinemAsia Festival 2012 kicks off in Amsterdam! Latitudes is going to be there, and so should you! The fifth edition of this eclectic film festival brings a wonderful variety of films from all over Asia. The theme this year is Asian Way, which refers to the fact that ‘Asia,’ ‘Asians’ and ‘Asianness’ are not to be pigeonholed. Prepare to see brave documentaries, big blockbusters and fabulous tales that show the diversity of Asia.

What to see @ CinemAsia on Wednesday April 4

19.30-22.00: The opening film at CinemAsia 2012 is the number one box office hit of 2012, Director Derek Yee’s â€˜The Great Magician’ (China 2011). In the early 1920’s, on the streets of Beijing, the nation’s most talented performers have gathered to show off their most spectacular skills. One day, a challenge is set: 50 silver dollars to whoever can reproduce the incredible ‘Eight Immortals’ magic trick. Zhang Xian appears amidst the waiting crowd and decides to try his hand at it. His amazing tricks catch the eye of the local warlord Lei who enlists Zhang’s help in order to win the affections of the great beauty Liu Yin, a woman he has forced to become his seventh concubine. But little does he know that she is the magician’s childhood love. The competition between to two powerful suitors leads Zhang to conjure his best illusion yet in order to defeat the warlord and win his love back. Can’t make it on Wednesday? The Great Magician will also be shown on Saturday night at 23.30 - 01.25.

The Mad Tuk Tuk Challenge: Part Charity/Part Madness

By: Gabrielle Yetter

Picture the scene: You’re riding your bicycle along a dirt road near Prolit village near Siem Reap when a tuktuk flies by. Nothing new in this part of the world, right?

Until you notice the driver is dressed as Fred Flintstone.

Another one bumps along in your rearview mirror. This one’s driven by an Aussie with a painted face. The next one bears an American flag. Then there’s the piece de resistance – a gold trimmed tuktuk complete with padded leather seats, a TV/DVD, electric fan and mood lighting.

It’s invasion of the tuktuks, barang (barang is the word used for a foreigner in Cambodia) style - better known as the MaD Tuk Tuk Challenge.

Cambodia’s One & Only Mad Tuk Tuk Challenge: A WHEEL Life Adventure!

GET READY to kick off a Cambodian adventure with the 2012 MaD Tuk Tuk Challenge, charity rally. A TURBO adrenalin rush! How about a gruelling challenge set to keep your blood pumping for a whole 11 days and more than 1,750kms!!!

The THIRD YEAR of the MaD Tuk Tuk Challenge, a tuk tuk rally with a difference, is set to commence on the Easter Weekend holidays on 6th APRIL 2012. A guaranteed adrenalin rush on 3wheels - with a bonus, for those forever searching for that perfect hit!

Teams are allowed to pimp up their Tuk Tuks to the max [OPTIONAL] then take to the tracks of Cambodia, crossing some of the most unexplored and extreme areas of South East Asia all in name of charity. The route will take the entourage through remote villages where they will set up camp. Each team is also fundraising for their Tuk Tuk Team through sponsorship and donations to reach a combined target total of US20K in partnership with MaD Cambodia.

Primary focus of the event is to raise enough funds to continue the charity MaD’s work in Cambodia and to build & manage their new projects in the coming 2011/2012 dry season. 100% of funds donated and raised go to MaD Cambodia's Projects... Not 10%!

CinemAsia film festival Amsterdam: 5th edition New Asian Cinema

CinemAsia film festival 4-8 April 2012 Amsterdam 

The 5^th edition of the CinemAsia film festival will take place on April 4^th until 8^th at De Balie in Amsterdam. With its unique selection of films that varies from independent productions to large Asian blockbusters, CinemAsia makes Asian cinema more accessible to a wider audience. This year the festival will feature more than 40 films from China, Japan, Korea, India, Indonesia and other Asian countries. In addition to screening Asian films, CinemAsia looks to promote and acknowledge Asian talent on Dutch grounds by putting them in the spotlight and giving them a voice.