James Beard-nominated chef Diana Widjojo is back with her Indonesian cuisine expertise next week, launching a series of cultural events at Chestnut Hill’s seasonal pop-up shop from “Bali to Us.”

The "Passion, Spice & Candlelight" dinner on Tuesday, Nov. 12, marks one of several events at the annual holiday bazaar, which is celebrating its 15th year in Chestnut Hill and 28th year overall. Widjojo, formerly of acclaimed Hardena Restaurant, will prepare a four-course meal exploring traditional and modern Indonesian dishes with her partner Jennifer Cowden through their Rice & Sambal venture.

The pop-up shop, running Nov. 1 through Dec. 24 at 8514 Germantown Avenue, transforms a vacant storefront into an Indonesian cultural hub featuring artisanal crafts, textiles, and artwork. Founded by batik artist Laura Cohn, the shop has become a neighborhood fixture since relocating to Chestnut Hill in 2010, when it first occupied the former Magarity Car Dealership with its distinctive 12-foot-tall windows filled with colorful kites and batik textiles.

"I never imagined that all these years later – half my lifetime actually - my little event started in my living room would have grown into such a much-anticipated happening," said Cohn, who hand picks the fair-trade items during visits to Indonesia.

Beyond retail, the pop-up offers an extensive lineup of free cultural programming. The Gamelan Gita Santi ensemble, led by Swarthmore College Professor Tom Whitman, will perform traditional Indonesian music on Nov. 9. The Modero Dance Company will present traditional dance performances on Dec. 7, inviting audience participation and featuring a fashion trunk show by WonderWorks event designer.

The opening celebration on Nov. 1 will showcase dangdut music, a fusion of Indonesian, Indian, Malaysian, and Western rock traditions, performed by Philadelphia resident Kirsten Spangenberg. Later in the month, fashion designer Davas Batik from Java will present their innovative batik apparel collection in a trunk show.

The pop-up will also participate in Chestnut Hill's traditional Stag & Doe Nights, offering Indonesian treats and tropical refreshments during extended shopping hours on three Wednesdays in December.

The shop's diverse collection includes holiday decorations, toys, intricate carvings, home furnishings, hand-painted kites, and Cohn's contemporary batik paintings. Most events are free and open to the public, though the dinners require advance registration. A second culinary event on Nov. 21 will feature the owners of Pecel Ndeso Catering demonstrating regional Javanese dishes with Chinese influences.