Lokananta: Why This Musical Landmark is a Must-Visit in Solo

An Article by Natasya Soetantyo

Solo is one of the cities in Indonesia that I always wanted to explore but never got a chance to (despite travelling to Central Java quite often since I was young). Last January, this long-overdue bucket list was finally ticked off.

After a comforting lunch of soto and a cheeky es dawet selasih from the nearby market, food coma didn’t stop us from exploring the city further – after all, it was only a two-day trip. We then made our way to Lokananta, located on Jalan Ahmad Yani, Laweyan.

You may also like this article: Swapping Beaches for Mountaintops – A Chilly Christmas in Bromo

Lokananta is a sacred pilgrimage site for those passionate about music, art, and history. Established in 1956, it was Indonesia’s first record label and vinyl record producer. In their heyday, they were the ones that introduced Indonesia to legendary musicians; Gesang (famously known for his song ‘Bengawan Solo‘), Titiek Puspa, and Waldjinah to name a few.

Its archive is not limited to only pop and Keroncong music at the time; but also home to Indonesia’s largest collection of Gamelan recordings, various ethnic/ folk music throughout the country, and even a recorded speech of Presiden Soekarno reading the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence. After several challenging decades trying to adapt to technological advances of cassettes and CDs, Lokananta was revitalised in 2022 and is now functioning as a modern creative hub for the public.

Exploring Galeri Lokananta

The museum, Galeri Lokananta, is an essential part of the visit. It is a ticketed entry with limited time slots – you can either explore the exhibition by yourself or with a guided tour. I opted for the first option; this gave me a bit more freedom to enjoy each part of the exhibition at my own pace. I wouldn’t mind doing the guided tour on my next visit though; turns out the discography room can only be entered with the tour guide present. My share of tips: book a guided tour online as we were unable to book it in-person.

Fun, Concise, and Engaging

Those three words sum up the experience. The first part of the exhibition depicts the origin of Lokananta and its transformative journey in becoming a significant part of Indonesian music history. Brimmed with cool memorabilia (a room full of original Lokananta vinyls!), clear information, and immersive multimedia installations – the entire exhibition was easy to digest. My personal favourite was the room explaining the vinyl production process.

You may also like this article: Goolali Gelato Bar & Pâtisserie – Semarang’s Sweetest Escape

The later part of the exhibition (only until 8 March 2025) delves into a more general theme of Indonesia’s pop music in the 60s – especially its tumultuous journey under Soekarno’s era of censorship. As I go along enjoying their colourful, aesthetically-pleasing pop graphics and listening to rare Lokananta original recordings, two things particularly caught my attention – the existence of a local genre music called Lenso (please look up its interesting history!) and a once-banned Indonesia Raya recording that was deemed too subversive.

Even if a museums are not your thing, the precinct’s line-ups of trendy coffee shops, restaurants, and retail spaces are still worth a visit. I do suggest you stop by the Lokananta Record Store – their collection of rare Indonesian vinyls from the 60s and 70s really sparked my interest to start a vinyl collection.

Planning Your Visit

⏰ Museum (Galeri Lokananta) Hours: Daily, 10am – 8pm

🎟️ Entry Time Slots (10 sessions per day):

Session 1: 10am – 12pm (with a guided tour)
Session 2: 11am – 12pm
Session 3: 12pm – 2pm (with a guided tour)
Session 4: 1pm – 2pm
Session 5: 2pm – 4pm (with a guided tour)
Session 6: 3pm – 4pm
Session 7: 4pm – 6pm (with a guided tour)
Session 8: 5pm – 6pm
Session 9: 6pm – 8pm (with a guided tour)
Session 10: 7pm – 8pm

💰Ticket Prices:

Adults: IDR 35,000
Kids (above 100cm), Students, Seniors: IDR 25,000
Foreigners: IDR 70,000 (with tour guide) / IDR 50,000 (without tour guide)

💬 Guided Tour Booking: Online only at Galeri Lokananta Website

🙋‍♀️ Personal Tips:

● If you opt for a guided tour, make sure you book online before you arrive as time slots can be limited.

● All exhibition materials were written in Indonesian; perhaps getting a tour guide is worthwhile if Indonesian is not your first language.

● Bring an umbrella on rainy day

You might also want to read

06 Feb 2026 by Bella in Info

Things to do in Bali: Fun Art Classes at Rumah Rabbit

There are so many things to do in Bali, from sightseeing and beach hopping to hiking, cultural trips, endless culinary adventures, and all kinds of parties if you’re into that. Me, personally - I’ve retired from the nightlife and now gravitate towards activities that feel more relaxing and laid back. And when you live here, it’s easy to fall into the same everyday routines - even though there’s so much to do. Somewhere between work and the gym, I found myself craving something different, something to reignite my creative side. A few months ago, I stumbled upon a lovely little art space in Pererenan called Rumah Rabbit. Translating to Rabbit’s House in Indonesian, it’s a creative playground offering art classes for kids and big kids. The lovely founder, and one of the art teachers - Bianca Timmerman, also known as Bunny Bone, showed me around her art studio and shared the stories behind Rumah Rabbit. One of the kids drawing classes at Rumah Rabbit You may also like this article: What it's like to live in Bali - cost, culture, and everyday life Table of ContentsThe Story Behind Rumah RabbitA House Full of CreativityThe Perfect Bali Holiday Activity The Story Behind Rumah Rabbit Bunny is a contemporary artist from Jakarta. She relocated to Bali in 2008 and worked as a fine art curator at an established gallery in Seminyak for quite some time. Just before Covid hit in 2020, she began teaching drawing and painting from her home in Pererenan. She did everything herself back then; from preparing teaching materials and running classes to scheduling, buying art supplies, marketing, and even cleaning the studio. What started as small classes has now grown organically into Rumah Rabbit, with regular daily classes taught by Bunny herself and a few other art teachers.What I love is that Bunny isn’t just teaching art - she regularly holds her own exhibitions and recently curated a kids’ exhibition featuring her students’ work, which was very cute and impressive. Beyond the studio, she’s involved in various art projects, from commissioned pieces to her most recent mural at Carpe Diem Jiu Jitsu Gym in Jakarta. Bunny also trains Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and turns her love for the sport into artworks! A multi-talented girl, she is! The recent kids art exhibition by Rumah Rabbit "Bhineka Warna" A House Full of Creativity The moment you enter Rumah Rabbit, it feels like home, like you’ve been invited into Bunny’s house to play. There are several rooms dedicated to different art classes. For kids, there are drawing, painting, and craft sessions using a variety of materials and techniques, including acrylics, watercolours, pastels, coloured pencils, paper crafts, recycled and found objects, dry air clay, and more. They offer just as many classes, if not more, for adults. You can also book personalised private classes for special occasions like birthdays, hen’s nights, or team bonding activities. You may also like this article: 4 Must-Visit Underrated Coffee Shops in Canggu, Umalas, and Nearby Areas Some of Bunny's paintings at Rumah Rabbit The Perfect Bali Holiday Activity You could easily spend most of the day here. It’s also a great spot for kids to unplug from their gadgets, and for parents to enjoy a few hours of well-earned kid-free time. Everyone is welcome, from absolute beginners to emerging artists looking to sharpen their skills. Honestly, I think the world needs more art spaces like this. So, if you’re in Bali, or live in Bali, do check out Rumah Rabbit and let your inner artist come out to play. RUMAH RABBIT📍Jl. Bumi Damai Indah, Pererenan, Kec. Mengwi, Denpasar, Bali 80361🎨 Group and private classes available💵 From 450K per person⏰ Group class duration: 1–3 hours🖼️ Classes available for toddlers (from 2.5 years old) to adults👩🏻‍💻 Book your class via the Rumah Rabbit website ☎️ WhatsApp: +62 881-0384-49407

29 Apr 2026 by Bella in Lifestyle

Fun Communities in Bali for Every Kind of Lifestyle

Communities in Bali. Bali is often seen on social media for its beaches, postcard sunsets, surfing culture, wellness activities, temples, and cute brunch spots - but beyond the surface, there’s so much more to do, see, and experience. It’s also home to a vibrant network of communities that shape the island’s true rhythm. Togetherness is, after all, the heart of Indonesia, and in Bali alone I’ve come across such a unique mix of groups you can be part of, whether you’re just here on holiday or calling it home - here are some of them. Jumpa Lagi ClubBe VocalThe Sketch CollectiveVinyl Book ClubContinuum AthleticsFilm Photography ClubExit Haven You may also like this article: What It’s Like to Live in Bali: Cost, Culture, and Everyday Life Jumpa Lagi Club This artsy bunch of genuinely lovely humans run all sorts of workshops like canvas painting, cake decorating, flower arranging, and more. “Jumpa Lagi” means “see you again,” which feels fitting for a space that keeps bringing people with shared interests back together. From just 100K a session, you get to tap into your creative side while they sort out all the tools (no stress, just show up and have fun). They also often collaborate with their chosen venues, so you can sneak in a cheeky food and drink deal while you’re at it - win win! Follow their Instagram @jumpalagiclub to check out their schedule. Image credit: Jumpa Lagi Club Instagram Be Vocal This has to be one of the cutest groups I’ve come across. Exactly as I imagined when I heard it’s a singing group - it’s literally just a bunch of people meeting at a scheduled time… to… sing together! And yes, it’s as wholesome as it sounds. When I was there, they kicked things off with a fun singing game, then moved on to learning a traditional Indonesian song from Maluku, and wrapped it all up with the best part: open mic. So cute. If you’re looking to meet new friends, definitely give this one a go. Follow their Instagram @bevocalindonesia to check out their event calendar. Image credit: Be Vocal Instagram The Sketch Collective If you’re an artist, an art lover, or someone who just enjoys putting pencil to paper, make your way to Sketchy Tuesday. Held every Tuesday at The Canggu Studio, this weekly gathering brings people together for live figure drawing, creative conversations, and a relaxed evening of sketching. Follow their page @the.sketchcollective for more information and updates on upcoming sessions. Image credit: The Sketch Collective Instagram Vinyl Book Club Hands up, everyone! Literature and the art of properly listening to good music are not dead yet. I stumbled across this group on Instagram and immediately wanted in. They host sessions at Analogue Listening Space on Sunset Road, and the concept is beautifully simple: reading + listening to music. You get access to their vinyl library, can bring your own book, or borrow from their collection. It’s the perfect activity for introverts or anyone looking to slow down after a busy week. I think the world needs more spaces like this. Check them out on Instagram @vinylbookclub to learn more. Image credit: Vinyl Book Club Instagram You may also like this article: Things to do in Bali - Fun Art Classes at Rumah Rabbit Continuum Athletics This one’s for all you energised bunnies around Canggu. Three times a week, they get together for different types of training. Tuesdays are for interval trainings, Thursdays are threshold sessions, and Sundays are for long, easy runs. Don’t be intimidated if you spot some seriously athletic-looking people there - everyone who wants to get fitter and challenge themselves is welcome. It’s a friendly bunch who support each other. Follow their Instagram @continuum.athletics for the weekly schedule and meet-up points. Image credit: Continuum Athletics Instagram Film Photography Club In a world that’s constantly pushing us towards the next new technology, there are still people who appreciate the slow, intentional art of analogue photography - and I love that. This club hosts “photowalks” where you meet fellow film photography enthusiasts at a set time and place, then wander, shoot, connect, and enjoy the quiet thrill of not knowing how your photos turn out until later. Each season is limited to just 20 participants, which keeps things nice and intimate. Whether you’re a seasoned film shooter or just curious to try something new, it’s such a refreshing way to spend a day. Check out their next photowalk on Instagram @filmphotographyclub. Image credit: Film Photography Club Instagram Exit Haven This is a whole new level of nerdiness that I 100% want to be part of and I want to be friends with everyone in this group. They literally just meet up… to play board games, haha! No screens, just proper games, a bit of friendly competition, and (I’m assuming) some very serious rule debates. It actually sounds like such a fun, low-pressure way to hang out and meet new people. Follow their Instagram @exithaven_ to see when their next hang is. Image credit: Exit Haven Instagram Soooo...next time you’re in Bali and want to skip one beach day, try joining a community instead. You might leave with new friends, new hobbies, new experiences, and a whole different side of the island you didn’t expect. Thank you for reading!

19 Feb 2026 by Bella in Lifestyle

5 Unique Ramadan Hampers by Local Indonesian Businesses

Ramadan hampers are everywhere at this time of year. The holy month is here, and growing up in a diverse family that celebrates almost every religious holiday, I’m already busy looking for presents for friends and family. Indonesians love to gift - it’s almost a given that we send hampers to family, friends, neighbours, and the people dearest to our hearts during festive seasons. And more often than not, those hampers are filled with cookies - lots and lots of cookies. The true stars of Idul Fitri are the classics: nastar (soft shortbread filled with pineapple jam), kaastengels (cheesy shortbread sticks), putri salju (almond cookies dusted in icing sugar), and lidah kucing (thin, crisp biscuits that literally translate to “cat’s tongue”). During this month, nearly every bakery sells them because they’re iconic and absolute must-haves for Ramadan, as well as the big day when everyone gathers. So this year, I thought I’d curate some unique hamper and gift ideas - especially for those whose homes are already overflowing with cookies and sweet treats, hehe. They’re all made by local Indonesian businesses that I think are pretty cool. The Cool Bag by Ideku HandmadeSweet Treats Without the Calories by OentukmuArtisanal Tableware by CarramicaThe Scent of Ramadan by Sniff SniffRamadan Fit by Nadjani You may also like this article: Brunch in Bali - Rediscovering Legian through Farmer’s Daughter The Cool Bag by Ideku Handmade I’ve been following this brand since they were only selling a handful of pieces through Instagram DMs. Now they’ve grown so much and have a flagship store in South Tangerang. Every year, they launch an out-of-the-box collection for the festive season, and this year’s drop is inspired by the sarung (sarong) - a piece closely associated with Muslim prayer attire. Available for purchase on www.idekuhandmade.com Image credit: Ideku Handmade Instagram Sweet Treats Without the Calories by Oentukmu They sell the cutest soaps in all sorts of shapes, and they’re perfect as presents or souvenirs for special occasions. I’ve bought them a couple of times for fun, and they smell really nice too! For Ramadan this year, they’ve created a set inspired by nastar and jajan pasar (a variety of traditional Indonesian snacks). You can order them on Tokopedia or Shopee. Image credit: Oentukmu Instagram Artisanal Tableware by Carramica You can never have too many pretty dinner sets. If you’re thinking of getting something special for your best friends, teachers, or clients, they offer a range of hampers in all kinds of designs- from classic and elegant to vintage and playful. They also come in different price ranges to suit your budget. You can view more hampers and order on Tokopedia. Image credit: Carramica Tokopedia You may also like this article: 5 Must-Visit Coffee Shops in Canggu, Umalas, and Nearby Areas The Scent of Ramadan by Sniff Sniff From the name alone, you can probably guess they’re all about scent. Their hampers include a boxed fragrance diffuser with a blend of muguet ozony, green fruit, and cedarwood 5, plus a bottle of room spray - complete with a greeting card. They’re also pretty affordable, perfect for when you need to buy a few for a group of people. Available for purchase on Tokopedia. Image credit: Sniff Sniff Tokopedia Ramadan Fit by Nadjani This brand honestly takes up a decent percentage of my wardrobe - mostly jackets and trousers, hehe. This year, their collection is called Homecoming, celebrating a return to our roots and the moments that shaped us - as they shared on Instagram. The vibrant colours and patterns reflect the liveliness of a reunion - overlapping conversations, blended hues, and happiness that feels endless. Available on www.nadjani.com and other Indonesian e-commerce platforms. Image credit: Nadjani Instagram At the end of the day, Ramadan is about connection - with our faith, our families, and the people we care about. Whether you stick to the classic cookie hampers or try something a little anti-mainstream this year, it’s always the thought that counts. If you’re looking to support local while gifting something a little different, I hope this list gives you a few fun ideas. RAMADAN MUBARAK! 🤍